Natural Paths

4 March 2008

Tightwad Tuesday

Join in the Tightwad Tuesday fun with Canadagirl!

Junk mail ... no matter how many times you try to unsubscribe yourself, it keeps showing up in your mailbox! We use all the blank areas from junk mail that we can (and open up the return envelopes at the seams to use those as well). Some of the uses for junk mail.......

* Games - Hangman, Tic Tac Toe, etc. are popular games at my house.

* Lists - Grocery shopping lists, library book lists (lists of things to search for or to check out), to-do lists, etc.

* Recipes - I enjoy checking out cookbooks and magazines from the library. I jot down recipes on slips of junk mail and give them a trial run before putting them on something permanent to add to my "homemade" cookbook.

* Scratch paper - We use junk mail for additional room to work out math problems, etc.

* Art projects - Tear it, punched shapes, drawing, doodling, coloring/scribbling for the little ones, etc.

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Comments

4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kellieann

Definitely something to think about before pitching it all in the trash. I have used the little fake credit cards for craft things....like paint mixers, etc. before.

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4 March 2008 - More ideas

Posted by ThreeLittleLadies

We use junk mail to start fires in our woodstove and as bookmarks. When I was little, my grandma would save the junk mail for my sister and I to play post office!

Carol

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4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blessedwith2angels

I use the envelopes from junk mail for lists and things too. It's funny to see how many people do the same things I do--my inlaws always act like I am the only one who does these things. lol.
Pam

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4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Canadagirl

Thank you for all your great TT tips !!! I hear your frustration on how expensive everything is becoming. Maybe that is why God put it on my heart soooooooo strongly to share a tightwad way of living. I have learned so much from you gals. ((hugs))

Blessings and ((hugs)) my SSiC

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4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by proverbsmama

Any junk mail we get is shredded if it contains personal info. We don't want to accidentally throw it in the trash, and find out someone has stolen our identity. (That is not frugal at all!) LOL!

I have also done what you mentioned, just w/o the above. It does help when trying to do grocery lists, to-do lists, math problems, etc. I even cut some down to a smaller size and keep in a decorative box by the phone for messages.

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4 March 2008 - Art could work

Posted by ltjewel

I think my kids would get a kick out of using junk mail in art. Hey, speaking of Latin, (your other post) you should check out Lively Latin. I know lots of people who love it.

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4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by pwdebra

Envelopes are so good for shopping lists because you can pop your coupons inside the envelope and keep it all together.

They make good coupon sorters too.

Debra

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4 March 2008 - 2 more uses

Posted by jenn4him

I shred our credit card solicitations and use for packing. Also, I try to recycle what can be recycled at a local school where my dd goes for OT and PT.
Jenn

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4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by bakerswife

I like using junk mail for making lists. I reuse the envelopes at our bakery to put deposts in.
Blessings from Indiana,
Mama Karen

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4 March 2008 - Another idea...

Posted by JenofAvonlea

I once saw a use for the envelopes. Before you throw them away, cut off the corners. They can be used as a bookmark to tag pages by slipping them over the top corner of the page.
I loved your ideas for junk mail!
Blessings,
Jen

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4 March 2008 - Untitled Comment