Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

We also used the 40 year old burnt orange coffee pot to make coffee that day as well as the 20 year old ice chest and 25 year old rain ponchos from the local amusement park, old plastic forks and spoons, unused condiment packages from fast food restaurant stops and plastic tablecloths used at last years wedding shower.

Re-use 235

Re-use Used Reuse Amusement Park 235

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 3, 2013

Learning to sew takes time and equipment. A super short history of sewing. In many parts of the US, people learned to sew as part of their life skills – from parents or family or schools. Although Mom didn’t sew much (she did mend), she made sure I took Home Ec in high school. Why learn to sew?

Sewing 201

Sewing Sewing Machines Machines Saving Money 201

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

We do put up decorations (ones I buy at garage sales or thrift stores and reuse each year). Bring in your slightly used, but in good shape costume and pick one from those others brought in – as a swap. Encourage your child to use their imaginations to come up with a costume out of materials on hand at home.

Halloween 138

Halloween Green Reuse Garage 138

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Have you heard the old saying: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”? We were poor, Mom and Dad lived every day showing us what it meant to ‘make it do’ and we often ‘did without’ Here are my thoughts on frugal ways to make things do. Buy good clothing, used. Use up your food.

Making Do 219

Making Do Making Green And Frugal Friends And Family Sale 219

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

This list of thoughtful, but FREE Christmas gift ideas is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the people you gift to if you use your time, resources, and creativity. Browse the entire list and let us know in the comments which ideas you’re going to give and what free gift ideas you have. Pet Sitting.

Christmas 130

Christmas Gifts Home and Garden Flowers and Gifts 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 27, 2017

First I looked online to see what the average cost of re-upholstery services were. Along the way, on one of my garage sale shopping expeditions, I stumbled across a matched pair of wing backs (non-reclining) for $20 each. After poking around on You Tube, looking at how-to videos on re-upholstery, I decided that, hey, I could do this.

Sewing Machines 100

Sewing Machines Furniture Re-use Arm and Hammer 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

If you are looking for a can of spray paint you used last summer, you are more likely to look somewhere that you have other cans of paint stored. Store things where you use them. Unless you have a very small house, you can save yourself time and effort by storing stuff where you use it. I carried this idea to our garage.

Organic 177

Organic Organization Home Painting 177