Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2021 3 January 2021 at 6:17PM in Old style MoneySaving 369 replies 57.5K views

YorksLass

A minimise and make do - I had hand wash and bar soap on my shopping list but crossed then off when I went through my toiletries stash and found a (very) cheap bottle of shower gel that I can dilute down and use for hand wash plus a handmade artisan soap that I bought a couple of years ago from a French farmers' market.  Gorgeous fragrance and very creamy - even DH commented how nice it was.

Laura_Elsewhere

A bit of Make Do - I wanted smallish panniers for my bike but all the ones online were just... well, I'm not needing to carry everything for a six-night trip up Anapurna, nor do I want the panniers to co-ordinate with my summer frock, iyswim  

So I used Fabsil Gold tent-waterproofing fluid and painted a cheerful and useful-sized jute bag I had as a gift-bag back in May, and snaffled an identical one I spotted at my parents' house that was literally lying around unused in their lumber-room... so, two waterproofed jute bags, four bungee-cords, and I also paid a fiver for some small metal shackles to attach the corners of each bag to the bike's back-carrier rack, just in case the bungees went, and also to make them less pinchable if I leave the bike outside a shop for a bit with the panniers on, empty. 

Lots of mending, as always - darning, buttons, hems, the usual... 

Minimising - we've had enough of having So Much Stuff - any time my Inner Minimalist is starting to emerge, we know it's got too much! So we've started sorting through stuff - properly, not just an enthusiastic half-day and then it gets left... 

Here's the bike a week or two back, first time out using the panniers

goldfinches

Laura_Elsewhere said:

A bit of Make Do - I wanted smallish panniers for my bike but all the ones online were just... well, I'm not needing to carry everything for a six-night trip up Anapurna, nor do I want the panniers to co-ordinate with my summer frock, iyswim  

So I used Fabsil Gold tent-waterproofing fluid and painted a cheerful and useful-sized jute bag I had as a gift-bag back in May, and snaffled an identical one I spotted at my parents' house that was literally lying around unused in their lumber-room... so, two waterproofed jute bags, four bungee-cords, and I also paid a fiver for some small metal shackles to attach the corners of each bag to the bike's back-carrier rack, just in case the bungees went, and also to make them less pinchable if I leave the bike outside a shop for a bit with the panniers on, empty. 

Lots of mending, as always - darning, buttons, hems, the usual... 

Minimising - we've had enough of having So Much Stuff - any time my Inner Minimalist is starting to emerge, we know it's got too much! So we've started sorting through stuff - properly, not just an enthusiastic half-day and then it gets left... 

Here's the bike a week or two back, first time out using the panniers

Totally impressive panniers, clever you. 

florianatwobob

I think I may have taken the mending to a new level for me. I normally take my shoes to be re heeled/soled but this time I took my slippers in! They’re a sheepskin pair that I’ve had for at least 5 years but the soles were very brittle. Buying a like for like nee pair would have been £90! (I didn’t spend that much in them when) but resoling would cost £35. Still expensive but a) I love them b) it saves something from landfill c) I’m supporting a local independent shoe repairer  

interestingly he’s been in business for a good 20 years but it was alway him with the occasional help from his wife. He’s now got another repairer working with him and a teenager helping at weekends as well as his wife during the week. He’s got a bit of a reputation for having a go at fixing all things leather/shoe related and I think that combined with the collective move to repair, reuse, recycle has had a significant positive impact on his business. He is an asset to the town and did a same day repair for me too. 

Working_Mum

I found a Spring/ Easter wreath in my garage - I have had it for about 5 years but it was very faded from the sun - I had a look in my wrapping box and found some tissue paper - dabbed a bit of PVA glue on the eggs and wrapped them in brightly coloured tissue paper - revived for no cost at all.

weenancyinAmerica

Great job on the wreath. Looks wonderful.

MrsCD

Ooooh, how pretty! Perfect for Eastertime!

YorksLass

Have minimised some more knitting yarn (oddments that I know I won't use) that's bagged up and ready to take to the CS.  I've lost the urge to try and use these up for "something" so will let them go instead of hoarding.  There's also a carrier bag of clothing that I'll take to the SA clothing bank and a full pack of unused toilet soap for the Women's Refuge box.

I'm continuing to work my way through my yarn stash.  So far this year I've knitted (for myself) two cardigans and two round neck sweaters and have another cardigan to sew up plus another sweater on the needles.  I've almost finished a jumper for DH - just need to do the neckband and then sew it up.  Like a lot of knitters, I like to have several things on the go!

I need to get back to decluttering (Round 2) and made a start this morning by shredding lots of paperwork that's not needed anymore.  I'm using the "start in one corner and work around the room" approach, with the kitchen being first on the list.  I don't think there'll be a lot to go but at least the cupboards and drawers will get a good tidy up.      

YorksLass

Today I've cleaned the narrow kitchen drawer that holds jars of spices and herbs - three empty jars binned (not sure why I was keeping them) and others topped up from refill packets. 

Next I tackled the cutlery drawer that's under a worktop that doesn't get used for food prep so why does it always have crumbs and other bits of food debris in it?     Six unwanted small utensils relegated to the CS bag.

Then I checked the dates on all (and I mean all) the tins, jars and packets of foodstuff in the pantry and food cupboards.  I'm glad to say most of it is dated well into this year and beyond but there are a few items (not too many) that have gone past their BB dates.  I'll not be binning them though but instead have made a list of them so they can be incorporated into my weekly meal plan.  That way, they'll get used (minimising) and it will help on the food front (making do).

I've also added couple of knitting patterns and a cross stitch chart booklet to yesterday's bag of yarn.

YorksLass

Minimise - Took two carrier bags of clothing to the SA clothing bank today
Make do - Last scrapings of small jar of Marmite (from list of food items past BB date) used on crumpets this lunchtime
Make do - Small part used bottle of white wine vinegar (from list as above) relegated to cleaning cupboard to use as kettle descaler