It seems that budget-stretching tips from so-called frugal folks often include such time-consuming practices as washing out Ziploc bags for reuse and similar ideas that, while helpful, don't always add up to cost-efficiency for a busy family. Throughout my years living alone and married I've tried to incorporate methods of saving money that don't add costly minutes or hours to my daily routine in exchange.
Over the next few days, I'll share just a few of the many ways I've found to stretch (or even add to) my household budget.
Let's start with the garbage bill. Living by the concept of "reduce, reuse, recycle" is a lot easier than it sounds, and it doesn't mean you have to learn how to quilt old t-shirts or weave rag rugs if you're not the crafty type. Consider these three ways I've saved on the trash bill:
- Reduce: Start a compost heap. If you're in the suburbs or out on your own acreage, this is especially easy. You don't need a costly storage bin either, though they are handy for turning the compost. Just block off an area that can be used for grass clippings, shredded newspaper (not the glossy ads, please!), and vegetable trimmings from the kitchen. Keep meat and dog or cat waste out, but feel free to toss in rinsed eggshells and the coffee grounds from your morning cup of java. This practice will yield hearty fertilizer for your vegetable garden or flower bed, allowing you a double savings: less trash being hauled away, and less money being spent on expensive plant foods and fertilizers. Urban dwellers, don't fret. More and more cities and individual apartment complexes are creating recycling stations and community gardens with compost areas, and citizens who add to the compostable materials often get a free bag of finished compost for their planters or gardens!
- Reuse: Instead of using individual microwave meals, try baking a full pan (or two) of lasagna or your family's favorite casserole and immediately placing the extra meals in reusable freezer-to-microwave or oven-safe containers. Pass old t-shirts to the garage or utility closet for use as shop rags and dust cloths.
- Recycle: It doesn't take long to incorporate recycling bins into your trash collecting routine. I keep brown paper grocery bags next to my trash cans in both my kitchen and my office. My office shredder is right near by. After documents are shredded, I empty the machine's basket right into the recyclable bag, along with old magazines and non-sensitive paperwork. After checking the mail, I sort it right at the kitchen counter. Junk mail and subscription cards from magazines immediately find their place in the recycle bag, along with envelopes from mail that needs to be filed or replied to. As we empty a soda can, food can, or other recyclable container, it is rinsed and otherwise prepared for the recycle bins, and my Little (aka the "Recycle Captain") helps out by carrying it to the bin in the garage. In my area, homeowners are actually charged an additional $5 a month if they don't accept recycling bins, and I've saved an additional $15 a month by reducing my waste levels from two cans down to one, thanks to composting and filling up those recycling containers. On top of that, a small credit is applied to my account each billing period for the value of the recyclable waste. In some cities, such as Seattle, legislation is now in effect to fine citizens who don't recycle. I'd hate to be the one enforcing that law, but I'd also hate to get hit with the fines...talk about not helping the budget!
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