What "Odd" thing you do to be frugal?

orchid3h · 07-13-2006, 06:16 PM

I refill my portable nursery water bottles for my baby formula

2bearsmom · 07-13-2006, 06:19 PM

I don't think they're odd, but DH gives me funny looks:

If the kids have crackers or something in ziplock bags I have been known to wash out the crumbs and re-use them. Note: I don't re-use them if something messy is in them.

And I reuse my Target (Or wal-Mart, or wherever) bags as trash bags for the small bathroom trash cans. Lord knows I have enough Target bags...why waste them?

scruggle · 07-13-2006, 06:33 PM

I pour all my crumbs from cereal and cookies and then whatever cereal or cookies the kids haven't eaten into a big container and give it to them as snack mix. This might not be odd but I don't know anyone else who does it.:cool:

jnbythesea · 07-13-2006, 08:52 PM

This is not for the faint hearted: I reuse swim diapers. I read that they could be machine washed and air dried... and, yep, they can! Of course, any one with poo goes right into the trash, but if dd wears them at the pool, I wash them and put them in our "for the beach pile". Once they get to the beach I don't try to save them- too much sand and a hassle. But even if I can use each one twice, that is a big savings. They are expensive little rascals.

momma_bear · 07-13-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (jnbythesea @ July 13 2006,19:52)]This is not for the faint hearted: I reuse *swim diapers. I read that they could be machine washed and air dried... and, yep, they can! *Of course, any one with poo goes right into the trash, but if dd wears them at the pool, I wash them and put them in our "for the beach pile". Once they get to the beach I don't try to save them- too much sand and a hassle. But even if I can use each one twice, that is a big savings. They are expensive little rascals.

I do the same thing.

Jen · 07-13-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (2bearsmom @ July 13 2006,18:19)]And I reuse my Target (Or wal-Mart, or wherever) bags as trash bags for the small bathroom trash cans. Lord knows I have enough Target bags...why waste them? *

Me too!

annemc · 07-13-2006, 09:03 PM

Im a recycle freak to be frugal

my egg boxes are cardboard, the top half goes into the recycle bin, the bottom which hold the eggs makes perfect seed holders for growing plants, when the plant is ready to plant out I do it in the individual container its in. It gives it a good start.

Old shirts making painting aprons for Montessori Pupils

Recycle Paper, Glass, and compost veg trimmings, grass and garden trimmings.

dilute shampoo

Do a clothes and accessories swap with friends

Interior design originals: Use a collage of very very old family photographs (Victorian & Edwardian)

Frame Original antique postcards for decor ideas

Reuse candles that still have lots of scented wax into wax tarts.

use broken pieces of costume jewellery to trim lampshades, presents, cushions, bags

for the garden, swap seeds and cuttings with friends

there is a few more but Ill think about them later

Anne

melissae · 07-13-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (jnbythesea @ July 13 2006,20:52)]This is not for the faint hearted: I reuse *swim diapers. I read that they could be machine washed and air dried... and, yep, they can! *Of course, any one with poo goes right into the trash, but if dd wears them at the pool, I wash them and put them in our "for the beach pile". Once they get to the beach I don't try to save them- too much sand and a hassle. But even if I can use each one twice, that is a big savings. They are expensive little rascals.

I do this same thing. I dont remember where i saw it but it does work. LOL!

pandi410 · 07-13-2006, 09:06 PM

OMG!! I do all the things you ladies have listed! DH thinks I'm cheap- not frugal. . .maybe he's right?! But, I look at reusing things, not only as saving money, but also reducing trash. And, of course I also don't reuse poopy swim diapers or baggies that have held meat or anything like that so its not totally gross!

Good ideas!

One odd? thing I do is re-use wrapping paper. At Christmas rather than tearing through paper, I gently rip at the seams. Most packages we get are large enough that I can re-wrap a small shirt box or something with no trouble. I also keep all scrap paper for the kids to color on or cut .

Sarah_Mom2BrodyNMason · 07-13-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (2bearsmom @ July 13 2006,18:19)]I don't think they're odd, but DH gives me funny looks:

If the kids have crackers or something in ziplock bags I have been known to wash out the crumbs and re-use them. *Note: I don't re-use them if something messy is in them.

And I reuse my Target (Or wal-Mart, or wherever) bags as trash bags for the small bathroom trash cans. Lord knows I have enough Target bags...why waste them? *

I wash all my ziploc bags except for ones with raw meat in them. I also save all my Target and Walmart (etc) bags and use them for my trash cans or to wrap up a very stinky diaper. If I use a paper towel to dry off clean dishes I will hang in on something to dry then either reuse it to dry again or use it as my napkin for dinner.