We recently had out-of-town guests stay with us, and while getting the house ready for them, I went to stock the guest bath with three rolls of toilet paper. I opened the cabinet and was met with a cluttered mess. Half-used lotions, a variety of hand sanitizers, nearly empty air fresheners, and duplicate cleaning supplies. I had to clear space to fit in the toilet paper but wasn’t quite ready to use it up.
One morning during their stay, the wife asked for a pair of scissors. She used them to cut open a nearly empty lotion tube and squeezed out every last drop to moisturize her arms and legs. I’d thought about that scissor idea in the past, but never followed through. That small act brought into focus all the half-used shampoo and conditioner bottles I’d shifted around while cleaning our shower. As a busy mom, maybe you’ve done the same as I’ve done, thrown out things you meant to use but never did. What if I tried something different? What if I adopted a use-it-up mindset? After all, buying all these products adds up.
Now, I’m making a conscious effort to use things up or repurpose them before buying more. It’s a small change, but it’s saving money, cutting waste, and bringing more intention into our home.
What Is a Use It Up Mentality?
At its core, a use-it-up mentality is exactly what it sounds like: being intentional with what we already have and making sure we finish things before we buy or open more. It’s about finding creative ways to stretch every last bit of what’s in the pantry, fridge, closet, or cleaning caddy.
This mindset isn’t new. Our grandparents and great-grandparents lived this way out of necessity. During the Great Depression and wartime years, families learned to:
- Use it up
- Wear it out
- Made it do or do without
Frugality wasn’t trendy. It was survival. Even old clothes turned into patchwork quilts or rag rugs. And while times have changed, the wisdom behind that thinking is still incredibly relevant.
Benefits of the Make It Do Approach
In modern family life, this approach does more than just save money. It also teaches our kids to:
- Value what they have
- Waste less
- Appreciate the work behind the things we use every day
- Provides an understanding that not everything needs to be replaced the moment it’s imperfect
Whether it’s finishing the last bit of shampoo, repurposing leftovers into a new meal, or patching a jacket instead of tossing it, the use-it-up mindset helps us live more simply, sustainably, and gratefully, even amid busy family life.
Why Moms Should Embrace This Mentality
Let’s face it, being a mom means wearing many hats. We manage everything from the meals to the messes. Sometimes we get tired of making so many decisions. Embracing a use-it-up mindset can actually simplify daily decision-making and lighten your load.
- Budget Benefits
Everyday essentials add up quickly. When we determine to use what we already have before buying more, it naturally cuts down on unnecessary purchases. That half-used lotion under the sink? That lone yogurt in the fridge? Using them up means fewer store runs and fewer impulse buys. It’s a simple shift that results in real savings over time.
- Environmental Impact
Wasted products don’t just hurt our wallets, they impact the planet. Every item we toss out represents wasted water, energy, packaging, and transportation. By using things more fully, we reduce our household waste and lower our family’s footprint without needing to become zero-waste experts overnight.
- Teachable Moments
Our kids are always watching. When they see us reusing what we have, patching instead of pitching, and thinking twice before buying, they learn invaluable lessons in creativity, gratitude, and stewardship. These moments shape lifelong habits and values.
Practical Ways to ‘Use It Up’ at Home
You don’t have to be an expert crafter or super frugal to stretch what you already have. Here are some real-life ways to start right now:
In the Kitchen
- Create meals from pantry staples: Try a “pantry challenge” where you cook from what’s on hand. Think: pasta + canned beans + frozen veggies = dinner.
- Repurpose leftovers: Leftover veggies? Toss them into a frittata. Extra chicken? Make tacos or soup. Even wilting fruit can become smoothies or jam.
- Freeze before it spoils: Bread, herbs, sauces, cheese, even milk can be frozen. Have extra produce? Chop and freeze for future meals.
In the Bathroom
- Use every drop: Cut open lotion bottles, flip shampoo bottles upside down—there’s usually a few more uses hiding inside.
- DIY with leftovers: Use old oats in a face mask, or turn leftover conditioner into a homemade scrub. Pinterest is full of ideas.
- Turn your liquid hand soap into foamy soap: Create foamy hand soap by mixing liquid soap and water in a foaming dispenser. (1:3 ratio of soap to water). Essential oils or food coloring for scent can be added for visual appeal. Less soap is wasted, and your soaps last longer.
With Kids’ Items
- Repurpose old clothes: Turn outgrown or stained clothes into cleaning cloths or sewing projects, or create a memory quilt. Of course, if the clothes are in good condition, sell, bring them to a thrift store or consignment shop, or give them to a family that can use them.
- Swap or upcycle toys: Organize a toy or book swap with friends. Or rotate toys so they feel new without buying more.
Around the House
- Repair instead of replace: Mend that tear, glue that broken chair leg. Learning a few basic fixes can save hundreds.
- Repurpose containers: Old jars = storage. Glass jars are durable, functional, versatile, safe, and 100% recyclable, reusable, and eco-friendly. Plus, their transparency makes visual organization easy.
- Repair or repurpose furniture: Scratched table? You can try to embrace the distressed look, but if that’s not for you, buy a quality scratch repair stick, repaint it, or turn it into a craft station.
Tips for Building the Habit
A use-it-up lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s how to keep the habit going:
- Do a regular inventory: Before shopping, check what you already have. Keep a simple checklist in your phone or on your fridge.
- Try a monthly use-it-up challenge: Pick one area: freezer, bathroom, art supplies, etc., and challenge your family to finish what’s there before buying more.
- Set a no-spend goal: Whether it’s a week or a whole month, give yourself a break from shopping for non-essentials. These pauses are perfect for meeting your new use-it-up habits and increasing creativity.
The use-it-up mentality isn’t about deprivation, it’s about freedom. It’s about valuing what we already have and getting a little more life out of the things we often overlook. When we do this, we spend less, waste less, and teach our kids the kind of thoughtful living that adds up.
Start small. Open a drawer, or choose a shelf in your shower, pantry, or fridge, and ask: What can I use up today? Then celebrate the little wins. Please share your wins and tips in the comments. We’re all in this together!
