I hate buying things that I have to throw away. It is like just taking your money and throwing it in the trash can. The only thing that I don’t mind and will not reuse is toilet paper. I am sure you have my back on this one. However there are some alternatives when it comes to other products around your home you use every day.
Frugal Money Saving Ideas
One thing is paper napkins. Yes, it is important to be tidy at the table. But we don’t need to create waste in doing so. The best solution I have it using cloth napkins. Buy a couple of sets for your family. This will add to your laundry a little bit, but this is also a good job for someone to help out. If you can find them at the dollar store or Target great! You could even make your own. Don’t go all out buying something nice. These are going to get dirty and stained. Save the good ones for when company is coming over.
Make your own cleaning cloths. I love the convenience of using Clorox wipes. But did you know you can make your own and just wash them? Yes it is true. Grab some old t-shirts that are holy, I mean that have holes in them. Your husband old t-shirts are the best. Cut them up to a preferable square shape and keep one of your cleaning cloth containers or you can use a baby wipe container. Mix about 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon bleach and 1 teaspoon dish washing liquid and put the cut up cloths in there. When they get dirty just pop them in the washing machine. Wash them like you would normally in the wash then place them back in the container. How easy is that? You maintain a sanitized cleaning cloth and for only a few pennies. I like things for pennies.
Paper towels. I have around 7-8 hand or kitchen towels and wash cloths for the kitchen. I use them frequently during the day for spills and things. At the end of the day I put the one used in the dirty clothes and grab a fresh one for the next day. This soak up more than a paper towel would and by rotating it daily bacteria does not grow, since I am only using it one day.
No More Baggies. I don’t buy baggies very often. I usually pack lunches in plastic containers, even the chips. When they get home I just pop the containers into the dishwasher. This eliminates buying a bunch of plastic bags that will be thrown away. Don’t get me wrong I do buy them, sometimes it is just better to put it in a baggie. I do try to be creative and see if I can get by using something that can be washed instead.
These are not only several frugal ideas, but also a few eco friendly ideas. Think about the amount of waste you are reducing by not throwing away all those things. Then think about the money you are saving by not purchasing these items every few months. That is saving pounds4pennies.
Here are some more ideas to reduce, reuse or recycle:
- Ways to reduce Waste
- Reuse Ideas – Reuse everyday materials for crafts and other items
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My grocery list is not complete without the paper towels, but after reading this post I’m beginning to think otherwise. You have a point that it’s like throwing away money. I think I will use kitchen towels just like what you suggested.