10 Tips for Saving Money in Your Kitchen, While Implementing the
Three R's
Can implementing the three R's - reduce, recycle, reuse, save
you money?
If you only implemented the three R's in your kitchen, you
would save money. Here are 10 tips that implements the three R's
and helps your pocketbook:
1. Recycle margarine containers, and other plastic containers
rather than buying new plastic containers. Margarine containers
are great for storing leftover food, or for freezing foods.
2. Reuse plastic bags rather than buying more plastic bags.
Everywhere we go we get plastic bags! Grocery bags can be used
for liners in small garbage cans. Bread bags can be used for
covering items such as cookies, baked bread and so on.
3. Reduce your electricity by buying larger roasts or turkeys.
Cook your meat and then freeze the leftovers. This not only can
save you money in electric bills, but also save you time and
frustration when you forget to take something out for supper.
4. Reduce the need for paper napkins by making your own napkins
out of old material. Cloth napkins are easy to make, and can be
used many times!
5. Recycle tin cans. Tin cans once washed, and sharp edges
removed, have many uses. They can be painted and used to put
Christmas gifts in; they can be used as scoops for dog food. The
smaller cans can be used as cookie cutters, or as candleholders.
6. Reuse your empty egg cartons. These can be used for storing
small items, such as buttons, safety pins, etc. They are
lightweight, so when tore up, they make great packing material
when shipping items in the mail. They make a great item for
children to collect rocks in!
7. Recycle empty cereal boxes. If you have younger children,
have them cut out the letters and pictures on the boxes; then on
a rainy day have them make cards, do a scrapbook, make a poster
for a friend or loved one. We also use the cardboard for putting
between something we are mailing so that it doesn't get bent.
8. Reuse those Popsicle sticks. They make great markers for
your garden; they are great for stirring small amounts of paint,
and children can make wonderful things from them.
9. Reuse glass bottles. They are great for storing nails,
smaller items. Also the smaller bottles are good for mixing your
flour and water for gravy. They make great ornaments for
outside. Fill the bottle with water and float a tea light in it;
they look wonderful against the snow.
10. Reduce your need for plastic wrap. When covering items in
the fridge, use a small plate or bowl to cover the item. Use
some of those plastic bags that we all get for free! Next time
you reach for the plastic wrap, use what you already have!
Just by implementing these few tips for reducing, recycling and
reusing in your kitchen, you will end up saving money over the
run of the year. And, in addition, to saving money, you are also
helping the environment!