Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I wanted to make a simple, sturdy scratching post for my cat. Nothing fancy — just something that would actually last.
But the materials alone cost $62.
For a cat post.
When I was a kid, DIY was always the cheaper option. My mom made clothes because fabric was inexpensive. Then fabric prices went up, stores closed, and suddenly it cost more to make your own clothes than to buy them.
And now it's happening with building materials.
Sure, I could buy a cat scratching post on Amazon for half the price — but it would be garbage. It might last a few months. That’s the business model now: everything is disposable, designed to break just long enough for you to buy a new one.
If I sold the one I made in this video, it would have to be around $150 just to break even on time and materials.
This is the same reason people say it costs more to be poor than rich — cheap things wear out, expensive things last.
So this video is two things:
1️⃣ A tutorial on how to build a real, solid, long-lasting scratching post
2️⃣ A warning about where DIY and material costs are heading
If you’ve noticed the same trend — you’re not alone.
Patreon Account
patreon.com/randirain
Follow me on facebook...
facebook.com/RandisRR
facebook.com/Randi.Rain
See more of my work here...
raincloudarts.com
raincloudmagic.com
http://www.randirain.site
#diy #cats #scratchingpost #catowners #2025 #crafting #builditbetter #homemade #consumerism #inflation #costofliving #makercommunity #catfurniture #pets
I wanted to make a simple, sturdy scratching post for my cat. Nothing fancy — just something that would actually last.
But the materials alone cost $62.
For a cat post.
When I was a kid, DIY was always the cheaper option. My mom made clothes because fabric was inexpensive. Then fabric prices went up, stores closed, and suddenly it cost more to make your own clothes than to buy them.
And now it's happening with building materials.
Sure, I could buy a cat scratching post on Amazon for half the price — but it would be garbage. It might last a few months. That’s the business model now: everything is disposable, designed to break just long enough for you to buy a new one.
If I sold the one I made in this video, it would have to be around $150 just to break even on time and materials.
This is the same reason people say it costs more to be poor than rich — cheap things wear out, expensive things last.
So this video is two things:
1️⃣ A tutorial on how to build a real, solid, long-lasting scratching post
2️⃣ A warning about where DIY and material costs are heading
If you’ve noticed the same trend — you’re not alone.
Patreon Account
patreon.com/randirain
Follow me on facebook...
facebook.com/RandisRR
facebook.com/Randi.Rain
See more of my work here...
raincloudarts.com
raincloudmagic.com
http://www.randirain.site
#diy #cats #scratchingpost #catowners #2025 #crafting #builditbetter #homemade #consumerism #inflation #costofliving #makercommunity #catfurniture #pets
