We don’t think twice about throwing a number of different things out in the trash, but you would never throw away money, would you? While it might seem convenient to use disposables, you’re essentially doing just that when you toss them in the garbage. There are a ton of other reusable options that will not only save you money, but in most cases, they’re saving the environment, too!
Consider some of these replacements to stretch your dollar and get your money’s worth:
1. While it’s probably easier to use disposable plates, cups, and utensils for things like picnics or parties, it’s not the best option for every-day use. There are plenty of cheap alternatives at most department stores (think places like Walmart or Target for the best value). Opt for plastic or glass dishes and metal cutlery that you can wash and reuse over and over again.
2. Instead of bottled water, keep a few BPA-free plastic bottles in your refrigerator and wash them after each use.
3. Rechargeable batteries have a much longer lifespan (upwards of 500 reuses!) and often perform better than regular ones. You won’t need to run out to the store to purchase a new pack every time they die, just juice them up again and you’re good to go!
4. Instead of spending money on Swiffer pads or other one-time-use dusters, use an old t-shirt or towel that you might have otherwise thrown away. You can wash it after each use, and toss it when it gets too grimy. *If you want to be REALLY thrifty, you can also use old towels or rags to clean up spills and such instead of paper towels.
5. You can reuse gift bags (and in some cases, even wrapping paper) from gifts you’ve received instead of buying gift wrap. Another great option is to wrap gifts with plain paper and decorate it yourself to give it a personal touch.
6. Switch to cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. *Disclaimer: this instance can be a stinky situation – not everyone is comfortable cleaning out cloth diapers. Using them instead of disposable ones will save you some money, but not necessarily if you’re going to pay a diaper service to clean them!
Are we missing anything? Share any ideas for reuse with us to pass on the savings!
