Thursday, July 24, 2008

Frugal Friday: Using What I Have

Over the years I've accumulated quite the collection of half-used lotion, talk, perfume, and hair product bottles and tubes. It's easy to buy something "because I'm almost out" and then return home and begin using the new one without finishing the old one. And even if I don't buy it, a lot of that kind of thing is given to me.

So, I've decided to take the "Use-What-I-Have-Before-I-Buy-More" challenge. AND I've decided to drag Husband Dear along for the ride. Oh, he's enthusiastic about the challenge as he has also built up quite a collection of spray on deodorants and after shave over the years.

Our stash!

Together we will squeeze every last drop, from moisturizer to hair gel to aftershave to hairspray, until it's all gone before we purchase any new products. It's enough to keep us going for a while, maybe 2 months, I'm guessing, maybe more

It's not like we spend a huge amount of money on these sorts of things. But we do hate throwing things away and even more than that we HATE carting around half empty bottles of this and that if we have to move. Therefore the need to use up what we have!

So, that's it, my Frugal Friday tip: Use what you have until it's gone before buying more. Sounds pretty simple but it sure does take willpower!

Oh yeah, it helps if you gather it all together in one place, just so you know upfront what you have to work with.

Good luck! And for more frugal reading head over to Biblical Womanhood.

Have a great weekend! (I can't believe it's already the weekend again!)

13 comments:

Sarah said...

This is some advice I definitely need to take! I have so many half or partially used bathroom (and cleaning!) items in my house. Here here to using what you've got!!!

Kelly said...

I just put liquid body soap that I was not wild about into our foaming hand soap dispenser . We use old shampoo this way too .

Kim said...

This is such a great idea. Simple, yes, but something many of us (myself included) don't always do. I have hair product that I can definitely use before buying more. Even though it's not my favorite stuff to use, it is still such a waste to let is sit in my drawer taking up space and wasting valuable money. Thanks for this much-needed reminder. :)

Blessings,

Kim

Unknown said...

Excellent! We are doing this also - I posted about not going to the store again until the end of the month. WE are at the end of week two, so by the time I revisit, it will be three weeks!

Anonymous said...

So many frugal bloggers tendd to stock pile stuff like this like crazy! It always seemed weird to me that they keep buying and buying when there is enough for a year or more in their cupboard! Thank you for this tip, I agree with you!

life is good said...

A great idea! I have often thought I needed to do the same thing, but haven't yet. Maybe I'll go through my bathroom this weekend and see how much stuff I really have! Thanks for the inspiration!

Brooke said...

While I'm quite certain it means something is broken in my brain, I get a wonderful sense of accomplishment when i finish the last of something - like shampoo or body lotion. Good luck with your quest! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm going to try to do this as well. I hate being wasteful.

Mom2fur said...

Great idea! I like to turn my shampoo, etc., bottles upside down to get that last drop.

Anonymous said...

Homemaker Barbi had a suggestion like this for using up a stash of samples. She used plastic cups to stand them up in the shower or bathroom sink so they could be used without spilling.
-Katmaxx

Anonymous said...

I am really frugal! After you have finished using something in a tube, cut off the bottom and use what is inside. You will be amazed at what is left - I usually can get another week of toothpaste, moisturizer or makeup from the tube.

Audra Krell said...

This makes good sense, I hate throwing stuff away too, but after awhile I can't take all the clutter and eventually throw things away that I shouldn't!

Anonymous said...

I don't like running out of something before I buy the next bottle or tube, so I tend to stay stocked up. But I keep the new stash in a box hidden in the pantry, so that the old one is definitely finished before the new one is even brought out. Mom <><