Repurposing items is both a great way to save money and a great way to keep items out of the landfill. I asked the SavEars to share some of their best repurposing tips with us:
1. Look at items before you toss them – Catherine’s tip
My most recent endeavor to save money has been re-purposing. Before tossing stuff in the trash (to just go sit in a landfill somewhere) I try to look at it and decide if it could be useful somewhere in my house. Baby wipe/flushable wipe containers are one of my favorites. There are so many different things around my house I can organize in them. My husband has been collecting wooden pallets from work and other businesses around town and doing all sorts of cool things with them. He has built storage crates and shelves for my stockpile, and is almost finished making wall mounted folding desks for our children. With re-purposing I not only feel thrifty, but also less wasteful.
2. Intentionally save plastic containers – Laura’s tip
When I buy deli meat that comes in a Tupperware type container, I save the container after I use up all the meat. I then wash it in the dishwasher and use it around the house to store stuff. I have one in my pantry right now holding some individual packets of grits and one in my bathroom drawer right now holding some hairties!
3. Unique use for grocery sacks – Kim’s tip
I use the plastic shopping sacks you get from the stores when you grocery shop as a “homemade” shower cap. I hate having to flat iron/blow dry my hair everyday because the dammage. so I just put a sack on my hair and twist the handles in a tight kno in the back of my head…and make sure it is covering all areas. Works great.:0)
Tara’s bonus tip
I do that! I use mine for a cap when coloring my hair, because we all know they don’t give you caps with the cheap coloring kits. sometimes i use them as the gloves too… something always comes up and I have to take the gloves provided off and can never get them back on without a mess.
4. Create lawn games – Laura’s tip
I saved 10 Coffee Mate creamer bottles and painted the insides white and put sand in the bottom and we have our own set for lawn bowling,…easy peasy. CHEAP.
I cut the bottom off of a 1/2 gallon OJ jug and use it as a funnel and also as a game called SCOOP,…get a tennis ball ans toss it back and forth,..catching it- in the scoop. . :O)
5. Gift leftovers – Bree’s tip
When margarine and cool whip containers are empty, I use them to send leftovers to my family for the holidays. The potato salad, the dressing, it all goes into the containers so I don’t waste paper plates and aluminum foil
Let us know if you have a tip to share!
