Comments on: Fifteen Ways to Have Cheap Fun With Your Kids Using a $1 End Roll of Paper http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:40:52 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: kay http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-693918 kay Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:38:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-693918 or...make home make cat/animal litter out of the paper. Google around for directions. Takes a small amount of work, better for the animals and environment, and is cheap cheap cheap (or free depending where you go). or…make home make cat/animal litter out of the paper. Google around for directions. Takes a small amount of work, better for the animals and environment, and is cheap cheap cheap (or free depending where you go).

]]> By: Sara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-378331 Sara Sat, 20 Sep 2008 19:02:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-378331 Another nice thing about having a roll of paper instead of a pad, you don't end up having kids scribbling a little on random pages. They can only draw on the part that is unrolled. Another nice thing about having a roll of paper instead of a pad, you don’t end up having kids scribbling a little on random pages. They can only draw on the part that is unrolled.

]]> By: Sara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-378330 Sara Sat, 20 Sep 2008 19:00:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-378330 We had a roll like this when I was growing up, but it wasn't newsprint. It was something far narrower - closer to the width of a regular sheet of paper, but very high quality stuff. We had Ed Emberly's "Draw a World", and we would draw a long continuous landscape along several feet of the roll. Good times :) We had a roll like this when I was growing up, but it wasn’t newsprint. It was something far narrower – closer to the width of a regular sheet of paper, but very high quality stuff. We had Ed Emberly’s “Draw a World”, and we would draw a long continuous landscape along several feet of the roll. Good times :)

]]> By: Blake http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-377017 Blake Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:16:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-377017 If you live in Austin, TX, you can get up to 4 rolls free! on Fridays from 10am - 2pm. Call 512-445-3737 and select option 2 for all the details. If you live in Austin, TX, you can get up to 4 rolls free! on Fridays from 10am – 2pm. Call 512-445-3737 and select option 2 for all the details.

]]> By: Blake http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-376371 Blake Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:24:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-376371 I just called the Austin American Statesman about this. Someone is checking into it for me. I wonder if more small town papers tend to do this rather than larger city papers. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I just called the Austin American Statesman about this. Someone is checking into it for me. I wonder if more small town papers tend to do this rather than larger city papers. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

]]> By: Anne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-376367 Anne Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:15:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-376367 I was so excited about this idea that I immediately sent my son to the local paper to pick up an end roll. We'll be doing papier mache this weekend! Maybe we'll get good enough to make all our own Christmas gifts. I was so excited about this idea that I immediately sent my son to the local paper to pick up an end roll. We’ll be doing papier mache this weekend! Maybe we’ll get good enough to make all our own Christmas gifts.

]]> By: Connor T. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-376336 Connor T. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:07:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-376336 Unfortunately, many of the big newspapers don't follow the practice anymore. I work for a newspaper, and our arrangement with the newsprint supplier requires us to return the rolls for reuse, and prohibits us from selling the leftover paper to the public. We use about six 1,600 pound rolls a day (more on Sunday), and with the price of newsprint up several hundred percent in recent years, we're kinda forced to agree to their demands as long as it keeps our costs down. Unfortunately, many of the big newspapers don’t follow the practice anymore. I work for a newspaper, and our arrangement with the newsprint supplier requires us to return the rolls for reuse, and prohibits us from selling the leftover paper to the public. We use about six 1,600 pound rolls a day (more on Sunday), and with the price of newsprint up several hundred percent in recent years, we’re kinda forced to agree to their demands as long as it keeps our costs down.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-375591 Stephen Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:42:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-375591 My dad worked for a printing company that printed stickers. Aside from the stickers (which for whatever reason, we didn't really care about), my dad would bring home HUGE boxes that stuff had been shipped to them in. We would attached the boxes together and build huge forts and mazes. Coupled with inside of paper rolls (not flimsy wrapping paper rolls, thick hard cardboard!) and we were entertained for hours on end. I have the feeling my kids won't be that satisfied with out whatever new toy is out in 2015, Wii Brain Implants maybe? My dad worked for a printing company that printed stickers. Aside from the stickers (which for whatever reason, we didn’t really care about), my dad would bring home HUGE boxes that stuff had been shipped to them in. We would attached the boxes together and build huge forts and mazes. Coupled with inside of paper rolls (not flimsy wrapping paper rolls, thick hard cardboard!) and we were entertained for hours on end.

I have the feeling my kids won’t be that satisfied with out whatever new toy is out in 2015, Wii Brain Implants maybe?

]]> By: Mary http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-375353 Mary Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:54:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-375353 Years ago(20) my now husband and I worked in a bingo printing company. They used to just scrap the rolls, we took them for our kids. He has 4 and I have 2. We did all those things with the kids. We were both going thru a divorce and the kids all had to share a room for awhile. They decorated it and played for hours.Check in local print shops you can get it for nothing. Thanks for bringing back fond memories. Years ago(20) my now husband and I worked in a bingo printing company. They used to just scrap the rolls, we took them for our kids. He has 4 and I have 2. We did all those things with the kids. We were both going thru a divorce and the kids all had to share a room for awhile. They decorated it and played for hours.Check in local print shops you can get it for nothing. Thanks for bringing back fond memories.

]]> By: John http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-375075 John Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:03:29 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-375075 Wait! Don't give up on these great paper reuse ideas because you don't have access to the newspaper printing plant. There is an almost bottomless source of large sized (24"x36" and up)blank on one side sheets of white paper that you can find in any architectual or construction office -- architectual drawings. No one uses blueprinting anymore and electronic drawings have not surplanted hard copies. But they get revised multiple times before a building gets built, and no one can use an outdated drawing. Rolls of perfectly good paper get sent to the recyling bin weekly. Just ask, architects contractors, project managers, are only too happy to give them away because it relives them of the guilt of seeing it go to waste. Wait! Don’t give up on these great paper reuse ideas because you don’t have access to the newspaper printing plant. There is an almost bottomless source of large sized (24″x36″ and up)blank on one side sheets of white paper that you can find in any architectual or construction office — architectual drawings. No one uses blueprinting anymore and electronic drawings have not surplanted hard copies. But they get revised multiple times before a building gets built, and no one can use an outdated drawing. Rolls of perfectly good paper get sent to the recyling bin weekly. Just ask, architects contractors, project managers, are only too happy to give them away because it relives them of the guilt of seeing it go to waste.

]]> By: Jason http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-374811 Jason Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:21:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-374811 Note, this is not just newspapers. Any printer that uses rolls of paper will have end rolls. Other types of presses will have a wider variety of higher-quality papers (since newsprint is bottom of the barrel) I work for a press that prints academic journals and have carried home many end-roles. These are pretty high-quality, pH-neutral, white and off white papers. They are actually too smooth for crayons, but great for most other applications. Note, this is not just newspapers. Any printer that uses rolls of paper will have end rolls. Other types of presses will have a wider variety of higher-quality papers (since newsprint is bottom of the barrel) I work for a press that prints academic journals and have carried home many end-roles. These are pretty high-quality, pH-neutral, white and off white papers. They are actually too smooth for crayons, but great for most other applications.

]]> By: forty2 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-374728 forty2 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:21:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-374728 www.wheredoesallmymoneygo.com: it's not sterile as newspapers are printed without an ink-setting pass through an oven as there is with "heatset" printing generally done for magazines and catalogs. That's why the stuff gets all over your fingers. Oh and the press is not stopped when the paper roll runs low; a contraption called a "flying paster" is used to splice a new roll into the web so there is no interruption, but there will always be end rolls with some amount of paper still on them. 4 print geek 2 http://www.wheredoesallmymoneygo.com: it’s not sterile as newspapers are printed without an ink-setting pass through an oven as there is with “heatset” printing generally done for magazines and catalogs. That’s why the stuff gets all over your fingers.

Oh and the press is not stopped when the paper roll runs low; a contraption called a “flying paster” is used to splice a new roll into the web so there is no interruption, but there will always be end rolls with some amount of paper still on them.

4 print geek 2

]]> By: JKG http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-374726 JKG Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:19:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-374726 I used to use the back of my Dads blueprints (he was an architect) and draw huge mazes, very intricate, very long.... I don't think I ever solved them, I just drew them for the art. I used to use the back of my Dads blueprints (he was an architect) and draw huge mazes, very intricate, very long…. I don’t think I ever solved them, I just drew them for the art.

]]> By: Cara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-374723 Cara Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:05:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-374723 I'm a preschool teacher and we use these rolls all the time! Another use for them is to use the paper as a cover for the table or floor when you're doing messy projects like painting, gluing, clay, etc... While it doesn't prevent 100% of the watery stuff from getting through (like watercolor paints), it is great for preventing stains, and since it's white, you can see a spill right away and deal with it then! Great article! I’m a preschool teacher and we use these rolls all the time! Another use for them is to use the paper as a cover for the table or floor when you’re doing messy projects like painting, gluing, clay, etc… While it doesn’t prevent 100% of the watery stuff from getting through (like watercolor paints), it is great for preventing stains, and since it’s white, you can see a spill right away and deal with it then!

Great article!

]]> By: Martin http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-374291 Martin Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:45:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-374291 A paper roll of this size would also be useful for creating seamless backgrounds for photography! A paper roll of this size would also be useful for creating seamless backgrounds for photography!

]]> By: CD http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-373516 CD Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:58:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-373516 I checked with the San Diego paper - they don't sell or give them away anymore...they recycle them. PHOOEY. I checked with the San Diego paper – they don’t sell or give them away anymore…they recycle them. PHOOEY.

]]> By: Mom is Broke http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-373508 Mom is Broke Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:15:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-373508 My small neighborhood newspaper printer sells the rolls for just 50 cents! We tend to share the fun of drawing at holidays and birthday parties. I cover the table in the paper and set out a pack of markers. Even the adults get sucked into drawing on the table. My small neighborhood newspaper printer sells the rolls for just 50 cents! We tend to share the fun of drawing at holidays and birthday parties. I cover the table in the paper and set out a pack of markers. Even the adults get sucked into drawing on the table.

]]> By: Amy K http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-373464 Amy K Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:28:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-373464 A note on the newspaper pots: I found the directions at the link a little hard to follow. If anyone else did, there are other peoples' instructions with pictures over at instructables.com And, I'm sure, a billion other things to do with newsprint! A note on the newspaper pots: I found the directions at the link a little hard to follow. If anyone else did, there are other peoples’ instructions with pictures over at instructables.com

And, I’m sure, a billion other things to do with newsprint!

]]> By: WhereDoesAllMyMoneyGo.com http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-373422 WhereDoesAllMyMoneyGo.com Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:28:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-373422 I know many car detailers also swear by using newspaper with windex for cleaning glass. And according to an OBGYN I knew who practised in the 40's, an unopened newspaper which had been through the press (so not really a qualified use for end rolls which don't go through the press) was ideal for delivering babies into since the paper was sterile and clean from going through the hot press, so long as it hadn't been opened and read. He used to hop on trains to go to the homes to make house-call deliveries and hospital equipment was at a premium in the rural area in which he practiced. I know many car detailers also swear by using newspaper with windex for cleaning glass.

And according to an OBGYN I knew who practised in the 40’s, an unopened newspaper which had been through the press (so not really a qualified use for end rolls which don’t go through the press) was ideal for delivering babies into since the paper was sterile and clean from going through the hot press, so long as it hadn’t been opened and read. He used to hop on trains to go to the homes to make house-call deliveries and hospital equipment was at a premium in the rural area in which he practiced.

]]> By: Kristen a.k.a. The Frugal Girl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/comment-page-1/#comment-373403 Kristen a.k.a. The Frugal Girl Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:44:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/09/11/fifteen-ways-to-have-cheap-fun-with-your-kids-using-a-1-end-roll-of-paper/#comment-373403 Oh, my kids would love that! I'll have to check into that with my local paper. Oh, my kids would love that! I’ll have to check into that with my local paper.

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