My mom was raised during the Great Depression, which had a big impact on the way she makes, uses, and disposes of things. She’s always been very resourceful, preferring to make things from scratch instead of buying them at a store, a trait I’ve always admired.

Additionally, she has always been vocal about the importance of “using things up,” aiming to use everything until it is either completely gone or completely beyond repair. And finally, she has always hated throwing things out, and will go to great lengths to give something away or donate it to avoid waste.