Tips For Using What You’ve Already Got To Save Money & The Environment

by Texas Homesteader ~  

Repurposing things to new life is one of my superpowers. I’m often able to fill a need (quite nicely) using what I already have at home. And you can too!

I’m sharing a whole list of ideas below. Check it out! 

Repurposing what you have to new uses saves money and the environment. #TexasHomesteader

Items No Good For Intended Use Are Good For A Different Use

We had an old hay ring that wasn’t very helpful these days for feeding the cattle. Years of use had caused it to be missing some of the top retainer rings.

So we turned it upside down and placed it around the tree. This would allow the cows to poke their heads in & eat the grass close to the tree but not be able to reach the tree itself. 

Old broken hay ring protects young sapling tree. #TexasHomesteader

Then I thought about all the times I was able to fill a need here on the Homestead using what I already had here. 

Below are a few ideas, the colored links will take you to a post for more detailed information on each one.

Using What You Already Have To Fill A Need

For The Animals

Old 5-gallon buckets to carry feed

Empty 30-gallon protein buckets for Large Chicken Water System

Chicken water system using large black bucket and red water nipples. #TexasHomesteader

Repurposing For The Garden

30-gallon protein buckets repurposed for  Garden Raised Beds

Twigs to prop tender seedlings on windy days

Old galvanized Tub for Rustic Blueberry Planting

A miniature blueberry bush planted in an old galvanized tub. #TexasHomesteader

Empty Clay Pots benefit the garden

Coffee cans help with Garden Harvest

Milk Jugs to start seeds easier 

Milk Jug Greenhouse - Harden off for 1-2 weeks. #TexasHomesteader

Cardboard Tube make free biodegradable pots

Hugelkultur for making your own soil 

Building healthy soil, compost, mulch for garden planting. #TexasHomesteader

Old Cardboard for Compost

Trough for Watering Tree during drought

30-Gallon Empty Buckets for holding additional captured rainwater 

Rainwater catchment barrel and overflow tub. #TexasHomesteader

Fallen Leaves for free soil amendment

Indestructible Raised Bed using a small riding lawnmower tire

Old Straw Bales to preserve moisture in the garden

Large-Mouth Plastic Jars for deep-soak watering for potted plants 

A repurposed jar with a wide mouth helps keep potted plants watered. #TexasHomesteader

Repurposing Items In The Kitchen

Cardboard Tubes to tame electric cords

Coffee can to Cute Flour Canister

Repurposed coffee cans into cute flour canister. #TexasHomesteader

Pretty Gingham Napkins from old tablecloth

Dish Carrier from old denim jeans

Rubber Bands to help open tight jar lids 

A rubber band around the lid that stubbornly won't open makes opening that jar easy! #TexasHomesteader

Canning Rings to expand muffin tin capacity

Water Bottles for long-lasting cooler ice

Old Clean Sock Bands for keeping food packages closed 

Repurposed sock band helps keep packages tightly closed in the freezer. #TexasHomesteader

Salt spout for mason jar Pourable Sugar Jar

Parmesan cheese container for free Mason Jar Flip-Top Lid

Homemade dry rub mixture for grilled meat or bbq. #TexasHomesteader

Milk crates for secure Mason Jar Storage

Repurposing For Décor

Cute Throw Pillow using a flannel shirt

Romantic Porch Lantern from flip-top jar

Reclaimed wood Photo Wall Feature

An old repurposed reclaimed barn wood board makes a cute photo wall feature. #TexasHomesteader

Reclaimed barn Rustic Wood Headboard

Old blue jeans into Cute Denim Baskets

Other Repurposing Ideas

Heavy woven commercial plastic bag for Tractor Canopy

Repurposed denim Pocket Warmers

These cute pocket-sized hand warmers are made with repurposed denim and rice. It makes a quick, cute and useful gift. #TexasHomesteader

Old candles into Pinecone Fire Starters

Sock bands for Ponytail Hair Elastic 

Use the elastic from an old sock for a zero-waste ponytail holder hair band. #TexasHomesteader

Cardboard strips for Protecting Stored Boots

Yogurt jars for Beeswax Candles 

Beeswax candles are made in empty repurposed glass yogurt jars. #TexasHomesteader

Paintbrush in a pinch using Clothespin & Scrap Cotton

Cute Gift Box using an old greeting card 

Repurposed birthday card made into a cute gift box. #TexasHomesteader

Repurposed mint container for Safer Straight Pin Storage

Mesh Bags for cleaning

Oversize pill compartment container for Travel Bag Organization 

Pill organizer keeps smaller things corralled in your luggage when traveling. #TexasHomesteader

Cardboard Egg Carton Fire Starters

Old socks into Cute Fingerless Gloves 

An old pair of clean socks can be made into cute fingerless gloves. #TexasHomesteader

Sentimental Window valance using Grandma’s Vintage Dresser Scarf

Old barbed wire into rustic Wall Cross Decorations

Repurposing Saves Money (and the environment!)

Repurposing items to another use is not only good for the environment but good for the budget as well. 

Repurposing what we have on the homestead to fill a need saves money and the environment. #TexasHomesteader

~TxH~

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Other ‘Use Whatcha Got’ Ideas

 

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16 thoughts on “Tips For Using What You’ve Already Got To Save Money & The Environment

  1. Crystelle

    Way to be resourceful – good for you!! Thanks for sharing, girl!! 🙂
    “hugs” Crystelle

    Reply
  2. The Quintessential Magpie

    Awwwww… I hope it makes it. Sounds like a fighter to me.

    I lived on a farm when I was little, and we had a pear orchard. I have always loved pears as a consequence. Barbed wire kept our cattle at bay. I have to smile at their determination to rub the railing and yours to stabilize it. Surely the little tree knows you love it and will provide pears for you for years to come!

    xo

    Sheila

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      Although sometimes I question my methods, I planted this tree in a pen we use to sort and transfer cows so it gets a fairly high volume of traffic. Barbed wire was going to be my second choice but it would just have to be large enough to circle this tree. Thankfully we had this ring and it wasn’t being used for anything else. It sure works perfectly here! ~TxH~

      Reply
  3. vickie

    Such a good idea! I’m glad you found such a great solution. I like how it gives the tree lots of room to grow.

    Reply
  4. Joan @ The Chicken Mama

    I’m definitely cheering for the tree! Go tree! And cheers for the repurposing too 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sandra @ Scrumptilicious 4 You!

    You are so very inventive! I love re-purposing because I really hate to see things get wasted and like you say it saves money too! Good Job!

    Reply
  6. Linda @ A La Carte

    This made me smile! Hope the little tree does well now!

    Reply
  7. Candy C.

    Poor little tree! I hope it makes it and gives you lots and lots of pears! 🙂
    We have a dwarf Kieffer Pear tree and it REALLY produces and I love the pears, crisp like an apple! We had to put corral panels around our Arizona Ash tree down by the barn to keep the horses and goats from eating it.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      Yes Candy I’m hearing that these pears are delicious & crisp. RancherMan absolutely L-O-V-E-S my pear preserves & I’m hoping this tree will provide him with much happiness… ~TxH~

      Reply
  8. Judy

    Our neighbor has a Keifer from back when his house was the farmhouse for this area. It seems to be impervious to disease and bugs. The fruit is hard but juicy and delicious. I froze chunks of the pears and that worked well. I love their tree and hope I plant one some day.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      You don’t know how much I love to hear you say that! This little tree really needs a helping hand to be planted in this soil apparently… ~TxH~

      Reply
  9. Judy

    Did you plant a Kiefer pear? How did you choose the variety. It is obviously a tough pear.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      Judy, I kept the tag & would have to look it up but it seems like it was a Keifer. I contacted my local extension agent (pure GOLD in my opinion) and asked for varieties that do best in my part of NE Texas. Whatever she recommended is what I went with. It is a tough little tree. ~TxH~

      Reply
  10. Patricia

    Oh my goodness!
    I had a chuckle at this for a couple of reasons. 1) been there and done that. Trying to get fruit trees to grow–Not the easiest of homesteading tasks!
    2.) while I like to repurpose as much as the next homesteader (I know nothing about HAY RINGS (old or new)…so question. Does that thing come a part? If not, how will you remove it once the tree is big enough to ‘STAND ALONE’… like the proverbial cheese?

    Now you see why I had a chuckle…. because my mind just takes off like a run away train, sometimes.
    Pat

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      LOL Patricia! Yes, the hay ring bolts into 3 sections so it will be easy to remove once the tree is big enough to hold its own. Thanks for giving me my own little chuckle this morning… ~TxH~

      Reply
      1. Sharon

        That’s funny…the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the picture was exactly the same! Great minds think alike, LOL!

        Reply

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