Monday, April 4, 2011

Earthly Moneysavers



Many of the things we do to save energy, reduce waste, or reuse something old save us money as well. Generations before us used these tried and true methods for everyday living. When we reuse something, we find a way to eliminate more waste in the landfill. When we reduce our energy usage, we reduce our impact on pollution and consumption. These are easy ways to make a difference and save some money.

  • Hand wash delicate items in cold water instead of dry cleaning them.

  • Make your own confectioner's sugar. Grind granulated sugar in a spice mill or food processor with a blade attachment.

  • Make your own gourmet coffee. Add cinnamon or cocoa to coffee before brewing.

  • Reuse the juice from canned vegetables or canned tuna. Use in casseroles or soups.

  • Save water from boiling eggs or soaking legumes for watering plants. Water from eggs is full of calcium and water from soaking legumes is full of nitrogen.

  • Reuse tea bags. Most tea bags can be used for at least one more cup of tea without any sense of dilution.

  • Use half as much laundry detergent. Clothes still come out clean.

  • Use the small leftover wrapping paper pieces to make gift tags. Cut a small rectangle out of the wrapping paper and fold in half.

  • Root cuttings of plants instead of buying new ones.

  • Make your own ground spices, such as ground pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander by using a spice mill to grind them.

  • Wash your car after a rain storm. After the storm, wipe off with a cloth.
©Michelle A. Potter

28 comments:

  1. We have a lot to learn about simple ways. Thank you for the great list of suggestions.

    Thank you too for assisting Christchurch in becoming a sustainable city. It will be so great for something positive to come out of this tragedy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's the simple things that make a difference but are often overlooked. Mo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Greenearth. Simple means easy. And you are very welcome...I hope all goes well for Christchurch!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Mo and Steve! I hope people can see how easy it all is.

    ReplyDelete
  5. great ideas...never thought about the sugar or reusing the water...fascinating...I do some of the other things and I never wash my car...what is the point...the rain will clean it...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Glad you enjoyed looking at the Winter photos. Where in the US do you live and garden? With you eco interest you might like an upcoming posting I will be doing on the Watershed here at Gardens at Waters East and how watersheds are so very important a resource to all of us. Glad to see others interested in Earth issues. Jack

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lots of great ideas--thanks! I do some of them, but I learned a lot from this post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree with Greenearth, we do have a lot to learn from simpler times. Good ideas you posted.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Donna! The rain is a natural cleanser--in more ways than one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. GardensatWatersEast, I am in the mid-atlantic of the USA. I will visit again to check out your new post.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Plantposting. I am so glad you were able to glean something new from this post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks gardenwalkgardentalk. I am glad they seem simple and easy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great suggestions! I used to "wash" my car when I lived in Washington State after getting home in the pouring rain - it wasn't quite sparkling, but letting the rain do a lot of the washing is definitely a big help.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi There - It's amazing how quickly these tips can become habit and when done with consistancy how much of a difference they will make in our world. - Great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Excellent ideas. So simple, too! I like the sugar idea. Very clever!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love all the ideas - especially using the vegetable and egg water; I had never thought of that before, but will do it regularly now.
    Pam x

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's an interesting but simple to achieve list you've come up with. It's inspired me to take my efforts somewhat further. Thank you!

    Sky

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kristin, isn't rain wonderful! At the very least, it does a great job of rinsing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Malinda. They are really very simple and easy...and some have been around for a very long time. They just somehow got 'lost in translation.' :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks, Karen. I kinda' like that one, too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Pam. I use the water from soaking beans on my rose plants. They love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Sky. I am so glad I was able to inspire...thank you for visiting!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks, P3chandan. I am so glad you like this post!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi,

    Such simple ways of saving money, and energy in these difficult times.

    The predictions for weather systems are shocking, I just hope it isn't too late to do something about it now.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks, Liz. I also hope things work out for the best...

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am glad to learn that other people use small pieces of wrapping paper to make gift tags like I do. I salvage any ribbons, bows and wrapping paper that I can and use them over and over. I am going to start reusing the water from my eggs. Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for stopping by L. Ambler. I hate throwing things out, so it was between finding a creative use for the scraps or becoming a hoarder. :)

    ReplyDelete

'I see trees of green, red roses, too
I see 'em bloom for me and for you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world'
--What a Wonderful World

Thank you for visiting The Sage Butterfly blog. I enjoy reading your charming reflections very much. Have a great day!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"