Bring your own bag to CVS and save with your Green Bag Tag!

CVS rewards you for bringing your own reusable bags when you shop!

All you have to do is purchase a "Green Bag Tag" for 99c, attach it to your favorite reusable bag (I keep mine in my purse so it doesn't matter which bag I have with me, I always have my tag) and have it scanned when you make a purchase and use your own bag.

After 4 scans you get $1 ECB. You are limited to one Green Bag Tag scan per day.


How quickly do those scans add up?  Well, take a look...

$10/$50 Harris Teeter coupon from Recyclebank!

Right now at RecycleBank.com, you can get a $10 off $50 purchase at Harris Teeter!! I've used this coupon before and it's awesome. It takes the $10 off before coupons. So, as long as your total was $50 before you started deducting coupons then you're good! Get this reward for 100 points!

If you're not familiar with Recycle Bank, it's a place where you can earn rewards points by recycling (if your area participates), taking short polls, or watching short videos, etc. Then, you can buy things with your points! It's super easy to do and totally worth it! Sign up is free!

Thanks Stretching Your Budget!

Tips on Going "Green" from Phillips

Going Earth Day "Green" with LED
With Earth Day around the corner, the focus of many people is to find simple ways to “go green.”  And believe it or not, you can start with your television.  Not only sleek and stylish, the new LEDs use less power and eliminate the use of mercury in the backlighting, making them the right choice for the eco-conscious TV fan. 

In addition, until now the cost of LED made going green a little harder. Today, you can find eco-friendly LEDs at many price points and feature set by looking for deals on name brand models from electronic stores to warehouse clubs to online retailers. For example Philips has a range of LED TVs available at Costco nationwide from $599.99 to $1,199.99.

Philips offers these tips on ways to be help Earth Day with your TV experience:

1.  Turn on the power-saver mode to cut down on power consumption.

2.  Control room lighting by dimming the lights. And consider blackout shades that not only set the TV mood, but offer thermal benefits like keeping heat in during the winter.

3.  Watch TV together, and shut off televisions not in use.

4.  Don't forget to properly recycle your old model by donating, repurposing or recycling your old TV. Explore www.recycle.philips.com or other associations such Earth 911 for recycle options.



 This information was provided to me by Phillips.

Saturday's Saving Tip - No Shampoo?

This post comes from my cousin and faithful reader of my blog, Tesla.  She blogs at "No 'Poo, Buckaroo!" about how she has ditched store bought shampoos and hasn't looked back!

I'll be the first to admit, the thought of ditching shampoo was a little scary at first. Every article and blog I'd read about it though was always positive and in most cases they never used shampoo again. When you learn about the damage being done to your head, it's hard to ignore it. People who had tried it before raved about how much more manageable their hair was and how easy it was to style it, and since I'm prone to really bad, annoying hair I figured I didn't have anything to lose. So why do it? Well, for me there were a few reasons.

1) Hair condition. - Shampoos contain some really harsh chemicals (like engine degreasers). As you wash your hair, the shampoo is stripping away your natural oils, which causes your scalp to work overtime to replace them. Going "No 'Poo" levels out your natural oils and gets your hair back to good condition.

2) Cost. - Shampoo is expensive. It doesn't seem like much, but spending $10-$15 dollars every few weeks for shampoo adds up. Think along the lines of $250 per year. That's $250 you could be saving or using to pay bills. I use baking soda and cider vinegar to wash my hair now, which cost just about nothing.

3) Pollution. - We really don't think about how much trash our world has scattered all about, or where our water goes after it flows down the drain. If I can prevent even a small amount of pollution, that's all that matters.

No, it's not easy and it takes a lot of dedication. But I've had some really awesome results though and I've always usually had bad hair issues all my life. I'm pretty excited about it. If you're interested in trying to go "No 'Poo", check out my blog.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has gone "No 'Poo"!

Save Money by Using Reusable Bags!

Lots of people worry about the cost of being green.  We cringe when we picture price tags on organic foods and shudder when we think about replacing perfectly fine appliances to ‘upgrade’ to more expensive, less convenient green options.  Who wants a shower head that uses less water if it takes 10 minutes longer to wash your hair?  Or an Energy Star washer that has to add 20 minutes to the cycle to properly clean your clothes? 


Well I can personally tell you that none of these things are true.  In fact, I can even let you in on an awesome eco secret…you can get PAID to be green!  Our country as a whole is on a reusable bag kick.  I mean, half of California has banned plastic shopping bags entirely.  I don’t know anyone who uses them, and I watch people roll their eyes at me when I pull out my own and hand them to the bagger. 

But here’s a news flash – those bags cost the stores money, and you are paying for them with higher shelf prices!  And some of these stores have decided to give money back to those who don’t use them! 

Here’s some that I know about:
Target - Has a $.05 off credit on your order for each reusable bag per visit.

CVS - Pick up a bag tag from them for $.99 and they will scan it along with your CVS card whenever you use a reusable bag.  Every 4 scans will get you $1 ECB!

Lowes Foods – They give a $.05 Fresh Rewards credit on your Fresh Rewards card for each reusable bag you use.

Giant - Gives $.05 for every bag you bring to bag groceries.

Shop Right – Also $.05 for each bag you bring.

Trader Joe’s - You’ll be entered into a $20 GC Drawing for using reusable bags.

Whole Foods - $.05-$.10 off your bill for each reusable bag…Whole Foods has completely stopped using plastic bags, so if you don’t bring your own you will get 100% recycled paper paper bags instead!

Sun Harvest - $.05 off your order for each reusable bag.

You can buy reusable bags in just about any price range, but a good bag can carry 2-3 times what you carry in one plastic bag and they won’t rip!  You’ll be helping to save the environment and have to take less trips to the car. 

On April 17th, the first 1 million Target customers will get a FREE reusable bag!


Also, if you are near an H-E-B, they will be exchanging 5+ plastic bags for reusable totes on April 22nd from 3-7pm

Reusable Shopping Bags Dangerous?

I ran across this frightening ad the other day:

Study Shows Reusable Bags Contain High Levels of Lead Content

The article states that of the bags tested, the ones from CVS were the worst with 500 parts per million (PPM) of toxic chemicals - 5 times what is legally allowed.

It also says that the only stores that have done anything about it is Publix and Wegmans.  There was a link to the Wegmans' article so I followed it and read it too.  It said that they tested their bags and only two designs (that were green) contained high levels.  Their red, purple and black bags were under the limit.  Maybe it has something to do with the color?

What do you think?  Will this change your use of reusable bags?  Would you like to see more stores that sell the reusable bags step up and have their bags tested and then issue recalls as appropriate?  That's what I'd like to see.  I think for the time being, I may switch to my plastic Aldi bags and a couple vinyl totes that I have and steer clear of the canvas bags I have been using. 

Saturday's Saving Tip! Using Vinegar to clean your washing machine

I had honestly never thought about cleaning the inside of my washing machine.  I mean, it's self-cleaning, right??? (This is kinda like how I never thought about washing my reusable bags....)

Then one day I noticed some marketing for a new product called Affresh  that was made for cleaning your washing machine.  That got me thinking about how much I've used our (used!) washing machine in the last 5 years and have never cleaned the inside of it.

But then my frugal side started thinking there has to be a cheaper (and more natural - less chemical) way than purchasing this new product.

And there is!

Vinegar!

Here's how to wash your washing machine with vinegar:

Fill washer with warm water. As it fills, add about a gallon of vinegar (doesn't have to be exact.  First time I did it, I had just over a half gallon to use...)

Let the machine run through an entire wash cycle. The acid in the vinegar will get rid of grease, soap scum and smells.
After the cycle is finished, wipe out with a clean cloth or towel.
Voila!  It's ready to wash more laundry!!  (And get it cleaner, to boot!)

Did you know there are at least 50 ways to save money by using vinegar instead of expensive products?  And vinegar is a safe, natural cleaner with no harsh chemicals!

Read more: How to Clean a Washing Machine With Vinegar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5115133_clean-washing-machine-vinegar.html#ixzz0uzNvNa1P

5c off per reusable bag used at Target!

Target will take 5c off your transaction for every reusable bag you bring to use on your purchase. 

How many bags do you usually have when you walk out of Target with groceries? 10? 15? 20? That's 50c, 75c or $1 in savings! 

Don't forget your reusable bags!

"Green" Giveaway

I am giving away this CUTE reusable tote AND a CVS Green Bag Tag to put on it!  It earns you $1 ECB after every 4 scans!  Did you also know that Target gives you a 5c credit per reusable bag you use?  This giveaway is going to save you money!

Here's how to enter:

• Be an active e-mail subscriber to $aving Toward A Better Life.  Please make sure you've verified your e-mail address.  Only active addresses will count!  1 entry
• "Like" on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name in a comment.  1 entry
• Grab my blog button and put it somewhere on your blog.  Leave a link to where I can find it.  If I can't find it, it doesn't count.  2 entries
• Comment on any other non-giveaway blog post (up to 3)!  Legitimate comments on the posts only.  "Hi!" will not count.  Comment back here saying which post you commented on.  3 entries

Super simple!  Contest begins at 11pm CST, Tuesday, July 6th and ends at 11pm CST, Saturday, July 17th.  Don't forget to leave your e-mail address with each post so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is sponsored by ME!  I purchased the prize for this giveaway.

CVS Green Bag Tag

At CVS they sell a "Green Bag Tag". You purchase it for 99c, attach it to your favorite reusable bag and have it scanned every trip. After 4 scans you get 1 ECB. You are limited to one Green Bag Tag scan per day.


It's removable, so what I do is keep it on my purse strap. Then when I get to the store, I strap it on my bag (I keep reusable bags in the car so I always have some with me), make my purchases, and when I get to the car I put it back on my purse. That way I don't run the risk of it being on a reusable bag that's at home.  :)

You can use it even if you're just picking up something at the pharmacy! As long as you are going in and not using the drive thru window.  I've also used it when picking up pictures.

Washing your Resuable Bags

Honestly, the thought of washing my cloth reusable bags has never crossed my mind.

The Busy Buzzer brought it to my attention all the germs lurking in those bags we use over and over again (umm...hello, raw meat???)

You can read what she found out (like 97% of people polled have never washed their bags) here.  Are you in the 97% or 3%?  Starting right now I'm in the 3%!

Rebate of the Day - Appliances for Utah Residents!

Utah's Cash for Appliances program officially starts today (5/12). Utah received $2.6 million in federal stimulus money to create a rebate program that encourage people to make energy-efficient purchases in the home. The program covers washers, air conditioners, water heaters and furnaces.

Dede at DEDE Land has the details.

Saturday's Saving Tips - How does your garden grow?

I have always planted a tomato and bell pepper plant on our back porch every spring.  Those are the two vegetables that I use the most.

This year I have expanded my back porch vegetable garden to include green beans, chives, cilantro and parsley.

Growing your own vegetables is a great way to stretch your budget and get nutritious fresh foods into your diet.  If I had more time to tend to them, I would plant more.  I slowly want to increase the amount of fresh food I grow for us.  But it's going to take baby steps.  ;]

For today's tips, here are some helpful (frugal) ideas for your garden!  A lot of these utilize "leftovers" (garbage and waste) so it makes it very good for the environment too!

Frugal Fertilizing Tips

Banana peels are rich in potassium which is an important nutrient for you and your garden. You can use them several ways to fertilize your plants:

Add them to your compost pile if you have one (I can't bring myself to make a compost pile...ewwww...)

Place or bury them directly around your plants.  This is what I do.  I place a piece or two of the peel in the pot with my tomato and bell pepper plants and put a little of the soil over it.

If you have a certain place that you plant your garden every year, in the off season when nothing is planted, throw the peels in that area and let them decompose there.  It adds nutrients to the soil that will be there when it's time to plant!
Dry the peels, by laying them on a screen in the yard to dry out. Grind dried peels in a food processor and use in your mulch to give new plants and seedlings a healthy start.

Sprinkle used coffee grounds or tea leaves around your plants.  Lots of nutrients for them to absorb!

Save your eggshells and crumble into your garden. The calcium is very good for your vegetables.

Fertilize your plants with Epsom salts. Mix it into your soil around the plant (not too close or it will burn the plant roots). For tomatoes, use 1 Tbsp for every foot of height, water in well.

If you boil eggs, let the water you boiled them in cool and then water your plants with it!  The water is filled with a nutrient from the boiling eggs that will help your plants!

Other helpful frugal garden tips: 

Popsicle sticks make great labels for your plants. Write the name of the plant on them with permanent makers.

An old ladder can be the perfect trellis on which to grow climbing plants such as beans or peas (or if you're a flower gardener- hibiscus, hummingbird vine, climbing roses, wisteria, etc.)  Just plant it in the ground.  Also old wooden window frames can be utilized this same way.  I've seen these at yard sales before.  Not only would these make great trellis' but also interesting decorative garden items!

Make a trellis using some twist ties and the plastic 6-pack rings. Use the twist ties to join together as many of the 6-pack rings as you want or need. Attach the trellis between two stakes also using twist ties.  (Or if you have a back porch garden like I do, attach it to your porch railings!)   When you are finished with it you can just roll it up and use it again next year. 

Use the foot section of old pantyhose and put soap inside and hang from your outdoor faucet. You can clean your hands and not take the mess inside! You can also do this with a mesh bag (like you use to wash your pantyhose in).  You'll need a little bit of string to tie it to your faucet.

FREE reusable bag at Kroger's!

My friend Lisa who is fortunate enough to live near a Kroger and shop there has the inside scoop on how to get a FREE reusable shopping bag from Kroger.

Every time I see a chance to get a free reusable shopping bag I get it because you need your own bags when you shop at Aldi.  CVS has the green bag tag where you earn $1 ECB when you use your reusable bag 4 times.  And Target gives you a 5c credit for every reusable bag you use in your shopping trip!

Saturday's Saving Tips

If you have tips on how you save money, please leave them in the comments below! Bloggers, if you would like to do a guest post for Saturday's Saving Tips please let me know! I'm looking for tips on how to save in categories like "Date Night", "Family Fun", "Home Improvements", "Saving Money on Pets", etc. E-mail me at gavinsmom1020 (at) ymail (dot) com if you'd like to do a guest post!

Today's tips not only save you money, but they are eco-friendly!

• 50 uses for Vinegar - Find out how you can save on your cleaning products by using cheap vinegar!
• Homemade Laundry Detergent for about 1c a load!

FREE - Go Green car window cling

This idea is so clever and yet so simple, I should have come up with it! It's a window cling that you can put in you car in the lower corner of your windshield on your driver's side or on your driver's side window that reminds you to take your reusable bags into the store with you!

Since Target offers a 5c per bag credit and CVS has rewards when you use your reusable bag with your Green Bag Tag there's nothing more frustrating that getting into the store and remembering that you left your reusable bags in the car! (Especially when you're toting around a toddler too!)

So go get your FREE reminder window cling from Conserving Now!

Thanks Dede for finding this great idea!

Share your tips on saving GREEN!

I found a green tip that I thought I would share. It comes from Greenopia.com

Add a few dry towels to the dryer to absorb water from clothes. saving energy by cutting cycle time.

Has anyone ever tried this? I think I could see how that would work. And it would save electricity if the clothes dried fasted and could save you time on the laundry!

Does anyone else have any "green saving" tips they would like to share? I know a lot of people make their own cleaning products that are better for the environment and save money. I haven't gotten in to that, but if you have a recipe for a great homemade cleaning product, please share!

12 Things to do with used dryer sheets...

I thought this article was pretty informative so I'm passing it along!

12 Cool Things to do with Used Dryer Sheets

My favorite Christmas present so far!

I visited my BFF today so our boys could play together and exchange Christmas gifts. And I was SO excited about what she got me! Here's a picture:

It's a reusable shopping bag! I love it! It's made of a very thick plastic. And that little thing beside it is another bag that folds up an fits into a little pouch that you can keep in your purse. It also has a little clip on the pouch.
And you can see, I've already put my CVS green bag tag on my new bag because it is now my favorite! :)

A CVS green bag tag costs 99c and every time you bring in a reusable bag, have it scanned. After four scans you get 1 ECB. I've already gotten one ECB from it and only need to use it one more time to get another one!

Saving Money by being Green

I do not buy into the philosophy that we can "save the planet" by being green. I do not believe in global warming. But this is not a blog for politics ;)

But if there is a "green" product or technique or idea that is going save me money, well, then, I'm all for it!

Two retailers have caught on to enticing customers to "be green". Target and CVS.

Target will take 5c off your transaction for every reusable bag you bring to use on your purchase. How many bags do you usually have when you walk out of Target with groceries? 10? 15? 20? That's 50c, 75c or $1 in savings! I have some canvas bags I've collected from various stores that I like to use. But I have also used plastic Aldi bags before when my canvas ones were not in the car.

At CVS you purchase a Green Bag Tag for 99c and attach it to your favorite reusable bag (or put it in your purse so you'll be guaranteed to have it no matter which reusable bags are in your car). They scan it at each transaction and after 4 scans you get $1 ECB. You are limited to one scan per card, per day. I don't particularly like that. I think you should at least get two. But, I don't make the rules. :)

Maybe other retailers will catch on to the idea soon! Since it really does save them money by using less plastic bags...