What kinds of things do you use to death???

**kaye620** · 01-27-2008, 10:42 AM

Like everyone else; towels. I have a cart with baskets that I use to hold onions and potatos. I took a towel I had from 20 years back and cut it to fit into the bottom of the baskets. I've even used the hard mesh bag that the onions come in to make my own scour pad to clean pans with.

**AmeliaM** · 01-30-2008, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

My old cast-iron fry pans. I got two of the three at yard sales, all rusted up. I cleaned them and I think they will last forever. I use them every single day.

My grandmother and ex MIL have some that have been passed down from a generation or two ago. They will last forever if taken care of.

**AmeliaM** · 01-30-2008, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by shorty

Also, my fat clothes. They are 6 sizes too big but I only wear them at home...trying to purge but still have em.

I'd say if you can redo(they have books and ideas online) the utmost favorite piece or two-i'd donate the rest-any suits going to help women joining the workforce.

**SAHMINKY** · 02-01-2008, 10:16 AM

Sheets, just got some new one that my mom gave me (I think she is feeling sorry for me, haha) and towels. I still use the towels I got when I was living with my parents (about 10 years ago). Oh, and underwear, I need some new ones. I'm still wearing the ones from when I was pregnant...anyone know where I can get them on the cheap?? Hope that's not TMI...

**pkellyc** · 02-01-2008, 10:44 AM

Funny with the underware. I know it's time to replace mine when I pull them up only to have them drop down to my ankles.

**AprilP** · 02-01-2008, 11:10 AM

Pretty much the same things as you ladies, socks, towels and such, but by far my favorite thing to reuse to death are those cutsey paper shopping bags you get at stores like Pier 1 or Bath & Body Works. They are perfect for carrying my lunch to work in. And I'll re-use the same one over and over and over until the side splits, then I put clear packing tape on it and keep using it until it QUITE LITERALLY falls apart.

**HandyMom** · 02-02-2008, 01:53 AM

I have some pretty worn sheet sets, too, but I still like them and they have no holes, only elastic is worn.

I tend to hold onto sleep shirts forever, even a while after they develop holes because they are so comfortable and I can't find good replacements.

And here is a funny story. I was watching some talk show where they had planned a surprise make-over for a lady for not just her appearance (hardo and all) but her wardrobe as well. They were filming her and saying she practically lives in these same old worn clothes she's had for years. They showed her in bed in a nightshirt with a pattern of little bears in santa caps on it and I almost fainted because that was the same sleep shirt that I had. Mine was also my favorite and several years old. Unlike her, I kept my sleepshirt!

**quiltergirl** · 02-02-2008, 07:39 AM

Pretty much everything -- including cars. The last one just barely made it to the junk yard (they pay you more if you drive it in) and the one before that had to be towed. We wear out clothes till they are in such a sorry state the homeless don't even want them -- but I always cut off the buttons and anything interesting (pockets, lace or other trims etc.) before I bid them farewell. If the fabric is not totally threadbare I might save it as well. We both have expensive feet so we generally only have one or at most two pair of shoes (1 good pair and a pair of sneaks) at any one time and wear them to death.

We try to buy good quality when we buy anything (I shop end of season sales for the deep discounts) so things do tend to last longer than when we were just going for the cheap stuff. But that can be a difficult lesson to learn.

**vallvonn** · 02-02-2008, 08:47 PM

My son is 20 years old and I am still wearing underwear that I wore when I was carrying him. I bought my first pajamas last fall-always had nightgowns as gifts. I have mittens from 1982 that I can't part with as well as a bathrobe from 1976. I drive my cars until they are absolutely DEAD.
My son asked me why people with a lot less money than us have better linens,cars, and electronics. I can't answer that . My house and cars are paid for,and we educated three children in private colleges with no loans. We have
a good amount of money saved for retirement. I guess not being a consumer is paying off! We want for very little.

**Bethany** · 02-02-2008, 08:58 PM

I guess I don't replace ANYTHING until I really have to. A towel would have to be absolutely threadbare. A car woul d have to be dead. A cooking appliance would have to be broken.

**PrairieRose** · 02-02-2008, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfarmwife

Ok, laughing hysterically here! I'm sure you meant catch the cat in a towel right? RIGHT? I'm invisioning chasing my cat down with underwear, lololol!!!

kj

No, actually I was talking about my underwear.....

**Bethany** · 04-29-2008, 12:02 AM

The condiments must be totally empty or I can't part with the container!!

**cab54** · 04-30-2008, 08:56 AM

Towels
Ziplock bags (and I buy the cheapest there are)
Plastic containers
Paper--I write lists all OVER a piece of tablet paper before tossing
What few magazines I buy---I give them to my sister for her manicure shop--and then SHE gives them to women's shelters
Any old clothes that are too crummy for donating--I strip up and crochet into rugs for our cabin--jeans are great for this
Baskets--when they start looking 'worse for wear', I spruce them up (spray paint and ribbon) and give them as a gift, (something like a new-mom gift would be bubble bath, a magazine, scented powder or oil, chocolates, soaps, etc--pampering stuff).