Remember how your grandmother or great-grandmother used to make sure she got every bit of use out of something, like every last bit of toothpaste out of the tube and how she found alternate uses for things such a frying pan with a broken handle that got turned into a water bowl for the dog?

Somehow most of us got away from that frugal lifestyle and instead became piggish consumers.  As soon as we got tired of something or it didn’t work quite the way it used to we had a tendency to throw it away and go buy something new.

We need to get back to how our grandparents lived and be better guardians of things we already have.  I think single biggest thing we can do to live “greener” and be kinder to the environment is to use up what we have and quit throwing things away because we want what is newer, shinier, bigger, better, faster, or just different.

That means when your computer gets a little slow and outdated, upgrade the processor, RAM and hard drive instead of tossing the entire system.

Just because your cell phone company is willing to give you a new and better phone every 18 months to 2 years does not mean you have to get one.  Keep your old one longer.

Even though the television signal is going digital in February of 2009 does not necessarily mean your television has to be tossed.  Many only need a converter.  Yes, those new flat screen LCD televisions are nice but as long as the one you have still works, use it.  

And, if you have an old non-working console television, re-purpose it.  My dad turned his old console television stand into a kitchen storage unit.  All he did was remove the “guts” of the television, put in a couple of shelves and a back wall, and hung a cafe rod on the front.  My mom turned two kitchen towels into curtains that can be pulled closed when she wants to hide the things she has stored on the shelves.

Worn upholstery can be replaced instead of replacing the entire piece of furniture. 

Chairs can be re-caned.

A broken table leg can be replaced. It doesn’t mean the whole table has to be tossed. And if the new table leg doesn’t quite match, get a draping tablecloth.

Plastic containers that margarine come in are handy storage containers for leftovers, snacks, and small amounts of pantry staples like rice and flour.

My sister in law saves yogurt containers and uses them for starting plants in the spring.

My mom has been using the same tin can that I covered in old wallpaper for her as a grade school project for….well let’s just say she’s had it a long time.

They are literally tens of thousands of ways to make things last longer, re-use them, and re-purpose them. And it can be fun to to do.

Plus, not only does it help the environment, it saves you money. And who doesn’t want some extra money in their wallet?