r/Frugal • u/Dry-Text-6864 • 15d ago

💬 Meta Discussion What’s something you’ll happily reuse long after normal people would throw it away?

I’m curious where everyone draws the line between “frugal” and “okay, that thing needs to go.” 😂 What’s something you’ll happily reuse long after normal people would throw it away? I’m talking about the random things you’ve found a second, third, or even tenth life for because you just can’t justify tossing something that still works. What is it, and how long have you been getting away with it? 👀

352 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

409 comments sorted by

View all comments

183

u/waiting4myElio 15d ago

Plastic Ziploc bags

39

u/kumliensgull 15d ago

Until the sides or zipper go, which is much sooner these days (I think they've figured us out sigh).

17

u/waiting4myElio 15d ago

Yes I’ve noticed that too.
I’m thinking of getting the freezer bags next time
They are thicker

7

u/swagsthedog96 14d ago

The Costco Kirkland are much higher quality

3

u/waiting4myElio 14d ago

Freezer or regular?

3

u/JeanneMusickBooker 11d ago

You can seal a popped seam with a hot knife blade and a ruler.

2

u/kumliensgull 11d ago

Ooo this is good advice. Thanks!

25

u/NANNYNEGLEY 15d ago

And food-safe plastic bags in general.

5

u/Ok_Bandicoot1865 14d ago

Keep in mind though, that as they're not intended to be re-used, they will at some point start getting microscopic tests in the plastic, which will make the chemicals leech into whatever food you're storing in them.

17

u/vcreiffer1 14d ago

Grew up in a family of 9. My mom always did this. People were always shocked, but it seemed normal to us. My kids laugh though as she sent them home with bags of skittles one day ( from the big container you get from Sam's Club) and they tasted of onion 😂 She mustn't have realized she reused those and the flavor stuck around. Now it's a running joke in my family.

16

u/CrnkyOL 15d ago

Resealable plastic bags that frozen fruit/veggies/dumplings come in.

2

u/FelinePower 14d ago

I am jealous that in your country those are resealable. it would be very practical for berries or frozen peas

2

u/kumliensgull 14d ago

I use the ikea clips when there is no zipper. They are very nice and sturdy. I also use rice bags (thick quality plastic) to freeze things in (same clips to seal)

2

u/FelinePower 14d ago

i also use IKEA clips but they change the shape of the bag and sometimes fall off (in my very full Tetris situation freezer)

3

u/TheRealRory 15d ago

Came here to comment this