ArcaMax

I can't tell you how many times I've been tempted by those gorgeous sets of matching glass storage jars that pop up in catalogs and on Pinterest boards. Perfect rows of grains, beans and pasta looking like a magazine ad. Lovely, yes. Affordable? Not so much.

Meanwhile, I'm over here stacking cottage cheese tubs in my fridge, and guess what -- they work. In fact, some of the best containers don't cost a dime. They come free with your groceries.

COTTAGE CHEESE & YOGURT TUBS

Don't laugh. These plastic tubs are sturdy and lidded, and they stack neatly. They freeze soup beautifully and hold craft beads, buttons or even leftover gravy. Pro tip: Slap a label on unless you like the thrill of wondering if tonight's dinner is beef stew or chocolate pudding.

GLASS JARS

Pickle jars, pasta sauce jars, jelly jars -- they're practically built to be reused. They don't stain, they wash up shiny, and they look sharp lined up in a pantry. I know one reader who uses empty spaghetti jars (sans labels) as flower vases.

COFFEE CANS

Coffee cans are heroes in the world of repurposing. Plastic or metal, they've got lids that snap tight and plenty of space. Perfect for storing coins, birdseed, dog food or kitchen scraps bound for the compost. Drill a few holes in the bottom and you've got yourself a flowerpot -- instant container gardening, courtesy of your morning cup of joe.

BERRY BINS

Those flimsy plastic clamshells your strawberries come in? They're excellent little organizers. Wash them and use them for LEGO pieces, crayons or cherry tomatoes. They're vented, which means herbs dry out less and strawberries don't get slimy as fast.

BUTTER & WHIPPED TOPPING CONTAINERS

Think of them as not particularly glamorous but incredibly useful. They're lightweight, freezer-friendly and perfect for snacks, sauces or craft supplies. A friend of mine hides cookies in butter tubs to slow pace her teenagers. That's what I call next-level parenting.

TAKEOUT CONTAINERS

These are obvious but still worth mentioning. They're stackable, already portion-sized and great for freezing leftovers or packing lunches. Just don't get too attached -- they sometimes warp in the dishwasher. Think of them as temporary employees in your kitchen.

EGG CARTONS

The humble egg carton has more lives than a cat. Use them to start seedlings, sort jewelry or organize beads, or hand them over to kids as paint palettes. If they're cardboard, you can even toss them into the compost pile when they've outlived their usefulness.

PEANUT BUTTER JARS

Wide mouths, tight lids and a size that's just right for bulk spices, trail mix or baking soda. Plastic ones won't shatter in the garage; glass ones look sharp in a pantry. Sticky peanut butter residue? Just add hot water and soap, and shake like crazy. Done.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Sure, you can buy fancy containers, but why pay for what you already own? These castoffs are free, durable and ecofriendly. They keep your pantry neat, your junk drawer manageable, and your wallet a little fatter.

Will anyone mistake your margarine tub for a designer storage container? Probably not. But the money you don't spend on jars and bins can go toward groceries, gas or that emergency fund.

So before you toss the next cottage cheese tub in the recycling, stop and think. That's not trash. That's tomorrow's storage solution -- delivered free of charge with last week's groceries.

========

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, "Ask Mary." This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."

Copyright 2025 Creators Syndicate Inc.