Being Resourceful Takes Effort

Sometimes it’s easy to accumulate quite a bit of materials just by simply buying things. Because we live in a society that produces so much extra packaging materials and shipping supplies, it’s quite simple to amass a lot of things that you can put away and use for later. And it’s all for free (if you think of it that way).

Often times, we throw those materials away. For example, think of all the cardboard boxes you’ve tossed in the garbage simply because you thought you had no other use for them. Those could be put to use in so many other ways, yet you’ve just mindlessly tossed them. Next time you buy something online, think about conserving your cardboard for future use. You could use it for kindling a fire, soaking up oil spills in the garage, or even compost it.

So, what other uses do you have for your excess shipping supplies like cardboard and leftover packaging materials? Read on for a few unique ideas!

Using for your fire pit.

I understand that having some fire bricks or other firestarters are perfect for an outdoor fire pit. Heck, if you like to rough it, you can even go gather a handful of dry twigs for the perfect kindling. But we like being resourceful and not letting anything go to waste, so I’ve started tossing small ripped up pieces of cardboard into our fire pit whenever we’re starting a fire, and sure enough, it works like a charm. In fact, we save money on not buying fire bricks and also allow our backyard twigs to break down as natural compost. It’s a great situation both for our property and for our wallets.

Makeshift backing for a dartboard.

We installed a steel tip dartboard in our basement about a year ago, and it’s served us quite well ever since. But every now and then, our aim fails us and we end up with a few bent dart tips because of the stone wall behind the board. So, we decided to hang a sheet of cardboard behind the dartboard in order to preserve our somewhat expensive darts. While rigging it up wasn’t the easiest thing ever, we managed to make it somewhat presentable. But more than presentation, we’ve nailed it in the utility department. Now, our errant darts make certain to not scratch our wall or bend their tips when they miss the main board. For something that cost us absolutely zero and looks alright, I’d say we managed to make something out of nothing.

Packing Dishes Properly Before Moving

No one wants breakages of any kind while moving. It may not be an expensive plate, but no one wants a dinner plate broken that would spoil the entire set. This would simply translate into buying a new set. There are several kinds of shipping supplies available that can ensure it. But this does not mean that wrapping each dish individually in bubble wrap is the solution. There are certain tips that need to be followed which will ensure that dishes or china are able to reach their destination undamaged.

While packing dishes or china for moving, it is important not to stack them in a horizontal manner in the box. It does seem correct, but actually, it will lead to a lot of bouncing during travel. It does not matter if each piece is wrapped in shipping supplies as there will be constant moving around.

The best option here is to wrap each piece separately and then stack these in a box vertically. Next, there should be no vacant space here. Fill it up with socks or towels or napkins or such other soft material. This will keep the dishes secure.

In case they have to be packed horizontally, it is best to stack these in paint buckets. Each plate can be wrapped individually and then stack on top of each other and places in the bucket. The bucket has to be secure and sturdy. This way the plates will not bounce around. Also, the bottom will not be breaking open due to excess weight.

Another option is to make use of restaurant racks that can be returned later. These are made of heavy duty plastic. They can be used for transporting dishes as well as glasses safely as they are a good alternative to using cardboard boxes.

There can be no better alternative than placing a styrofoam plate between each plate that has been packed. Now the entire stack can be placed inside the paint bucket.

No matter how much of shipping supplies is provided, it is still less. This is because transporting an entire household means a massive amount of stuff to be moved. Besides, these supplies will be useless after shifting. Disposing of this is another chore.

This is why the glasses, as well as delicate china, can be wrapped in towels and tees and rags. There is no need to make use of expensive wrapping material, or wasting newspaper or bubble wrap on it. These boxes can be stuffed with rags so that the dishes remain securely in place. The wine glasses, as well as stemware, can be wrapped in socks individually. These must be unpacked very carefully in order to avoid breaking a stem this way.

It requires a lot of attention as well as attention while packing kitchen items. This will save a lot of money as well as heartbreak later on. It is important to pack each kitchen box separately. These have to be labeled clearly with their fragile contents.

In this way, the dishes and expensive glasses can be packed properly. This would require an effort while packing and while unpacking too. But this effort can save the dishes in a big way. The vacant space must be stuffed in a way that there is minimal bouncing. But it should not be packed too tightly, or else dishes may break.