For the spools of thread that don't have the little notches to pull the ends through, I save the self-sticking elastic that they use when you get a blood test, cut them into small strips and wrap them around the spool. You can buy a new batch at drugstore or even at PetSmart where they come in several colors but I can get about 20 strips from what they wrap around my arm. Why throw it away? Does that make me "cheap". No one has to actually answer that question, lol.