Are you looking to save at least a modest amount of time and money each month? One of the best ways to do so is repurposing items you have around the house. Here are some ways to get started boosting your budget using 12 common household items.
Empty Pill Bottles
Don’t toss all your empties. Small prescription bottles fit easily into your purse as storage containers. Use them to tote a folded plastic bag, extra pierced earring backs, bandages and a host of other small items.
Pet Food Cartons
They’re the large cardboard cartons that hold 32 to 48 cans (or even more). Save time on daily cleanup by cutting out one of the large rectangular sides and using it as a placemat under pet food and water bowls. They typically last a week or two even with multiple pets.
Margarine Lids
If decorative coasters routinely disappear and you’re spending time and money cleaning rings from the bottom of glasses and cups off your furniture, here’s an easy answer. Use the lids from empty plastic margarine tubs as coasters.
Broken Ceramic Dishes
Do you just toss that broken plate, saucer, or bowl into the trash? Repurpose it instead. Break it into small pieces and store in a zippered plastic bag. Insert the shards that remain instead of gravel in the bottom of flower pots.
Bread Bag Tags
They’re annoying, especially when they fall on the floor at the end of a loaf of bread. However, HomeGenius has a great use for bread bag tags. Label them and affix them to identify cords in your home-no more guesswork.
Egg Shells
A friend swears that her bumper crop of African violets is due to the egg shells she saves. She keeps an empty jar with a lid filled with water and adds a shell every time she uses an egg. She then waters the violets with the mixture.
Newspapers
There are dozens of uses for newspapers. What makes some of them so great is that after repurposing, if the paper is still dry, you can recyle the newspapers. One easy way to save is using dated newspapers as shelf and drawer liners.
Newspaper Bags
Don’t throw out those plastic bags that keep newspapers dry, either. Tuck them inside leaky boots to keep feet dry. Keep one by the sink and toss messy food scripts into it. If you’re creative, you can braid them into any number of crafts projects.
Toilet Paper Rolls
They’re excellent starters for a fireplace or a charcoal grill. Stuff them with dryer lint for even greater repurposing.
Pet Water
Don’t just toss it. Use it to give indoor and outdoor plants a drink.
Birdseed
Tuck that little bit at the bottom of each container into a plastic bag and save it. Accumulated leftovers provide great traction on icy sidewalks or under your vehicle’s tires and a tasty snack for your feathered friends later.
Zippered Plastic Bag Cartons
They’re great drawer organizers with easy access since the opening has already been removed. Use them to store small items like batteries, paper clips, pens, and pencils.
Happy saving!
