When it comes to saving money, it’s not just one thing that adds to huge savings, it’s tons of little tiny actions/methods that add up over time. I learned this tip from my grandmother, and while I know some of you already use it, I thought I would share, in the off chance it might be life changing for one of you. 🙂
Next time you finish a stick of butter, instead of tossing the wrapper in the bin or compost pile, place it in a ziploc bag in the fridge. Then, the next time you need to grease a pan, take the butter wrapper out of the bag and smear the leftover butter remnants all over the pan. You don’t have to use any additional butter, AND you get one more use out of the wrapper. Doesn’t that just make you feel all warm inside? I thought so.
Now go forth and save, fellow penny pinchers.
~Mavis
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Jean Burke says
Love your storage ideas for dry goods.
I live in a hot climate in Queensland, Australia so when I purchase dry goods like grains, flour, beans, lentils, I put them into my chest freezer for a few days to kill any bugs that might develop in long-term storage in the heat. Then I can store them in plastic containers with lids, much like the ones you have.
Mavis says
Australia?! I’m so jealous!
Monica Brown says
I have never heard of this before but it is genius! I don’t buy sticks of butter often, but from now on when I do I will be saving them for sure!
Mavis says
Glad to help! 😉
James Rancourt says
Hi Mavis,
My gram and mom did this all the time and I find myself following suit. Gram also used the lard wrappers to clean the top of the stove. Of course back then, one side of the stove had the cast iron lids over the firebox. 🙂
Mavis says
That’s awesome. Sometimes their tips can’t be carried on. Ha!
Lisa says
Tried it. It didn’t make me feel warm, just greasy!
What about the cost of the bags you use?
Sorry, I’ll spray a few cents of Pam (store brand!) on my pans.
Mavis says
I’ve been using that same Ziploc for a very {very} long time. Since I keep it in the fridge, I figure it will last for the foreseeable future!
Jocelyn Orozco says
Yes, definitely life changing! Loved this tip, thank you. 🙂
Mavis says
You are so welcome. It’s the little thing, huh?!
Jennifer E. says
This is life changing. Can’t believe I’ve never seen this. My husband, whose income we rely on, lost his job a few weeks ago. You’re right Mavis, all the little things really do add up. Please keep those helpful ideas coming. Your blog is very inspirational to me. Thanks for making me smile every day, even though lately some days its tough.
Mavis says
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. I’ll keep the tips coming. Any little bit to help! Good luck!
mandy says
I do this too! They’re great for greasing baking tins and dishes.
Thank you for the idea of keeping them in a ziploc. This little habit of mine drives my son nuts because I have never thought to put them in a bag, so I fold them in half and put them in the butter tray thing in the door of the fridge. Whenever you open the fridge too hard they come flying out. He’s going to be quite happy when this doesn’t happen anymore!
Lisa Millar says
Good idea to ziplock and reuse… never really thought of that!
Aunty Ruby goes one step further… I have often seen her use the butter wrapper to line the bottom of a cake pan instead of using the baking paper!! 🙂
Carrie says
GENIUS! I always feel so wasteful throwing the wrapper out with a little butter on it. I usually grease pans with olive oil spray but “WASTE NOT WANT NOT” as granny likes to say.
Mary P says
Learned that from my grandmother 50 years ago!