Use it up!

[kealina]

Originally Posted by TinyFish

Pearl,

Don't feel like you have to use up all the lotion this week! I meant it as more a general challenge to get things out and start using them up. I'm sure not going to use up 7 bars of soap any time soon. I'd wash away my enthusiasm.

-TinyFish

lol.. you think 7 is bad... i just checked our hall closet and we have just over 20 bars of soap for just 3 people... we're never gonna be done... and that isn't even counting the shower gels...
i've also got tones of lotion pearl so you're not the only one... i do like lotion and do need to keep my skin moisterized (skin problems including eczema) but even then it can take forever to use up a bottle... plus people seem to always give them to me... i have face lotion, eye cream, body lotion, hand lotion and foot lotion... sheesh... my mom has really good skin and really believes in taking care of herself and is always giving me some...

as for food we always try to make sure we are using it up as we hate throwing out food... DH and i both try our best to make sure we use up our perishables before we look further for food...

[lynclarke]

I am an opportunistic buyer so I ALWAYS have a ridiculous amount of something stashed away. For instance, I found caphalon kitchen utensils once on clearance for about a dollar a piece. (regular value $6 per item) I think there were 7 or 8 pieces per set- I bought 4 or 5 sets. I have given 3 sets away as shower gifts or wedding gifts. Cost to me $8 for an expensive looking gift. I also stash things like cereal, flour, cleaning supplies, and a pantry which could support the local food bank. On a weekly basis, I only buy things like milk, fruit and veggies, and GREAT deals. We could eat for a minimum of 4 months out of my freezer (thank you foodsaver) and pantry. It might get a little boring but we could do it. lynclarke

[TinyFish]

Kealina, you and I are gonna be the squeaky-cleanest savers on the board. Pearl will be the most lubricated, soon she will be having people carding her when she goes to buy things at the store.

When I worked as a domestic servant at a convent, I wanted to have a t-shirt that said 'cleanliness is next to godliness'.

[PrincessPerky]

foil packets irritate me, I can't use one whole packet (ok I could) so I have to store it and it falls over and makes a mess, and it is all icky..gross

anyway I put hte foil conditioner in my spray conditioner bottle add some water shake and use it for leave in (with the curly heads in my house we need that!)

I take the foil shampoo and make playdough very nice smeleling playdough, washes off easy too .

[nanamom]

i am using up my pantry and freezer supplies because we are about to go on a trip to see kids and grandkids. The "craft cupboard" has been slowly (too slowly) dwindling down for a couple months. I have carted such items as a large container of corks, wooden spools, beads, and other "little" things I am sure I could use someday. DS playgroup is reaping the benefit but I am determined to NOT carry it to the next house. i'm trying to use up the yarn I have accumulated over the years by making Christmas presents for loved ones. We are downsizing a myriad of things including books, toys, knick knacks and just plain stuff so we can get a smaller moving van. I don't even plan on moving my living room rugs. I figure I paid about 10 dollars for them and it would be cheaper to replace them if the next place isn't carpeted than pay for the gasoline to haul them. My husband and I often play a "if you could only take 5 things, what would they be" game. So far we agree on most of the things.

[Great to be Debt Free]

Pork tenderloins -- I love to rub it with garllic and spritz on some I Can't believe it's not butter spray and then bake it. Served with sweet corn and appleasuce, it's really yumy.

I also like it marinated in Fat Free Italian dressing. Tenderloins are leans and tasty. Great for a Weight Watchers lifestyle.

Today I'll cook a large one, cut in half with each half being the above flavors. Then I'll slice it up and portion it so DH can stock the freezer in his apartment and have lo sodium freezer meals for after work.

[Ima saver]

We don't eat much at home. If we have too many leftovers, there are always 2 hungry dogs to eat it. Plus I take left over stale bread, corn on the cob and throw it out in the yard. We have lots of critters being on a creek and something always eats it.

[crazyBMB]

I am always trying to use up the last of something. My family tends to to open up a new package, bottle or roll of some thing before its empty. Drives me nuts!
I get back at them by having leftover night and/or putting out the six rolls of partially used TP. They seem to get the picture.

[Ima saver]

My husband bugs me about chips. He will never take the opened bag, but always the new bag that is not opened!

[rob62521]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

My husband bugs me about chips. He will never take the opened bag, but always the new bag that is not opened!

My husband is the same way! Plus, if we do get Chex Mix in the bag, he will eat everything except the pretzels and then seal the bag and put it back. Imagine my disappointment when I thought I would have some Chex mix!

[shengmei]

Saving anything for any occasion is kinda of a stupid idea. I always forget that I saved something for a special occasion. When the occasion finally arrives (a fancy dinner, for example) I either forget I have something already, or the something has spoiled, or that the occasion is so special that I want to go shopping for it in the first place.

[rob62521]

My mom learned this lesson the hard way on saving stuff for a special occasion. She had crocheted doilies and embroidered tableclothes, but refused to use them -- she was saving them for good. When she went to get them out to actually use a couple of them, they had been in the closet so long without being used they rotted.

[shengmei]

I am doing an invetory on all of my stuff and I just found out that a lot of stuff I haven't seen or used in five years. Most of them were makeup. I am pretty sure they are still good since makeup only gets bad once they are exposed to air a lot.

I can't seem to find them. It is driving me crazy!!! I must have lost a box during moving. I don't really know.

Man if I could only done my invetory sooner I would have saved so much money and stress.

[rickatheslicka]

I used to be the sort that wouldn't use the last of something, because then it would be all gone and I would be sad (or so I thought). Only my idea of the "last" of something was often half of the bottle! So there I was with way too many half full bottles of lotion, perfume, etc.

Joined FLY lady a few months ago, and I have almost completely broken myself of this habit! I examined my bathroom closet closely, and anything that I didn't LOVE, I either tossed ("cringe") or put in the yard sale (peolple snatched those items up!). As for the things I do love, I gave myself permission to use it all, and then BUY more (crazy concept).

So now, I actually get satisfaction, even enjoyment, out of using up the last of something. It has been a complete 360 for me. The desire to use something up serves as an EXCUSE for me to enjoy something that I have ("three more bubble baths and I will use up that bottle! Guess I should take a bubble bath today!").

So I love your post, and per your suggestion, I look forward to using up the last of that delicious chocolate truffle sauce that I got for my birthday...

[Bookie]

Reminds me of the six-pack of scouring powder I bought at a store closing. It was a fabulous deal at the time. Problem was that by the time I got around to using it, the powder had set up like concrete.

[Thrifty Ray]

This post has made me think of one of the most poignant memoirs Ive ever read:

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

By: Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching TV - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys"...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.

[Ima saver]

Thank you Ray, that was beautiful!![Automated by GetSmile]

[TinyFish]

Ooh, the Christmas post got me thinking. Don't forget to use up your holiday cards and wraps this year. Maybe take a quick inventory. That way you won't go 'Oh, I'd better buy some wrap and cards while I'm here when you start your holiday shopping'. I've found that we have enough wrap to keep us going for years, especially since we usually use gift bags that are recyclable and most of our gift giving is to people on the East Coast, so we aren't wrapping those because they are shipped directly to them.

-E!