How thrifty are you?

[Ace_king_brahma]

Gaints can pupate and grow into very large beetles and reproduce but they throw regular mealworms. I tossed a can of giants into the mealworm bedding and they grew and pupated and reproduced. I would avoid using them though on the fact that they take a long time to turn into aliens (pupa), cost more and make regular sized meals anyways.

 

[funkychicken]

thanks for the info...I keep directing people to this thread...its so helpful...the cost of feed and all...any supplimate feed will be usefull to all BYC'ers...yall keep em' comming...

 

[m_herrington]

Quote:
ROFL.....I feel better now.

I left our local goodwill type place (called Share and Care) a few days ago grumbling to myself "I don't know who prices this stuff......" LOL

I have to agree here... our goodwill wants 5 bucks for used t-shirts... and when they get the crap in that didnt sell at target, they price it the same as or higher than it was marked from target! Its ridiculous! I have to shop the sales when I go to goodwill! lol

 

[Mattake2]

Quote:
What a great idea!

Everytime I re-visit this thread I'm amazed at how creative you folks are. I've seen dozens of terrific tips, a few are a little off the beaten path but they might just work. Thanks to everyone for your input!

 

[nccountrygirl]

Quote:
ROFL.....I feel better now.

I left our local goodwill type place (called Share and Care) a few days ago grumbling to myself "I don't know who prices this stuff......" LOL

I have to agree here... our goodwill wants 5 bucks for used t-shirts... and when they get the crap in that didnt sell at target, they price it the same as or higher than it was marked from target! Its ridiculous! I have to shop the sales when I go to goodwill! lol

Try going to some of the Habitat For Humanities stores. The stuff is given to them and I have been to some where the prices were higher on things then if you bought it new in the stores. I believe in making a profit but not ripping off the public.

 

[m_herrington]

Try going to some of the Habitat For Humanities stores. The stuff is given to them and I have been to some where the prices were higher on things then if you bought it new in the stores. I believe in making a profit but not ripping off the public.

I know! and they claim to be 50 to 90% off retail! They apparently have no idea how much stuff costs. I don't think I found anything in there that seemed to be priced reasonably.​

 

[Sylvie]

Bump!
This is too good a thread to lose sight of.

In addition to the great ideas that I have seen posted I 'd like to add a few.
Old plastic kitty litter boxes are fantastic for storing things for the coop. They don't get too heavy either. We have a community recycling center and I've been known to help myself to these freebies.

I make herb tea by walking out to the garden, getting a handful of herbs , into a jar and pouring boiling water over. I could do sun tea with these, too.

The wood we cut on our property is better than the junk sold in the paper or online. "Theirs" is usually from a lawn care company cutting up old long dead wood with nonexistent BTUs.
When I split wood by hand I save little thin pieces and create tiny birdhouse ornaments for my Christmas tree.

We have a pond stocked with perch and bluegill. They said it couldn't be done but we are in our 16th year with good sized perch. We do nothing special, just keep the dog out when they spawn in March.

We have a major department store's clearance store nearby. It is not an outlet store and it is almost a secret. I buy brand new designer clothing for as little as $3 each. Next time you're at the mall stores ask where their clearance store is located.

I work second jobs with perks like free meals, great employee discounts or where I could learn a skill in the process.

I cut up old mini-blinds into plant labels, use the plastic grocery bags to wrap my clean canning jars as each one gets emptied and washed.
I use mirrors by windows to double the winter light into the room.
At yard sales I ask them if they have building materials laying around that they'd like to sell. I got enough plywood to do the exterior of my coop for $10.

I have a blender that I use for any garden produce to make a cold summer soup in a minute.
Use a manual ricer for mashed potatoes, rutabaga or pumpkin instead of an electrical appliance and I think it's better texture.
I make rice or oatmeal milk as a milk substitute.

 

[NYREDS]

I still have 2 1/2 cents of the first nickel I ever made!

 

[beefy]

i save everything but i dont often reuse it. so if you need anything, i can probably hook you up. i even keep old shoelaces.

 

[Sylvie]

I wish we had Freecycle in my area. I read of so many posters on this site that have made great use of it. I have a wish list in case we get it. I also wish to get rid of things, too.
Our Habitat for Humanity Restore in our nearby large city won't return my calls or emails. I only have simple questions. I'm ruling them out.