ReUse

I have covered reducing and recycling, now it’s time to cover reusing. As you can tell the three ideas all tie in together! 

Here is the big #1 thing about reusing!!! Ready for it….buy reusable items and reuse them!!!

As I talked about in reducing, get items such as glass containers instead of ziplock bags, so you can reuse it over and over and over from many years. This will save you so much money in the long run.  Let look at it in a mathematical way.

Ziplock bags- cost 2.50 (estimated) a box- buy 1 box once a month (I use to use this much) total year cost $30.  And if you are the way I once was I had about 3 sizes that I liked to use. So let say we buy three varietys at 2.50 a box and let say we bought two boxes a month instead of all three varietys. You are looking at around $60 a year! Multiply that by five years. You have a total of $300! Plus you have to think of all the waste!

Now I went to pyrex.com. I decided to go with a brand that is familiar and inexpensive. Pyrex is made in the USA! I choose the 17 piece bake to storage set and it cost only 39.99! View it at http://www.pyrexware.com/index.asp?pageId=14&CatID=380&SubCatID=1169&upc=71160058880

Let’s add the 18 piece storage set, just to be sure we have our bases covered to our kitchen. For the set is cost $35.99

http://www.pyrexware.com/index.asp?pageId=14&CatID=380&SubCatID=1169&upc=71160036093

I know for sure that these items can last for 5 years easy! I have had some of my pieces since I got married 2005. Add 35.99 and 39.99 for a total of 75.98! Which is $15.20 a year and $1.26 a month! What savings! And this is for five years. These pieces can easily last for much longer than that! My mamaw still has pieces around the family since I was a kid. Now you are talking pennies a month!

If you don’t like to buy glass products then buy cast iron or stainless steal products! You can find all types of durable and reusable products made in America just by looking online or at your local favorite store! Here is a site to help you find what you are looking for

http://americanmadeyes.com/household.html

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/kitchen.html

Don’t forget to look at yardsales, goodwill, ebay and other places for even cheaper prices on used items! They can be washed and disinfected easily!

This of creative ways to reuse items!

Did you know that…

Lint is a great fire starter or helps birds make nests?

Toilet paper rolls are great craft must haves?

Turn cans into flowerpots!

Egg shells make great fertilizer!

Old coffee can keep your dark's even darker!

Yogurt and egg cartons are great seed starters!

Shredded paper for packing!

I would love to hear your thoughts and fun ideas of how to reuse anything!!!

Reduce

I would like to talk to everyone about reducing! As Americans it seems to be “successful” to have to have a lot. I am one that falls in this category. I don’t think I do it so much to be successful but because I think maybe one day I will need it. I have worked hard to reduce the things I no longer need.

But how does all this play in the environment…easy…if you buy less you throw away less.

Before I buy anything anymore I ask myself four things.

Do I really need this now?

How many times can I use it?

When I am done with it, what will happen to it?

Where was it made?

The first things I am sure you can figure out why I am asking myself this, but the fourth is because I try to buy all products made in America, I will get to that another day.

The best part about helping yourself reduce the products you buy is that your home won’t be filled to the rim with junk, you save money and you teach yourself about control.

I currently have a garage full of items that I have used once or maybe more but I no longer need them. I am going to be having a garage sale, and then I will donate what doesn’t sell. But they things that cannot go to either, that is trash, I will recycle. 

If I would have practiced my new control questions, then I would not be losing money. If I am lucky I will get back 1/4th of which I paid for the items. I have two exercise equipments that I have never used! I work out but I don't use the items that I once thought were necessary to lose weight! I bought them new combined cost is over $400..I hope to get $100, but in reality I will most likely end up with $50 for both.

Help your kids with this as well. Every now and again I will go to a fast food restaurant, and I most likely will not buy the kids menu, because it comes with junk. However I love to buy off the kids menu because it helps with portion control for me. What to do about the toy that comes with it? If you anyone who is going to adopt or go to missions in other countries the kids there love the toys. It’s a great way to help without breaking your budget! 

I always try to buy items such as oatmeal, nuts, and other stuff in bulk. It’s usually cheaper but the best part is you are cutting down on packaging. 

I try to buy all my cereals in the bags because it again has less packaging. Remember the less packaging the less waste!! 

A great place to go is the farmers market, they usually don’t have packaging, and you can always bring your own packing if you like. I have a tea guy I go to. He has great homemade teas in bins, I bring my own tea can with me for storage! 

One way you can reduce your food waste is buy weekly what you need. If something is getting ready to go bad and you have no use of it, freeze it! I just recently froze celery. This will be great for soups and stews in the following fall months. Or you can also make your own compost!!

One place that I love for personal body care is Lush. They have very little packaging and if you live in the area where there is a store you can go there! If not they will ship.  Just visit www.lush.com It is a worldwide store so be sure to choose the area you are in.

Reduce your mail!! Go here it cost $1.00 but it’s a great way to fight back!  https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/home.action

Try not to buy Ziplocs bags, foil, and things like that. Buy reusable containers. If you buy plastic ones then be sure you can recycle them after they are worn out. I prefer to buy glass ones, they have a long shelf life, most of them can be put in the oven and microwave and I know if it breaks I can recycle it.

Use recyclable cotton rounds instead of buying cotton balls! You save a lot of money over time, plus you can find them for about .50 to 1.00 per round! You can even make them yourself.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76076888/make-up-remover-pads-washable-reusable

Instead of having your bills mailed to you, get them emailed! Don’t buy newspapers, magazines and such, go online, they are usually free, plus you can also print off coupons online!

Don’t buy books, remember your local library and borrow them for free or borrow a friend’s book. 

Reduce your electricity by know how it works. To keep your house cool in the summer then do laundry, dishes and other heavy electricity users at night when your house is cool. This helps everyone save money and help with shortages.

Try to hang up your clothes instead of using the dryer. Turn off all lights and appliances when you are not using them. USE GODS LIGHT!!! Unplug things that you can if they are not in use like coffee makers, toasters, computers, printers, etc. 

Use the outside light, in the morning and late afternoon, but close all blinds when sun is at its hottest. 

Time your showers and your family showers. Don’t take extremely hot showers, not only will it raise your bills but it’s bad for your skin and hair. 

Reduce your water bill by washing dishes and clothes when you have a full load to go in. 

Buy used items, this is a great way to save money, reduce packaging, and be able to recycle something instead of it going to the landfill. 

There are a lot of ways to reduce waste and spending! I would love to hear your ideas!!

Thanks!!

Recyle

Bible Verse for today: Leviticus 25:23

“The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers for me”. 

First I want to apologize for not having any blogs up for the last several days; it has been a bit crazy with summer activities in my house.

 I want to talk about recycling…this come to mind to me yesterday when we were at our lake and there was tons of trash and most of it could be recycled.

I have really got my kids trained for recycling. We always recycle. But like many of people they have questions on what can be recycled.

• Acid Batteries
• Aluminum Cans
• Building Materials
• Cardboard
• Chemicals
• Electronic equipment
• Glass (particularly bottles and jars)
• Lead
• Magazines
• Metal
• Newspaper
• Oil

• Paint
• Paper
• Plastic Bags
• Plastic Bottles
• Steel Cans
• Tires
• Appliances
• Wood
• Writing/Copy Paper
• Yard Waste  

Depending on your where you live will greatly depend on what your recycling company will pick up.  You can check on what online or call your waste company. Or visit 

      http://www.recyclingcenters.org/                                                                   

My son is in charge of taking out our recycling and he loves it. You can buy a recycle bin for inside of your house so it makes it convenient to use! We have a small wastebasket, nothing special, but we all know it’s the place where all recyclable’s go!  I have mind right next to the trashcan. This helps my family remember to recycle!  When it is full my son will take it out.

Did you know you can get paid to recycle too? Aluminum cans are a big one and you can most likely find a place in your area that will gladly take them and pay!!

What about cell phones and other electronics that are collecting dust? I used http://www.yourenew.com It was easy! I just typed in my device, printed off the prepaid label for shipping, shipped it out and waited for my money. There are several companies out there like this one. I looked around to be sure I got the best price, so I would suggest you do the same.  

Ink Cartridges can be recycled at cash4cartriges, toner buyer, advantage cartridges, ecycle group. If you have used any of these website please let me know, I have yet to try any of them out!

Cardboard boxes can be recycled at used cardboard boxes or boxcycle. Again I have not used these sites but would love to know how they turn out.

Of course don’t forget to recycle your old glasses! There are a lot of places in your local area that will accept them for great causes.

Here is a link to learn a lot about recycling, plus they will pay you to recycle if it’s in your area. But the best part of this website is that you can get a lot of coupons and earn points as you learn about recycling. Cash your points in for coupons, deal, gift cards and more!!

http://www.recyclebank.com

                                                                                               

Here are a few things that you probably did not know you can recycle

·         Hair

·         Jeans even torn one

·         Corks for wine bottles

·         Cotton products such as q-tips, cotton balls, lint,  etc

·         Crayons

·         Surf boards

·         Keys

·         Rechargeable batteries

·         Golf  balls (go to knetgolf)

·         Trophy’s

To read more about the items above visit www.eath911.com They have much more information as well.

Stop all of your junk mail..its a lot of waste! Here are a few sites that can help with it

 https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t

 

https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/home.action;jsessionid=A8613514728CF1326DA55F3D4AC1C23E.tomcat2

https://www.catalogchoice.org/

http://www.coxtarget.com/mailsuppression/s/DisplayMailSuppressionForm

http://www.valassis.com/1024/Contact/contact_home.aspx

You can also call 800-NO-Thanks

Sign up your bills to receive them by email.

I know this is a lot of info, but I really just want to let you know there are a lot of things and places that can be recycled. There are thousands of sites online with a lot of info. I would love to know your favorite online places to visit and what you do to recycle!

Fast ways to start recycling:

Get your family involved

Get a recycle can to put your recycles in

Find out what your recycle center takes

Place other recycles in a box until you can drop them off at a special recycle center or mail them in

Remember you don’t have to be 100% perfect to make a difference! It starts with today and with you!