Is this saving or wasting?

[jodi]

Too many times, I find myself making something just to use things up. Example: I saw a half empty bottle of soda sitting on the counter today, so I decided to use it for jello (I like the bubbles!). After I made it, I realized that had I done nothing, it would have been thrown away in a week or so when it went flat. So did I just waste a packet of Jello (making it for the sake of making it, not because I really wanted it), or did I save a cup's worth of soda? And which was the better save?
Do other people think about this? How do you determine whether to use something up or allow it to go to waste?

I guess in this situation, the Jello might prevent me from eating ice cream or something else for dessert tonight, which would be a good thing. I would be saving money by not eating something else...unless I wouldn't have eaten anything anyway, but eat the Jello only because it is there, in which case I would be back to being wasteful! I am thinking WAY too much about this!

[shengmei]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I love soda jello. If you feel bad about that then you can send me some.

[boefixepa]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

Been guilty of exactly what you are saying. Another thing about this...there is only a little bit of what you fixed left. Not enough to save...do you make yourself eat it...or throw it away...

Do the fact that I am trying really hard to NOT overeat....I throw it away or feed it to the dogs...END of story for me. It was either trow it away or wear it around my waistline...

So I try to make sure there is just enough and if something is left over....my bad it goes in the trash or to the dogs, so in my case I'd dumo the soda (if soda was allowed in my house, which it's not).

Now if there is something I can save for later that would replace something I would make anyway I would make a valient effort to use it. If I knew I could take the jello to say a dinner at a friends house that I needed to bring something to...great. But if I make something and I have 'extra' to eat...no.

[cschin4]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I think that is one of the many ways we fool ourselves into thinking we are saving money. If you end up eating the jello and enjoying it, then you "saved" money. But, if I am done with something I just throw it away rather than be bothered using it for something I know I won't eat anyway. Not very frugal, I guess.

[scrava]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I think u saved the soda. This is because hopefully you will eat the jello instead of eating something else. So, don't over eat and I think over all you will have saved, LOL.
Course, I only like jello w/ whip cream. got any?

[Hypersion]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

Worst of all you wasted time making the jello.

[jodi]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

It turned out okay - ds loved the jello. I had a bowl, while Dh still had ice cream. And yes, we had Cool Whip in the freezer, which makes it even better.

I did clean out the fridge today though and threw out DH's Shredded Wheat crumb crust/leftover pie filling/crumb topping peach crisp. It was decent enough to eat, but not good enough that anyone wanted seconds. So we used up two things that would have been thrown out, but also wasted butter, sugar, flour etc to make it. Probably a wash. This is something I need to pay more attention to rather than just try to use things up, then throw them away anyway.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I would have used the old soda. If you are going to make gelatin anyway, why not use the soda? (I som,etimes make actual plain gelatin flavored with fruit and juice, instead of the packaged stull, but I also do the storebought.)

If I didn't like gelatin, I would have tossed the soda and thought about giving away my gelatin. So I think you did fine.

If it was time consuming, then it's silly. But one package will make 4 big servings for me in seconds, so no biggie.

I understand that you don't want to sweat the small stuff. I've had really greasy ziplocs that I had to realize I needed to toss, and not even think about washing. We don't want to bog ourselves down.

The gelatin is fine.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

Well, being a guy, I would've just guzzled down what's left, belched, and went along my way.

Simple minds, simple pleasures?

[jodi]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I love your outlook, BA
Your posts always make me smile!

[Ima saver]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I use very little milk. I am always buying one of those instant cheese cake mixes to use up the rest of the milk instead of throwing it away. So I am spending $2 to save a 99 cent bottle of milk!

[pearlieq]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

Well, being a guy, I would've just guzzled down what's left, belched, and went along my way.

: You crack me up!

[rob62521]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

Well, being a guy, I would've just guzzled down what's left, belched, and went along my way.

Simple minds, simple pleasures?

Gotta admire your honesty!

[neatdesign]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

Well, being a guy, I would've just guzzled down what's left, belched, and went along my way.

Simple minds, simple pleasures?

I hate to say it, but that behavior isn't always limited to men.

(Who, ME?!)

~ Jenney

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Is this saving or wasting?

I use very little milk. I am always buying one of those instant cheese cake mixes to use up the rest of the milk instead of throwing it away. So I am spending $2 to save a 99 cent bottle of milk!

Nah that's where I buy the .29 cent pkgs of pudding @ aldi's for! SO I can use up milk before it spoils & my kids love it.