I do try to live a simple, frugal life and to be honest, I try to seek the best in others and to share what I have. I teach, help children in various ways and I foster and maintain good relationships (with all for whom this is possible.) I think it is one of my life purposes to help those who I can. I try to find ways to give back. It’s not difficult, does not cost much and gives a fulfilling feeling. I am going to share with you how you can help and ‘give back’ without it costing you too much. I definitely believe in being frugal but with a purpose.
This post does contain affiliate links. It is one of the ways bloggers make a kick back.
Sharing Freebies
You know me, I love a freebie. I also love to share. I try to find freebies where I can and then make a habit of sharing with family and friends. My most recent freebie was flower seeds that I received at a community event. I planted them in a specially prepared section of my garden at springtime and they were so beautiful and fragrant. I have cut flowers and made beautiful bouquets and given to cheer elderly friends. That way they know they are thought of. I feel good and they also feel good. I have also harvested the seeds from the fading plants and will package those nicely and give throughout the year as gifts.
Reusing Packaging
I know lots of people are fed up with the excessive use of packaging material that we get daily especially in grocery shopping. Well I try to find use for these too. If you have kids you will agree with me that some of these materials sometimes come in handy for school projects. I’m not saying hoard it all but if you can find use for it, I say do it. I store sheets of cardboard under my mattress for such projects; the excess pieces go into my compost bin or my recycle bin hopefully to be put to good use by the council. If you know of anyone who sells on Ebay or any other online store, you know they are always needing bubble wrap, so if you have any, before you just put it in the bin, consider giving it to this person. It will save them having to buy as many rolls as they do. And it saves space in the landfills too.
You know the little Styrofoam packaging peanuts that are used to pad out your packaging or to prevent the item rolling about in the box? Well they make awesome beanbag stuffing and will cost nothing but the beanbag material. Save them up when you get them and make your own beanbags that you can have for yourself and family or to donate to a kids play centre.
Styrofoam packaging, ugh! So much of it sometimes! You can do lots of wonderful craft with these. These will make cute gifts too so remember to share.
Giving Back to the Earth
You know the junk mail that you get almost daily through your letter box? Well instead of just throwing them in the bin, I try to find use for them. I do composting. It’s a really great way to give back to nature and the environment. You can read how I do composting HERE. I use shrubs, leaves, twigs and mown grass from my garden, egg shells and fruit and vegetable peelings from my kitchen and all that junk mail or unwanted bills that come through the mail. It’s really easy to do and then the compost made from it is used to replenish my garden.
Re purposing Food
In our family we like having fruits but sometimes we don’t get through what we buy in time. So, what do we do? Well read on:
Bananas: Before they get too overripe, we peel them, put them in bags and then when we have a large enough batch we use them to make banana bread which we share with family and friends. My daughter has also recently discovered an easy peasy ice cream recipe (on Pinterest) made using overripe, frozen bananas. When I tried it, I couldn’t believe it was made as simply as that! Even more to share with a friend or two.
Berries and other fruits: We sometimes have lots or at other times don’t feel like eating all we have, we don’t toss them but freeze a variety together that we later use with real fruit juice to make sorbet, fruit smoothies or icy summer juice.
Bread: You can freeze before it gets mouldy, then grate or put in food processor to make stuffing or even to add bulk to meatballs. Our favourite use of frozen breadcrumbs is to mix with grated cheese and use as a super topping to many baked pasta dishes.
Online Course to help you make money
We have some insider details on an innovative way you can make money from home. Click and follow the details. Be quick so you don’t miss out on this course that teaches you how you can set up and run your own online business (you will need to have a computer, tablet or smart phone with Internet access). The course is closed for most of the year but what you need to do is to get your name on the waiting list and take it from there. This post explains more about the course so you can have a read here.
Share Freebie Sites
Whenever I find anything being offered for free online, I share it with others. So here now I will share some with you two of my favourite freebie sites;
http://www.freebiesiteuk.co.uk/
Looking forward to seeing you here again soon where I will share with you other great ways to be frugal.
Let us know in the comments, your favourite ways to save money and also to share with friends and neighbours.
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