One of the first steps to saving money is to have absolutely no waste.
To use everything up of everything that you buy, whether that be eating all the leftovers and composting all the vegetable bits that are inedible, or making good use out of every last drop of something in a tube for instance.
I have spent years now cutting the ends of tubes to get out all the hand-cream, face cream or as in this case toothpaste.
It's surprising what is still left in there after you have already spent a week squeezing, shaking and scraping down the tube for all your worth to get the product out.
Of course I don't want the product to go hard or go off with the tube cut into pieces, so I always cut out a middle section then use the bottom as a top. It works a treat.
My little nail pencil, which was once the length of a normal pencil, is now just over an inch long, it's hard to sharpen it these days, but I will persevere. While it is still there, I am still using it.
All I ask of life at the moment is to live simply, to have enough of what I need, to make the best of what I have ... and to be grateful for each and every day.
What is one money saving tip that you would add in the comments to help others that might not have heard of it?
Sue xx
Same as you with all tubes and I heat jars of jam, chutney etc in the microwave for 20 secs to get the last bit out. Catriona
ReplyDeleteMy favourite kitchen implements are a set of different sized spatulas. You can scrap the very last bits out of any jar.
ReplyDeleteWe must be related! I use the last of the toothpaste too. The last sliver of soap is pressed onto the next bar. The shampoo is in a pump bottle, one pump is enough and when it seems empty, a bit of water will get several more weeks worth. There is an almost empty marmalade jar waiting to be rinsed to add to the next bara brith.
ReplyDeleteMy never the same flavour twice soup tupperware box that I keep in kitchen freezer. Little bits of everything get thrown in there. The tough outer skin of onions once you've peeled them, nubs of carrot post grating, mushroom 'juice' after frying them, jar washouts, sauce bottle washouts, all of it. Once box is full, tip upside down, lid off in a soup pan and leave overnight. Next morning the multicoloured giant ice cube has melted. Some stock, red lentils, some spices, cook and blitz and hey ho, usually 5 portions of 'free' soup. Only downside is you can never replicate the flavour lol.
ReplyDeleteCan’t think of anything new in the money saving tip line….but I do enjoy reading how others save and live frugally
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I am with you Sue, all of my life has been about frugality (and I know all the tricks) needs must after growing up in a very impoverished home, even when I earned good money it was never wasted. My partner of 27 years calls me a ‘scrat’ but now he realises that on a modest pension we eat well, live in a comfortable house and can afford to do things we enjoy. I made sure that we incurred no debt, mortgage paid, house in order and some savings banked two years before retirement. Love reading
ReplyDeleteabout all that you and Alan do, you have my utmost admiration. PS our age group will cope with all that happens our way. Jan in Castle Gresley
I use the roll up thingies for toothpaste and cut the tubes of face cream. Too expensive to waste one bit.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy any type of refuse sack. I reuse any old plastic bag for rubbish and the food caddy. A few months ago however, the council changed over to wheelie bins and food caddies .They tried to get us to use a wheelie bin, but we live 1/4 mile down a footpath in a very rural area. The bin lorries can't turn round if they drive up to our house and have to reverse back up the winding track. After endless arguments by email, we contacted our local councillor and she sorted it for us and we were allowed to carry on using the black bags previously supplied by the council, so when we run out of bags that they used to supply, we will have to supply our own, so I will use the plastic dog food bags instead. They will continue to supply the clear recycling bags or so they say! I think I rather enjoy finding ways to do things that save me money. Perhaps I'm just an awkward individual. Essie
ReplyDeleteCutting the tubes is a good idea. I'm always surprised (and frustrated) by how much seems to remain in there after I've squeezed the living daylights out of it!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on cutting all tubes open and I make a lid like you do. It's worked well for years. Can't think of anything new to add to the discussion though, sorry...
ReplyDeleteAngie
I, too, cut the tubes to get to the last little bit. :)
ReplyDeleteIf one pays for something, I am definitely getting the most out of a tube, bottle or can.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.