Before you toss that empty toilet paper tube, think about the tangle of cords knotted up in your junk drawer. That is where the creator of @frugalcreativeliving starts, with a simple idea: some things that look like trash deserve a second look.
The creator says you may already save a few of these items, but a handful might be new to you. The real trick, though, comes in the middle of the video, and it keeps all this thrift from turning into a hoarder’s basement.
The rule is one almost every household could use. Once the saving bins are full, collecting stops until some of what is already saved gets used up.
Toilet Paper Tubes Tame The Cord Tangle, And Old Toothbrushes Scrub The Tight Corners
Fold a loose, unplugged cord and slide it inside a cardboard tube, the creator says, then write a label on the outside so you know what it belongs to without pulling everything out. The same trick works for spare charging cables, small extension cords and some seasonal decorations.
You can also cut tubes down for sectioned desk or jewelry organizers. The creator says you can cover one with fabric for a quick eyeglass case, or make a little envelope for a memory card. It is not fancy, the creator says, but it gets the job done and the price is hard to beat.
Old toothbrushes are a simple favorite. When one is too worn for teeth, it can still scrub around faucets, window tracks and other hard-to-reach spots. Mark it clearly and keep it away from the ones you actually use, because that is one household mix-up nobody wants. The advice is not to keep 10 old toothbrushes, but one or two set aside for cleaning can save buying a specialty brush.
An Expired Gift Card Becomes A Scraper, But Never Reuse A Card With Your Information
Sturdy plastic gift cards, the creator says, can scrape softened sticker residue, dried craft materials and certain kinds of grime. The plastic edge is useful for jobs where you would not want metal.
Some cautions apply. A card can still scratch a surface, so test it somewhere hidden first, and do not use it on nonstick cookware. If it is an old credit card or anything with personal information on it, dispose of it securely instead. If you play guitar and have no pick, you can cut a corner off a used-up gift card.
Empty Squeeze Bottles, Foil Boxes And Cardboard Inserts Do Jobs You Would Pay For At The Store
Clean condiment bottles with long necks or pointed nozzles can water small houseplants right at the base, the creator says, and the nozzle gives you control. Sometimes you do not need a special tool, the creator notes, just the right shape of container.
Foil and plastic wrap boxes with a built-in cutting edge might work as a dispenser for thin craft paper or rolls of decorative tape. Not every box will work perfectly, and the creator warns to be careful with the sharp edge.
Small cardboard boxes and inserts are a soft spot for the creator. They can be cut to fit drawers as dividers or used as templates, and the creator took the insert from a charger cord box to organize hair tools that kept falling over in a basket. Before buying drawer organizers, the creator says, see whether a little cardboard can do the job.
Worn Rubber Gloves And Coffee Bag Tabs Get One Last Use
If a pair of rubber cleaning gloves is worn out but part of the material is still in good shape, the creator says you can cut sections into grippers for opening stubborn jars and bottles. You can even cut loops to use as rubber bands. If the gloves touched harsh chemicals, they should not be reused for anything that might touch food.
Plastic tabs from coffee bags can also be reused as a temporary closure for another lightweight package, as long as the tab comes off without breaking. The suggestion is to take a look at the closure before tossing the whole bag.
She Has Not Bought More Than Three Gift Bags In 10 Years
The creator almost always saves gift bags and tissue paper in good condition, and says it is easy to have a perfectly good present ready to give and still feel the need to spend a few more dollars to make it presentable, as if the gift needs its own outfit.
By the creator’s count, no more than three gift bags have been bought in the last 10 years, because every bag received gets stored and passed on with the next gift. Wrinkled tissue can be smoothed, folded neatly and kept in a folder or magazine holder. Nobody will notice a few wrinkles, the creator says, and anyone who does, the hope is, has better things to worry about.
Greeting cards with pretty artwork can be cut up into gift tags, ornaments, bookmarks, notebook covers or labels. The creator also keeps a small basket of ribbon spools and has used the ribbon to dress up a repurposed box or add to a crochet project.
Someday Can Become A Very Crowded Place, So Cap The Bins At One To Three
Here is the heart of her message. The creator says there is a big difference between being resourceful and holding on to everything just because you might find a use for it someday, because someday can become a very crowded place.
The suggestion is to set aside one to three bins for repurposing materials, depending on your space and how often you use the items. Arrange them so you can see what you have, because if you cannot find something you will probably buy another one anyway, which defeats the purpose. The rule is that once those bins are full, collecting stops until some of what was saved has been used.
There are exceptions. When a room or two is about to be reorganized, extra cardboard boxes can stay for specific projects, but once the projects are done only the best of what fits the designated space is kept and the rest has to go. The point, the creator says, is to use what you have before you shop, not to keep everything you have ever had.
Saving Only Counts When You Actually Use It
The video closes with a line worth taping to the pantry door. Something is not saving you money just because you are keeping it, the creator says, it saves you money when you use it instead of buying something else.
To try it, pick one bin and one project this week. Start with a tube for your cords or a toothbrush for the faucet, and see if it replaces something on your next shopping list.
The creator also invites viewers to share what they found a useful second purpose for, and signs off with the motto to spend less and create more.
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