Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Saving Money with Jars... Reduce... Reuse... Recycle...

Jars....I've been on again off again about collecting mason jars over the years.  I've got about a zillion quart mason jars in my garage that I've moved from house to house.  Well— maybe not a zillion. ~smile~ I've actually given a lot away. I did keep a couple of big boxes of quart jars in case this year is the year my husband finally has time to garden. In the meantime, I've found lots of other uses.

Glass jars are a great way to reduce your use of plastic bags or containers.  Most anything can be stored in them, either on the counter, in a cabinet, in the refrigerator, or even in the freezer— if you don't fill them too full.  New jars are wonderful. But, I like to reuse old jars that I find at yard sales and nice sized jars from products I purchase.  Just yesterday I cleaned out two cupboards and moved ingredients to jars and labeled them. It drastically reduced the bulk of packaging, and the shelves look great with the jars lined up.

The only limit is one's imagination when it comes to filling these little treasures.  I love to give gift mixes in mason jars.  This is my own way to recycle, since I don't have a convenient way to recycle items where I live. 
I'm going to renew my efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle jars again.
After all— I've got a zillion.

Oh, one more thing—I have some nice labels pinned on my Pinterest Printables board.

Blessings to all as we learn to make do with what the LORD has provided for our use and enjoyment.
Laura
Happy at Home  

~~~~~


This article was published in issue #129



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39 comments:

  1. I love jars too.. So many things to use them for.. And they really make pretty decorations too...
    have a blessed week.
    ps love the new looks of your blog.

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  2. I also just started making a point to use containers instead of bags when possible, mostly as a thrift measure but also as a bonus, it's "green" too.

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  3. Your new blog is beautiful....I do miss the lovely picture of your home, though...it always looked so cozy and homey when I would visit! But, this is so pretty, too!! We, too, had a bunch of old jars that we just recently got rid of...some we sold at a yard sale, and some we gave away. Trying to downsize and clear out things we aren't using...that's the mission around here right now. :) Sweet blessings to you, Laura.

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  4. Who knows, Cheryl? I may go back to the photo. My daughter, Amy, is 14. She made the header for me, so I'm trying it out. I'll have to change things up again at Christmas time. It's coming before we know it.

    I've been cleaning things out and giving things away, too.

    Blessings to you!
    Laura

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  5. I am a jar saver also and my favorite jars are peanut butter, mayonnaise and classico spaghetti sauce. I found a site where I can buy caps (For about 15 cents each) that fit those jars. Then I can store anything in them without the garlicky spaghetti sauce odor. I use those jars for my mason jar gifts. They can't be used for canning but they can hold chocolate chip cookie mix or 14 bean soup mix, and with the new lid, they look great.

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  6. Love your new blog background... from a fellow jaraholic! :)

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  7. Yep, we reuse jars...my hubby uses them to keep nails, etc in. Many Blessings to you.

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  8. I'm not surprised Linda. You are a thrifty sort. Blessings to you!

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  9. You? a jaraholic? I never would have guessed, Jes. ~giggles and grins~

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  10. Hi Anne in the Kitchen,
    Okay girl, spill! Where have you found lids? The sauce odor is the worst.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  11. There is a place to recycle up the by cemetery. We went there all the time, they do glass too, at least they did when we lived there. ;)

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  12. Jars, jars and more jars....yes!! I love my jars and use them for everything. Personally you can't go wrong with a good jar. I even have some old blue jars and now I got the new green jars. I'd love to get a purple one to add to my collection! ;0)
    Enjoy your week Laura!
    Hugs, Amy

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  13. You're so right, Amy. Enjoy your weekend!

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  14. I tried doing some canning last year because I think it would be such a wonderful skill to have. I'll have to keep trying. Thanks for the post!

    I found you at darlingdownsdiaries.com

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  15. That is a great idea and I never thought to use them like that! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!

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  16. Oh, I'm very confused! The post is featured today on Feb. 1, 2017, but the comments are from November of 2015...so I think I'll wait a bit before I post.....:::cue the Twilight Zone music:::

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    1. Ah, rewrote it and forgot to change the url. Oh well. You caught me!
      Smiles.
      Laura
      who doesn't know what the Twilight Zone music sounds like.
      Tee hee.

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    2. Phew! I thought I was going 'round the twist there for a minute!!

      Jars. Oh boy, how I love glass jars. When we moved to KS from SoCal, my husband asked why I was toting about 50 baby food jars. (we had used the food for our elderly dog) I told him it was because baby food jars were THE BEST and I'd never collect that many again with no children! Those jars now have turquoise lids and are on tiered shelves in my craft room holding all kinds of wonderful little treasures!
      (I also saw that a lot of baby food now comes in peel back plastic.).

      I became a jar hoarder as stuff started being put into plastic and glass jars started to disappear. I love the giant storage room in my basement. I have a shelf full of glass jars. I love crafting with the Starbucks coffee jars. I had a friend save me a dozen of those, ha ha.

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    3. Hmmm... I haven't seen the Starbucks coffee jars. I love baby food jars, but I've not had any for a long long time. They are gold!
      Blessings,
      Laura

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  17. As a paper crafter, I love making the tags as much as collecting the jars. Fill the sink with water and 1/4 cup of vinegar and soak overnight...smell gone! Not only good for the storage aspect but keeps items clean too!

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    1. OH Sharon! This is a wonderful tip. I can never seem to get the pickle smell out of jars. Thank you so much.

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  18. Replies
    1. Yes. I know you're a great re-purposer, too, Jes! Yours is one of my favorite blogs for inspiration and encouragement!

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  19. Laura,
    I love this idea and have been wanting to do that myself! I have boxes in my basement containing about 200 mason jars, mostly larger sizes that would work perfectly! Just need to put aside some time to do it! Just wondering how you labeled yours....
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog

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    1. Hi Linda,

      Thanks so much for dropping in! Linda, there are lots of great printable labels on Pinterest. I was in a hurry and not feeling all that creative when I did mine. I just had a big job and wanted it done! I took some leftover adhesive mailing labels, wrote the name of the product, and cut it small to put it on my jar. I may go back at some point and re-label when I feel more creative. I have some pretty ones on my Pinterest printables board.
      https://www.pinterest.com/harvestlane/printables/

      Have a wonderful weekend,
      Laura

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  20. I too love jars! (They are also healthier than plastic.). I bet your cupboard looks great - especially with pretty labels.

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    1. I haven't put pretty labels on yet, Lady Locust. I just wanted to get things in there nice and neat. Labels will come another day when I have time for the project. ~smile~ Thanks for talking back!

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  21. Mason jars are fun to use. I bought some green ones and blue ones on clearance at our hardware store.

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  22. Oh and thank you Lsura for visiting my blog!

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  23. Oooh Regina, I'm jealous! I missed the green ones and I have looked all over for some. Even Amazon didn't have any the few times I've checked!

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  24. Because I can, jars are a normal part of life here, but I've also used them for storage - and I like filling them with granola for gifts.

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    1. One year we gave granola, a muffin mix in a jar, oranges, and a can of Welchs Juicemakers in a bag for Christmas gifts, Michelle.

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  25. what a fabulous idea, Laura!! I know I used a couple of jars for the extra bit of paint (I saw that idea on Pinterest!!)
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #christianbloggerlinkup

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    1. Oh yes, Jodie! I forgot. I put extra trim paint in a jar and kept it handy for touch-ups when my kids were little. We were in an old house that had naturally chippy paint. Thanks for reminding me!

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  26. Ok, I'm totally inspired now. Save all the jars!!!

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  27. Mason jars have always been my favorite thing to craft with, and they bring back memories of when Mom made jelly in them when I was younger! Thank you so much for an inspiring way to use them!

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Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor