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04-26-2006, 04:06 PM
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If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I was looking at my stockpile and I noticed that I have too much
 lotionshampoo soap toothpaste cereal This is the stuff that I got free (I paid tax only) after rebate of free after double coupon or almost for free.  I use the extra lotion instead of shaving cream for my legsI use some shampoo that I don't really like that much instead of liquid hand soap beause it's much faster to use liquid soap than regular bar and its less messy. I refill the old clearlotion bottle.  So I don't really know what can I use the toothpaste for. Maybe cleaning the sink, or add it to the laundry. My kids don't eat that much cereal. I have some not sweet sereal, and I used it once instead of crumbs for making the meatballs. Worked out ok.I was wondering if any of you use something that you have too much instead of something that you don't have or its kind of expensive to buy. Some of you might say that I can donate some extra stuff. I am not going to do that. I want to use it in order to avoid to buy some of other things so I would spend less money. 
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04-26-2006, 09:36 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
Ive never bought shaving creme...soap works just fine for me.
We pretty much use what we buy...when I find a good sale, I stock up on what we use...and if I run out of something, I have been known to get creative (Laundry soap and dishwashers don't mix...unless you need a good floor/carpet cleaner with all the resulting bubbles) But I generally don't buy things if i don't use them, even if Ive got a great coupon...Unless I know someone who could use/enjoy it. I think you've done a great job of finding second lives for things you don't use...white toothpaste, I have heard but never tried, can be used to fill in nail holes in the walls ---or even crazier, as a pimple/blackhead treatment??? dunno. Great question- it will be fun to see the replies!
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04-27-2006, 06:54 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
Me too! I am not buying anything extra in May. We are going to use what we have. I will only buy things that are free after rebate or just free. We have a great stockpile of food and HBA things.
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04-27-2006, 07:34 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
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What a great goal!! I don't know if I could go a month without buying anything....wow!! You need to keep us updated on your progress in your blog!
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04-27-2006, 10:07 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
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 : Quote:
 : Here's a good use for toothpaste...and it works too! Use it to clean up white sneakers and shoes. Keep an old toothbrush around too! Toothpaste has this whitening non-abrasive stuff which could work well on any porcelin or ceramic surface....  <----couldn't find a biday!
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04-27-2006, 10:25 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
For me toothpast is toothpast....It keeps. I know I have at least a year on hand. I just don't worry about it. Same goes for just about everything. If all else fails, swap it. Surly you have a friend for family member you could barter with for something else you could use sooner?
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04-27-2006, 12:21 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
Yet another use for toothpaste...someone here suggested i try it to remove magic marker used to write on themetal panel of my furnace by servicemen. It worked very well, took the marker completely off.
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04-27-2006, 07:10 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
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Buying only things we NEED! No extras. That means no trips for a candy bar to the gas station(we walk) No eating out No clothes No going out - renting movies, eating out etc. Right now I am reading the Book "Not Buying It" by Judith Levine. This also means making Mother's Day Gifts and my nieces B-Day gift. Not sure what it is going to be. But only working Part-time means money is SUPER tight.   
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04-27-2006, 10:09 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
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 )Stay strong!
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04-28-2006, 06:53 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I think a challenge of only making gifts would really mean they were form the heart, not just money spent.
toothpaste and especially the toothbrush is great to clean all small surfaces.
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04-28-2006, 01:49 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I would absolutly use what I had. I try to use up my samples first. My conditioner bottle was almost half way gone so I filled it up with all the samples of conditioner I get in the mail same w/ shampoo. Same with lotions. I've got several bottles floating around. I combine all the ones that aren't scented (like bath & body works kinds) so they aren't taking up more space either.
We barter things w/ family & freinds also. Like my uncle got a half bushel of corn for helping a farmer @ the farmers market. So My uncle gave to my aunt, my aunt gave some to me, I gave some to my il's ect.
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04-28-2006, 10:33 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
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04-29-2006, 07:30 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I doubt it would spoil, but you prolly wont get the same results, so if you use a brand for the effect, don't go mixing it and expecting it to work right.
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04-29-2006, 07:07 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I have always mixed shampoos and body washes. Nothing has ever spoiled. DH and the boys don't care what they use. I don't mix mine because, like PrincessPerky said, it would ruin the effect. I do use the samples as "change off" shampoos. If I use the same shampoo for too long, it quits working as well. I use the samples as a break from my regular shampoo.
One of the things I do with the bottles is refill them with cheap shampoo and keep them in the car. When you stop at a rest stop or bathroom that doesn't have soap, I have my handydandy bottle of soap.
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04-30-2006, 06:38 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
That is a cool idea, sample soap in the car..Thanks
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05-01-2006, 12:51 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
We also use shampoo (either samples we don't like or cheap shampoo) to clean things like toys or shoes or whatever. The boys clean things with shampoo alot of times because they aren't allowed to use harsher chemicals. They have even scrubbed the bathroom (toilet and the floor too) with shampoo (of course, it was disinfected later without them knowing).
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05-02-2006, 04:12 PM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I am kind of short on landry detergent right now, I have coupons for a few brands, but they not really on sale now. Until I would find something that is less than $1 per 2 lbs, I add some baking soda to my laundry. $1 store has some detergent like 1.5 lb for $1. I might end up getting that.
I use: 1tsp baking soda 1tsp detergent some (about 1 tsp) shampoo I don't like. I don't see any difference as if I would use detergent only. Maybe I should just do it like that even when I will get some detergent.
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05-05-2006, 06:34 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
In my view, unless you really went overboard on stocking up, things like toothpaste, shampoo, etc., should just stay on the shelf or in the cabinet until you need them. That is, your savings comes from not spending on these items in the future because you already have them.
A huge mistake a friend of mine makes is to buy in bulk, use coupons, etc. but she always spends about the same amount each month regardless. At some point, you have to stop buying, regardless of savings or opportunity, and start using what you've stockpiled in order to realize the savings your efforts have created for you. If you really do just have too much, I think the earlier idea of bartering with a family member or neighbor is a good suggestion.
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05-05-2006, 10:43 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I only use items like shampoo, lotions, and espessially toothpaste for different purpose because I get them free after rebates. And there is always something free every month. A tube of toothpaste usually lasts about 2mos (depends on size) but I get at least one free every month. Shampoos: I got lots of the Suave brand with double coupons free +I usually get lots of samples. We can live on samples only I guess. I can go on forever. I LOVE free stuff.
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05-05-2006, 10:48 AM
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Re: If you have too much, Use it instead of something you don't have
I understand more clearly now. I think it's great that you are able to do that.
Besides the barter idea, you may also consider putting some items in a box that, once filled, you could donate to a women's shelter or some such organization/facility. You may even be able to take a tax write-off, though that isn't specifically the reason I suggested this.
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