I know it has been a while since I last blogged and there is no excuse except to say life has been quite busy and hectic. This tends to happen when you get a new job and are trying to get back into the flow of working and commuting daily. The following post is my most recent article that will be released in the June edition of the Shawnee Outlook. I look forward to writing more over this summer. In the meantime between my postings, enjoy!
The Ultimate Way to Save Money: Reuse
By Anthony L. Gilbert
What are the hottest ways to reuse and save money? People everywhere are hitting places such as local consignment stores, craigslist and freecycle, but there’s a more creative movement sweeping the nation using everyday household items such as jars, cardboard, berry containers and even lint. With the rising cost of fuel and goods, creative solutions for reusing what we have is all the rage as it alleviates the strain on bank accounts and the environment.
Fresh strawberries are always a treat but when they are all gone it doesn’t mean the fun has to end there. It’s real easy to toss an empty container and forget about it, but in reality, our environment doesn’t forget. So how can these containers avoid seeing a landfill? Their clear plastic and secure lids makes them great for household storage. They can be reused to hold fresh fruit again, and can hold everything from screws, nails, batteries and small tools in the garage to crayons, stickers, markers and glue sticks for children’s art projects. Why not consider decorating some of them with glitter and puff paint and use to package a small gift for a special occasion?
What child doesn’t like to play in a cardboard box and let their imaginations run wild? They’re great for letting children decorate and personalize as a playhouse or fort. They’re great to reuse for sending gifts and packages and can be used multiple times. Get some colorful fabric or material and some hot glue and these plain boxes can be transformed into attractive storage containers. With different sizes to choose from they can be used to store books, magazines, DVDs, craft materials, off-season clothing or any other household item. Another great way to reuse cardboard is through composting. Cardboard decomposes, a very beneficial asset to garden soil. Just make sure you take any tape, plastic or staples out before adding it to a compost pile.
To some that menacing fuzz comes from a dryer trap appears worthless, but it's not. Dryer lint can’t be recycled so it's best for the environment if reused. It’s a valuable resource to have when starting a fire on a cold night. Take some dryer lint with a little bit of paper under the logs and with a strike of a match there will be a nice burning flame in no time. It isn’t a bad option to keep a small bag of it tucked away in the trunk of a vehicle along with a box of matches for emergency purposes. Just keep it in a small box or plastic baggy near the dryer until ready for reuse.
There is an endless supply of plastic bottles and containers in our environment but also countless ways to reuse them. Water bottles, pop bottles, milk jugs, juice bottles, sour cream and yogurt containers all can be reused with some creativity and flair. Peel off any labeling, wash in warm soapy water and they’re ready for reuse. For bottles it’s best to cut off the tops, for containers just discard the lid. A well cut plastic bottle or container can be used to hold countless office supplies, screws, bolts and even toothbrushes and toothpaste. Add some fabric, tempera paint for personality and these items will not only help with organizing, but will allow the opportunity to recreate and try new things rather than having to buy a new organizer when you want a change.
Whether you're turning old mason jars into storage containers for old screws, transforming an old door into a beautiful headboard or restocking a child’s wardrobe, the number of options available for recycling and reusing appear endless. These have only been a few of the ideas from a countless number of resources available through the Internet, public library, and friends. Expose yourself to these ideas and allow creativity to flow. You'll discover items that normally would be thrown away, neglected or no longer wanted will be resurrected and spare you expense and our ever flowing landfills.
