A using things up thread

[Anypointinseeingdoc]

I'm using up lots of half-used bottles that I have around the house. I've run out of the expensive conditioner that I usually use and I can't believe the number of half-used bottles I have found, so I am working my way through those now. The one I am using at the moment is awful, leaving my hair a matted lump that I can't brush, but I will perservere until I have got to the bottom of the tube.

I'm about to run out of my usual shampoo so I will start using up random shampoo within the next few days.

I've done a great job using up laundry detergent. I can't believe how much more space there is in the cupboard now. Next step is to use up all the free samples I got when the DCs were born. They have just been sitting there waiting for me to take them on holiday or something, but I'm not the sort of person who is organized enough to remember to pack them, and doing laundry on holiday is not my idea of fun in any case.

I am shocked at how much money I have wasted over the last few years on products I don't even like, or which don't work very well. And the space they have all taken up!

What have you got lurking in your cupboards that you could be using?

I colour my hair at home and keep the conditioner sachets. That way when I run out of my usual stuff (inevitably at the end of the month when I'm skint) I have got some I can use.

Great idea for a thread. I'm so skint atm, I'm making myself use up all the stuff I have at home before I buy anything else.

I always get scissors out and cut open hand cream, toothpaste, etc, to eke out the last dregs.

I add a little bicarbonate of soda to shampoo to make it last longer.

Ah yes, sample/travel size stuff is being used now, and not lurking in drawers waiting for me to go on holiday which I can't afford anyway

Ooh yes - another userupper here.

Have recently gone through all travel bottles of toiletries. Kept the actual bottles though so I can refill when we go away again.

Made a really weird bolognaise last week that morphed into chilli/lasagne too. Lentils in your chilli anyone?

I have a whole (big) shelf full of hair products that don't work. Most hair products don't work. There must be at least 40 products, some of which are 10 years old and most I've just used a couple of times. What a complete waste of money. I can't bring myself to get rid of them though.

Me too! Been doing this since Christmas. Haven't bought any toiletries or make up, apart from detangling spray for dd this year. I'm loving the extra space it's creating. Need to do the same in the kitchen now!

Another thing I do is use sun cream and aftersun as body/hand lotion in winter.

Great idea for a thread.

I should start with the food cupboards really as I know there are various half used bags of pulses and pasta plus stuff in the freezer that really ought to get use up before I replenish. Also for some bizarre reason have masses of pots of jam so there's another.

I've got loads of toiletries too especially in small sizes as I used to work away from home a lot and picked them all up from hotels then for some reason could never bring myself to use them

we eat the fridge pretty much bear before shopping. through experimentation we have become good at creating meals from leftovers. its nice to know all the food is fresh & we hardly ever throw anything away.

MrsBob, you can make your own detangling spray by putting a mixture of water and a little conditioner into the old bottle when you've finished it. No need to buy a replacement

Fab suggestion Pesto, thanks! Will definititely try this next time!

My friend told me how to do this, having had 2 dds with long hair it saved us a fortune... well quite a bit anyway

lentils in chilli? YES! bung red lentils into bolognese and casseroles as well as soups - they will cook down and add bulk.
buy washable microfibre cleaning cloths which you can bung in the machine and re-use. Must have saved a fortune doing this.
blitz stale bread into breadcrumbs and freeze. handy for toppings and fishcakes.

I'm in, We are only buying things when & if they run out. So skint this month!!
It's also a good excuse to clear the cupboards before holidays --staying with family as can't afford a proper holiday--