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the garden or make a bookshelf by stacking them at both ends and lying wood between them. Carpet remnants are great for placing under the feet of heavy furniture or at doors. These can also be used for making scratching posts for cats. Oftentimes scratched CDs can be obtained from trash and reused as reflectors, coasters, or even turned into interesting objects such as a clock. Old cookie cutters can be found and used as stencils. If you're lucky enough to come across a thrown-out water hose, you can poke holes through the length of it to make a soaker hose for the garden. Clean up and paint a tire rim to wrap the garden hose around when it's not being used. Turn an old watering can into a garden fountain. I once saw someone reuse an old, broken television set. They simply gutted it out and placed an aquarium inside. How neat is that?

It's amazing what people throw out. Don't look down on those who find a way to use junk. People who search for things that others have thrown out are simply creative-minded individuals. Most junk' is still useful and can be recycled. Thrifty treasure hunters simply go the extra mile to find these objects of value. While most of us are busily throwing items out and replacing them with pricy new ones, these people are cashing in by acquiring the same item for pennies (or nothing at all) and transforming it into something useful and wonderful. We could actually learn a thing or two from these thrifty shoppers.

Imagine the object taking on a new life as something else. There are plenty of things people have overlooked that can become objects of beauty in your home. Most objects, especially furniture, can be repainted and reupholstered. Going to yard sales early in the morning has its advantages; you tend to get the best selection. However, going later can be just as good. By the end of the day, many people are willing to practically give their stuff away rather than pack everything back up and haul it off. If you can get something for next to nothing and turn it into something extraordinary, you're all the better for it. It may not be brand new, but it's new to you and saved you money at the same time. What can be better than that? Cheap is good, free is better.

Learn more about this author, Nikki Phipps.
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