Comments on: Examine Your Trash: Strange Ways to Save Money

By: Gail

Gail — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:08:49 +0000

We converted to hankies and cloth rags years ago. My last holdout was papertowels for soaking up bacon grease when it comes out ofthe pan, now I have a designated cloth towel for the purpose. The one thing I feel bad about is the amount of gallon jugs of water we go through. We are on a well and with my health issues feel it is better for me to be drinking certified water than possible contaiminated water. Even so, since I generally only drink water, I’m not tossing popcans or Starbucks cups etc. on a regular basis.

By: junebaby

junebaby — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:33:06 +0000

There are flea markets and second stores where you can get charming vintage cloth napkins and handkerchiefs. I use a vintage hankie for watery eyes OR a runny nose in the pollen season. There are very few germs involved, and the small cloths are washable. If I have a full-blown cold, I use the disposables.
Another way to save money is to buy only the food you will eat before it goes bad. A bargain on a case of perishable food is not a bargain if it gets thrown out. To prevent waste, you can buy a large quantity of something, cook several casseroles and freeze them. Or trade with a friend.

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:46:03 +0000

What a great idea! Our town uses something called Recycle Bank, you get credits, but they apply to more STUFF – the idea should be to reduce, and your tips are great. Costco and probably the other big warehouse stores sell packs of 13 Rubbermaid reuseable water bottles for really cheap, like $1 a bottle, they are upwards of $3 if you buy individual ones at the supermarket. We use thme everywhere, school, sports, hiking, etc.

By: Minny

Minny — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:38:48 +0000

I bought an inner roll from a hand towel dispenser. It had been sterilised. I cut it into pieces about the size of a piece of kitchen towel, turned the edges and machined it. I made dozens of these, put them through a boil wash – just to be sure – made a cloth tube with elasic both ends to push them kin the top and pull them out of the bottom and away I went.

I put water and cheap liquid cleaner in the sink – rinse my cloth and hey presto – I have a wipe.

I do the same with old or thrifted towels and I have polishing, buffing and shining cloths which work a treat.

Total cost – about $3.

By: Renae

Renae — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:30:52 +0000

Good post. I recommend composting all the vegetable scraps to decrease garbage in the landfill. More importantly, the compost pile can nearly eliminate the need to buy compost or soil for the garden each spring. I’ve been trying to get my DH to compost all the lawn waste in a different compost pile, but he just can’t do it. Afraid of weeds…

By: ss

ss — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:12:50 +0000

Cans and candy bar wrappers from the vending machine: Anything you buy in a vending machine is overpriced…. Not really when you consider the conveniance factor… if you have forgotten to take something from home.Vending Products are available from vending machines on the basis of a snack to stop a tummy growl or a pickme up for a sugar fix. All is to be consumed in moderation. Unfortunately everything has to be packaged. Even the plastic PET bottles nowadays and cans can be recycled in special vending machines that take store your empties and give you a credit towards another product.
There are also vending machies that will let you dispence a drink purified water or a hot coffe…into your container.

By: Joan.of.the.Arch

Joan.of.the.Arch — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:11:49 +0000

In our household, some of those things which you say are okay to put in the trash still do not belong there. Cotton, linen, or wool rags as well as stems, seeds, peels, and much paper go to my compost to make my garden soil rich and healthy.