topic Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying? in Home

Do you ever "make do" before buying?

pommom — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:30:12 GMT

This has happened a couple of times and I have to say, it's rather empowering.

For instance, I need two ring holders - one for the bathroom and one for the kitchen. I went online and saw some real cute ones that are reasonably priced. Then I realized I had the perfect solution by hanging my ring on the pump of a hand lotion container that has an indented area about 1/4" from the opening of the pump. So that solved that problem.

My paper towel holder works as my kitchen ring holder. The thingy that keeps the towels from unraveling is perfect!

***

I wanted to purchase organizers for my foil, wax paper, plastic sealing wrap, etc. Then it dawned on me to use a couple of napkin holders that were no longer in use to keep them from slipping.

Do you have some creative ways of making use of your things and saving money?

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Another new name Sue — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:08:03 GMT

Yes, I try to postpone spending until I'm sure I want whatever it is. Like you, often I realize I don't really need it or actually have something that works just as well.

I needed some saucers to put under potted plants in the house, looked at them in the store but didn't feel like spending the money then. Then I realized that the clear plastic lids from take-out salads are the perfect size, better looking than the ones at the store. They don't have stickers on them either. Perfect!

I don't totally understand your ring-holders, but do be careful that they cannot slip off or inadvertently be tossed out.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

duclane — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:10:12 GMT

I do that a lot. Under bathroom sink vanity--I used 3 shoe boxes, without the lids, that were really pretty, to hold hairspray, shampoos, hair coloring boxes etc., so nothing falls over and they just slide in and out. Under kitchen sink, 2 plastic dish pans to hold all the stuff. Everything stays put. I live in a condo so every inch has to be accounted for.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Chrystaltree2 — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:22:02 GMT

Funny, I can't even picture most of those things. I'm not creative at all, I rarely think of alternative uses for things. I don't have a lot of time or energy, so if I need something, it's easier to just buy it.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Chrystaltree2 — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:38:57 GMT

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

brewhaha — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:42:49 GMT

Yes I do.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Mominohio — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 20:47:39 GMT

After enough years of regretted purchases and so many things that just didn't live up to my expectations, I now think longer about a purchase. Oftentimes, all we are doing is adding more stuff to our already dreaded amount of 'stuff'.

I have been re-purposing more and more things all the time. Saves money, and keeps the clutter down.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

RedTop — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 21:17:13 GMT

I absolutely make do before I run out and buy anything. I don't like spending money on just stuff, or anything I don't truly need, and expect to use often.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Snowpuppy — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 23:43:48 GMT

I would be considered a Queen in this category.

Re-purposing, reinventing. When I was first out on my own I made window curtains from some very pretty bed sheets I was given. I haven't stopped since.

I've overthought purchases for so long.....until they go out of style or I look at it again and it's meh.

That said I can afford what I want now so I go for quality. At a good price.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

dex — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 23:55:43 GMT

I use plant pots as garbage containers in my bathrooms.i also use my can punch to open jars by sticking the pointed part under the lid seal and it releases.love to hear how everyone else gets creative in their lives.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

morning glory — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:49:27 GMT

I bought a clear good plastic container for tubes of hand lotion for the bathroom and then while I was shopping I found the clear plastic containers to put in the door of the fridge and they were a lot cheaper and made from the same heavy plastic plus they had open areas on the ends as handles so I bought a couple of those in different sizes for my tubes of oil and acrylic paints. They are very similar and were 50 percent cheaper. I got them at Walmart. Those could be used on the counter top for many things in a bathroom.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

morning glory — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:51:26 GMT

Another thing I do is use Lock and Lock for jewelry. I can see through the box to see what is in it. I sometimes put them in the drawer and label the tops.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

phoenixbrd — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 02:44:12 GMT

Yes, and it is empowering. I make better choices when I pause and consider if I can "make do".

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Desertdi — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 06:15:17 GMT

I was born during WWII.......things were scarce. I can find a non-traditional use for anything........

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Lila4Now — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 06:18:53 GMT

My mom screwed a cup hook under the over hang on the kitchen cabinet. She always hung her rings there, out of site, while she was working in the kitchen. Nobody could even see them when they were hung up. She did that for over 50 years.

My favorite is the shelf under my bathroom vanity. There wasn't one there, and I put a shelf made for shoes I got at the dollar store in there. It's the perfect length, and height. It gets things in the back up where they are easier to see. Much easier to reach, and no more hidden items.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Azcowgirl — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 06:53:22 GMT

I'm am so much better these days at waiting before buying, than in years past....latest example, after looking for window treatments and not finding anything I liked, shopped for fabric instead at half price, made my own window treatments along with throw pillows , covered old lampshades in coordinating fabrics, bought frames at half price, and framed the fabrics for groupings on the walls(: thrilled with how it all turned out !

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

qualitygal — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:03:53 GMT

not usually, but I also know what I want when I buy. I don't return things, so I'm pretty sure of what I want before a purchase.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

AngelPuppy1 — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:10:13 GMT

If I decide I need something, I try and think about it for a few days. If I am out and about, I will even "visit" something several times before I actually buy it. A lot of times, after the initial excitement wears off, I just decide - I don't really need it or it's not what I really wanted after all. I know after thinking about it for days and/or visiting it several times, if its still stuck in my head, then I really want and/or need it. I feel more satisfied this way. Like I have made a better decision or choice. Not so impulsive is, I guess, a better way to put it.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

Another new name Sue — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:28:22 GMT

On 3/18/2015 AngelPuppy1 said:
If I decide I need something, I try and think about it for a few days. If I am out and about, I will even "visit" something several times before I actually buy it. A lot of times, after the initial excitement wears off, I just decide - I don't really need it or it's not what I really wanted after all. I know after thinking about it for days and/or visiting it several times, if its still stuck in my head, then I really want and/or need it. I feel more satisfied this way. Like I have made a better decision or choice. Not so impulsive is, I guess, a better way to put it.

Angel, that's pretty much what I do as well. Often put things on Wish Lists here and at Amazon to think about them a bit. Sometimes I eventually buy, sometimes I "remove."

I agree with Mominohio--I'm sick of stuff.

Re: Do you ever ""make do"" before buying?

LeaLeander — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:53:51 GMT

Yes, but I don't look upon it as "making do," as though the substitute were second-best. I look upon it as being ingenious. Couple examples:

The legs broke off my computer keyboard and I was going to spend $10 or $15 to order replacements. I Googled for a solution and found that those little black binder clips, of which I had plenty, make the perfect substitute. They fit perfectly into the recesses on the bottom of the keyboard and hold it at the perfect angle.

I bought a tall, narrow cabinet to hold cosmetics and wanted more glass shelves. Instead of spending $50 on custom-cut glass, I bought two clearance picture frames at Kmart for $5, removed the glass and it worked like a charm in the cabinet.

In fact that cabinet itself was a little gem -- I had removed some not-very-useful shelves from the linen closet and was looking at organizer systems and those coated-wire shelving units -- blah -- finally it dawned on me, if I'm going to spend $100 why not get something cute? So I found a white "shabby chic" tall narrow cabinet that fits inside the closet with plenty of room to spare; it's glass fronted so I can see inside. On the wall I hung two chrome shower organizers (the kind with several little shelves or baskets that hang over the shower head) in a vintage design for overflow or for items I need to grab often and quickly -- and voila, all of my toiletries and cosmetics are now organized for a fraction of what a closet system would've cost, and far more attractively. I painted the inside of the closet a sage green to contrast with the white & chrome and it's very charming.

Some people feel deprived if they can't order "new" of whatever but I pride myself on being resourceful and 'beating the system' so to speak. Being debt-free is important to me. As others have said I always take a cool-down period before making a purchase.