One thing that we have cut out of our budget is using cloth for everything but Kleenex and toilet paper. Not only is using paper napkins and/or plates expensive, it creates a LOT of waste! More waste = more trash bags = more money. Going paper-less helps the economy, as well as your budget.
Plates
I don't know many who do this, but I am adding it on here. Using reusable plates, utensils, cups, etc. is not only cost-effective, it saves on the trash! If you are currently using paper plates, go to your local Goodwill and you will probably find a set of dishes. (Make it do)
Napkins
With two toddlers, the second they touch a paper napkin with their greasy hands, it is dirty and who really wants a dirty napkin? Cloth napkins are typically bigger than paper napkins, and we don't have to set "extra" out. Since we already do about 2 loads of laundry a day, there isn't really extra laundry involved. Folding napkins is the toddler's job.
As you can see from the picture, we have napkins of different colors and designs and materials. Last summer (2012) we went to Goodwill and various garage sales, and those were only some of the napkins we saw. Really? You want to get rid of that napkin because it has autumn leaves on it? Good for me! You should have no trouble finding napkins if you go to enough garage sales or Goodwill's.
Sure, our family of 7 cannot have the exact same napkin at one meal. But we no longer have "napkins" on our grocery list.
Paper towels
We use cloth paper towels, and after using them, we wash them and reuse. You can use old t-shirts or 25-cent garage sale t-shirts.
Trash bags
No, we do not use cloth trash bags. However, we do save money on trash bags in a way we can have one trash bag last us a day or two instead of a meal. The main reason you take the trash out is because it stinks because of food. We put our food in a Meijer bag that we get free from the grocery store and take that out! Out kitchen trash is for paper and miscellaneous things like that.
Dust rags
Most "normal" rags go to our vending business. We at home use burp clothes we have found at garage sales for 25 cents or less. They're nice and soft, and make perfect and cheap rags.
Paper
We use our printer often, and occasionally misprint something. Instead of throwing that paper away, we use the opposite side and ta-da! Paper for school tomorrow! Little kids typically make a few scribbles and then throw a piece of paper away, so this slightly cuts back on paper usage.
Recycle
Recycling will cut down on trash and help the environment! It really doesn't take much effort to recycle. It also doesn't hurt to donate your pop tabs. Simply keep a trash bin for recyclables, and drop it off at the nearest recycling station near you. (Some states give a dime or so for each pop can) For plastic, you can tell if it is recyclable or not by looking for the recycle symbol, typically on the bottom of a product. Normally, it will have the recyclable symbol with a number inside. Find out which plastics your state recycles. In Indiana, where I live, you can recycle plastics that say 1 or 2.
What are some ways your family eliminates paper?
