What Things Do You Make LAST LONGER?

[rob62521]

If you make bread, snafu, that potato water is good flavoring.

I use the paper coffee filters more than once since I don't make a full pot.

I use cloth napkins and unless they are badly soiled, we use them more than once...same with towels.

I save my plastic containers for a friend who owns a small restaurant. She often takes leftovers home and she uses these to take them home.

I take my coffee in a thermos instead of using disposable cups and I have been reusing a glass bottle to make my own bottled tea. I also use a small thermos for water instead of buying bottled water.

[Nightfly]

On cars: I keep an eye on all of the engine fluids on a regular basis (at least once a month). Keeping them washed and clean also removes any pangs of "gee, it's time to get a new car..."

[photo]

A big one is cars. We do our research, buy new and drive them until either they die or are in need of repairs that don't justify the costs.

Bed sheets. The older the softer, right?

When milk nears its expiration and there's a moderate amount left, it's pudding time.

Paper -- unless it's a sensitive or financial document, any paper with extra space goes into a pile that becomes grocery lists and so forth.

Speaking of paper, I only print with color when it's a map (too difficult to read B&W for me) or something where color is important. Also, I print on the economical setting unless there is a need for something more formal.

One thing I despise is trying to squeeze the last out of the toothpaste. Why can't manufacturers put it in a little jar so we could easily scoop out the last remnants?

[DebbieL]

I water down shampoo and conditioner at the end of the bottle. I can usually get at least a few more uses out of it that way.

I never use as much laundry soap as they want you to. I eyeball it, but it sure isn't what the directions say.

I squeeze the hell out of the end of a toothpaste tube. I haven't actually gone so far as to cut one open yet, but I've been tempted

I use lipstick/cover up well past the bottom edge of the tube. I hate that they only put about 1/2 of the product in a way that is usable for the packaging. I always just use the other end of a pair of tweezers (the handle part) to dig my way in and scoop it out afterwards. I get several months more out of these items by doing so. It's ridiculous if anyone just throws it away (and I'm betting a lot of people do).

I have loads of others too, many of which have already been mentioned in this thread.

[snafu]

Debbie: Talk to someone at the cosmetic counter about using a lipstick brush. It gives a smoother look using less product and allows you to use every last bit. A quality brush, well cared for lasts many years.

[nelly.hartley]

My mother used to reuse left over tomato ketchup sauce by adding vinegar to its last drop. It was really funny to see my mother trying to use all of it. The vinegar would make the taste weird.

[DebbieL]

Debbie: Talk to someone at the cosmetic counter about using a lipstick brush. It gives a smoother look using less product and allows you to use every last bit. A quality brush, well cared for lasts many years.

Good idea!