Clever Uses For 25 Things You Throw Away

In the USA each person throws away nearly 5 pounds of trash daily, enough to fill 63,000 garbage trucks, which could form a line that would stretch from the earth halfway to the moon! Almost 1/3 of the waste generated is just by the packaging from all the stuff we buy. You’ve heard the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, but most people just focus on recycling. This post will show you how to REUSE items so you can REDUCE consumption and the need to recycle and best of all, reduce the amount of trash created.

One of the best ways to start reducing waste is to conduct a Household Trash Audit which will really open your eyes about how much waste you and your family are creating, and is a really good way to teach children about conservation.

1. Bedding bags
2. Breadbag clips
3. Broken crayons
4. Buttons
5. Cardboard boxes
6. CDs & DVDs
7. Citrus fruit peels 
8. Coffee grounds
9. Dryer sheets
10. Egg cartons
11. Eggshells
12. Greeting cards
13. Kitchen scraps
14. Kitty litter buckets
15. Newspapers
16. Pantyhose
17. Pill bottles
18. Plastic bags
19. Plastic milk jug
20. Plastic water bottles
21. Shower curtain liner
22. Silica packs
23. Tea bags 
24. Tin (metal) cans
25. Toilet paper & paper towels tubes

Reducing waste by reusing and re-purposing things we usually throw away not only reduces pollution in landfills, but also pollution produced and energy used to manufacture new goods. And that’s good for us all!

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What Are The Best Things To Buy In April?

Attention shoppers, it’s time once again for the best deals of the month. Don’t forget to  follow me on Facebook, simply visit Real Penny Wise and click LIKE to receive the best tips daily. Be sure to SHARE with your friends too. Just a quick review before I list this months best buys…

Most bargains follow a predictable pattern:

• End of the model year (varies depending on product)
• End of the retail season (ends sooner than calendar season)
• Holiday sale (usually new, but sometimes older models)
• Directly after a holiday
• Off season
• In season (fresh produce)

The downside includes:

• Lack of inventory/choices
• Open box/damage/refurbished
• Older model/style
• Unable to use/test until season changes, long past refund date

Brick and mortar stores clear out first since retail space is at a premium, but many online stores will offer competitive pricing even though their inventory will linger longer. The longer you wait, the lower the price, but you could miss out on finding what you need. Remember that a retailer’s season ends much sooner than a calendar season; that’s why you’ll find great deals on winter apparel in January & February, but you will hard pressed to find a winter coat in March when there’s still a foot of snow on the ground. Don’t forget to check out my post 15 Super Tips For Shopping Success to learn how to save even more on online purchases.

So here’s where you can save the most in April:

• athletic shoes
• small appliances
• vacuum cleaner (last year’s models)
• cookware
• electronics (last year’s models)
• TV (last year’s models)
• small gardening tools & supplies

When it comes to food, the best deals are to buy in season since there is a greater supply. Obviously holiday themed food bargains are best directly following the holiday, but do not overlook the perishables; starting January 2^nd stores practically give away huge pork roasts that never made it to the New Year’s Day dinner table. One disclaimer on the produce; because there is some controversy regarding what is truly “in season” as the USA has very diverse growing patterns and hothouses are often used, I have placed and asterisk next to the items that are generally agreed upon.

Here are the best food deals in April:

• Artichoke*
• Asparagus*
• Apple
• Banana
• Beets
• Blueberries
• Broccoli*
• Cabbage
• Cucumbers
• Fava Beans
• Figs
• Grapes
• Lettuce*
• Mangoes*
• Pineapples*
• Quince
• Rhubarb*
• Scallions
• Spring peas*
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Zucchini*

Often times you can get first rate products for a bargain prices, it just takes a little planning & patience; but don’t wait too long or you may miss out altogether. Want more posts like this? Let me know!

Are Bargain Batteries The Best Buy? Tips For Choosing The Right One.

When we were recently visited by that infamous home-wrecker Superstorm Sandy and you reached for the flashlight in the kitchen drawer when your lights went out, what happened? Yeah, thought so. Flashlights, smoke alarms and CO2 detectors are only a few of the items we now rely on to keep us safe in an emergency; so you had better have batteries you can depend on. Hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, whether its an act of God, or an act of stupidity (like a drunk driver taking out a utility pole and plunging the  neighborhood into darkness), sooner or later the cord between you and the almighty power grid is going to be severed, so you had better be prepared.

Now that we are entering that festive season of “batteries not included”, how do you find the best battery to power your need without draining your wallet? When it comes to dry cell batteries (as opposed to wet cell) consumers make 3 main choices: cheap disposables, brand name disposables and rechargables. In a perfect world we would all use rechargeable batteries, but not everyone has the means or the inclination. A good battery provides the best combination of long duration, high performance, reasonable price & eco-friendliness.

Cheap disposables. Studies have shown cheap disposable batteries, like the kind you find at the dollar store, only last half as long as their more expensive brand name counterparts. While they cost half to a fourth of the price, you have to buy TWICE as many. The greatest cost is to the environment in the additional resources consumed and toxins produced in the manufacturing, packaging and transportation, as well as landfill space when they are discarded. They would be appropriate to use in a TV remote and other low drain devices, but may only last an hour in your child’s toy.

Brand name disposables. This is the most popular option based on performance and initial price point. Depending on which kind you buy and which device you use them in, these batteries can last up to twice as long as some rechargeable batteries, however, this is where their value ends. They are particularly useful for long trips when carting along a recharger is not a viable option. The best choices are Duracell CopperTop and Energizer Ultimate Lithium. Always choose alkaline or lithium over “heavy duty” zinc chloride or “general purpose” zinc carbon batteries. Use Lithium batteries with caution as they can overpower some devices causing damage. For other options and to decide the best choice for your device, check out the Single Use Batteries Quick-reference Guide (PDF Download)

Rechargeable. While rechargables have higher initial costs for the batteries and recharger, they can be recharged 100-500 times depending on the brand you use, paying for themselves several times over. The main downside beside the initial cost, is the inconvenience of recharging while away from home, and the decrease in their ability to hold a full charge towards the end of their lifecycle. While the Sanyo eneloop Rechargeable is the gold standard, Energizer, Duracell and Kodak make very respectable rechagables. To discover which are best for your needs, check out Rechargeable Batteries Quick-reference Guide (PDF Download).

No matter which battery you choose, it is important to remember that there are 3 things that will affect the life of your battery: time, use & environment. All batteries lose their potency over time even if they are never used, that’s why disposables have an expiration date stamped on them. Rechargeables lose their ability to maintain a charge towards the end of their life cycle (about 500 charges), so it is best to keep them grouped according to age and brand. Storing batteries in the freezer or fridge to preserve potency is a myth and the moisture can cause damage to the batteries. Batteries are best stored in a cool dry place, same as you would store potatoes or apples. Remove batteries from a device if it will not be used for a long period of time and do not store them in a kitchen drawer or other place might come in contact with metal and discharge. Always be sure to dispose of batteries properly.

Armed with some good information, battery shopping won’t be confusing, you won’t waste your money, and you’ll get the most out of your battery operated devices. But you can always save the cheap batteries for your kid’s most annoying toys, and then secretly rejoice when they run out of juice.

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Inexpensive Non-Toxic Soap Scum Removal That Really Works!

I hate cleaning the shower; its right up there with visiting the dentist. I really hate all those expensive cleaning products that practically require a HAZMAT suit and still don’t solve the problem. So I went on a quest to solve the problem and keep more money in my pocket and I’m here to share my findings with you.

Here’s the scoop; as long as you have water (especially hard water) and soap, you are going to have soap scum. These new body washes with moisturizers are especially bad, forming a film on you skin and a film on your surfaces. Advertising geniuses tell you that you not only need an array of expensive foaming color-changing toxic chemicals to tackle this pesky problem, but now you also need to buy a battery operated device that constantly sprays your shower to prevent the film in the first place. The only result of these products is that they stink up your home, burn your lungs, nasal passages and skin, damage metal fixtures, and pollute the water. After all this, you have less money in your wallet, still do a lot of wiping and rinsing, and still have soap scum! And while you might not care about polluted water, remember this is the same water that waters the plants and animals you and your babies eat, and the water you and your babies drink and bathe in. Still think it’s not a problem?

So how do you prevent and get rid of soap scum?

Prevention

• Buy soaps with as few additives as possible. Do you really need all those additional moisturizers? A few drops of baby oil on your wet skin before towel drying will seal moisture in skin more effectively for a fraction of the price.
• Squeegee shower walls after each use. If it’s not on the surfaces, it can’t build up.
• Spray regularly with a vinegar solution. Make a solution of white vinegar and water in a new spray bottle. I use 1:3 solution but you can increase the vinegar up to 1:1. The mild acid will dissolve minor build up and keep surfaces sparkling clean.
• Use a water softener if you have really hard water.

Removal

You will love these methods because you will see the results instantly; it’s like magic! Depending on your surface, you can use a range of products. Always test on an inconspicuous area first to avoid scratching damage. Harder surfaces such as gazed tile and porcelain are more forgiving than fiberglass and acrylic. You can find generic muti-packs at your local dollar store so there is no need spend more on name brands. The trick is, the surface and scrubber must be completely DRY or they will not work effectively. Do NOT use in conjunction with any cleaning solution. It’s so easy you can even train your spouse and kids to do it each time they step into the shower before turning the water on. Assign each person their own wall they are responsible for, if you need to.

Plastic souring pads. This is for getting the really thick stuff off. Just make gentle but firm circular scrubbing motions, like you are waxing a car, and watch the soap scum flake off like a blizzard in record time! It also keeps your upper arms tone, reducing the dreaded “bingo wings”.

Nylon scrubbing pads. This is for more delicate surfaces, lighter build-up, or getting into tight areas. These pads will retain the soap, so clean or replace them more often.

Magic eraser. These are for the most delicate surfaces like chrome, fiberglass and shower doors. Use a simple back and forth motion and watch your shower doors become crystal clear in no time.

 

So the choice is yours: spend dollars per use on stinky hazardous chemicals that cause damage, still require labor and don’t do the job completely, OR spend pennies per use on kid and earth friendly methods that actually work. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

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7 Ways To Stop Your Refrigerator From Wasting Your Money

1. Out with the old. Refrigerators are huge energy hogs, on average gobbling up 8%-12% of your total household energy budget! Fridges and freezers made before 1993 can cost you TWICE what a new Energy Star model does to operate; and the news is worse for models before 1970—a whopping FOUR times the cost! Because of the foreclosure crisis, the market is flooded appliances at dirt cheap prices allowing you to buy a newer used unit for a fraction of the cost. Not to be outdone, retailers of new appliances have had to slash their prices and a savvy shopper can negotiate an even better deal.
2. Chill out. Your fridge has to work that much harder if you don’t allow your food to cool before putting it in the fridge or freezer.
3. Wrap it up. Condensation from improperly wrapped food makes your fridge work harder.
4. Shut the damn door. Remember when your mom would yell “shut that damn door, we’re not cooling off the neighborhood”? Mom was right; 7% of fridge energy is wasted when we leave the door open or browse. That is the energy equivalent of a wash load of laundry once a week for almost a year!
5. Get organized. You will have less open door time if you know were to find what you are looking for; using clear containers, labeling, and organizing by grouping like items all make it easier.
6. Save some space. Refrigerators and freezers function best at about 75% full. Why? You need room for the air to circulate and cool each item properly, yet enough cooled items to help maintain temperature.
7. Keep it clean. Those coils on the back of the fridge serve to dissipate heat and help it run more effectively. Not only should you keep a distance from the wall and away from the stove, but you should clean the coils every 6mos. It’s not difficult and will take less than an hour, but will make a big difference not only in how your fridge functions, but also in keeping those expensive repair bills at bay.

Replacing an outdated fridge will save you at least $100 per year, and the other tips an additional $100. Cool, huh?  But don’t take my word for it, check out this savings calculator and find an appliance recycling program near you.

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Attractive & thrifty! Pringles canisters are great for storing spaghetti.

I Want To Be Crafty!

With the new baby, I have an overabundance of random-sized canisters.  They can be super useful even if they are no longer being used for storing formula or, in the case of the tall one, Pringles.  Again, I hit Pinterest for some ideas.  I saw some canisters covered with fabric and some covered with scrapbook paper.  I chose to use scrapbook paper simply because there seems to be a greater variety of pretty, small patterns and one sheet will cover a lot of area.  I Mod Podged like a maniac and then spray painted the lids a coordinating color (gold in this case).  They turned out quite nice.

I added a divider to the interior of the larger Enfamil canisters.  I plan to keep balls of yarn in them and thought the divider might help keep the yarn from tangling.  (I prefer outward pull yarn balls.  Crazy, I know, but…

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Dangerous Fabric Softeners & Safe, Cheap Alternatives

No parent in their right mind would say, “ I don’t mind that my kid suffers  from allergies and the side effects of that medication because he smells snugly fresh, and that’s what’s really important!” But we are creatures of habit, so it’s all about making a few little changes that add up to a big difference.

“Non-toxic” fabric softener or dryer sheets likely include some of the following not-so-snugly ingredients: alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, camphor, benzyl alcohol, limonene, ethyl acetate, pentane, and chloroform. Fabric softener chemicals appear on the Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous waste list and can cause:

• central nervous system disorders, headaches, and loss of muscle coordination
• irritation of mucous membranes and impaired respiratory function
• nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or drowsiness
• liver or kidney damage
• skin disorders and allergic reactions
• cancer

People are exposed to the chemicals by breathing those great smelling molecules in the air near the clothes or by absorbing them through the skin via direct contact with the snugly soft clothes. Ahhh,  fresh…and deadly! (Remember “I love the smell of Napalm in the morning”?)

Then there’s the damage to your septic tank and gunky buildup in your washer and dryer which is a breeding ground for all sorts of microscopic critters. Eww! Not to mention all the money you spend on whiteners and brighteners to try to undo the effect of the waxy film softeners are designed to leave on your laundry to make them soft and fragranced. You may a well pour scented candle wax in your wash water, its essentially the same thing.

So, what do you do about it?

• Hang dry. To minimize static, don’t dry clothes completely in the dryer. When they are still at least somewhat damp, hang them to dry or use a drying rack.
• Dry synthetics separately. Synthetic are really the static culprits, they are the main ones that should be hang dried. If you do use a dryer, keep them separate from natural fabrics like cotton.
• White vinegar. Its a natural fabric softener and will also help clean the gunk out of your machine. Use 1/2 cup in the wash cycle. Don’t use bleach since it may cause toxic fumes.
• Baking Soda. Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the water in your washing machine and let it dissolve prior to adding your clothes. It acts as a water softener and helps makes clothes super soft.
• Natural detergents & softeners. There are natural laundry soap containing soy-based fabric softener and liquid fabric softener, such as Ecos Earth Friendly.
• Aluminum foil. Adding a foil ball to your dryer will dissipate static, and the ball bouncing around will help fluff up the fibers too.
• Dryer balls. They fluff up the clothes but don’t stop static, so follow the first 2 suggestions when using this method. They also double as massage balls (but not all massage balls can be used as dryer balls). Don’t use tennis balls because their materials release unwanted gasses and can stain clothing.

So lets review: little changes that safeguard your health, washer, clothes, septic tank, which translates to additional savings in medical costs, repair costs, replacement costs, and laundry additive costs. Good for you, good for your budget, good for the environment!

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Little Luxuries: Root Candle

Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pamper yourself. Root Candle may not be as popular as Yankee Candle, but it is far superior. Root has been a family company since 1869, and uses only the finest and purest ingredients like beeswax and essential oils.

And if you want a real bargain, visit their outlet store in Medina, Ohio, where you can buy wonderful items for less than you would pay for another brand at a department or discount store. Usually the only problem with the items is that they are overstock, past season, or a change or problem with the packaging. Buy the best and pay less. But a word of warning, this place is addictive!

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This handy post has some great ideas that will not only help you find what you need when you need it, but will reduce unnecessary purchases. Remember when your “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle”, “Reduce” comes first!

Clutterbusters!! Fort Worth

 

Rarely have I walked into someone’s kitchen and found their collection of plastic food storage containers in an orderly state. It is probably the biggest complaint I get from my organizing clients when we get to the kitchen – how to manage all that plastic!!

Here are my 6 steps for getting the mountains of food storage containers under control:

1. Purge – Pull out all of your containers and make sure that each and every one has a lid. Toss any extra lids or bottoms. There’s no sense in holding onto one or the other if it is missing its mate. While you are at it, toss any containers that you don’t use, those that have a strange odor and those that are badly damaged or discolored.

2. Now that you are only dealing with complete sets (and containers you want to keep), separate the lids from the…

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Here’s another fine example of re-purposing materials for gardens in small spaces. Brava!