SAVING MONEY-Clever uses for simple things

"Poor: When you have too much month at the end of your money."

Simple everyday items can have multiple uses. It is just a case of thinking "outside the box"
I save HEAPS of money holding on to things that most people would throw out.
Waste not want not. 

 Cardboard boxes

• Temporary roof tile (wrap a plastic bag around it and slide under other tiles)
• Protect fingers while hammering
• Garage floor drip pan
• Carry boxes for items sold in yard sale
• Load shopping into. (Way easier to unpack and great for cans)
• A no spill tray for breakfast in bed
• Product deliveries.Show products to customer without unpacking them and show you're environmentally friendly
• Storage of bathroom items in cupboards so you can fit more in. And pull them out like drawers.

 
Baby Formula tins

• Cash tins
• Seedling plant pots ( you can decorate)
• Door stop (just fill with sand )
• Desk caddy for pens pencils
• Store dead batteries for proper disposal
• Shed storage for nails, screws etc
• Drop sheet holder (fill with sand and place on corners of painting drop sheets)
• Craft
• Drums for children

 Plastic Bottles

• Wasp trap
• Drip irrigator for plants
• Freeze water inside and use as esky cooler
• Watering can for small or delicate plants ( poke holes in lid and fill with water) 
• Scoop/Dustpan. Cut bottom off at an angle and leave lid on. 

 Baby clothes

• Swap them at swap shop for bigger sizes
• Sell them for cash
• Keep to give to a friend having a baby (you won't need to buy a present)

Brown Paper Bags

• Camping fire starter
• Keep bread fresh
• Car sickness ( add a couple of drops of peppermint oil inside and get sick person to inhale)
• School lunches

 Old  Nail polish

• Tighten loose screws
• Get rid of a wart
• Mend small holes in window flyscreens
• Stop a ladder getting worse in stockings
• Car scratches

Stockings/Pantihose

• Clean a fish tank
• Strain paint
• TV duster cloth
• Clean pool
• Stop a rolling pin from sticking

 
 Old Towels

• Cleaning rags
• Wash cloths (cut into smaller pieces)
• Mop cover
• Oven mitt
• Chair pad cover
• Dog toy (tie fat knots in it)
• Dry washed floors
• Draw string beach bag
• Washable dog blankets 

Samples

• Cosmetics/personal hygiene are perfect for short trips
•  Baby goods ( can never have enough for yourself or pop with gifts for a baby shower)
• Foodstuff eg coffee/snacks good for travel, in your handbag while at work
• Pet supplies because pets cost enough as it is

 Aluminium foil trays

• Grease splatter protection. Poke a few holes in it and put over frypan
• Colander. Again a few holes and voila
• School projects/craft
• Re heating meals
•  Bird scarers. Just attach some string and hang in fruit trees
• Pet food bowl
• Drip catcher under paint can 
• Moat for pet food. Place petbowl in tray and fill tray halfway with water to prevent insects/ant getting into the food

 Mouse pads

• Knee pads for gardening
• Table protector mats for hot pots/serving crockery
•  Floor protector. Pads to go under furniture to protect floors
• Drink coasters
• 
  

What clever uses do you get out of  simple items? I'd love to hear your ideas!