Waste Nothing

[Shell]

Our grandparents really knew how to waste nothing. Remember the old saying, "waste not, want not?" They knew the art of using up food and making a new meal out of it. They used old flour sacks to make dresses. My Mom remembers that well! They tried to turn old clothes into something new and if they couldn't they always kept the buttons for something else. My grandma only had two dresses in her closet and that was it!

We are being raised in a disposable age. I think we need to get back to using up what we already have. How do you re-use what you already have?

[SewCrafty]

I have always snipped buttons off an old shirt, and kept good zippers etc. The balance usually went into dh's rag bag, but if they are in fairly good shape they are now going into my quilting stash!

I always try to make at least 2 meals out of 1. I'm a pretty plain cook, so there isn't a lot of variety. I would rather bake than cook.

I'm still in the learning stage here, but I bet the other ladies have some great ideas!

[Coffee16]

I use the plastic bags you get from Walmart and bread bags as trash bags for when I scoop out the cats 2 litter boxes instead of using regular trash bags and I also use the plastic bags for the trash cans in the bathroom.

Dh stretched out boxers and worn out tee shirts get used as dust rags.

[homesteadmamma]

I have a great saying on my cupboard door:

Eat it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or go without

And thats basically what I do. We don't throw anything out we can use. A ham bone makes a great soup after you've had your ham. Veggies can make a great soup. Peelings, etc. go into our compost which is the only fertilizer we use. Plastic bags make great storage bags. Old towels make great scrub clothes or even rags for dh's workshop. Old towels can be rejuvenated by putting lace on them as can pillowcases that look drab and old.

We wear our clothes until we can't wear them anymore. My jeans are done, but they'll make great patches for other jeans. A sweater I can't use anymore goes to a friend who can and vice versa. Same with kids clothes.

We make do with what we have. Dh has become an expert in this area and it never seizes to amaze me what he can come up with in a bind. We seldom have to purchase anything to fix something up because, first he doesn't throw anything out and second what he doesn't know he finds out about at the local library.

We go without often and make things do. I don't have a clothes dryer, we use clothes racks. I've not missed having the dryer and our clothes last longer and don't shrink. We have all used dressers which we purchased at yard sales. They are better made than the new ones. We don't have more clothes than we do have dressers.

We love living by our motto (which my great grandmother lived by) and its always a challenge and fun.

[Mommyof2lildivas]

We also use our bags from the store to use as bathroom trashbags and to put dirty diapers in, I'm using some too small trash bags from the dollat store for the cat litter. We use any furniture given to us and just paint it to make it fit the decor. I use old clothing, towels, and pillow cases as rags to clean with. Old towels are used specifically for washing the car.
I'm trying to use every bit of food we have instead of throwing away leftovers. I actually made my first stew last week! I was so proud of myself and my hubby liked it.
I save my older dd's clothes for my younger dd, and always trade clothes with friends. Pretty much what everyone else has already mentioned. I'm still learning to use what I got.

[graci42]

I haven't bought a certified garbage bag in 6 months. I use small waste paper cans and line them with grocery bags for trash detail.

My son's school clothes become this summers play clothes. If the pants are too short...they become cut off's.

I'm learning to use up my left overs.

My clothes--I've had the same jeans for sometimes as high as 5 yrs...the ones I'm wearing now were all "freebies" from someone else who couldn't use them anymore.

I've cut out all the unnecessary cleaning supplies and I'd like to learn to make my own.

I've been buying furniture and odds and ends we need second hand. I recently found a beautiful high-backed apolstered living room chair for 10.00. I'll need to recover it, when I can find something I like on sale...lol.

I look for children's clothes at yardsales and my work clothes, too.

We've "fixed" things and dumpster diving is a wonderful thing!!

[sunshine]

Let's see- I've done this stuff for so long that I don't always think about it anymore.

breadwrappers- I cut and crochet into hats, sandals, tote bags, throw rugs and such, same with plastic grocery bags.

brown paper bags- open them up and use to catch the peels/egg shells and such when I'm cooking. Then I just wrap it all up and toss in the compost . I also use the brown paper bags for Christmas decorations- cut out gingerbread men shapes- sew two together with yarn, stuff lightly and use as ornaments- or tie many together by the arms and make garlands.

Potato peels get made into cheese/onion/peel appetizers. Yummy!

carrot, celery, beet tops go into soup

I save all the trims from old clothes. Buttons, zippers, lace, appliques, anything I think I MIGHT be able to make into an applique, ribbons and so forth. I seldom buy trims. Sometimes I'll buy cheap stuff at a garage sale, just to get the trims. I always check the free boxes for that reason as well. I've gotten some gorgeous buttons from the freebie bins, just because the dress was stained.

I make jelly from apple/peach/ pear peelings.

[pamy]

Sunshine, I would like to know how to made the cheese, onion & peel appitizers.

I try to use everything up. I never throw out a carcass without making broth to be used later in soup or other cooking. I LIVE for the hambone, I would rather have that than the ham. I almost never waste food. If we have LO rice one night and green beans another and corn another, on night 4 I would combine all of these things, add some herbs and call it a side dish. I need to be better about composting. I take care of things and try to make them last. I am thankful that I am not a clothes or shoe horse and don't want a lot of stuff that many women do.

[sunshine]

Potato peel appetizers:

Peel potatoes- perhaps a little thicker than you would usually.
Fry the peels in hot oil until brown.
Sprinkle with onion, cheese and bacon bits (optional), season with salt or seasoned salt.
Place under broiler and broil until cheese melts.

[Shell]

Sunshine, did you used to go to Frugal Mom's? You name and avatar seem very familar to me.

[sunshine]

Yes I did- won't go there any more though. Not even for the send off party.

[captclearance]

I agree with Cj, I learned the lesson the hard way...... I just didn't have the $ to get new things, I learned fast how to re-use and reduce.... It was a matter of necessity !!!!!!! Now it has just become part of my nature !