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
We have a lot to learn about simple ways. Thank you for the great list of suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThank you too for assisting Christchurch in becoming a sustainable city. It will be so great for something positive to come out of this tragedy.
It's the simple things that make a difference but are often overlooked. Mo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Greenearth. Simple means easy. And you are very welcome...I hope all goes well for Christchurch!
ReplyDeleteHi Mo and Steve! I hope people can see how easy it all is.
ReplyDeletegreat 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...
ReplyDeleteGlad 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
ReplyDeleteLots of great ideas--thanks! I do some of them, but I learned a lot from this post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Greenearth, we do have a lot to learn from simpler times. Good ideas you posted.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! The rain is a natural cleanser--in more ways than one.
ReplyDeleteGardensatWatersEast, I am in the mid-atlantic of the USA. I will visit again to check out your new post.
ReplyDeleteHi Plantposting. I am so glad you were able to glean something new from this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks gardenwalkgardentalk. I am glad they seem simple and easy.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteHi 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!
ReplyDeleteExcellent ideas. So simple, too! I like the sugar idea. Very clever!
ReplyDeleteI love all the ideas - especially using the vegetable and egg water; I had never thought of that before, but will do it regularly now.
ReplyDeletePam x
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!
ReplyDeleteSky
Kristin, isn't rain wonderful! At the very least, it does a great job of rinsing.
ReplyDeleteHi 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.' :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I kinda' like that one, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam. I use the water from soaking beans on my rose plants. They love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Sky. I am so glad I was able to inspire...thank you for visiting!
ReplyDeleteGood list!
ReplyDeleteThanks, P3chandan. I am so glad you like this post!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteSuch 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.
Thanks, Liz. I also hope things work out for the best...
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks 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