waste not, want not

Want is variously used in the senses ‘lack’ and ‘desire’. Another proverb making the connection between waste and want is wilful waste makes woeful want.

he will waste nothing; but he must want nothing.
[1772 Wesley Letter 10 Aug. (1931) V. 334]

Helping her to vegetable she didn't want, and when it had nearly alighted on her plate, taking it across for his own use, on the plea of waste not, want not.
[1872 T. Hardy Under Greenwood Tree I. i. viii.]

‘The lorry's full of children as well as rubbish.’‥‘And what is printed on the banner?’‥‘Waste Not Want Not.’
[1941 C. Mackenzie Red Tapeworm xxii.]

Your cousin was a practical woman. ‘Waste not, want not.’
[2002 Washington Times 8 Apr. B5]

Related to: thrift; waste

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.

Wise use of one's resources will keep one from poverty. For example, I just hate to throw out good food--waste not, want not. This proverbial saying was first recorded in 1772 but had an earlier, even more alliterative version, willful waste makes woeful want (1576).