Free Stationery

I've always loved labels, good ones, anyway. They are like pieces of art that are as accessible as your grocery store. I've even NOT used certain cans, just because it's the last one with that label, and I can't bear to part with it (certain olives come to mind).

Not too long ago, a friend sent a note to me on the back of a wrapper for a Klondike bar. Not only is it pretty and strange, it has a personal quality that is missing from regular paper, like an additional dimension, an insight. After all, this wrapper was recently around something that was likely consumed by the note writer.

Imagine re-reading a note years from now, written on the back of a label that was designed for that time. It sets the note in a period. It makes me wish I'd considered writing notes on the backs of labels sooner. I can only imagine all the "Hi-C" notes that would be out there now.

(This post was suggested by a friend who regularly engaged in the saving of trees by reusing the backs of V-8 labels for typewriter paper, back when the labels wrapped around large tin cans.)

Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half!

How? By using everything you buy before it goes bad! Apparently, on average, we waste a shocking 40-50 percent of the food we buy. That means we have to replace that food (and likely, we will only use half of that as well). The energy to grow it, to ship it, to store it... it’s all for nothing, not to mention all that cash you shelled out at the check out. All of the food we throw out contributes significantly to the rise in methane gas as well.

Rather than let this waste continue, consider making an effort to plan meals using what you have, taking inventory of what may not last too much longer and using it up. One blogger set up a challenge to her readers to waste less food for a month. I suspect those who took her up on it ended up with a change of lifestyle that helped them significantly at the grocery store. Another one is writing a book about wasted food, and has a blog dedicated to this subject.


We no longer toss stuff out saying “Well, it will make good compost” and instead, find ourselves muttering “If we put these radishes in water, do you think they'll revive?” If they do, that’s 1.25 right there, buddy.

Pantyhose tip #12 Potty-train Plants

Before potting a plant, use a section of pantyhose to cover the small holes in the bottom of the pot to keep the soil from leaking out when you water or move your plants. The water will still flow out, but the soil will stay in the pot.

(I've almost used up all of my old pantyhose these past few weeks!)

Pickled Eggs

I just enjoyed a homemade pickled egg. They are an acquired taste, so I am told, but if you love you some pickled eggs, mmm boy, try making them yourself.

First, peel a hard-boiled egg. Next, put it in a jar of pickle juice, after you've eaten all the pickles. It can be hot pickles, pickled peppers, mustard pickles... even pickled beet juice. Wait a day to a week, depending how pickly you like your eggs. Then eat. They are chewier than straight-up hard boiled eggs. And easier than pickling eggs from scratch.

Look, I've never gotten sick from this, and I've done it lots of time. This is a much-tested recipe. I haven't tried it with sauerkraut juice yet, but that's because I never have enough juice left, however, some friends gave us a can of sauerkraut juice, and I feel obliged and challenged to create something from it for our next get-together.

Pantyhose Tip #6 (under pants)

Use old pantyhose to keep your legs warm under pants. This will accomplish several things: 1. Your legs will be warmer, not much, but a little. 2. No panty lines. 3. You won't have to give up that slightly itchy, uncomfortable feeling just because you're wearing pants. You know who I'm talkin' about, librarian friends. (Oh, do you suppose that rule will now be repealed?)

I am starting to run out of pantyhose stuff.

Add Water to Use It Up

Get into the habit of adding water to your nearly empty jars of tomato sauce, soups, etc. to get the last bit out. This also helps with clean up if you are saving the container, as it will remove the otherwise stubborn bits that are hard to reach. (Here are some ideas for what to do with that last bit of spaghetti sauce, for example.)

You can add a bit of water to condiments as well. Part of the reason it's so hard to get out the last bit of ketchup from the container is it is thicker, since evaporation has taken place. Add water to put it back to the right consistency. If you add too much, use it as an ingredient in some recipe.

The last of the shampoo, conditioner, liquid laundry soap and dishwashing soap can be used by adding water. You'll be adding water to these in the process of using them anyway. This way, you can go just a little longer before you have to get a new bottle. I remember reading once that shampoo actually works better when diluted to 50% water.

Pantyhose Tip #3

Back to pantyhose....

Cut off a leg from the pantyhose, and fill with soap that has become uncomfortably small for bath usage (bars of soap that have whittled down to thin slivers of soap). Tie off the end and use it inside or outside. The extra length of pantyhose can be used to tie to your garden faucet, making a quick wash up outside easy.

Water Your Plants with Bathwater

Use your old bathwater to water houseplants, or non-food producing plants in your landscape.

You will need to use a soap that is safe for your plants. We like Dr. Bronners. Or, if you are taking a hot relaxing bath, add epsom salts, the plants love it.

Let your bathwater cool to room temperature. Ideally, let it sit for 24 hours, to allow the chlorine to evaporate out (plants don't like chlorine).