Goal: Use Stuff I Already Have

In an effort to save money, we've been aiming to use the things we already have rather than buying new stuff, even if the things we have aren't optimal. You can help by holding me to it, ok?

Examples:

In winter we wear several layers. I could have used some new thick fleece shirts to serve as the insulating layer between my inner wicking layer and outer sweater. But I thought, I could just use my cardigan sweaters instead. So I wear...long sleeve shirt + long sleeve shirt + cardigan sweater + long sleeve shirt + winter sweater. 

We have two cribs and a portable kids' tent. Originally we had Jon & Mike in cribs and Titus in the tent. Mike started escaping from the crib, so we needed to switch him to the tent, where he can be zipped in, never to escape! Rather than buying Titus an interim toddler bed, knowing we'd only use it for awhile and then probably do bunk beds, we modified Mike's crib into a toddler bed. It's a little short for 3 year-old Titus, but it's ok and we can avoid buying another bed.

In the kitchen, I do my best to open the fridge and cupboard, see what's there, and use it up -- resisting buying new food/ingredients for whatever we feel like eating on a whim, and preventing leftovers or fresh produce from rotting and non-perishables from piling up in the cupboard. By using all of what we already have, nothing is wasted.

We want to carry the mentality that ugly but functional stuff is fine. I don't have any nice or matching dishes or sliver ware. The dish drying rack is rusty. The boiling bot is a beat-up thin old junker. The wok gets rusty. Jon's high chair try has been jerry-rigged to remain functional. The kids' stroller is mold and dirt-stained, bent, with paint drippings all over it (long story), but it still rolls. The Christmas tree is leaning against the wall because it's missing a footing. I believe every pair of underwear Drew & I own has a spattering of holes. But it's all still working -- why replace it?

I hope my few ideas here have inspired you to use what you already have as well. Remember, hold me to this goal, ok? Let me know if you've found any other smart ways to avoid waste.

Here's one last example. Recall the moldy bed? I found that the mold was only on the outer half inch. Rather than junk the whole thing, I ripped off the moldy exterior. In the past couple days I've been trying to dry out this giant sponge with sunlight and fans, and it will go back on our bed tomorrow. Savings $79!!! That's HUGE guys!!!

It also made a fun foam jumping mountain for the boys.