Re-purposing!

Okay, I have something to admit to all of you. If I had the money (and a good farm store) I would like to go out occasionally and buy what I needed. I wouldn’t have to wrap my mind around how to make something that I want out of something that I already have. I love being frugal, but sometimes it gets old. Of course, I’m a wee bit cranky today after trying to work my budget, so I’ll get over that attitude soon.

I do believe it’s okay to re-use something intended for one thing for another use. For example, the paper box shown below (picked up from over a bank after a month of watching it sit there getting dirty and muddy) has been turned into a receptacle in the garden for a holder for gloves, hand tools and odds & ends of gardening paraphernalia.

I would really like to get a regular plastic mailbox with a door on it to hang out in the garden, but that is not something I need.  It’s just something I want.

Next would be this item:

I am a leader of a 4-H livestock club and a couple of years ago I had some boys showing poultry at our local fair.  One of the things that they are supposed to use to show the bird is a show stick.  The ones for sale are $18.99 and we have to order them.  The boys were going to bring small dowels and forgot them.  Of course, no trees around the fairgrounds to break limbs from.  What to do? I sat and thought for a moment, looking around our little “club” area.  Eureka! A lightbulb went off above my head, I swear.  I grabbed this:

borrowed a pocketknife and sawed the bottom off. Voila’ a show stick.  And, if you prefer a different color, just check the closet.

Last but not least, I have been working on our bug-out bags and supplies for tsunami/earthquake preparedness.  I wanted to make sure we had matches to go with the firestarters I made from egg cartons and line.  They are relatively cheap, I found them for $1.95 on-line, and I may order them at some point, just to be sure my matches will stay dry.  But, in the meantime, I used these:

They are prescription bottles with childproof lids.  I am sure they are not 100% waterproof, but will work well in a pinch.  I save all sorts of containers in a cupboard, and had enough saved up to have one for each bag, along with the striker portion of the box.  I miss the “strike-anywhere” matches.  They are hard to find.

There are lots of re-uses for different objects.  What are some of yours?