Dave Ramsey always comments on how “weird” it is to be debt-free in our culture. After someone on his show reveals that they debt-free including their house, his usual reaction includes the following, “You’re weird people!” Although, I do agree with his sentiments regarding how strange it is to be debt-free, I must point out that the weirdness doesn’t just start when you pay off all your debt. No, people become very peculiar prior to this. For example, this week I channeled my inner “Pioneer” and tore up my old sheets (100% cotton), cut them into rectangles and made myself some cleaning rags for free. The quintessential depiction of “Waste not, want not”. Am I right?
Was Making cleaning rags a Waste of My Time?
Good Question. Ripping and cutting up my sheets only took about 15 minutes and my 4 year old gladly helped me rip the sheets. So, to answer stated question, No, it wasn’t a waste of time for me. Now I must admit, these rags aren’t pretty and they may fray so much that perhaps I only use them a few times but in my mind it’s worth it. If I were actually concerned about these rags being long lasting I probably should have sewn around the edges but for me that would be a huge time-sucker. A possible way to decrease the “fraying factor” is to use pinking sheers /or zig zag cut scissors. But I just used my fabric scissors and so far, so good!
Waste Not, Want Not
As I was taking the time to rip and cut the sheets, I could help but think of my grandparents who grew up during the Depression. I remember wondering my grandma folded her plastic grocery bags so carefully, or kept every newspaper she ever owned. Even though, I thought it was strange, it’s also admirable. I’m not promoting hoarding but I do see a great level of gratitude that comes with keeping things. There is a recognition that things are finite and resources run out. So, I better appreciate and take care of what I have and even perhaps find different uses for what I have. Overall, this attitude, if not taken to the extreme can help you feel content.
Living in “Making Do Mode”
Will I ever buy rags again? Yes, I will most likely buy rags again. Even though, these old sheet rags will be great for wiping down counters, dusting, washing windows, there will be certain rags that perform better. However, I really do like the fact that I’m not just throwing the sheets away; it’s always great repurpose or recycle. In addition to feeling resourceful, it’s also nice to not spend money on things like rags when you’re in “making do mode”.
The Definition found at www.grammar.com of “making do” is “to make the best use of whatever is provided in the unsuitable situation.” Getting out of debt is certainly an unsuitable situation but life is full of unsuitable situations. It’s always good to make the best of what you’ve been given. So, making rags out of sheets may seems inconsequential but it’s just a way I Macgyver my life (google Macgyver– you won’t regret it, he’s truly iconic when it comes to making do. I think he saved a whole city with an old candy wrapper and a paper clip)
Other Random Ways to MacGyver Your Life
Here are a few ideas on how I make do with what I have.
- Use leftovers to make a new meal ( I used leftover hummus in my zucchini boats recipe.)
- Use old uniform pants that have holes in them as patches for future pants that get holes in them. When kids are little they don’t care about the patches.
- use old scraps of material as bean bags for kids- kids love bean bags!
- Use baby food jars for watercolor painting
- Wash food containers from the store and reuse them as Tupperware. It’s great to deliver food to people in used containers because they can just recycle or throw them away.
- Before going out and buying a bin, I switch things around to see if I can store everything I have without getting something new.
- Getting the itch to redecorate? Try to move furniture around, use spray paint on almost anything, sew some throw pillow covers with fabric you have on hand or can get inexpensively.
What do you like to repurpose? Comment and Help Each Other out!
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