Using it up - Making it do........

 Hello all, hope this finds you well.  Yesterday was a lovely day here, and I even spent time outdoors doing little things for a while.  Today won't be as warm, but still a good day in my opinion.

Thank you all for prayers and good thoughts for sis.  It is much appreciated.

It is a new year, new month and sometimes we just need little reminders of small things to do, that uses up our items and wastes nothing.  Prices have gone up in recent years, and we all need to be a little more mindful of our pennies and our goods.  Being a good steward is so important.

We have become such a disposable society and I find that sad.

We truly need to take care of what we have.  There are many ways (some just little things) that help us not waste and to be mindful.

I haven't bought oil in a long time.  I manage to receive good olive oil in gift baskets each year (I taught them well) and I keep bacon grease.

I do have some basic oil if I need for baking, but in general I purchase very little.  These bottles are flavored oils - and are great for frying and flavoring foods.

**I keep candle scraps from the bottom of jars and use as melts. It works great.

**I have enough liquid soaps and lotions (gifts) to last for years.  I make foaming soap with the liquid soaps.  I have a couple old foaming containers and just re-use them.  1/3 bottle soap, 2/3 water and you have foaming soap.

**I keep popcorn tins and reuse those to hold bags of sugar, flour and anything I want to be airtight.

**I do keep plastic cups and flatware on hand for get togethers, but I wash them and reuse them over and over.  Shoot for myself, I have even washed a coated paper plate and reused. (wouldn't give to anyone else).

**I water everything down.  Shampoo, dish soap, laundry detergent, juice.  If the laundry detergent seems empty, I add water and swish around and have at least 2 more loads.

Most juices can have water added and still be quite flavorful.

I had leftover cukes from the get together and placed them in the pickle jar.  You can do this with carrots, radish, cauliflower peppers, etc.  It makes for a tasty bite and wastes nothing.

, **Leftovers can be used in so many new ways.  Leftover meats or veggies - think soup, or casseroles.  Stir fry, fried rice.  Add to homemade pizzas.  Pot pies, hand pies, or over baked potatoes.

Leftover sauces - freeze for another time.  This is enchilada sauce, froze and removed a 'disk' of sauce and froze for another time.  You can do this with so many things - sauce, juice, gravy, drippings, etc.  You can freeze in ice cube trays too.

**Dressings for salads - when I get to the bottom of a bottle, it isn't done.  I add either milk, oil, or vinegar, depending on the dressing and then shake it up and have another salad or two!

**Toothpaste - it takes a long time to finally throw a tube out at my house.

This one looks used up - but probably has another week or two to go.

**Rinds, skins and cores of fruit - can be used to make vinegars, or cleaners.  You can also cook down and make certain jellies.

**Holiday candies can be used in baking.  Chop and use in candy or muffins.  Can melt and use with nuts or fruit.

**Banana peels make a great fertilizer for plants.  Place in a jar with water and let it 'marinate' to make fertilizer.

**Food scraps use for compost (fruits and veggies and coffee grinds and eggshells) - no meat.

**Old t-shirts make cleaning rags, hankies, or even use to make blankets.

**Older fruit - that needs used.  Cook it and use over oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, ice cream or as a dessert by itself.

**Regrow foods.  Green onions, leaf (bunch) lettuce, celery.  When gardening and if you grow cauliflower, broccoli, or cabbage - just cut off the part you are using - leave the plant, and it will regrow new veggie for you (smaller versions).

**Grow your own herbs - so easy to grow.  Can be grown in pots and snipped to use fresh or dehydrate for later.

**Have a comfy chair or couch - but it looks warn - add a slipcover.  You can use a throw or sheet, whatever you have to give it extra life.

Neat ideas using what you have on hand.  I have done each of these over the years - they work.

**Shoot I even get a lot of use from a box of hair dye.  I have short hair - and by no means need to waste an entire box.  I mix equal amounts of the 2 solutions together and use.  Only mix as much as you need. I can easily get 3+ dye jobs from one box.

**The other day I wanted Yummy Sauce for my chicken strips and didn't just want to pour out on the chicken.  Stopped and looked and thought about it - I poured a small amount in a shot glass - it was just perfect.  Kept the plate clean, and I could just dip my chicken!!!

**PENNIES - now that they have stopped making them, many places say they are running short.  I always keep a baggie with them in my purse to 'sell' to stores for correct change.  Wrap and take them to the bank and cash them in - it is spendable money.  I have tons of pennies around here, and I will never be broke (if I cash them in).  I also have lots of change - so in a pinch there is always funds around.

There are an unending ways to stretch our things and our dollars.  

Take time each day to stop and just think "what can I use this for?"  "How can I remake this?"  "How can I stretch this item?"  

Find a new solution to daily chores.

We all need to be the best stewards we can be.  You take care of your money, and your money can help take care of you!

Have a beautiful day.