In the past, I've always spouted off about the older generation's hoarding addiction, and have practiced a minimalist lifestyle for a while, only to realize that none of it works for me.

Hoarding for the sake of security ends up leading to unappreciation;

Minimalizing for the sake of minimalism and blindly throwing things away are both a waste.

In my opinion, 'making the most of what you have' is a state of balancing the two, i.e.

valuing what you have and using it as cleanly as possible;

using up the old and buying the new, not purchasing duplicate-functionality items;

trying to find a place for the discarded items; and

cutting down on expenses to minimize waste.

Here's how I categorize the items in my life and talk about how I make the best use of what I have, from my own perspective.

One, cartons, cardboard boxes

? ① Express cartons

Express cartons after more places, will be more dirty, if there is no recent moving needs, will be dismantled, sold in a timely manner (the price of paper products has been rising) or to the community recycling aunt.

②? Gift packaging, skincare sets?

This type of box, the business is usually designed with care, with a certain hardness, and generally more beautiful, can be used as an organizer.

For example, I took the wooden box for the bridesmaid's maid of honor and filled it with the album, and it looked great on display.

And then, for example, the inner and outer lingerie boxes with lids, I used as a spare data cable storage. There's no need to specialize in small compartments for storage, that's just adding to your workload.

Using some cardboard corners, you can make dividers for the box and increase the efficiency of the storage.

Two, bottles

① Ordinary beverage bottles

Placed for too long may attract bugs, can be sold in time or given to the neighborhood recycling aunt.

② Bottom labeled PP5 plastic bottles

Some juice, milk, will use PP5 material to make bottles, in the bottom of the bottle will be labeled. This type of material is heat-resistant and can be recycled and even put in the microwave.

The plastic lunchboxes and cups we sometimes buy are also made of this material and are completely reusable. For example, the small and large bottles for flavored juices are PP5, and the small ones can hold coffee, while the large ones I use as my everyday water bottle.

It's important to note that not all thick plastic bottles are recyclable. For example, placing oil, salt, vinegar and soy sauce in other materials may result in harmful chemicals being analyzed.

Making the most of what you have isn't about leaving everything behind, it's about being selective and sustainable.

3) Glass bottles

Some glass bottles, such as Pentax water, can be washed after use and refilled with some sauces by buying some appropriately sized corks on a shopping app.

If it's a glass bottle for oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar, just buy bags to fill with new ones next time.

④ Cosmetic bottles

Part of the bottles, such as difficult to disassemble, or difficult to fill with liquid, I will look for some recycling organizations, such as the empty bottles out of the speech An Tang纪, to go to send back in exchange for samples.

Smaller bottles with duckbill pumps that can be used as travel dispensers.

And then there are the lathering bottles, such as the Corum cleanser bottles, which I now use as press bottles for my Willows hand sanitizer refills, instead of going out and buying separate lathering bottles.

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3. Odds and Ends

? ① Small iron wire

Supermarket bread purchased, when you buy a data cable, there will be a small wire that comes with it for storage. There are a lot of velcro organizers on the Internet, but this is actually the same function as the small iron wire, and it is also more convenient.

The best way is to unload it and unify it in one place, take it as you go, so you don't have to specifically buy such a organizer. Even if you do accidentally lose it, it's not a pity.

② Rope

Flower bouquets, cake boxes will have some gift straps, usually people will just throw them away, but in the home when you need a rope, had to go to the store to buy a roll of plastic red rope, it does not look good, and can only be used a little bit at a time.

Items like rope I also store separately for emergencies. For example, a bulging grocery bag can easily come apart with clips, so it's easiest to tie it with string.

③ Hangtags

Clothes hangtags, some of the design is very beautiful, can be used as bookmarks (before the bookmarks bought on purpose can not find the end), but also can be sprayed with perfume, hanged on the hanger, as a scented piece of freshness closet, the smell is also more natural than directly sprayed on the clothes.

In life, insisting on making the best use of what we have and reducing waste is taking care of money and time for ourselves, and is also conserving resources. After climbing out of consumerism and hoarding, this just-right lifestyle makes it easier.

Of course, this is just a personal choice, my answer is for reference only, I hope it helps you.