The 3 R's

Howdy everyone.
We have talked about saving water from the rain, and from sink run off and brown water.
I have shown many ideas for re-using items in the yard and garden.
Today I am going to list a few ideas that many save a buck or two and helps prevent being wasteful.

• Save the liquid from watermelons - from the rind or from the serving bowl.  Freeze it into ice cubes - it's great in tea! (any fruit juice is good in tea).  I have also frozen and used it with strawberries when making jelly.
• Keep the peels from tomatoes when you are canning.  Put them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.  Place in a 200* oven till dry (an hour or so).  Cool, then grind in blender and place in a sealed jar.  This is great for adding some extra tomato flavor to a dish.  There are also tons of nutrients in the skins.
• If you are having a crowd for breakfast at home or camping - here's a trick to stretch a dozen eggs for scrambling.  Crack 12 eggs into a bowl, add seasoning, milk, and a crushed sleeve of crackers.  Whip up and fry.  No one will ever know there are crackers in them.  Cheese crackers are also yummy.  We used to do this all time when camping.
• Citrus peels are great for many things.  Zest and place in freezer bags for use later.  Throw them in a pot of water on the stove for a great air freshener.  Throw a few down the garbage disposal for a fresh smelling kitchen.  They also make a great cleaner when mixed with vinegar.
• All skins and rinds and veggie and fruit scraps can be composted OR blended with water and used on your garden plants for extra nutrients.
• When canning with a water bath - when you are done with your last batch and need to throw out the water - carefully take the scalding pot of water outside and poor on weeds.  They pretty much die instantly (don't get on anything you don't want killed!)
• Keep your TP tubes and drier lent.  Stuff the lent into the tubes and use as fire starters for either fireplace or campfire.
• Keep you candle scraps (bottom of the jar), and use it in your melt pot.  I try to keep like scents (fall - summer - fruity, etc.) in baggies seperated.  I put a small piece in the melt pot and it smells lovely.  I sometimes make new candles with the scraps as well.  Mix a bunch off fall scents together - melt in double boiler - and pour into jar with a new wick.   You have a new candle with a designer scent!!!!
• Most people use old t-shirts as rags.  I also cut them into 12" - 15" squares and use them as hankies.  They are so soft on the nose.  Washable - no waste.  I also cut some longer pieces about 4" wide to use as sweat bands when working in the yard.  Place them hippy style around your forehead and tie in the back of your hair.       T-shirts also make great quilts/throws.  Cut logos in 12" or so squares and sew together for a topper.  School shirts, athletic designs, religious shirts, etc.             T-shirt material is also great for tying up garden plants as it stretches.  Cut into strips and use to tie up tomatoes, etc.
• If you have a dehumidifier - use that water in your laundry, or use to water outdoor plants.  DO NOT drink it or give to animals to drinks.  It is basically like distilled water.   You could also use it for flushing toilets or as the water in your water bath canner.

Hope some of these tips help you re-purpose, re-use, or recycle a few things and maybe save some pocket change!  Do you have any helpful hints to add?
I will try to do a post every week or so with helpful tips.