Guest Author - Cate Brizzell

If you need to cut back on your spending in order to live below your means, there's a new trend you'll want to watch: recycling. Not new at all, you say?

I'm not talking about recycling cans and paper and containers. I'm talking about using things you already have around the house before buying anything new.

I've challenged myself to begin recycling, and it's saved my family a ton of money. Now, whenever I hear myself say, "I really need (fill in the blank)", I think creatively instead and scour my closets and basement for something that will work just as well, instead of buying new.

For example, I needed a bookcase to store my kids' homeschool materials. With two grades, plus teacher's supplies, I figured I'd have to buy a nice new bookcase, around $200. Then I remembered a dresser we'd been given. I painted it and distressed it, put it in the classroom (a.k.a. dining room), and decorated the top with some antique books, a pencil sharpener and an accent candle lamp. I put the books in the drawers, stacking them sideways instead of standing up, as on a bookshelf. I was able to fit everything into five drawers, and frankly, it looks nicer than a bookcase. Total cost: paint, around $20.

The kids needed a place to store their folders and math books, so I let my husband know. He checked around his IT department at work and found some bins they were getting ready to throw away. I cleaned them up and put them in the classroom. The folders fit perfectly!

Recycling works well for clothes, too. Got old sweat pants that just look out of style? Cut them into trendy crops. Need an outfit for a special occasion? Look through your closet and find basic pieces. Mix and match, add trendy shoes or accessories, try new belts or scarves. Make it a challenge to wear what you already have! If you own suits, wear the tops and bottoms separately. Even dresses will work--you can wear a sweater or blazer over the top, and everyone will think it's a skirt.

I frequently recycle books. Rather than buy new ones, I keep a couple shelves full of my favorite books and simply read through them again every few years. They never grow old, and my book budget has been greatly reduced. Having a good local library helps, too.

When you do home improvements, find a place for useful bits and scraps. I used some self-adhering foam pipe insulation left over from winterizing to line my daughters' derby hats for dance competition. The hats were too big, but a little bit of foam helped the hats fit perfectly. Bits of wood or tile can be used for repairs or other home projects.

One of the greatest joys of recycling is rediscovering treasures you already own. Make a point of digging through your storage spaces to see what you have. You just might be surprised.

Make it your goal to just make do!