One of the easiest way to save money is to not spend it to begin with. Skipping the disposable products and going with their reusable alternatives is a great way to do this. Why keep buying and buying when you only need to shop once? Here are five disposable items you can stop buying to have a little extra cash in your pocket.

Paper towels may not seem like much, but over the course of a year they can add up to a significant amount of money and trash. Next time, instead of buying paper towels, bye cloth ones instead. Simple cotton cloth towels can be used in almost all of the same places you would normally use a paper towel.

Some people buy several different types of cloth towels for various purposes. Durable microfiber clothes are perfect for cleaning with, while fancy cloth towels can make the dinner table look even more elegant. However you do not have to buy several different types of towels, basic cotton towels will work perfectly. When you are done using them just toss them into your washing machine and reuse again and again.

Paper plates can be convenient to use. There are no dirty dishes to clean and no worrying about breaking a plate. Yet they can quickly become an extra cost and create more waste. Using glass and plastic plates on a constant basis means you will not have to continuously buy more disposable plates to toss out. If you have young children and are worried about them breaking costly plates or bowls, search your local thrift shops. You can buy partial sets of dishes for only a few dollars so that you will not be out much if they drop and break something. You can also search for flexible plastic dishes that are less likely to break.

Most people use the plastic baggies that zipper shut and fold over when bringing a lunch from home. Yet not everyone reuses these bags. If you have a dishwasher you can turn these bags inside out to be cleaned and reused. Or there are alternatives you can use for your lunches. There are many plastic containers with lids that are washable and made for sandwiches and other lunch options. Those more adventurous might also try some reusable PUL sandwich wraps for your meals.

Those plastic bottles of water that you can buy at the store may seem like an easy way to get your water. Each bottle that you buy becomes another bottle to toss in the trash and an additional cost for you. Instead, purchasing reusable water bottles will make it convenient for you to drink water without needing to buy disposable bottles. When you are done just clean your bottle and use it again and again.

Newspapers and magazines can pile up quickly, both in subscription costs and in trash. Sure you can recycle your old newspapers and magazines, but you will still be left with paying to read each of them. Most newspaper and magazines today offer free versions that you can read online. Check your local newspaper offices to see if they also offer a free online version.