Reusing what you already have around the house can go a long way to saving your money and your resources. if you can reuse just five thing a month into something wanted or needed, well then you can save quite a bit of money. Reusing items can come in all shapes and forms. The practice just requires a little bit of creativity or the sharing of an interesting idea. Here are some clever ideas that I have come across for reusing common items.
Parents Magazine featured a reader tip with a very interesting idea. Kim Neu of Philadelphia, Pa, not far from me, uses the little thumbnail prints that come with her order whenever she gets her digital phones printed. She cuts out these little thumbnail photos and used them as portraits in her daughter’s dollhouse! What a clever idea!
You can also use these thumbnail prints to make magnets (I save the advertising magnets that usually come in the mail) or buttons, too. Why not challenge an older child to use the thumbnail prints in a homemade board game or puzzle?
Dryer sheets have so many reuse ideas attached to them. You can take used dryer sheets and freshen up so many things around your home. Stick a couple in stinky shoes, toss them into the bottom of the garbage can or diaper pail, add one to your vacuum cleaner bag, rub one along your pantyhose or stockings to prevent static cling and more. What ideas can you come up with for using old dryer sheets?
If you go to restaurants with kids, you probably have been inundated with a bevy of plastic drink cups that come with kid’s meals. These cups have fun characters, and often the kids want to take them with them. Plus, here is an opportunity to have something to reuse. Why not keep these cups for snacks. They fit nicely in most car cup holders. My favorite thing to do is to fill these cups up with cereal right before we are leaving for errands. It keeps the hunger away and eliminates the need for an expensive fast food stop.
Another great idea for these cups is to help organize small beads, buttons, craft items such as wiggle eyes or pom-poms, crayons, etc. You can keep everything contained and separate.
What are your favorite reuse ideas?
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