What do you recycle/reuse/recharge to save?

[mom-from-missouri]

Do you have any items you may have paid more for up front, but that have more than paid for themselves over the years? If so what?


Off hand, I can think of several in my home....
washable filters for vacuum cleaner (vs buying new ones ever few months)

rechargeable batteries

beltless and bagless vacuum cleaner-no bags or belts to every buy-its a cannister

cfl and led lights which last for years and are less expensive to operate

small solar cell phone charger for when we camp or are away from power

ceramic cleanable air filter for my vehicle

What else is there??

[lightguy]

I know it may sound a bit far fetched but a fuel efficient car comes to mind. It cost a lot up front but saves you even more money down the line. They would become an increasingly wise investment to make as oil reserves become depleted over time.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Here's an odd one for you. For three years I've been saving those net bags that citrus fruits are sold in. They will be for hanging bags of hazel nuts in the basement in a few years when my hazel nut trees begin to bear. Also, sometimes I will use a wadded net bag as a non-scratching scrubber on our enamel pans.

Edit--Oh, I guess this is not an item I paid more for upfront.

[lightguy]

My computer I guess. I mean I paid a fortune for it about 6 years ago...and it's one of the best investments I've ever made. We've been through so much together. It has helped me do so much.

[Save24]

permanent furnace filter

I have purchased the permanent furnace filter that you can just wash off every few months. I think they usually go for about $30, and so your ROI is probably 2-3 years if you change filters when you should

[mom-from-missouri]

I have purchased the permanent furnace filter that you can just wash off every few months. I think they usually go for about $30, and so your ROI is probably 2-3 years if you change filters when you should

Didn't know they made such a thing, will have to check it out. I know we can get the cheapies for ours for about $4 each, or the better one for $16. With husbands allergies in the spring, we do the cheap ones in winter and allergy ones in the spring and summer. We tend to change ours almost monthly if the ac or heat are on, so that would save us $$.