Archive for October, 2009
Save Money & the Planet at Target – Use Reusable Bags!
I converted to carrying reusable bags about a year ago. I started slowly at first because I thought it would be a pain, but suddenly once I was doing it I was all in! Today, I have a whole arsenal of reusable bags – ones for the grocery store, ones for the mall, mini ones that fold up to keep in my bag, ones to keep in my car in case I forget all of the others. My mom even started using reusable bags in place of gift bags and an Easter basket!
Once I started, I realized how easy it is and how much of a difference I make. (We used to go through a LOT of bags!) Thankfully, everyone is getting on this bandwagon! And stores are starting to recognize the savings to both the environment and their own bottom line and passing along a savings to customers who use reusable bags.
Starting November 1, Target is launching a campaign that will allow customers to save $0.05 for each reusable bag they use at each shopping trip! I know $0.05 per bag isn’t a fortune, but it is something. And I hope that this nickel will push more people over the edge to try using reusable bags. Together, we can all save nickels and bags from the landfill!
From Target’s Customer Support - You will receive five cents off your total purchase for each use of an approved re-usable bag. You can get the discount for using Target reusable bags previously purchased or purchased during the transaction, as well as other reusable bags that aren’t bought at Target. You won’t get the discount for not using a bag at all or for reusing a plastic or paper bag. It’s best to inform our team member of your bags before items are scanned, so that they can apply the discount anytime during the transaction. In the meantime, this offer is valid through March 2010 only.
Oh and while you are doing good and saving a nickel – carry a cute bag, maybe one that is even made out of recycled water bottles so you can save even more trash from the landfill.
Good work Target!
Eco-Friendly, 100% Biodegradable Nail Polish Remover
Like most moms, I am always looking for a way to make my home a safer, greener place for my family. So, when I saw a product review in a parenting magazine (I can’t remember which one) for a 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly nail polish remover, I was eager to check it out!
I Googled the polish remover and found a company that “relies on the intrinsic healthy properties of natural ingredients like Baking Soda, Green Tea, Peppermint and Milk.” Ahhh natural spa products…
Unfortunately for me, Bodipure caters to spas and only has wholesale purchasing options for its products. Since I REALLY wanted to try the polish remover, I emailed the company to find out where I could buy the polish. I learned that they do not currently offer direct retail sales and there didn’t seem to be a spa near me that carries the product (at least not yet). But they were nice enough to offer to mail me free samples to try!
Here is what the Bodipure site says about the remover: “New patented 100% biodegradable formula. Contains no acetone or ethyl acetate. No toxic odor. Presents no fire or environmental hazard. Non-toxic soy formula is safe for consumers and environment. The soy formula conditions nails, cuticles, and skin on contact.”
The day the samples arrived, I really needed to take off chipping toe nail polish, so I was psyched to give the remover a try.
First test, the sniff test! I hate the smell of nail polish remover (don’t we all). According to Bodipure, the polish remover, WilaVerde has “no toxic odor,” and I have to admit it had a MUCH lighter scent then polish remover I am used to. Of course, it isn’t odor free (I wish) and didn’t smell like roses or anything… but it wasn’t knock-out fumes! Test 1, check.
Second test, removal. If this patented formula is safer for the environment, can it really remove polish? I was wearing a dark pink polish, so I was ready to put it to the test. According to the instructions, you are supposed to “gently press and hold cotton on the nail for a few seconds, and then start to rub the polish away when cotton ball begins sticking to the nail. To hasten removal time, pre-soak all nails at the start of removal.” Easy enough… cha-ching! My polish seemed to melt off my toes. EVERY last bit came off without scrubbing at my toes. Test 2, check.
The next test, feel. One of the things I dislike about painting my nails is how drying removers are to my nails. I was intigued by the last step in the directions that suggested spas wipe nails down with an astringent after removal, and once my polish was removed I realized why. Instead of dry, my nails felt oily with this soy-based remover. Since I didn’t have astringent handy, I used soap and water, which worked for me. No longer oily, the nails didn’t feel dry either. Test 3, check.
Normaly, when I am done removing my polish I toss the cotton balls away in the kitchen, where other smells in the trash mask the odor, becase I don’t like the remover sinking up my bathroom. Today, I tossed the cotton balls in the bathroom trashcan. When I first came back to the bathroom about 30 minutes later, I almost regreted my decision. The little toilet room (little room with toliet and trashcan in our bathroom), was a little stinky… booo… But I was patient and left the cotton balls in the trash. When I came back a couple hours later – NO SMELL!!! Ahhhhh…
Over all, I am a big fan. Better for the enviroment, not so stinky and works like a charm. I only wish I could tell you where to buy it so you could try it right now! For now, tell your local sap about it and maybe you can get them to carry it.
Florida Prepaid College Plan Up More Than 300% in 1 Year
When my husband read the details of the article to me from the paper on Sunday, I wanted to cry. I am planner, and I am a squirrel. I am always stocking so money away somewhere for the future – retirement, college fund, loss of job, whatever. I am that girl who puts money away.
Naturally, as soon as the Florida Prepaid College Plan opened its enrollment after K was born, I enrolled her. After all, the plan put me through college at UF because my parents bought it when I was a kid. I know the value of the plan, and I know putting money into it now will save money in the long run.
Even with my first-hand experience with the plan, I did my homework. There are basically four things to buy (with minor variations) – tuition, local fees, differential and dormitory. While I knew we would eventually want all of these, in the fall of 2008, I also knew my family was heading into a monetarily rocky year. Even though these plans are subject to price increases each year, we wanted to make sure that I wasn’t squirreling away too much.
We decided to tackle the four-year tuition plan aggressively in five years. Later, we could add on the smaller, additional plans - the differential fee plan, then local fees and finally one year of dormitory in the coming years.
My shock and dismay came when I learned that our decision to wait to start paying for the differential fee has cost our family $13,000 in less than a year. Yes, $13,000. That is how much our state officals have decided to hike the differential fee plan in just one year – more than 300%.
Here’s the real kicker, tuition only went up 10%. The “differential fees” now cost more than a four-year college tuition plan. Nice way to “keep tuition down.”
If those of us with toddlers who plan and save are crushed by this hike, how are those who are inches away from college and don’t have time to plan for this hike supposed to cope? In one year, the cost of my daughter’s college tuition more than doubled and she is only 18 months old…
Read the Orlando Sentinel’s article here.
Learn more about the Florida Prepaid College Plan here.
Fan Toys R Us or Babies R US for Toys for Tots
As if I need another reason to love Facebook, tons of companies are doing very cool promos for their fans on Facebook. Babies R Us and Toys R Us are donating $1 for every new fan from now until Dec 24. So go ahead, become a fan and have a $1 donated on your behalf.
Become a Babies R US Fan here.
And hey, they announce cool deals and contests here too so maybe you will get some good info too!
$15 Free to Kodak Gallery!
More cool Free Photo stuff!!! Kodak Gallery is giving away $1 million in photo gifts. You can be part of their Million Thanks campaign and get a $15 credit to Kodak Gallery for your photo needs by signing up here.
Plus you will be entered to win tickets to The Ellen DeGeneres show – I LOVE her!
Hurry, I am sure these will go quick!!
