A few years ago one of my friends took me to a seminar about frugal living at her church. It absolutely changed my life. No joke. I had already been trying to make frugal changes to my life, but the seminar challenged me to see what else I could do. One of the lessons I learned from that hour long tutorial was to get the most out of what I already owned. This lesson was part preventing waste, part saving money, part amazingness. Seriously. I had no idea how much I was throwing out until I started experimenting. Let me show you.
Behold our finished peanut butter.
In the past this would get tossed in the recycling, but for the past few years I've been taking the time to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. It takes about a minute.
I simply scrape the pb in to this tiny container and it's enough for approx two more sandwiches.
Here are two of the best inventions ever to my mind--right behind electricity and refrigeration. Ok, that's a gross exaggeration, but still, these little goo pushers (is the the technical name?) are great! The green one twists and squeezes, while the purple one just squeezes. The green one was a gift (Thanks Mom!) and the purple was part of a set of two that I got at Walmart for less than $2. They are well worth the money and help make sure you get every little bit out of your tubes of goo. But wait! That's not all...
This is a picture of the above tube of toothpaste. It was squeezed within an inch of it's life, and would not yield any more paste.
I simply cut the tube and voila, about a week's worth of toothpaste! Simply put a dab on your tooth brush and brush away. (I do realize that this is somewhat unhygienic, so I would recommend only one person uses this paste, and perhaps it should be applied with a clean finger to the tooth brush).
This method can be used with lotions, face creams, and really any other goo in a tube. Just be sure that when you cut lotions or the like you keep the top, wipe it out, and put it over the bottom portion so your new found goodness doesn't dry out.
As I have become more frugal and environmentally conscious I have found the importance of being a good steward of the resources I have been given. Even if it is just a week's worth of toothpaste.
Behold our finished peanut butter.
In the past this would get tossed in the recycling, but for the past few years I've been taking the time to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. It takes about a minute.
Here are two of the best inventions ever to my mind--right behind electricity and refrigeration. Ok, that's a gross exaggeration, but still, these little goo pushers (is the the technical name?) are great! The green one twists and squeezes, while the purple one just squeezes. The green one was a gift (Thanks Mom!) and the purple was part of a set of two that I got at Walmart for less than $2. They are well worth the money and help make sure you get every little bit out of your tubes of goo. But wait! That's not all...
This method can be used with lotions, face creams, and really any other goo in a tube. Just be sure that when you cut lotions or the like you keep the top, wipe it out, and put it over the bottom portion so your new found goodness doesn't dry out.
As I have become more frugal and environmentally conscious I have found the importance of being a good steward of the resources I have been given. Even if it is just a week's worth of toothpaste.
I seriously aspire to be like you! You're so cool, friend. Be my green living mentor! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I'll have to try that with the tube of toothpaste that I put in the trash yesterday!
ReplyDeleteJulie, you crack me up! What a compliment. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteTukah, hope it goes well!