| The scenario: | | | | In addition to the monetary reasons, reusing grocery |
| A newlywed couple moves into their new home. After | | | | bags is a simple way to recycle and eliminate the |
| a couple of months, they realize that they have many | | | | waste created by throwing away the plastic bags |
| more garbage bags than they need. However, they | | | | inside of another garbage bag. Once you have a good |
| have not bought any garbage bags since they got | | | | supply of plastic bags, consider taking an empty |
| married. Where did all of the garbage bags come | | | | canvas bag or backpack with you to the grocery |
| from? | | | | store. Check the bag with a store employee when |
| Your mission: | | | | you enter so that no one thinks that you are shoplifting. |
| See how fast you can arrive at the correct solution by | | | | Then, when you are done shopping, skip getting a new |
| using the following clues: 1) The garbage bags were | | | | bag and load your purchases into your own reusable |
| not a wedding gift | | | | bag instead. |
| 2) The couple did not bring any garbage bags with | | | | A few other super-easy ways to save money and |
| them when they moved | | | | recycle: |
| 3) The bags were not in the couple's new home when | | | | Save scrap paper. Save any papers that have nothing |
| they arrived | | | | on the back or large blank spaces. Advertising flyers, |
| 4) The fact that the two people are newlyweds is | | | | old work papers and school papers all work well. You |
| irrelevant | | | | can cut the pages into smaller pieces if they would be |
| 5) The type of home that the couple moved into is | | | | more convenient for you. Put the paper in a stack or a |
| irrelevant | | | | box with a pen nearby, and you'll never have to |
| 6) The bags were made of plastic | | | | scramble when you need to jot down something. |
| 7) People gave the bags to the couple, but | | | | Spots near the base of your house phone or beside |
| 8) The bags were not any type of gift | | | | the computer are both great locations. |
| 9) The bags are not "traditional" garbage bags | | | | Save sturdy boxes from food, electronics, mailers, etc. |
| 10) The bags came in many colors. | | | | Cover them with the Sunday comics or some |
| The solution: | | | | previously-used wrapping paper. Label each box with |
| Have you figured out the solution yet? The garbage | | | | a marker and use as stackable storage for recipes, |
| bags are actually plastic bags from grocery and other | | | | comic books or just about anything else. |
| types of stores! The couple only has small garbage | | | | Save large, empty plastic soda and juice bottles. Fill |
| cans in their home, and the plastic bags fit perfectly | | | | them with water, and store in your freezer. Having less |
| inside of them. Plus, the handles make them very | | | | open space in your freezer will help it run more |
| extremely easy to tie shut when they become full. The | | | | efficiently. And when you need more room in the |
| trash cans need to be emptied more often than larger | | | | freezer, simply take out one of the bottles of ice! |
| cans would, but that small inconvenience is worth the | | | | Save torn and worn out clothing. Tear or cut them into |
| savings. Yearly garbage bag expenses: $0.00! | | | | pieces and use as rags for cleaning and dusting. |