Comments on: Using things to death http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:22:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mrs. (old school again) Susan H http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-26804 Mrs. (old school again) Susan H Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:59:10 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-26804 Being frugal is a way of life........ It boggles my mind that others need to be directed in this method. It is just common sense (may be that is what is lacking). My sister said to me once that she hoped she never 'had' to scrape like I did. For me scraping the last drop from a jar is second nature: why waste it and buy more sooner than one has to? Years ago I asked my children once why there was an empty mayo jar in the fridge; their answer, "we weren't sure it was clean enough for you"! I do cut open and scrape my lotion bottles but I admit I hadn't thought of the toothpaste.........will try that now and see how much is left after my squeezing :) As for clothing, I do not buy many clothes and often I purchase from thrift stores. I like what I like not what the 'designers'(?) suggest I should like. .......oooh, stubborn, independence must be from the "old" school...... Throw out cottage cheese containers and buy disposable storage containers.????? An 'educated' society thinks of this. In this "throw away" world, thank you for your approach to sensibility, I can only pray other will take heed. "You might be frugal if...." Good title for your book ? Sincerely, a fan Being frugal is a way of life…….. It boggles my mind that others need to be directed in this method. It is just common sense (may be that is what is lacking).
My sister said to me once that she hoped she never ‘had’ to scrape like I did.
For me scraping the last drop from a jar is second nature: why waste it and buy more sooner than one has to?
Years ago I asked my children once why there was an empty mayo jar in the fridge; their answer, “we weren’t sure it was clean enough for you”!
I do cut open and scrape my lotion bottles but I admit I hadn’t thought of the toothpaste………will try that now and see how much is left after my squeezing :)
As for clothing, I do not buy many clothes and often I purchase from thrift stores. I like what I like not what the ‘designers’(?) suggest I should like. …….oooh, stubborn, independence must be from the “old” school……
Throw out cottage cheese containers and buy disposable storage containers.????? An ‘educated’ society thinks of this. In this “throw away” world, thank you for your approach to sensibility, I can only pray other will take heed. “You might be frugal if….” Good title for your book ?

Sincerely, a fan

]]> By: Patty http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-26801 Patty Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:36:35 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-26801 Sara, I don't know if you know about this little frugality or not but my husband and I have sent the same cards for Christmas, Birthday, Mother's & Father's Day, Valentine,& our Anniversay for the past 34 years we just put the year date in it and pass it back to the other and when the next year comes around out comes the same card. No one remembers what the card looks like a year later and we have saved a lot of money. Our first year together he bought me $3.95 Mother's Day card well I all most fell thru the floor. So that is when we started the card saving. Keep on being frugal its the only way of life lol. Hugs, Patty Sara,
I don’t know if you know about this little frugality or not but my husband and I have sent the same cards for Christmas, Birthday, Mother’s & Father’s Day, Valentine,& our Anniversay for the past 34 years we just put the year date in it and pass it back to the other and when the next year comes around out comes the same card. No one remembers what the card looks like a year later and we have saved a lot of money. Our first year together he bought me $3.95 Mother’s Day card well I all most fell thru the floor. So that is when we started the card saving. Keep on being frugal its the only way of life lol.
Hugs, Patty

]]> By: Carrie N http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-26787 Carrie N Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:04:14 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-26787 I am an avid and regular reader of your column Frugal Living at the Daily Local News here in West Chester, PA. I'd like to share with you my "frugality". My husband and I have been married for 25 years now. We are originally from the Philippines. In 1989 we moved to the Middle East and lived there for 9 yrs. till 1998 after which we came here to the States. I am still using my very first set of measuring cups and measuring spoons which I brought from the Phil. to the Middle East to the U.S. We got them right after our wedding when we shopped for items that we did not get as wedding presents. It was my 19-yr. old daughter who begged me to get a new set so she'd enjoy baking with me . I really agree with whatever you say about the need for us to maximize the use of everything we have. I'll continue reading and enjoying your daily column. More power to you! Thanks. I am an avid and regular reader of your column Frugal Living at the Daily Local News here in West Chester, PA. I’d like to share with you my “frugality”. My husband and I have been married for 25 years now. We are originally from the Philippines. In 1989 we moved to the Middle East and lived there for 9 yrs. till 1998 after which we came here to the States. I am still using my very first set of measuring cups and measuring spoons which I brought from the Phil. to the Middle East to the U.S. We got them right after our wedding when we shopped for items that we did not get as wedding presents. It was my 19-yr. old daughter who begged me to get a new set so she’d enjoy baking with me . I really agree with whatever you say about the need for us to maximize the use of everything we have. I’ll continue reading and enjoying your daily column. More power to you! Thanks.

]]> By: Barb http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-26746 Barb Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:13:01 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-26746 Hi Sara: When you get to the bottom of your deodorant, eyeliner or lipliner pencil, bottle of lotion, etc: there is always some left in the container, so for deodorant, I use a small knife & cut out the remainder of the product & put it into the top of the new deodorant container, press it down firmly & you'll have enough deodorant to last you another few weks. My eyeliner & lipliner pencils: I break the pencil in half (it's the only way to get to what's left (Avon products) & use a toothpick at the bottom opening to push up a small amount of the product to use it & it, too, lasts for another few weeks. A bottle of lotion with a pump on it: Turn the bottle upside down into another container, or into another bottle of the same lotion; let is drain for a few hours & you'll be amazed at how much more was still in the "empty" bottle. Barb S from Navarre, Ohio Hi Sara:
When you get to the bottom of your deodorant, eyeliner or lipliner pencil, bottle of lotion, etc: there is always some left in the container, so for deodorant, I use a small knife & cut out the remainder of the product & put it into the top of the new deodorant container, press it down firmly & you’ll have enough deodorant to last you another few weks. My eyeliner & lipliner pencils: I break the pencil in half (it’s the only way to get to what’s left (Avon products) & use a toothpick at the bottom opening to push up a small amount of the product to use it & it, too, lasts for another few weeks. A bottle of lotion with a pump on it: Turn the bottle upside down into another container, or into another bottle of the same lotion; let is drain for a few hours & you’ll be amazed at how much more was still in the “empty” bottle.
Barb S from Navarre, Ohio

]]> By: Jennelle http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-19606 Jennelle Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:49:14 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-19606 We sure have turned into a "throw away" society and it's so sad. I rarely just throw things away if they are useable by someone but do have to admit that many times, I'll buy instead of trying to figure out an alternative with using something I already have here at home. I really need to start working on this! Love, Jennelle We sure have turned into a “throw away” society and it’s so sad.

I rarely just throw things away if they are useable by someone but do have to admit that many times,

I’ll buy instead of trying to figure out an alternative with using something I already have here at home.

I really need to start working on this!

Love,

Jennelle

]]> By: shells http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-19351 shells Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:46:41 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-19351 When you are finished with your old towels, linens and blankets you can donate them to your local Humane Society or animal shelter. The animals don't mind worn out linens with holes in them! shells When you are finished with your old towels, linens and blankets you can donate them to your local Humane Society or animal shelter. The animals don’t mind worn out linens with holes in them!

shells

]]> By: Amy http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-19310 Amy Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:32:13 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-19310 My boys wear hand-me-downs from cousins and friends and they are just fine. The clothes they are wearing have been worn by boys for the past 10 years and they are still going strong. I don't believe we've ever actually bought either of the boys any clothing! As for myself, my clothes are hand-me-overs or bought used. I have 8 pairs of jeans that I've gotten throughout the years from my sister-in-law. They still work for me, and when they start to wear through, I either patch them or make shorts. Our furniture is almost all used and it still works for us. We take care of it and it looks nice, but we didn't have to spend gajillions of dollars, and the old owners didn't fill up space in the landfill when they bought new furniture. A little ingenuity and a little time and there is no reason why you have to buy new things. My boys wear hand-me-downs from cousins and friends and they are just fine. The clothes they are wearing have been worn by boys for the past 10 years and they are still going strong. I don’t believe we’ve ever actually bought either of the boys any clothing!

As for myself, my clothes are hand-me-overs or bought used. I have 8 pairs of jeans that I’ve gotten throughout the years from my sister-in-law. They still work for me, and when they start to wear through, I either patch them or make shorts.

Our furniture is almost all used and it still works for us. We take care of it and it looks nice, but we didn’t have to spend gajillions of dollars, and the old owners didn’t fill up space in the landfill when they bought new furniture.

A little ingenuity and a little time and there is no reason why you have to buy new things.

]]> By: Daisygirl http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-19305 Daisygirl Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:14:39 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-19305 I was completely horrified this year when I was getting quotes on have the zipper replaced on DD7's winter jacket. $20! Then I found a brand new winter jacket for $12! It was a bit of a dilemma, and I went ahead and bought the new jacket to save the eight dollars. But at that price, face it, how long is this coat going to last? Sadly society sets us up for things to be disposable by putting out non-quality merchandise. I think it is up to us to buy better quality in the first place. I know next year, if new coats are needed I am going to purchase some that are guaranteed (a store here has a guarantee that their items will not develop holes, broken zippers, etc during the first year after purchase). I was completely horrified this year when I was getting quotes on have the zipper replaced on DD7’s winter jacket. $20! Then I found a brand new winter jacket for $12! It was a bit of a dilemma, and I went ahead and bought the new jacket to save the eight dollars. But at that price, face it, how long is this coat going to last?

Sadly society sets us up for things to be disposable by putting out non-quality merchandise. I think it is up to us to buy better quality in the first place. I know next year, if new coats are needed I am going to purchase some that are guaranteed (a store here has a guarantee that their items will not develop holes, broken zippers, etc during the first year after purchase).

]]> By: kim http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-19304 kim Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:55:32 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-19304 I am 33 and people my age think it is odd that I've had the same dishes and dishtowels for 12 years now. I bought quality from the beginning, I would love to pass my collection down to my granddaughter some day :) I am 33 and people my age think it is odd that I’ve had the same dishes and dishtowels for 12 years now. I bought quality from the beginning, I would love to pass my collection down to my granddaughter some day :)

]]> By: julieb http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/comment-page-1/#comment-19302 julieb Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:52:42 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/02/23/using-things-to-death/#comment-19302 Alot of truth in this article. I remember my neighbors looking at me oddly when I picked two sets of draperies out of their garbage can. (I had their permission of course) I didn't see old draperies I saw new bags for groceries. It took me an enjoyable afternoon to make the totes and have been using them for two years now. They are sturdy and wash beautifully. My neighbors trash is my treasure, funny though they still think it's trash. What will it take for people to understand that we can be better stewards of our money, our enviroment and our time? Alot of truth in this article. I remember my neighbors looking at me oddly when I picked two sets of draperies out of their garbage can. (I had their permission of course) I didn’t see old draperies I saw new bags for groceries. It took me an enjoyable afternoon to make the totes and have been using them for two years now. They are sturdy and wash beautifully. My neighbors trash is my treasure, funny though they still think it’s trash. What will it take for people to understand that we can be better stewards of our money, our enviroment and our time?

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