Yay me!

It doesn't happen too often but I found a great solution for keeping bugs out of my flours. A read online somewhere that a woman had stored her bulk rice purchases in repurposed liter screw top soda bottles. I don't have a problem with bugs in my rice but far too many times I found bugs in my flours.

I like to make my own challahs (for the mitzvah as well as the money saving measure). I also make the occasional cake and dessert as well. In turn, I have a nice collection of flours including bread, whole wheat, all purpose, and cake flour plus, I stock up when there are sales. That said my pantry is full of baking products including flours.

The lightbulb shone super bright above my head when I connected the dots to reuse the screw top plastic containers from my Costco mixed nuts and Mott's apple sauce purchases. Woo hoo!!  We don't drink much soda and the wide mouth containers are better for scooping.  Not only will this storage measure prevent bugs, it's now much easier to pour and, no more ripped bags and waste (and mess). 

Waste is a dirty word to me so I was pleased as punch to find an awesome use for these great containers which I already owned and lessened the loss of my flour by spillage or infestation!!!

In the past I bought containers (see above) for my sugar and flour bags but they came up short since they weren't air tight even if I first put the bags in Ziploc.

I have a long history of repurposing containers which I will document in the next post.

Schmattas

My 7 year old (almost 8 year old) suggested that I post about schmattas.  A schmatta is Yiddish for rag. In our house we don't have paper towels or paper napkins. Instead we use cut up old clothing. This is what we use instead of paper towels 99.99 percent of the time. (One of the few exceptions is that my husband likes to have actual paper towels for draining french fries.) 

When clothing becomes unusable, they go under the sink and at a later date I decide if it's the right material that would be good for being a schmatta. I then cut it up, put it in a pretty bin by the sink, and use it. When soiled, I throw them in the  wash to be reused. I prefer cotton cloth with no logos or printing.  Whatever material is left over, the kids use for crafts, sewing, or I donate to the clothing recycling that accepts non wearable cloth. (I also donate unwearable shoes and belts.)  There are many such places throughout the city including in Union Square Park on Saturdays and Tompkins Square Park on Sundays that accept nonwearable cloth and material.

We also used cloth napkins that were mostly purchased from garage sales, given to me, or I purchased eons ago.  Both the schmattas and cloth napkins usage has greatly reduced our paper product bill. Plus, I think it makes meals a little more special to have cloth napkins.

It's crazy to buy something just to throw it away.  Good for the earth good for my wallet.  Can't beat it!!!

More cheapskate moves...

Constantly check the recycle piles in your apartment building or on the street.  I've found awesome treasures large and small over the years. So many folks put things out that are in great shape and want someone to take it home. Yesterday I scored big time!!!  Two great cook books in first rate condition (see picture). I also regularly raid recycle bins for coupons and "box tops" from Cheerios and other containers for my kids' school. 

I've rescued CDs still in the wrapper,  magazines, a patchwork quilt, decorative items, and much much more. Anything can found, one time I got a fabulous dinosaur backpack that my son loved and used for a year (before he lost it). 

What were your scores???

Can't wait to use these!!!!

I found these this morning and had to run back upstairs to drop them off.  LOL.  They look really good.