Just-Lee

I save EVERYTHING...and my husband hates it :). I always keep wrappers, ticket stubs, labels, onion/ potato netting, old panty hose (staking tomatoes in garden), etc. etc. I want to to make art quilts and am always looking for odd everyday, recycleables to make them with :). I keep all jars, recycle everything I can, compost scraps and grass clippings, garden, can veggies, freeze fruit, reuse paper plates that aren't soiled (bread crumbs, etc.), use old fabric softener sheets for millions of things, dry clothes on the line, on and on and on.

I use a lot of fabric scraps to make "Snuggles" for shelter dogs/ cats, sleeping bags for the homeless, and will help anyone I can.

I love nature, the earth, the oceans, streams, wildlife, and want to do what I can to protect it :)

watson's mom

I do the same thing, why waste it if you can re-use it.

valinwa

well I've been reading thru all these wonderful ideas, and I thank all of you who responded on my sock dilemma, yes I've thought of darning them, but DH doesn't like the line against his heel, I never heard of the sock patch, think I will try that.
I had one other frugal thing I do that was not mentioned. At Christmas time in particular I have everyone give me their wrappings from their gifts, I reuse the paper to make origami boxes. In fact I usually only buy wrapping paper to use for origami, and just cut it to size. A whole lot cheaper than real origami paper.

Sue Fors

I use up my batting scraps on my 'swiffer'.

CarrieAnne

Great idea on the swiffer, I needed some new cloths too!

jan22

I use old Christmas cards and greeting cards to make small boxes to use for gift giving those little items that always get lost.
Worked in a computer tech dept and parts came in very sturdy ziplock bags. I made everyone save them for me, so now I have large bags for my quilting projects. Holds fabric and pattern/book all together till I'm ready. Left over batting and scraps go in pet beds for the local human society. I buy bulk (dish liquid, shower cleaner, cleaning supplies) and refill my smaller spray bottles.

judy_68

How I make Liquid Laundry soap:
Boil big pot of water.
Add: 1-1/2 C. Borax
1-1/2 C. Washing Soda
1-Shredded bar of Fels Napsa Soap
Boil until disolved.
Add some hot water to 5 gallon bucket.
Pour soap mixture in bucket.
Fill to top with more water.
I make 2 buckets at a time. I let it sit on kitchen floor until the next day and stir it every time I pass it to keep it from becoming too thick. If you don't you can't pour it into smaller containers. I reuse old laundry soap bottles.

mommafank

I can on my gas grill. I started using that when I had my ceramic glasstop in FL and it helps to cut down on heating up the kitchen. I find that canning has gotten rather expensive as the jars and lids are not cheap. But it is nice in the winter to have the food!

mommafank

Just got to share this------Niece's hubby is rather wealthy but he also is thrifty. Travels a lot so he takes all the little shampoos and keeps them and dumps them all into a larger bottle to use and never buys shampoo. Not sure how the different kinds mixed up works but must be OK---except I forgot---he is pretty bald. :lol:

AlwaysQuilting

Me too!
I also roll up some aluminum foil into a ball and toss it into the dryer instead of using those softenor sheets. Any static is diffused by the aluminum and doesn't make the clothes static-y. In fact I just saw this tip in a magazine not too long ago. I thought I was the only one who did it.