by Susan Hibberd

Created on: August 02, 2008

You can save money in almost every area of your life by recycling things. Recycling just means making use of things that other people no longer need, or using something you no longer need for a different purpose. For example, use an old margarine or ice cream tub for storage instead of buying a new canister.

CLOTHING

Save money on clothes by buying pre-owned clothing at thrift shops. Go to the shops in more affluent areas, and you will find that they have better quality stock.

Save money by swapping clothes with your friends. Have a clothes swap party and change your wardrobe around.

If you don't like the clothes you have, think about why it is that you don't like them.

Do you wish your jeans were cut-offs? Cut off the bottoms and turn them up to cover the cut edge!

Do you love the embroidery on your blouse, but have a stain on the sleeve? Cut of the embroidered panel and appliqu it to another garment.

The options are endless!

FURNITURE

Furniture is probably one of the biggest expenditures you will make. See if you can find the pieces you need at thrift shops or online on sites such as freecycle. Ask around and see what your relatives have got in their loft that they no longer need.

When an item of furniture breaks, see how else you could use it before throwing it away. Could part of the wood be used for a shelf, for instance?

GARDEN

You can recycle lots of things for use in the garden. Old bits of wood can make bird-perches. Broken wooden tools can make great features. Old ceramics can be broken up and used to make mosaic stepping stones. An old sink can be used as a pond. Broken paving slabs can be used to make crazy-paving path with odd stones etc in between. Bricks are always useful and can be used in paths or walls, or to hold pots off the ground. You can even use recycled materials to make sculptures for your garden!

HOME OFFICE/STATIONERY

Don't forget that small things can be recycled as well as large things. Cut up greetings cards to make gift tags. Make your own greetings cards from recycled card and paper. Use the backs of used paper for notes. Re-use envelopes with sticky labels and a piece of sticky tape.

MOBILE PHONES

There are many companies who offer money for your old mobile phone, even if it is broken. Search online to find the best deal.

Recycling can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Don't throw anything out without thinking about what it can be used for first. Think of it as a challenge, and it can be fun, too!

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