photo by devriesm

The first tip reuses milk cartons. I’ve seen various-sized cartons used for candle or ice molds, building blocks, seed starters, bird feeders, gingerbread houses (graham crackers, frosting and candies) and coin purses. But sometimes I forget the simple ways to reuse them.

How do you reuse them?

CARTON ORGANIZERS: The common milk carton (half gallon or quart) is a great item to reuse. I have used them for years as holders for small items — nuts, bolts, nails, parts, buttons, etc. They are cheap, last a long time, store well, and work very well. Simply clean the carton, then, starting at the top edge, cut down on an angle along one side, then cut straight across, back up the other side to the top and finally along the top to the starting point. The angle can be cut anywhere to result in a tall box or short box, depending on the storage need. Remove and discard the top portion.

Once it’s open, clean the box again to be sure that no milk remains. Then dry and use. They store on a shelf neatly, can be written on (or paper-clipped with a note) to describe the contents, and when you need an item, you simply tilt over and the items will spread out so you can find the one you need. If the box is too full to sort, you can spread the contents on a table, find your item and simply scoop it all back into the box. Works well and lasts. I’ve had some in use for more than 40 years. Also, they can be stacked inside one another. — Tom O., Pennsylvania

Note from Sara: See also http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/04/26/get-your-kids-to-drink-more-milk/

CARE PACKAGE: I read your response to Margaret in New England about sending nonperishable food that goes with ramen noodles to a soldier. I know of a great thing to put in noodles, and we kept it in our foot lockers: summer sausages. If you get the small ones, you can use them before they go bad. As long as they are still sealed, they will last forever and are so tasty. — Heather C., e-mail

GLASS-JAR USE: I keep a glass jar in the freezer and dump cooking grease and hamburger grease in it. When it’s full, I put it out for the trash guys. I also keep my packets of Sweet’n Low and Splenda in them in the pantry. That way, you can see how much you have left and never have to drink your magical zombie elixir of life without Splenda. — Mary C., Indiana

FRIDGE/FREEZER ORGANIZATION: I recently bought plastic dish tubs for my freezer. I was always losing items to freezer burn because they were always hidden behind and under all the stuff. I pulled everything out and cleaned. Then I put like items in the tubs (meat in red ones and veggies in white ones) and put them back on the shelves. They fit perfectly. It has also helped me when I’ve finished meal planning. With all the meat in one area, I now know just what I have and what I need to get. And it saves me from buying an item I already had but just couldn’t see. It might work if you found some containers shallow enough to fit the refrigerator shelves. You could put all dairy together, deli stuff, fruit, etc. — Tami, Texas

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