Why spend so much money acquiring new things? With a little bit of creativity, you can turn nearly anything into something useful, and although technically it may not be brand new, it will be new to you or others. In fact, it may be better since it saves money and in some cases, it’s free.
Some people are desperate and just want to get rid of their stuff. Scour yard sales for boxes of free stuff. These boxes are usually a good source for finding free books, toys, and other knick-knacks, in fact, keep the box; you can use that too. Some people set out ‘trash’ on the curbside. Go hunting for this free stuff in nearby neighborhoods. Alternatively, junkyards or trash piles can be scavenged for treasures as well. Do your ‘shopping’ at flea markets, consignment and second-hand stores as well. You may be surprised at what you find!
Everyone has old clothes just lying around or piling up; use them for creative projects. For example, pockets are good to use for storing small items. Take them from a worn out pair of jeans or an old, tattered shirt. Sew them in rows onto an old quilt and hang it up. Fill the pockets with sewing notions, crafting tools, or even pens and pencils. Cut shoulder pads from jackets and shirts; glue to wire coat hangers. Any used-up clothing can be transformed into decorative pillows, but why not use pieces from favorite items to create a special memory quilt for your children instead? Shoes can instantly become containers for plants. You can also find shoes for next to nothing and dress them up with style. Designer sheets, who can afford them? If they’re slightly damaged or the owner simply wants to get rid of them, you can. Use them to create stylish window treatments for your home. Another great way to save money is to create a costume box for Halloween or other occasions. Simply fill it with old clothes and a variety of accessories.
Are you newly divorced or on your own and low on household items? Make the best of a bad situation—use boxes. They come in numerous sizes and can be easily transformed into useful storage containers or even makeshift furniture. Whether they’re made of cardboard or plastic crates, these can have some interesting uses. For instance, large ones produce instant dressers. Just stack them up (opening facing out). Add personality with some paint, decoupage, stickers, or whatever makes this possible. Another option is shelving. Over time cardboard boxes may start to give, but this is a great temporary fix for anyone on a budget. Drawers from junked-out dressers can also make excellent shelving. Toilet paper and paper towel tubes make interesting holders for storing writing supplies. Old cereal boxes can be given new life by applying self-stick fabric and used for storing magazines or files.
Dare to be different. Broken or chipped plates can be used as mosaic tiles for dressing up numerous objects that will look like you spent a fortune. If you or your neighbors have an endless supply of plastic milk jugs or soda bottles, why not use them? They can be turned into festive containers for plants or unique banks for the kids. Pots, pans, or even old coffee and soup cans can be transformed into interesting containers for plants or other items, such as candles. Got an old window pane or other piece of glass? These can be used for framing photos. Cover an end table and add your favorite photographs beneath it for everyone to enjoy. Why spend money when you don’t have to. Lamp shades can be given additional interest by punching decorative designs on them. You could even make your own lamp from parts of an old one. Turn a large jar into the base and fill with your favorite objects such as shells, small plastic figurines, or even potpourri.
Children’s artwork piling up? Have them laminated and use them to decorate a bookcase or even a wall. Many times you can find photo frames of various sizes for less then a dollar, with or without glass. These are great for showing off artwork as well. Turn doilies or toy figurines into unique Christmas ornaments. Newspaper is always a good alternative to costly wrapping paper, or you could save tissue paper from past gifts. With a little food coloring, tissue paper can be given new life as interesting wrapping paper for gifts. Don’t overlook the possibilities found in the most unlikely of items. For instance, catch spills from food and water dishes with car mats or placemats. These are sometimes given away or thrown out because one is missing. Use film canisters for to store screws, tacks, paper clips, buttons, seeds, or other small items. You could also poke holes in the bottom and use them as salt and pepper shakers for. Cylindrical baby wipe containers are good for preventing balls of yarn from becoming tangled. A lot of times bottles can be purchased for very little or may be found or offered for free. Fill a clear glass bottle with small candies. Make a wine bottle into a vase. Salvage bricks from other people’s trash (or reuse your own) and use them around the garden or make a bookshelf by stacking them at both ends and lying wood between them. Carpet remnants are great for placing under the feet of heavy furniture or at doors. These can also be used for making scratching posts for cats. Oftentimes scratched CDs can be obtained from trash and reused as reflectors, coasters, or even turned into interesting objects such as a clock. Old cookie cutters can be found and used as stencils. If you’re lucky enough to come across a thrown-out water hose, you can poke holes through the length of it to make a soaker hose for the garden. Clean up and paint a tire rim to wrap the garden hose around when it’s not being used. Turn an old watering can into a garden fountain. I once saw someone reuse an old, broken television set. They simply gutted it out and placed an aquarium inside. How neat is that?
It’s amazing what people throw out. Don’t look down on those who find a way to use junk. People who search for things that others have thrown out are simply creative-minded individuals. Most ‘junk’ is still useful and can be recycled. Thrifty treasure hunters simply go the extra mile to find these objects of value. While most of us are busily throwing items out and replacing them with pricy new ones, these people are cashing in by acquiring the same item for pennies (or nothing at all) and transforming it into something useful and wonderful. We could actually learn a thing or two from these thrifty shoppers.
Imagine the object taking on a new life as something else. There are plenty of things people have overlooked that can become objects of beauty in your home. Most objects, especially furniture, can be repainted and reupholstered. Going to yard sales early in the morning has its advantages; you tend to get the best selection. However, going later can be just as good. By the end of the day, many people are willing to practically give their stuff away rather than pack everything back up and haul it off. If you can get something for next to nothing and turn it into something extraordinary, you’re all the better for it. It may not be brand new, but it’s new to you and saved you money at the same time. What can be better than that? Cheap is good, free is better.
