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Frugal Ways to Reuse Cereal Bags

Don’t toss out those cereal bags. You paid enough for that cereal, so why not take advantage of the extra asset that is included with it–the plastic or waxed cereal bag that came with the cereal. Here are just some of the ways that you can reuse cereal bags. Please add yours in the comments section. Additional storage Those bags were made to keep cereal from going stale, so they are good with storage. Use them to store baked goods, sandwiches for school lunches, or even for broth. Cut the liners up and use them between food in the freezer … Continue reading →

How to Reuse Ribbon Scraps

Ribbons are so useful aren’t they? We usually use ribbons for an obvious reason, to tie up packages. Sometimes we even use them in crafts. But ribbon ends can quickly add up, and you may find yourself left with dozens of little pieces that can’t be used for anything els, or can they? If you just can’t bring yourself to toss your bits of ribbon, try using them in one of the following ways. Ribbon can be used to hang a picture for a designer look. You may not actually want to use the ribbon to hang it, because it … Continue reading →

Reuse from A to Z! (Fl-G)

Let’s keep going with our our reuse ideas and see exactly how much that we can save as we get through the alphabet of reuse. How many items can you repurpose. F Flowerpots: Whether they are plastic, clay, ceramic or some other material, you would be surprised at how many reuses you can get from flowerpots. Plastic pots can be used as mold for sand castles or snow forts. Use a pot next to the dryer as a wastebasket for dryer lint. Another pot can serve as a catch all for any items that might have been left in pockets. … Continue reading →

Rethinking Stuff

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been thinking a lot about ecology and frugality lately. When it comes to the stuff we buy, they intersect very neatly. Buying less stuff is good for nature, and it’s good when you’re trying to keep a minimalist home, too. Now, my home is nowhere near minimalist, but I do try to keep the clutter down. I don’t need stuff. I don’t want stuff. For my recent birthday, the only things I acquired were plants. Those I need (ok, want). I’ve developed a little checklist that I go through in my head … Continue reading →

What is Upcycling?

For years, the mantra shared by both practitioners of frugal living and those interested in keeping it green was: “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” These three things not only can save money but can also conserve resources for the planet. You may have heard of a fourth term, “upcycling.” How is this different from the others and should you be doing it? Chances are that if you have been living frugally for some time you are already participating in upcycling. This fancy term describes taking ordinary materials, objects that you might have recycled anyway, and then transforming them into something more … Continue reading →

Am I Raising a Hoarder Or Is This Her Security Blanket

One thing that can be counted on when you have a child or two, is the mountain of “stuff” that comes with them. First there are bottles and diapers and strollers and the like, and then come the toys. The toys never seem to stop coming, birthdays, Christmas, good grades, whatever it is, there always seems to be a toy or ten attached. Every time I walk into my daughter’s room I’m amazed at the amount of stuff she has collected in her short life. Coming from a divorced family on accelerates the collection. Christmas at Mom’s and Christmas at … Continue reading →

New Frugal Uses for Pillowcases

Pillowcases can often be found around the house or at thrift stores for pennies. Recently I found a bunch of new ones in some funky designs on clearance. They were a mere 50 cents a piece in the package (2 for a dollar). The nice things about pillow cases is that they are often made of cotton, and they have nice sturdy seams. You can take advantage of those features to turn the pillowcases into some great items. Here are some frugal ideas that will reuse pillow cases. A pretty linen or embroidered pillowcase will make a cute toddler summer … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day for the Whole Family

While you may have plans to do something special with or for your spouse on Valentine’s Day, it can also be an event celebrated by the entire family. Your home can become a Valentine’s Day wonderland with just a few quick, special touches. Balloons I love balloons. They are festive and make great decorations for any occasion. Even just a few plain red balloons will change the mood, although you can find a great assortment of styles and colors especially for Valentine’s Day. Streamers You don’t have to reserve streamers for birthday parties. They add color and fun to any … Continue reading →