Author Topic: One "Odd" chore a day  (Read 164819 times)

LindseyC

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One "Odd" chore a day
« on: February 04, 2017, 12:28:10 PM »
Just recently I have started to push myself to do at least one odd chore a day. A chore that is not something you normally do daily, weekly or even monthly. Something that will improve your environment, health, stress level, mindset..... It can be anything as long as it needs to be done and for whatever reason you have just been putting it off. It doesn't have to be anything that requires a massive amount of energy or time (unless you want it to be)

For me personally I have loads of projects around my 100 year old house that need to be done. I started making a giant list, room by room and just got so overwhelmed, which is when I decided to just do one thing a day no matter how small because over time it will all add up and hopefully be a lot less overwhelming.

So today, February 4th, I got out an old can of pant and freshened up a freestanding cupboard I use as a pantry in my kitchen. It had some chips and scratches, now with twenty minutes worth of effort it is back to fire engine red and looks brand new again.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2017, 12:36:28 PM »
Yes! I will join. I've been working on this lately. I will start monday, and I plan on washing windows. If it's above 45F, I'll wash the outsides of the back windows. Below, and I'll wash the insides of the front windows.

Morning Glory

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2017, 12:52:34 PM »
I'm in. Today I sorted out a box of old papers and got rid of the ones I no longer needed. I also started cleaning out my coat closet and noticed there is some mold, so I took everything out and washed the walls, going to paint it with some leftover mold resistant paint.

sunnyca

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2017, 02:08:40 PM »
I'm inn. Just worked on refreshing my kitchen tile with grout refresher. Looks much tidier.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2017, 03:34:58 PM »
Decided not to wait until monday. I shop vac'd the car mats today, since they were sandy from our beach trip last weekend. Not sure yet what I'll do tomorrow.

LindseyC

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2017, 12:04:57 PM »
So glad some people are in for this challenge!

I installed some peel and stick tiles in my bathroom (to save some money when I first moved in) they have been excellent for a few years now..... However, one tile central in the room has cracked due to slight unevenness in the floor. I'm not prepared to replace the entire floor yet, but today I am going to attempt to take up the one tile and replace it. Luckily I have lots left over. The one tile has just been bugging me so it is my odd chore for today.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2017, 12:25:25 PM »
Our odd chore today was a big one. Our shower has been dripping with increasing frequency- and most annoyingly, will explode with a fair amount of water in the middle of the night, then continue to drip for about an hour afterwards. After doing some reading, it sounded like the cartridge might be worn out. So we turned off the water main, and pulled stuff apart. Everything was super loose, and a big chunk of rock was stuck in the spring behind the cold side. Plus there was a lot of little sediment in general. We cleaned the whole thing out, I took lots of photos and measurements so that we can figure out what replacement piece we need. We reassembled it all and turned the water back on. It's looking like tightening and cleaning may have solved the problem? So we'll try it as is for a couple days and see, otherwise we'll follow up on getting a replacement cartridge.

It was nice too, I was able to get into the little plastic faceplate part and clean out some of the grime. It's still ugly- old yellowing "clear" plastic that's all scratched up. But at least it's less gritty looking, haha.

Cost so far: $0

LindseyC

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2017, 01:33:43 PM »
Bracken_Joy you sound like you were a lot more successful than me! That's a great fix (hopefully) and for zero expense!

My tile removal did not go so well, those puppies are solidly stuck down. I have to have a think and come back at it from a different angle.

Instead after that task didn't pan out, I decided to move all the furniture around in my bedroom. I don't have tons of furniture but it's pretty solid stuff. I wanted to move it to see if I liked the look better and because it's a bit more logical given the location of my windows, plugs, ceiling fan and closet door. As well I want to patch and touch up some of the walls where art used to hang and the new furniture locations makes that much easier. It looks great but my arms are sore!

My next few projects are going to revolve around bedroom improvements. There are definite odd jobs galore in there!

Morning Glory

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2017, 02:59:23 PM »
Finished painting my closet today and put the shelves back in. Sorted out some old coats and shoes to donate before I put everything back.

frugalkristen

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2017, 03:59:18 PM »
Painted the first coat on my kitchen cabinets!

Ebrat

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2017, 07:45:08 AM »
This is a great idea! Though my house is only 93 years old :)

I need to call a contractor today about replacing a skylight. I might also hang a curtain that came out of the wall back up.

frugalkristen

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2017, 12:53:18 PM »
Painted the second coat on my kitchen cabinets today.  Still some odds and ends left to finish the kitchen project but I'm happy I tackled so much this weekend!

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2017, 01:19:58 PM »
The saga of the shower is continuing. So that's my odd job today- went and looked at new trim kits, and ordering a new one in.

Does it count for one a day if it's various aspects of the same task? =\

Fish Sweet

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2017, 03:46:37 PM »
Took out a big bag of Goodwill donations that was just sitting around for weeks in my room.  Finally getting it out of the house (and to Goodwill, where it belongs) is already making me feel better!

Moustachienne

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2017, 10:37:07 PM »
Just took some polish and a toothbrush to a tarnished necklace.  I might just wear it tomorrow!

Tuskalusa

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2017, 10:41:00 PM »
I'm in. Thinking up tomorrow's chore!

LindseyC

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2017, 04:23:43 AM »
Totally counts if it is another step on the same project! Not every project can be completed in one day.

I missed posting yesterday because the day was so busy but I oiled my kitchen butcher block counters and they look great. Today I haven't figured out my task yet but I am leaning towards filling in the nail holes in my bedroom

Everyone is doing such a great job and I am impressed!

Morning Glory

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #17 on: February 07, 2017, 08:46:31 AM »
Yesterday: graded some papers ahead of time that were turned in early

Today: cleaned my garbage cans and compost bin (yuck)

Shinplaster

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #18 on: February 07, 2017, 02:18:40 PM »
I cleaned out the kitchen junk drawer.  Why do I have so many keychains?  Where do they come from?  A couple of pretty ones got added to my Goodwill bag, and the rest got chucked.  Also a few other things I don't need, don't want, and didn't remember we even had.

Frugal Lizard

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #19 on: February 07, 2017, 02:39:54 PM »

My tile removal did not go so well, those puppies are solidly stuck down. I have to have a think and come back at it from a different angle.

Did you try heating the tile up with the hair dryer or heat gun to losen the glue?  I once did a basement floor and we couldn't get them to stick down until we heated them up and then immediately put them down on the floor and then they cooled and were stuck.  Would the reverse process work?

SquashingDebt

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #20 on: February 08, 2017, 05:54:33 AM »
Joining!  I've been pretty good at keeping up with day-to-day stuff around the house, but barely ever make any progress on my to-do list of odd jobs.  The bulk of what I'd like to do is organizing and decluttering, now that I've been in my apartment more than a year and have had time to figure out what I like about my current set-up and what I don't.

Road42

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #21 on: February 08, 2017, 07:46:23 AM »
What a great idea! I try to do an odd chore at least once a week - it really helps my mental well-being on top of the house improvements themselves. I really thrive on order, calm, and peace, and when the house feels like it's succumbing to entropy, I start to get a little defeated. And my house is over 150 years old, so it's definitely feeling that entropy pull!

Yesterday I reorganized our overflowing board games cabinet to accommodate the karaoke machine someone bought my daughter for her birthday. Goodbye wires all over the living room, hello neat shelf space.

Today I cleaned the utensil drawer to get all the crumbs out. Also I want to go through all the sheet sets and figure out which ones to keep and which to donate.

Making a list of everything is a great call. We did that a couple of years ago and it was great. I'll try to get another one going room by room.


Ebrat

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2017, 07:56:52 AM »
I only got half of the curtain done on Monday because I couldn't find the rest of the screws that came with it. I'm just going to use some random screws, since the curtains are a temporary solution anyway. That's my task for today. I called the contractor as my task for yesterday (hate talking on the phone!).

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #23 on: February 08, 2017, 08:22:09 AM »
Yesterday I cleaned up some old stems out of my spider plant, and looked at paint swatches for the guest bathroom.

Tuskalusa

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #24 on: February 08, 2017, 09:16:43 AM »
Yesterday I changed the lightbulbs under my kitchen counter. Yay!  I can see again!  What shall I do today?  Hmmmmmm.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #25 on: February 08, 2017, 09:19:32 AM »
Yesterday I changed the lightbulbs under my kitchen counter. Yay!  I can see again!  What shall I do today?  Hmmmmmm.

I was wondering this too (what if I run out of things to do?!), so I looked up some lists =)
http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/february-house-cleaning-checklist.html#sthash.d83hdHCV.dpbs
https://www.todayshomeowner.com/pdf/printable-february-home-maintenance-checklist.pdf
http://idreamofclean.net/the-ultimate-spring-cleaning-checklist/

pachnik

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #26 on: February 08, 2017, 09:27:17 AM »
I kept seeing this thread pop up and I wanted to avoid it...   But here I am and this morning, i took an expired container of hummus from the back of the fridge, cleaned it out and recycled the container. 

I am cheering the rest of you on!

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #27 on: February 08, 2017, 11:34:00 AM »
Cleaned the microwave.

swick

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #28 on: February 08, 2017, 11:56:29 AM »
I kept seeing this thread pop up and I wanted to avoid it...   
HA! so much this. Although I suppose it would be a good idea to *do* something instead of scrolling past feeling mildly guilty. If we come up with the idea, and delegate, does that count?

Road42

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #29 on: February 08, 2017, 01:10:51 PM »
Yesterday I changed the lightbulbs under my kitchen counter. Yay!  I can see again!  What shall I do today?  Hmmmmmm.

I was wondering this too (what if I run out of things to do?!), so I looked up some lists =)

I feel like I've been empowered to walk around the house with new eyes because of this challenge. Today I also cleaned a bunch of kid fingerprints off the walls that I think I had trained myself to not see somehow.

Cookie78

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #30 on: February 08, 2017, 01:46:54 PM »
Oh, I need this challenge. I have a huge list of things I need to get done around the house in the next 6 months! I fixed my slippers last night, and moved the bed frame out of the bedroom. Tonight I need to put a coat of primer on the bedroom walls.

pachnik

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #31 on: February 08, 2017, 02:12:53 PM »
I kept seeing this thread pop up and I wanted to avoid it...   
HA! so much this. Although I suppose it would be a good idea to *do* something instead of scrolling past feeling mildly guilty. If we come up with the idea, and delegate, does that count?

It is even better when I am justifying to myself why I should avoid that thread, then I know I'd better look at it!
Welcome Swick!

Morning Glory

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #32 on: February 08, 2017, 02:16:18 PM »
Today's task: Sorted out my linen closet and took out some things to donate, and also tossed out more papers. This has been mostly a minimalism challenge for me so far.

LindseyC

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #33 on: February 09, 2017, 06:17:18 AM »
If you feel guilty for avoiding the thread that's definitely a sign you need this thread.  :)

I have done a few things over the last few days. I emptied out the fridge and washed all the shelves/drawers. Took apart the bird feeder and washed it. I installed a power cord on the back of my dresser so I could plug things in to charge without my cat eating the cords. (Can't believe I waited to do that its so much more convenient)

Today after work I am going to decalcify the humidifier. I have a lot of regular chores for tonight so my odd one is pretty basic.

pachnik

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #34 on: February 09, 2017, 08:02:13 AM »
Today, I am taking some old financial papers to work so I can shred them. 

This weekend, I am going to take a run at cleaning the fridge.

Cookie78

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #35 on: February 09, 2017, 08:18:33 AM »
Got through priming 4 walls last night! Tonight I'm hoping to finish washing and priming the baseboards, trim, doors, and closet.

Why does painting take so long?

swick

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #36 on: February 09, 2017, 08:56:08 AM »
I kept seeing this thread pop up and I wanted to avoid it...   
HA! so much this. Although I suppose it would be a good idea to *do* something instead of scrolling past feeling mildly guilty. If we come up with the idea, and delegate, does that count?

It is even better when I am justifying to myself why I should avoid that thread, then I know I'd better look at it!
Welcome Swick!

Thanks...*sigh* ;)

Okay, okay, I'm in.

Yesterday I consolidated a bunch of spice containers, washed and put the containers in recycling (baby steps here!)

I think I'm hesitant because it means I'll eventually have to tackle the "big" odd chores. Like repainting the entire upstairs of my house to get rid of the Dusty Rose they painted it to stage the house, who stages their house by painting it dusty rose? Or looking at the wiring for all the outlets in our house they installed improperly...Humm does making a list count as a chore :D

Cookie78

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #37 on: February 09, 2017, 09:17:18 AM »
I kept seeing this thread pop up and I wanted to avoid it...   
HA! so much this. Although I suppose it would be a good idea to *do* something instead of scrolling past feeling mildly guilty. If we come up with the idea, and delegate, does that count?

It is even better when I am justifying to myself why I should avoid that thread, then I know I'd better look at it!
Welcome Swick!

Thanks...*sigh* ;)

Okay, okay, I'm in.

Yesterday I consolidated a bunch of spice containers, washed and put the containers in recycling (baby steps here!)

I think I'm hesitant because it means I'll eventually have to tackle the "big" odd chores. Like repainting the entire upstairs of my house to get rid of the Dusty Rose they painted it to stage the house, who stages their house by painting it dusty rose? Or looking at the wiring for all the outlets in our house they installed improperly...Humm does making a list count as a chore :D

I think it counts! Every little step counts.

My coworker was just complaining this morning about her dusty rose colored walls in the house that she rents. LOL

SquashingDebt

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #38 on: February 09, 2017, 10:06:18 AM »
Ok, yesterday I cleaned my electric toothbrush and changed the head.

(... some of my days are not going to be very impressive.)

Today I'm going to start to sort out the giant pile of paperwork on my desk, with the eventual goal of shredding some and filing the rest.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #39 on: February 09, 2017, 10:27:34 AM »
Last night I cleaned out some jars of broth that didn't get used (made a GIANT pot from a turkey frame and scraps, but didn't get around to making more than one batch of soup with it. No real loss).

This morning I reorganized a cupboard so we can store the instant pot away again. Where it was living is currently being used to sprout broccoli seeds, so I needed to find a new spot. Mission success, and counters clear.

Morning Glory

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #40 on: February 09, 2017, 05:06:36 PM »
Before work: filled out rebate forms and put them in the mail. Also did some exercises.

At work: cleaned out some old files on my computer

Road42

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #41 on: February 09, 2017, 05:42:43 PM »
Recalked the bathroom! And used some anti-mold spay stuff with it. Looks so much brighter and cleaner! Phew. I'm a little tired after digging all the old caulk out. Tomorrow I'll tackle something a little less time-consuming.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #42 on: February 09, 2017, 06:05:52 PM »
Recalked the bathroom! And used some anti-mold spay stuff with it. Looks so much brighter and cleaner! Phew. I'm a little tired after digging all the old caulk out. Tomorrow I'll tackle something a little less time-consuming.

Wow! This is a big one! And on my to-do list... haha.

Road42

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #43 on: February 09, 2017, 06:43:34 PM »
Recalked the bathroom! And used some anti-mold spay stuff with it. Looks so much brighter and cleaner! Phew. I'm a little tired after digging all the old caulk out. Tomorrow I'll tackle something a little less time-consuming.

Wow! This is a big one! And on my to-do list... haha.

Ha! Yeah, this wasn't originally my plan for today, but the kids had a snow day so I couldn't do any actual work... it was either calking or going stir crazy in the house.

Road42

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #44 on: February 10, 2017, 12:44:47 PM »
Ok - today I did the chore that I was originally going to do yesterday. I went through our linen cupboard and pulled out a bunch of sheet sets to donate that we no longer need/use.

I think I have whatever the opposite of hoarding is - I get pleasure from getting rid of stuff. It's like a happy, light feeling every time I throw something away or put it on the donation pile. My mom is like that too. I always feel like living in a house, especially with kids, creates a permanent pull in the opposite direction. We don't buy much of anything, but somehow things just accumulate. And all I want to do is get rid of them all!

pachnik

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #45 on: February 10, 2017, 01:08:55 PM »
Well, I did a bit more shredding of old statements this morning. 

Ebrat

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #46 on: February 10, 2017, 03:05:30 PM »
I realized right before bed last night that I hadn't done my one thing I'd had planned for the day (put together a small shelf I bought...3 years ago?). Figured I'd failed for the day, but when I was getting ready for bed the air purifier started making the noise it makes when the filter needs to be cleaned. So I jumped on that and cleaned it :)

Today was meeting with the contractor about the leak. Doesn't sound like it's too terrible of a problem, but I'm looking forward to getting it fixed.

Shinplaster

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #47 on: February 10, 2017, 05:39:34 PM »
Finally got around to hanging some artwork that's been sitting on the floor for weeks.

I've skipped a few days, but in my defense, I have been battling a bug this week.  I promise to do better next week.  : )
« Last Edit: February 10, 2017, 05:41:13 PM by Shinplaster »

dorothyc

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #48 on: February 11, 2017, 08:19:31 AM »
Last night I cleaned out some jars of broth that didn't get used (made a GIANT pot from a turkey frame and scraps, but didn't get around to making more than one batch of soup with it. No real loss).

Too late for this time, but what I sometimes do with extra home made broth is to freeze it in non stick muffin tins, then pop them out into a freezer bag once they are frozen.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: One "Odd" chore a day
« Reply #49 on: February 11, 2017, 08:22:53 AM »
Last night I cleaned out some jars of broth that didn't get used (made a GIANT pot from a turkey frame and scraps, but didn't get around to making more than one batch of soup with it. No real loss).

Too late for this time, but what I sometimes do with extra home made broth is to freeze it in non stick muffin tins, then pop them out into a freezer bag once they are frozen.

I need to do this. I often can it. I just... didn't this time.