Even if you watch your wallet and pinch your pennies, there are plenty of ways that we can be more mindful of the money we’re spending—not in the form of cash coming out of our wallet or pulling out our credit card, but by being wasteful of supplies that we’ve already paid for.
Triboro Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five ways that just about every American has wasted their money at one point or another.
- Throwing Out Packages or Tubes That Aren’t Empty
You might notice that once the toothpaste appears to be empty from the tube, if you roll the tube together, you can get another week’s worth of toothpaste out of the tube before it’s empty. Shampoo bottles, soap bottles, and cleaning sprays are just a few more objects that we tend to just throw out once the pump no longer works. But by opening the container and pouring the rest of the product into a new bottle, you can fully get what you paid for.
- Eyeballing Laundry Detergent
While most caps on laundry detergent are marked to measure the proper amount to use in a load, most of us just eyeball it—and tend to use way more than what’s necessary, especially if you’re using a detergent that’s concentrated liquid. Make your detergent, which isn’t cheap, last a few more loads by accurately measuring before dumping it into your washer.
- Not Eating Leftover Food
If you forget that you put leftovers into the fridge, you’re not alone! Even if you have a small amount of leftovers after a meal, you’ve likely accumulated enough to piece together a full meal after a few days. With restaurant and grocery food more expensive than ever, getting another meal out of what you already paid for is a big deal.
- Using Paper Towels for Spills
Paper towels can be useful to cover dishes in the microwave or use to wipe down a counter or table after you’re sprayed it with cleaner, but instead of unrolling half the roll of paper towels to clean a spill, opt to use a regular towel instead. An actual towel is more absorbent, will save you money, and is better for the environment.
To learn more about Triboro Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://triboro-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
