Here’s a couple more don’t throw money down the drain tips.
Don’t discard the seeds from fresh or dried chilies when making Mexican dishes. Let them air dry on a saucer on the counter and put them in a jar labeled “Crushed Red Pepper Flakes”.
No need to buy lard when making tamales. Actually, no need to buy shortening either unless you need a refined fat for baking products. After cooking the pork butt, put the fat into a processor to break it down to use as the lard (which it basically is already, right?). Also, add any fats you have to a freezer container and over time there will be enough to do whatever.
Do you have a ping list? Cause it seems as though I’m the only one in the “to” box.
I save seeds from butternut squash and collards, that’s as far as I’ve gotten. And herbs like catnip, lemon balm and prunella. DH can’t eat chilis so I don’t save. I like in moderation but no need to grow a bunch. I did a couple of years from saved seeds (I like jalapenos) but for just one of us - not worth it.