Turns out this old saying--'Waste not, want not'--is really, really old. It dates back to 1576 when the Richard Edwards wrote a collection of poems titled, "The Paradise of Dainty Devices". The original phrase was, "Willful waste makes woeful want.", but has been paraphrased or reworded to sound like something we would actually say and understand. But the meaning hasn't changed one little bit. Being wasteful is like stealing from yourself.
Think about that for a minute. Throwing things away before they are used up causes you to spend money replacing them that that wouldn't have to be spent. Letting leftovers sit in the fridge until they go bad (vs. eating them) increases your food/grocery budget. Not taking proper care of your things reduces their 'lifespan', which means you end up spending money fixing them or replacing them before you should have to.
I guess what I'm saying is that our grandparents may have gone a little overboard by saving every plastic butter tub and piece of tinfoil, we could learn a few lessons from them. And in the process, save ourselves a chunk of change to spend on something we want instead of something like paying the plumber, replenishing our wardrobe, and buying way more trash bags than we actually need.
So, if the idea of having more money by being less wasteful appeals to you, try doing a few (or a lot) of the following....
*Use glass and safe plastic for storing leftovers, in the pantry, and when packing lunches. The savings over using disposable items is HUGE!
*Use real plates, tableware, and cloth napkins. Yes, cloth napkins. You do laundry anyway, right? A few more napkins added to the load isn't going to change anything. Well, except the amount of money you waste on paper towels. Oh, and instead of using paper towels to wipe up spills, old washcloths kept in a basket under the sink work just fine. Wash, reuse, and save money!
*Fill your watering cans with cold water from the kitchen sink while you are waiting for it to get hot. Use it on your plants, to fill the coffee maker, or for boiling pasta, potatoes, or making tea.
*Cook large quantities of soup, chili, lasagna, taco meat, and even scrambled eggs, at one time. Freeze in portions for your family. This not only saves time but also reduces the amount of electricity or gas you use.
*Buy some inexpensive but sturdy reusable shopping bags for groceries. If you want to use plastic bags to line your bathroom trashcans, you will get plenty of those from other places you shop. Besides, who really needs allllllllllll those bags?
*Trade. Trade childcare with other moms for date nights. Trade houseplant starts. Trade books. Trade a pot of your 'famous' stew for your friend's beautifully decorated birthday cupcakes for your kids. Trade rides to and from practices or school with other moms. Trade tutoring for housecleaning or some other skill/service. In other words, get creative and save money in the process!
I could go on, but I won't because I think you get the point and I don't want to waste time telling you something you don't need to hear/read. So, waste not, want not, and enjoy new experiences and people in the process!
Keepin' it simple,
Darla, aka, Momma D
Who am I?
I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.
I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.
What do I write?
Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.
Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.
Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.
What do I say and who do I say it to?
*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.
*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!
*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.
*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!
*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.
*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.
*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more.
Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).
Where can you find me?
My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or order on my Square Store
