Get Creative with Recycling

In my area of the country, plastic shopping bags have become scarce. Cities and stores are either banning them altogether or opting for paper instead. For the past 30 years I have dutifully recycled my bags, but now I’m hanging on to my dwindling stash. It may not sound politically or environmentally correct, but those suckers come in handy—especially when traveling. That’s why I was excited to read Gail’s tip. I’ve popped one in my purse, but I barely notice since it’s practically weightless!

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POP-UP PLASTIC BAGS. When I travel, I stuff a few plastic grocery bags inside a prescription medication bottle, and keep it in my carry-on suitcase or purse. Whenever I need a bag, I have one handy! Gail, email

POST-IT HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE! I’m a very visual person, so when I need to remember to do something I write down the task on a Post-It note, and stick the note somewhere that it doesn’t belong, like in the middle of a kitchen cabinet door, or on a lampshade, or on the face of a clock I look at frequently. I know I’ll notice something like that, rather than another note stuck onto my refrigerator door. I’m more likely to remember to do whatever it is I need to do with these “surprise” notes. Maryann, EC Blog

D.I.Y CHICKEN STOCKPILE. When our local grocer has bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts on sale for 99 cents a pound, I’ll stock up. I pull off the skin and de-bone them myself. I boil the bones in a pot of water, remove the bones to cool and then pull off any cooked meat. After the broth cools, I measure it into plastic freezer bags and stick the bags in the freezer. I end up with boneless breasts, shredded cooked meat and broth. Lolly, EC Blog

BAKING SODA FOR BEAUTY. You can use baking soda for just about everything, really. It’s great for acne and Keratosis pilaris, and way cheaper than any face wash I’ve ever seen.  Just remember to moisturize afterward because baking soda can dry out your skin on its own. It’s also the best substitute for shampoo, especially for curly hair, since products with Cetyl alcohol or glycerin can steal much-needed moisture from curls. I use it as a very wet paste or mix it with honey and scrub my scalp every other day or so, following with a vinegar rinse (1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water, or 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water). This restores the natural acid pH of my hair. It doesn’t foam or lather, but the baking soda lasts forever if you keep it sealed. My hair never looked better, and boy is it cheap! Katie, EC Blog

For more handy ideas like Katie’s, get a copy of my Cheapskate Solutions eBooklet. For only $5, you can download this handy guide packed with more than 200 beauty and household recipes and solutions. Buy TODAY and start downloading money-saving formulas immediately!

Question: What is your favorite Thanksgiving time- or money-saving tip? Share it here.