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Thought you needed "X" but used "X" instead?

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:03 pm
by 2dogs+someCats
Looking for some good inspiration from all of you here regarding successful substitutions you have made for something you thought you needed.

Just an example for starters - this morning I "thought I needed" a new system for my recycling. After a re-organization of my closet (I know, seems unrelated - but wait!) I had 4 of those "cloth bins" completely empty and free to hold plastic, metal, glass and paper on my enclosed back porch. They are way less of an eye-sore than the miscellaneous boxes or bags I was using.

When full, I will take to the garage and empty into my bigger (plastic clothes hamper type) bins - that get emptied by my trash removal company once a month.

When did you "shop your house" for something you thought you had to go out and find?

Re: Thought you needed "X" but used "X" instead?

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:48 pm
by BevMoore
I do this all the time and also ask around about things. The battery went out on my cell phone and with it being over 5 years old was afraid I would have to get a new phone. A secretary at one of the schools I work at told me there is a store that repairs phones, has parts etc. So I went after work, got the battery and cable replace for $53.00.

One of the cool things about being frugal is the creativity that goes into it. Shopping at home is my biggest go to. When I needed a chair to go to a concert I used one of my metal folding chairs instead of going out and buying a special outdoor chair. I have a hard time getting in and out of those flimsy outdoor chairs and my metal chairs make that easy for me.

A couple of my friends think I am odd because I just don't go out and buy what I need (they know I can afford to) but I try really hard not to spend and bring anything else into the house.

A friend of mine gave me a futon cover which I can use for many things. My latest use is on my wooden frame sofa. however my dog decide it makes a great place to jump around and lay on while distorting the shape. So the futon cover will go back in my van as a bed. It fits like it was made for the back of my van. When the middle seats or moved forward it becomes my campervan. I have been wanting a campervan type of vehicle because I am not comfortable pulling a trailer or driving an RV. Plus I don't have to worry about storage.

Sorry about going off on a tangent but I love to talk about things like this and pick up ideas in the process.

Bev

Re: Thought you needed "X" but used "X" instead?

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 2:27 pm
by gaylejackson2
I use a lot of substitutions in cooking, a favorite is for brownies. Recipe calls for baking chocolate squares, I use 3 Tablespoons baking cocoa & 1 Tablspoon of butter per ounce of chocolate needed.

Re: Thought you needed "X" but used "X" instead?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 7:16 am
by ownedbydogs
Needed a cushion for a chair that didn’t set comfortable. Found a large piece of foam n the storage room and a remnant of material and made a cushion without having to shop. Bought the recliner for $25.00 and now have a comfortable chair.

Re: Thought you needed "X" but used "X" instead?

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 8:45 pm
by 2dogs+someCats
BevMoore wrote: Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:48 pm I do this all the time and also ask around about things. The battery went out on my cell phone and with it being over 5 years old was afraid I would have to get a new phone. A secretary at one of the schools I work at told me there is a store that repairs phones, has parts etc. So I went after work, got the battery and cable replace for $53.00.

One of the cool things about being frugal is the creativity that goes into it. Shopping at home is my biggest go to. When I needed a chair to go to a concert I used one of my metal folding chairs instead of going out and buying a special outdoor chair. I have a hard time getting in and out of those flimsy outdoor chairs and my metal chairs make that easy for me.

A couple of my friends think I am odd because I just don't go out and buy what I need (they know I can afford to) but I try really hard not to spend and bring anything else into the house.

A friend of mine gave me a futon cover which I can use for many things. My latest use is on my wooden frame sofa. however my dog decide it makes a great place to jump around and lay on while distorting the shape. So the futon cover will go back in my van as a bed. It fits like it was made for the back of my van. When the middle seats or moved forward it becomes my campervan. I have been wanting a campervan type of vehicle because I am not comfortable pulling a trailer or driving an RV. Plus I don't have to worry about storage.

Sorry about going off on a tangent but I love to talk about things like this and pick up ideas in the process.

Bev
Bev, I have rather enjoyed your "tangents" for many years and learned a thing or three from them and been inspired by you many a time! Thank you for sharing.

Re: Thought you needed "X" but used "X" instead?

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 8:46 pm
by 2dogs+someCats
ownedbydogs wrote: Mon Aug 26, 2019 7:16 am Needed a cushion for a chair that didn’t set comfortable. Found a large piece of foam n the storage room and a remnant of material and made a cushion without having to shop. Bought the recliner for $25.00 and now have a comfortable chair.
That is a good one owned!