Now is the perfect time to reuse pool noodles and other end of the year clearance items! Here are a few great ways that you can get more bang for your buck on items that are already cheap!
The bargainista part of me just loves all those end-of-season sales. I get bargain-priced holiday wrap, Halloween decorations and more. Summer’s end brings similar deals — you know what I mean if you’ve ever walked through the pool/outdoor area of any Target, Walmart, Christmas Tree Shop, etc.
Seeing all of those sale signs makes you want to grab a cart and start throwing stuff in. But before you fill that cart, keep a few things in mind.
How low will they go?
I’ve seen plenty of stores go down as far as 75% off, but keep in mind, the pickings can get pretty slim by then. If you really need something and the 50% or 60% off price fits your budget, you may want to go ahead and pick it up.
On the other hand, if the item is just for the fun of it, you may want to hold off and see if it’s still there when the prices drop. You may also want to consider asking a store manager when sale items will be shipped out so you don’t miss it.
Where will you put it?
If you’re lucky enough to have storage space in a garage, shed or basement, great. If not, do you really want to be moving that big inflatable pool box from room to room and corner to corner for the next nine months?
In addition, be sure not to store it so well you forget about it or can’t remember where you put it. You’re not really saving money if you never get to use your fun new toy.
How to repurpose common summer items
That 75% off is no bargain if the item is going to sit in the corner of the garage for the next five years.
Consider repurposing these items for a real bargain:
Kiddie pools
Photo: Deposit Photos
For just a few dollars, you can get an end-of-season plastic or inflatable kiddie pool and use it all winter long. Personally, I prefer the inflatable for storage purposes, but either will work. These make great art stations for the kids. No more play-dough, paint, moon sand or other stuff ground into the rugs or floor. Put all supplies and your child in the pool for self-contained fun.
While at the store, pick up a couple bags of those plastic balls that float. Toss them into the pool to create a homemade ball pit for your little one.
Use the pool for a container garden. It’s pretty easy to make a raised garden out of a kiddie pool and way cheaper than the $100 or so you’ll spend on a traditional raised garden. You can find several websites offering instructions on how to achieve this, such as this one and this one.
Pool noodles
These little tubes of foam have countless uses. Here are just a few of my favorites.
Worried about a little one falling out of his or her new big bed? Slide a pool noodle under the fitted sheet on both sides of the bed for affordable bed rails.
Put on hangers to help prevent creasing and hanger dents in clothes.
If you have a Star Wars fan, you’ll have to make some of these easy light sabers.
Make a racetrack for toy cars.
Place them inside of tall boots to help them keep their shape.
Know someone who has a hard time holding playing cards? Try out this simple card holder.
Using a serrated knife, cut several pool noodles into roughly 2 inch slices. You’ll end up with many mini-noodles. Dump them into that discount kiddie pool you picked up to create a noodle pit.
If you’re really crafty, turn one into a two-sided draft stopper for doors.
Flip-flops
Photo: Deposit Photos
You can find these for 99 cents or less per pair. They have a variety of uses.
Cut into squares to put under the corners of uneven furniture or wiggly appliances.
Cut into shapes or leave whole for kids to use as stamps for painting projects.
Why repurpose?
It’s not only fun to give new items life, but it’s a great way to get an even better deal! If you can spend $1 on a pool noodle and use it for other items, then you really got it for a way better deal than a buck!
Plus, this also prevents just holding onto an item that you MIGHT use again in the future. I also like to think that it helps with creativity, and is a fun way to show the kids that thinking outside the box doesn’t have to be overly complicated at all!
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- Got tomatoes? Recipes to make the most of your summer tomatoes
- Free or cheap summer activities with kids
Some really amazing ideas for pool noodles, espec the hanger and the bedrails!
Pool noodles also make a great flotation device, when cut to fit a small sterlate container. Cut tubes, string around container, add ice and beverages, float in your body of water lake or pool!