About Me

Hi! I’m Tamara White, a wife and mom of two girls living in Georgia. I was born in Jamaica, raised in New York, and now I’m a weekend Californian and a weekday Georgian peach. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business and Public Administration, where I focused on marketing, advertising, and recruitment. 

How I got Started

My love and passion for thrifting and DIY projects all started when my husband and I bought our first home in 2018 in Oakland, California – a year after we got married. At the time, the home needed a full gut renovation, so we decided to not only renovate but also add an additional dwelling unit (ADU) / in-law suite. This required getting plans drawn up by an architect and approved by the City of Oakland. Due to the hefty overall cost, we made the decision to do some of the work ourselves – from installing luxury vinyl plank floors to kitchen cabinets and painting.

We learned a lot of hard lessons along the way, but once the renovation was complete, we were thoroughly happy with the results. We then decided to rent out a portion of our home as a vacation rental on Airbnb. Through a lot of creativity and smart thrifty finds, and budgeting, we were able to furnish this space, on a budget, without breaking the bank. 

Having now renovated and styled five (5) homes later, across 3 different states, I have found my passion for DIYing and thrifting, and I want to share that journey with you. I am self-taught, but my journey has allowed me to pick up so many useful tricks, tips, and lessons that I am excited to share. 

About the Thrifty Apartment

My goal is to provide you with informative content to help you DIY your own projects and crafts, find the best deals on home décor, tips and tricks for thrifting, and other exciting ways to save money and decorate your home.

I am an avid bargain hunter, always finding the best deals and negotiating for the best prices. I visit Target, Ross – Dress for Less, Dollar Tree, and local thrift shops on the regular, hunting for hidden gems and amazing deals.

I want to inspire anyone looking to create a unique space without breaking the bank – so let The Thrifty Apartment help you design your dream home with thrifty know-how! 

Follow me on my journey and check out my Home Tours & Design for inspiration.

If you are looking to collaborate with me, connect with me through Contact Us page.

You can contact me directly at tamara@thethriftyapartment.com. I’d love to hear from you.