good thread, I've learned a few things!! I use bread bags instead of zip lock bags, especially for freezing meat and I use grocery bags to freeze bread. its good to use two bags, that protects against freezer burn for the meat and keeps the bread fresh longer. I also buy whole chickens when they are on sale, cook them on the stop top in some water with vegetables to make broth, and cook the giblets separately for dog treats. the broth can be frozen if it is not used in a day or two. the broth can be used to make sauces for casseroles instead of using cream of chicken soup (that stuff is so expensive!!). also if you crochet you can make rugs using old t shirts and large hooks or you can make trivets/hot pads for the kitchen (only use cotton fabric, don't use acrylic fabric, it will melt).