From our friends at AllYou.com, 10 ways to give new purpose to old belongings
Transform place mats into coasters
Cut up place mats into drink coasters. Most place mats are already water-resistant and made for wear-and-tear, so no extra prep is necessary.
Save cereal
bags
If your family loves cereal, you can avoid buying wax paper
ever again. Wash and save the plastic bags that come in cereal boxes―they can be repurposed to wrap sandwiches
or cold-cuts
, store leftovers or freeze meats.Put tired T-shirts to good use
Add ripped or worn-out shirts (and other clothing items!) to your arsenal of cleaning supplies
―whether you’re washing or dusting
, the scraps come in handy as extra rags. (Compared to what you see at your left, which is basically a bag of cut up t shirts
!!Plant a garden using coffee mugs
make perfect homes for small flowers or herbs
. Just fill with potting soil
, plant seeds 
or flowers and place on the windowsill and you have your own portable garden
!
Cover up with paper bags
The brown paper bags you carry out of the grocery store can be easily converted into covers
for your kids’ textbooks. That’s one more thing to scratch off your back-to-school shopping list! (I used to do this as a kid, because then you had a blank canvas for all your doodles and scribbles from friends)Get organized using coffee cans
Use empty coffee cans
to hold everything from markers
to macaroni
! It’s a fuss-free way to de-clutter any area of your home.
Store pills in contact cases
Wash out cases that no longer hold contact lenses and fill them with a day’s worth of vitamins
. Take one with you wherever you go for easy, discreet access. Craft a bird feeder
from a milk jug
Milk may have an expiration date, but its container can be used long after the last drop. Turn plastic jugs into bird feeders for your backyard simply by cutting a hole in the side and adding bird seed
. Have the kids decorate, then hang from a tree.Turn candles into pincushions
No need to toss away burned-out candles. They can become convenient homes for pins and needles.Reinvent greeting cards
Collect the various greeting cards you receive throughout the year. When the holiday or occasion has passed, snip the cards into strips for instant bookmarks or cut off the fronts to use as seasonal postcards.(or I like to cut off the written-on page, and then use the decorative cover (now with a blank back) as a postcard! Genius!)While we are at it, let's see some ways to re-use paper before chucking it ::
Unlike money, paper does (sort of) grow on trees, which is why it’s important to be mindful of how much you use―and waste. Check out these 10 budget- and earth-friendly tips:
- Print again. Reuse printer paper if it has text on only one side. It’s perfect for faxes and casual print-outs.
- Take note. Make a notepad by stapling used printer paper
, blank side up, to a piece of cardboard.
- Let them scribble. Printer paper
is great for kids to draw and paint on, and is often more cost-effective than paper made specifically for artistic pursuits.
- Make art. Set aside an afternoon to create with your kids. The creative options are endless. Get inspired to make your own at Howstuffworks.com. Papier mâché, for example, simply uses strips of computer or newspaper to yield beautiful creations ready to paint. Get instructions at Ehow.com.
- Cushion your packages. Newspaper or old wrapping paper can be used as package padding―shred, crumple or tear and eliminate the need for Styrofoam!
- Make cat litter. Turn newspaper into odor-deterring kitty litter. It only takes a few simple steps―shred, soak in dish detergent and baking soda, and dry. Learn how at Planet Green.
- Wrap it in your own style. Tape together sheets of unwanted paper, decorate and…instant customized wrapping paper! This is a great way to recycle children’s leftover artwork that doesn’t make the “keeper” pile.
- Stuff it. Shred old paper
to use as fill for stuffed animals or throw pillows. You can use any type of paper. It’s cheaper than buying synthetic padding and works just as well.
- Create your own. Never buy fancy stationery again! Making your own gorgeous textured paper is much easier than you might think. All you need is pantyhose, bendable wire (a coat hanger, for example) and a blender. Follow the instructions at Ehow.com.
- Recycle it. If you’ve absolutely run out of creative reuses for your scrap paper, you still shouldn't throw any out. Paper bags, newspapers, computer paper, magazines, packaging and envelopes (minus the plastic pieces) can all be recycled. The only recycling no-nos are waxed paper, laminated paper (like that in fast-food products), pet-food bags and oil- or food-soaked paper. Check with your local sanitation department for restrictions in your area.
and you'll be surprised how much money you can save. For example, extend the life of your kitchen 
by tossing it in with a load of dishes in the 
every couple of days or so. This will sanitize it and give you several additional weeks' use.
's final rinse, open the door and pull out the racks. Let the 
air-dry to save electricity.
, but those ringtone fees add up! Scan Myxer’s free database of thousands of ringtones (and wallpaper) or use its tools to customize your own and download it to your phone in a snap. 
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or Swahili, become fluent and get the chance to interact with other language learners around the world. Practice conversation with a native and help others with their English. 
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site plays music based on your personal tastes. I love pandora, because the first time I listened, I typed in my favorite band, and it built my custom radio station (that was AWESOME and from entering only one band!!!). If you’re a serious rock aficionado, check out last.fm.
you drink daily), watch health-related videos, read articles and send any questions or concerns you have to certified specialists, who will answer you in a timely fashion.