by Brittany Cleeve
Years ago, when people would save and reuse items on a daily basis in their home and life, they may have been considered “stingy or thrifty”, which sounds a bit old-fashioned today. Now, more than ever people “enjoy” finding ways to cut corners, get more for their money and try not to be wasteful. As recycling has become a way of life for many families, identifying ways to save money and reuse everyday products has become even more prevalent for families everywhere.
Here are some great tips for reusing household products, saving money and living a less wasteful life.
- Instead of buying new clothes for yourself and other family members, consider swapping or trading clothes with friends to refresh your wardrobe without spending money all the time for new things.
- Start taking your lunch to work instead of going out. Not only is being a brown bagger healthier, it will save you tons of money over the course of a year.
- Save and reuse paper lunch bags or buy a reusable lunch bag that can be used every single day.
- Crumbled up aluminum foil is the perfect way to scrub dirty pots and pans.
- Paper towels are expensive, so opt for cloth towels that can be washed over and over again.
- Save plastic food containers for reuse when freezing leftovers or storing in the refrigerator.
- Instead of throwing unused household items away, consider saving them for a garage sale. As they say, “One man’s trash is another’s treasure”.
- Make homemade gifts such as baked goods and other items instead of buying expensive gifts and make handmade cards to go right along with it. The personal touch will be remembered longer.
- Use plastic bread wrappers and plastic produce bags for freezer use.
- Learn how to do many home repairs yourself and save hundreds instead of calling in a handyman.
- Swap services with friends and family who can offer help with things around the home that you don’t know how to do. In turn, provide them with something they don’t have expertise in.
- Search your community for ways to enjoy free recreation such as picnic areas, libraries, public tennis courts, swimming areas, parks, zoos, etc…
- Check out discount stores and buy products you actually use.
- Learn how to sew and knit in order to avoid costly alteration fees.
- Try to form the habit of putting aside some money “for a rainy day.”
- Grow you own food and enjoy cooking at home rather than going out. Trying new recipes you find online is also a fun inexpensive hobby.
- Before buying anything new, ask yourself if you really need it.
- Use real china, utensils and glasses as opposed to buying plastic disposables for parties and get-togethers.
- Frequent garage sales for terrific things in good condition.
One thing that the economic recession has taught us is to be more mindful of what we use and how we spend our money. By incorporating all or some of this helpful tips into your everyday life, soon you will see that you have a little extra money available for special occasions and are pleasantly surprised at how your family is willing to sacrifice a little in order to save and be less wasteful.
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