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This may get lenghty and boring as I haven't begun to read all the threads yet. Just got excited about the compost. I make compost in such large amounts that I just pile it up on a corner of my property, water it if need be. Hubby turns it occasionally. All garden refuse goes in-household refuse (excluding animal) leaves- grass clippings are excellent as they decompose rapidly-shredded paper from a local business where my daughter works-seaweed (excellent also for all the minerals it contains-as mentioned before the manure from minnie horses. I have so many friends and relatives who come frequently with their five gallon buckets and I gladly give them what they need for their planting needs. I have a compost thermometer and try to keep the inside of the pile as hot as I can by watering or turning as needed.
Can really sympathize with peoples need to conserve. Times are much better for me now, but 60 years ago, raising 5 children on my husbands $40.00 a week and building a home, there were times when I had to decide whether to make pudding for dessert or save the milk for breakfast. I remember when my grandfather who lived next door had a cow that was a difficult milker, but needed the cow to help keep the barn warm in the winter, offered the milk to my husband if he would milk her morning and night and help with barn chores. Talk about a gift from heaven!!! All of a sudden I had custards, real butter, my own cottage cheese (yummy), heavy cream for all kinds of desserts, homemade ice cream in all flavors (strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, maple walnut, pineapple (my favorite) and grape-nut) plus all the milk the children could drink, which was a lot.
You mentioned junk saved-my hubby throws nothing away. The children are horrified at the junk in our tool-shed, garage, pole barn and basement, but they sure know where to go when they need a rope, piece of PVC, copper tubing, nuts bolts screws nails plywood or all kinds of things.
I also find shopping the sales at local stores many times is more economical than the bulk stores where you have to have a “membership” to shop. That just goes against the grain to pay to shop with a store. I am very cognizant of prices and compare price per ounce , pound etc. Our local store frequently has leader items, buy one, get two free which is almost always a good buy. Built a new simple log home and made one bedroom into a large pantry with shelves all around and have it stocked with sale items. Seldom have to pay full price for non-perishable items.
I could go on and on about tough times and better times and will probably be back as I read through this informative thread. Thanks for starting it. I, too, remember the outhouses, hand pumps, scrub boards, and wringer washers.
Always read and contribute to the remember when threads.