"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." L.Reid (and often quoted by my great grandmother)

In my home, frugality goes hand in hand with simple living. If I am at the end of the month, and we run out of paper towels, oh well! And if there are no paper napkins, then of course, cloth napkins will suffice until next pay day. Besides, cloth napkins are prettier.

Here are a few easy ways I have found to extend the life of disposable goods in my home:

1. Use a serrated knife to cut paper towel rolls in half before using them. Often a half sheet is plenty.
2. Buy nice toilet paper. You really use less when it is better.
3. Cut dryer sheets in half before using them. When they come through the wash, use it as a dusting cloth before disposing. (Or stop using dryer sheets all together.)
4. Use socks that are missing their match as disposable cleaning rags before throwing them away. (Turn it inside out as you are cleaning to get twice the use.)
5. Take leftover napkins from eating out to use at home.
6. Try using half the recommended detergent in clothes washer/ dishwasher. Usually, that is plenty.
7. Run a dishwasher cycle with baking soda once in a while.
8. Water down the dish soap you use in the kitchen sink.
   
9. Cut/rip baby wipes in half.
   
10. If you use disposable face cloths, cut them in halves or quarters.
11. Buy generic shampoo. If you don't like it, you didn't waste much money.