Written by Michelle Dudas from Military Wives Saving

Being 'green' and frugal can really go hand-in-hand! What better way to save money and the environment than to reuse everyday household items rather than throwing them away and buying something new!

Gift Wrap - Being couponers, we get our fair share of Sunday papers! Rather than throw them out (or put in the recycle bin), put it to good use one more time by using the comics and the entertainment section as gift wrapping! Not a fan of using the paper? Get crafty and use brown paper bags for wrapping. To avoid the cheap look, splurge and buy some nice ribbon and tie it around the box. You can also save and reuse the bows on Christmas presents by not removing the plastic protective piece on the sticky part and instead, use a small piece of tape to stick them to the presents (the tape will come off easier, plus, won't take off the paper like the sticky part on the bows do). Cute Tip: If you have a ton of really old, expired coupons (any less than six months, consider the Overseas Coupon Project), wrap presents with the coupon inserts for the couponista in your life. They will love it!!

Trash Bags/Lunches - Prefer plastic? Reuse your plastic grocery bags as trash bags in the bathroom and laundry room. Have a dog? Use them to pick up your pooch's stuff while going for walks (this isn't the greenest, I know, but at least you can reuse it once before just tossing it if you don't recycle!). Don't have a reusable lunch sak/cooler? Use the plastic grocery bags to throw your lunch in (just remember to pack your sandwich last as not to smush it). Also, instead of peanuts when mailing packages, if you have a ton of plastic baggies, use them to secure items in the box - write a note and tell the recipient to save the bags and do the same when they need to mail something!

Pots and Plants - Buy spaghetti sauce in the glass jars? Wash them out and reuse them as planters for outside and around the house! Buy butter in the tub? Use the plastic lids as saucers for your plant pots! Alternately, you can also use coffee can lids, too!

Candle Holders/Nails, Screws/Craft Items - If you love tea-light candles and votives but don't have anything to put them on while they are burning, consider using baby food jars after cleaning them out! If you are feeling crafty, glue some cute fabric to the outside of the jars for decoration. Also, use baby food jars for storing your mini craft items in, as well as screws and nails!

Scrubbers/Makeup - Rather than throwing away your old toothbrush, boil it in hot water to clean them and then reuse them to as scrubbers to remove stains from carpets and clothes. Cute Tip: Instead of buying an eyebrow brush, use a toothbrush to shape your brows and blend in your eyebrow pencil color.

Envelopes - Save that junk mail! If you get "spam" mail, as I like to call it, in envelopes (credit card offers, insurance company recruitments), you can open the envelopes all the way and use them as scrap paper! Or, if you don't have a coupon organizer, reuse them to store your coupons in. And, if you have labels, grab a bunch of deposit envelopes next time you're at the bank and use the labels to cover up any wording on the envelopes and use them to mail letters and bills.

Food Storage - You know those butter tubs I mentioned above? You can also wash them out and reuse them to store leftovers and school lunches rather than buying the plastic containers at the store. Same goes with sour cream and cheese containers, too!

Coasters - Use old placemats as coasters! Just cut them up how you want, and use fabrics to create fringes for a decorative touch.


About the Author: Michelle Dudas is a military spouse and SAHM, as well as the author of www.militarywivessaving.com, where she helps her fellow military spouses save money and get the most bang for their buck. Before deciding to be a SAHM, she worked in the banking industry for over 10 years, where she worked as a loan officer, helping others think smart about their money.

Posted by Ryan on January 10, 2011     Tags: Go Green

For those of you who haven’t noticed, over the past two years our electrical bills have steadily increased at a rate of a few dollars per month and this trend is nowhere near ending anytime soon. While it is difficult to gauge the increases from one month to the next, these rate hikes add up to a substantial amount of money over the course of a year and can often be compared to the compounding interest that many of the worst credit card companies are currently trying to charge. In some states, electrical bills are as high as 50% more than this time last year while the usage has remained the same or decreased, and this is an alarming problem that has to be addressed. Although as consumers we can not yet survive completely without the power company, there are still a few ways to beat them at their own game. This week, Coupon Shack will focus on reducing your energy bill without making drastic sacrifices. Of course, at Coupon Shack our expertise is saving all of you money while shopping online; and truth be told we knew very little about shaving dollars off of our electric bills. In order to gain this type in insight we turned to one of our partner stores, AJ Madison, since their online showroom educates customers everyday on ways to conserve power. After sitting down and spending some time with one of their department managers, here’s what we found out-

1. Solar and Wind Power
While both of these technologies are a viable option if you have about $10,000 to spend, the price point just isn’t quite low enough to be considered worth adding onto an existing home. If you’re on the market to purchase a home and can combine the cost of solar energy into your mortgage though, that extra fifty dollars per month will be offset by having little or no electrical bill at all. Wind turbines work best in areas that receive a steady wind speed of 10 MPH or greater, while solar panels rely on the proper positioning of your home and the surrounding terrain so you can capture as much sunlight as possible. The best news is that these sources of power can be harnessed directly into your local power company’s lines, so if there is electricity left over at the end of the month they will send a check to your mailbox for the difference.
2. Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
While I personally was not convinced that the new compact fluorescent light bulbs were true energy savers, the math certainly does not lie. Each bulb you replace within your home will save approximately $5 per year off of your electric bill, which in itself does not seem like a lot but the average home has thirty or more lights. The savings grows even bigger when comparing larger, more powerful outside lights so be sure to change those right away. Even though these types of light bulbs may cost more for the initial purchase, each one will last for years which makes up for the difference in cost all by itself. The savings is not massive, but a switch to all CFL bulbs within your home should shave about $10 per month off of your energy bill.
3. Air Conditioning/ Heating
This is the main topic of discussion since we have to remain comfortable within our home environments, and air conditioning is also where most of us make the biggest mistakes. Central air is expensive to have installed (around $3000 to $5000 for the unit and labor) but if you look at your energy usage when using multiple fans and window shakers, it is very likely that your residence is using in excess of $50 per month of similarly sized homes with built in A/C. Now, that $600 per year that you are wasting may sound a lot better than several thousand, but between the government incentives on Energy Star units and the tax rebates; it is entirely possible that the $50 per month being thrown to the wolves will come close to making your entire purchase if you opt for short term financing. Like we mentioned above with the solar panel advice; if you’re purchasing a new home be sure to get this purchase included within the contract for instant savings. Home Depot runs periodic specials where their credit card holders will receive 0% financing for twelve months on any purchase over a few hundred dollars, and since they both sell and install A/C units this is a very smart way of tackling your home energy bill. Newer Energy Star units can use as much as 40% less power than a central air conditioning system that was installed 10+ years ago, and if you’re relying on fans and window units you can realistically cut your entire electric bill in half. Another tip from AJ Madison is to change out your air filters monthly since this can increase efficiency by as much as 20%. Also remember that central air reduces the overall humidity which literally makes you more comfortable, while portable units just blow cold air. Changing your home from fans and smaller units to a new Energy Star system can save as much as $70 per month off of your electric bill.
4. Hot Water Heater
For many of you this part of your electric bill probably rivals air conditioning expenses, and heating your water accounts for the vast majority of this cost. Tankless hot water heaters are undoubtedly the way to go; they are inexpensive, heat water on demand, and shut off when not in use. The average tankless hot water heater will reduce your monthly electrical expenses by 20% or more, and it also benefits your dishwasher and laundry machines. AJ Madison has a great selection on tankless hot water heaters at the lowest prices anywhere on the internet, and they are very easy to install yourself.
5. Appliances
Other appliances around the home also chug down their fair share of power, and one of the leading culprits is the refrigerator. If your unit is twenty years old it uses double the energy that modern units require, and making this change could easily save $10 to $15 per month off of your overall bill. Dishwashers and are nowhere near as costly when it comes to comparing older and recent models, but an average of 25% improved efficiency can be expected with each of them. Modern stoves require about the same amount of power, but since they heat so quickly they are only in use for a fraction of the time so it still saves a good bit of electricity. If you switch out each of your major home appliances that savings could result in as much as 40% less overall power consumption, while making your life a whole lot more comfortable. Many of these appliances also carry government incentives, but the instant savings will disappear by the end of the summer since Congress is re-allocating much of this money towards other projects. Home Depot applies for these rebates on the spot when you make your purchase, so if you act fast then you’ll definitely be able to get in on the incentives.

Posted by Keith on October 20, 2010     Tags: Go Green

When most people think about energy savings, water rarely comes to mind because it is thought of as a renewable resource that we have unlimited supplies of. Many consumers have dug wells on their property so water usage is absolutely free except the costs involved in purifying it, while others pay a nominal fee each month to a local water company in order to have it piped directly into their home from the water treatment plant. The fact of the matter is that water is nowhere near an unlimited resource and one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century will be discovering ways to make fresh drinking water more available.

In the meantime, your residence can do its fair part by looking at ways to conserve water until technology dictates otherwise. This can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from installing efficient appliances, faucets, toilets, and showerheads to practical applications like shorter lasting showers and reducing settings on water heaters and washing machines. This guide will cover them all as it explains the top ten ways to reduce water use within your home.

1. Consider purchasing a new dishwasher

Older washing units were built for convenience, not practicality, and even top of the line models from five years ago pale in comparison to the efficiency of modern dishwashers. The savings in power alone will often pay for the unit over a year’s time, and the water consumption can be reduced by as much as 70% of what is required in your current appliances. Home Depot is currently offering 10% off Energy Star appliances and they will deliver and haul away your old dishwasher at no additional cost.

2. Reduce the amount of time spent watering your lawn

Now that the summer is fast approaching everyone wants thick, green lawns and watering them is the only way to effectively achieve that result. However, by watering the grass at night water has much more time to absorb into the soil and in turn will give you a great looking lawn much quicker than your neighbors. Since less is lost to evaporation there is no need to water as often, making this a sensible environmental decision as well.

3. Invest in a water efficient shower head

Many people are hesitant to change their shower head because they have a misconception that extra water flow means more bathing pressure. Nothing could be further from the truth, and this can be proven by sticking your finger over a water hose or faucet to better understand how water pressure is built. Some of the new shower heads use only a fraction of what traditional models require and they literally only take moments to install. Places like Plumber Surplus has hundreds of efficient models to choose from and some of the lowest prices found on the internet. When combined with Coupon Shack's additional coupons some of these models are a steal! The water reduction saved by using an efficient shower head will pay for your purchase the very first month alone.

4. Inspect your water main or well source frequently

As many contractors will attest, plumbing problems are fairly common within a residence and there a hundred different ways that a pipe or connection could fail. Sometimes these broken pipes happen outdoors and the problem will not necessarily become evident if it is a slow leak kept relatively under pressure. If your water bill has spiked up or a drop in water pressure has suddenly become evident, check around your water main for leaks. Although the water seeping into the ground may not appear harmful at first, it can speed up erosion and cause serious expenses if left unchecked for a long period of time.

5. Consider Switching to water efficient faucets

When spraying off dishes or washing our hands, the main thing needed is water pressure, or better put, air forcing the water out quickly. We have already discussed that using less water can actually translate to additional pressure with the right shower head, and it works exactly the same with kitchen and bathroom faucets. Online stores such as Homeclick have some beautiful faucets available that can give your kitchen an extra flair while being very conservative in terms of water usage. These models will also pay for themselves in practically no time once the energy savings are considered, so there is absolutely no reason not to make your bathroom or kitchen sink look fantastic with one of these new faucets.

6. Fix leaky toilets immediately

You may be surprised to discover exactly how much water can seep out of your toilet and down the drain on a leaky toilet. Some of the less efficient models can lose several gallons per hour and that is not even considering when you flush it. A new float assembly can be purchased for less than ten dollars at almost any hardware store and it can be installed in just a few minutes without any specialty tools available. Once the assembly is installed, adjust the settings so that your toilet does not use as much water per flush, which gives an additional instant savings to water usage.

7. Consider a tankless hot water heater

Although this will not essentially save on your water usage, a tankless hot water heater eliminates the need to store hot water within your residence by heating it almost instantly. Since this is a major electrical savings each month (usually your second biggest draw on power within the home), expect a drop of $25 or more on your monthly electric bill…especially if you wash your clothing in hot water. Solar water heaters can also be a great way to go, since they often do not require any power usage at all. With Home Depot's same as cash financing the savings could easily equal your monthly credit card payment, which means that over time you will receive the hot water heater for free.

8. Contact your water company before filling up a pool

Many will be surprised to learn that water companies give large discounts if you notify them in advance that you are filling up a pool or spa and your water usage will be much higher for that month, so before doing so give them a call for some quick savings.

9. Wash your clothing in cold water

While it would seem apparent that hot water would have more stain fighting power (and it does), how many articles of clothing per load have caked in dirt and grime that need this extra cleaning advantage? If the answer is none, then that is how often you need to wash in warm water. In many homes this is the leading waste of electricity each month and it serves absolutely no purpose. Using hot water for every load is literally throwing your money away, and although the electric company may appreciate it your budget certainly does not. Some of the newer laundry machines have taken this to the next level by heating the water internally instead of drawing off your hot water heater, and Plumber Surplus has some fantastic specials on a few of the top of the line models that are currently on the market.

10. Think about the future

New technologies such as geothermal heat pumps use the Earth as your main source of power for heating your residence and your water supply, and leaps in solar power have been accomplished over the last few years with extremely efficient solar panels and high tech batteries to capture the power. Although this technology is just now becoming affordable for the established homeowner, it is sensible to consider these options if you are in the market to build a new home somewhere in the near future because of the massive savings and green energy associated with these decisions. These types of innovations can all but eliminate the need to remain on your local city’s power grid, and some of the most powerful solar cells can capture enough energy to sell back three time more power than you normally use within your residence. Eventually power and water utilities will hopefully become obsolete, but until then each of us has to save as much as possible to ensure our water reserves last well into the next era.

Posted by Keith on April 30, 2010     Tags: Go Green

In Whitney Houston’s chart topping hit The Greatest Love of All, she began by singing, “I believe the children are our future…teach them well and let them lead the way.” Fewer words could contain a stronger truth than that very statement since the little ones we see today packing the playgrounds will eventually run our country as we approach retirement age. Not only is education and moral integrity more important than ever in America, but it is also the only way future generations will understand the sacrifices, both good and bad, that were made by our founding fathers and continued over the next two centuries. Factories and automobiles have exponentially polluted the very air we breathe; and when combined with the millions upon millions of trees that we have cut down while building and expanding throughout North America it is no wonder that major cities now are forced to have ozone warnings. In a very selfish way our ancestors began to destroy our very fabric of existence on this planet and for the most part we have continued in their path. If our children do not properly learn about renewing our planet's ecosystem, this destructive trend will continue into the future until it reaches life altering and irreversible stages.

Marking the start of spring is Earth Day, which is right around the corner on April 22nd this year. Although teachers will be sure to mention to our children what Earth Day is and why it is celebrated all over the world, this is one holiday that deserves a much more practical application. For those who are not fully aware, Earth Day is not about tie-dyed tee shirts and dancing through the forest, nor is it a day to compare which political activist makes a better case for or against global warming. Instead, Earth Day commemorates an occasion for students young and old to learn about the Earth, the balances within our ecosystem, and making a personal pledge to help overturn the destructions that we have brought against our own planet by rapid expansion at a cost to our own health and livelihoods. While it is a comforting feeling to hear politicians take the stage and preach about how they are concerned with our environments right before each election, there is too much bickering among the various political parties for our government to offer a definitive plan of action. Instead, it is up to us as parents to educate our children on what it means to protect the world we live in.

The most important part of Earth Day is gaining and sharing knowledge of our planet, a topic which most children will normally enjoy learning about. For example, because of the global popularity of seafood over 80% of edible types of fish within the ocean are between the stages of slowly to rapidly decreasing. Not only does this trend mean that our grandchildren may not have seafood available, but it also throws off the natural balance set by Mother Nature herself millenniums ago. Small fish eat plants and nutrients found in the shallows of the ocean, and the bigger fish eat the little guys. If there are no more large schools of predatory fish to maintain this balance, what happens to all the vegetation within the sea when there’s billions more herbivore-types living years longer than normal? If all the plants are consumed and no longer considered renewable, many scientists predict erosion will greatly increase while reshaping our ocean floors and continents. The same arguments can be made for renewable energy or trees and construction materials; if we do not let the Earth replenish what we have taken, what will our planet be like in a thousand years?

One of the most popular activities on Earth Day is to directly give back to our environment by planting a tree within our properties. In the long term scope of things that single plant will not do very much alone for your local ecosystem or the air quality around your home, but if everyone on your block were to repeat this procedure then long term effects could slightly be measured. If everyone within your city planted a locally grown tree on Earth Day it would carry a long way towards fighting the pollution we produce with our vehicles and industries; and if that trend were carried out each and every year our planet would become a much greener place. This is a great activity to complete with children because as they grow they can witness the tree sprouting towards the sky as well, and it makes a great reference point once we are older.

Another smart Earth Day activity is personal reflection around your home and how we can reduce our power costs. This makes sense two-fold because reducing our monthly energy bills directly effects how many fossil fuels need to be destroyed in order to provide your home with power, so by turning off unnecessary electronics and appliances actually helps save the environment to a minor degree. Using the same snowball type example above, if everyone took this task to heart we could power the entire continent on renewable energy alone and save billions of wasted dollars annually. Children are often prone to leaving on lights, televisions, and games after leaving a room; and helping them understand that the power actually has to come from somewhere is often a valuable and habit-changing lesson. (see the Take Charge! Small Changes Can Lead To Big Savings! blog)

Some of the things to look at around your home are investing in energy saving light bulbs, making sure you have the proper insulation for heating and cooling purposes, cleaning the air coils on all major appliances, and adjusting thermostats on air conditioners and hot water heaters. By combining these simple steps an average homeowner can slash their monthly electric costs by as much as 50% or more, and that is without replacing any of the appliances. Of course, if you are in a financial situation where upgrades are possible, the latest line of dishwashers, air conditioners, refrigerators, and hot water heaters are extremely energy efficient when compared with models produced even ten years ago.

To summarize Earth Day events in regards to children and what to convey, teach them about our planet and why it has to be protected. There are nearly endless ways to convey this very simple idea, and good habits formed at an early age can often last a lifetime. If we all follow Whitney Houston’s advice our grandchildren’s grandchildren will inhabit a greener, more beautiful Earth, and in return our planet will thank them by providing several additional centuries of prosperity from within the United States.

Posted by Keith on April 21, 2010     Tags: Go Green , Earth Day Coupon Savings

Now that winter is completely behind us within most regions of the United States, the seasonal changes bring forth several daily lifestyle alterations within our home almost all at once. The cold weather clothes are packed away while drawers and closets are replaced with shorts and tee shirts, the fireplaces and chimneys are sealed off and cleaned in preparation for later this year, and several types of spring cleaning kick off with the gorgeous weather most of the nation is currently experiencing. With all of the changes indoors plus the presence of pollen floating through the air outside, the beginning of the summer months also marks the season where allergy sufferers are often hit the hardest with colds and discomforts that slow them down from their normal workweek. Fortunately for consumers across the country various new innovations are being released that not only help fight off the sniffles and setbacks that come with the changing of the seasons, but are also extremely energy efficient with green technology that benefits everyone.

For starters, almost every home can benefit from a quality air purifier and now is the perfect time to put this type of technology to good use to avoid the brunt of seasonal allergies. These filtration systems, in essence, purify the air as it enters and circulates throughout your home while removing dust, pollen, and all of the other allergens that reap havoc on asthma sufferers and others effected by the seasonal changes. Humidifiers can also bring instantaneous and permanent relief for those that require a moisture-filled environment, and they are also a must have to any nursery since the humidity helps naturally reduce bacteria within the air. The quality and effectiveness of these models can vary greatly from one unit to another, and from personal experience I can certify that prices and overall air quality are not closely related. Even some of the top models found within department stores perform rather poorly when compared to some of the more innovative companies out there, so researching the different brands before making a purchase is vital.

Fortunately for consumers, Green and More has eliminated most of the guesswork involved with choosing the proper model air purifier or humidifier by only supplying excellent products at very competitive prices. Their top notch customer reviews allow users to compare first-hand testimony with their own personal needs, and their expert analysis goes a long way in determining the actual differences between the various price points and features. By using the above link consumers can qualify for free shipping on any purchase of $150 or more, and several of the most popular models are on sale for immediate purchase.

Another topic of interest during these seasonal changes is air conditioning. The actual air quality within our can vary greatly depending on the airflow source and the quality of the unit supplying your residence, and the proper air conditioning unit can make all the difference between a miserable and a pleasant summer. For example, those living in dry climates should not be throwing away money on a refrigerant type air conditioner; instead a purchase of an evaporative air cooler can produce similar results with up to 80% less energy used. By processing the air within your home using a separate technology that does not require harsh chemicals, the air can be better suited for allergy sufferers while simultaneously producing a greener environment. Green and More also has some excellent portable models using both types of technology, and the free shipping offer applies to them as well.

When deciding on which model to purchase, the primary factor should be the amount of square footage being cooled and the desired humidity level within the residence. While salesmen will often recommend the largest and most expensive model for your home cooling usage, this is often a mistake that can cause just as many problems as it addresses. While a huge unit will cool your home quickly and efficiently, it will also run much less and therefore have little effect in condensing the humid air throughout the home. With air circulation minimized and the humidity at its maximum, comfort is much less likely to be achieved. Instead, a healthy balance needs to be discovered between comfort and energy use, and fortunately for the consumer there are some very energy efficient models that can help achieve this difficult task.

Another great one stop place to purchase energy efficient appliances this spring is Home Depot, one of the nation’s leading providers in do it yourself upgrades for the home or office. Not only are they currently offering 10% off any appliance purchase by using the Coupon Shack promotion codes listed above, but their free shipping and everyday great prices makes them an excellent retailer for all air conditioning and appliance needs.

Yet another sensible option for cooling the home this summer is adding ceiling fans to increase the circulation of cool air throughout your residence. By creating a permanent airflow your air conditioner and other appliances will not be forced to work as hard while combating against the outdoor heat, and improved air circulation directly correlates to the level of comfort within the household. Smaller rooms located within uneven floor plans will also benefit from the use of ceiling fans since they will capture the cool air traveling from other rooms and help keep the entire home a more uniform temperature. When it comes to overall selection of ceiling fans, Home Depot is unrivaled in this category.

The final option for economical home cooling is a roof turbine or whole house fan. By pulling the warm air out of your attic, a roof turbine in essence forces the cooler air from the ground level to take its place. By doing so, the entire home feels much less humid while a steady breeze throughout the residence keeps the occupants comfortable throughout the warm afternoons. Using this technology is very affordable since the fans are much less expensive than an air conditioning unit, and their minimal power usage will all but guarantee year long savings. Both Home Depot and Green and More are offering some great deals on roof turbines for the upcoming months, and with free delivery coupled with these offers there is literally no better time to cool off your residence and start enjoying the seasonal changes in comfort.

Posted by Keith on April 19, 2010     Tags: Go Green , Earth Day Coupon Savings

In case you were wondering (or had totally forgotten about) Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9th. With that in mind, I put together a listed of suggested gifts for mothers of all types. The best gift, however, is to just show your appreciation. Here are some themed Mother's Day gift ideas:

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Grandma

1. personalized photo gifts
2. afghan
3. gardening supplies
4. bird watching
5. personalized plaque
6. give to a charity
7. set up a web cam
8. something sentimental like ancestory book
9. handmade card
10. a simple phone call

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for a New Mom

1. personalized photo locket
2. first year photo book
3. photo tote bag
4. spa package
5. scrapbook
6. canvas portrait
7. a good night's sleep
8. maid service
9. flowers
10. do something together as a family

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for a Working Mom

1. stress relievers
2. personalized desk gifts
3. herbal teas
4. perfume
5. stylish handbag
6. lotions & creams
7. iPad or kindle
8. jewelry
9. aroma therapy
10. personalized coffee mug or travel mug

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for the Fashionista Mom

1. photo tote bags
2. personalized laptop bag with her initials
3. cosmetics
4. jewelry or keepsake box
5. shoes
6. umbrella or raincoat
7. manicure or pedicure
8. subscription to fashion/style magazines
9. new hairstyle
10. personalized stationary

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for the Crafty Mom

1. scrapbooking supplies
2. personalized journal
3. subscription to craft magazines
4. embroidery kit (or machine)
5. jewelry/bead making kit
6. new digital camera
7. photo printer
8. artist supplies
9. make your own potpourri
10. handmade bath bag

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for the Green or Eco Mom

1. house plant
2. soy candles
3. organic towels like organic cotton or bamboo
4. solar gadgets like a solar charger
5. composter
6. personalized re-usable shopping bags
7. flowers from organicbouquet.com
8. plant a garden for mom
9. a gift from Novica
10. eco bath & body products

For more Mother's Day gift ideas and coupons, check out our Mother's Day Savings Center.

Posted by Sok on April 07, 2010     Tags: Go Green , Mothers Day Savings

Well, we're through the first month of the new decade and hopefully everyone is hangin in there with your new year's resolution. Whether it be to lose weight, quit smoking, or save money, all personal resolutions lead to a positive result (hopefully anyway), so stick with it.

How about resolutions for your business? I bet not too many people think about this, but why not? The new year is all about new beginnings, and I'm sure if you took some time to think about it, there would be a number of changes you could make to help your business run more efficiently. It's not too late to make a new year's resolution for your business, and I thought I'd help you out with a couple friendly suggestions:

1. Reduce spending. Here's a resolution I'm sure every business could afford. 2. Go Green. Not only is this good for the environment, it can help to reduce costs.

So how do you implement these resolutions? Well, I'm glad you asked! There are a great deal of tools and resources available to help businesses, as well as households, reduce costs and become more eco-friendly. For starters, you can check out CouponShack's Small Business Savings and Go Green blogs, where Sok outlines a number of helpful hints and tips. Additionally, here are a few more ways to go green and reduce spending.

In one of his previous posts, Sok discussed vampire or phantom power which is energy that's used by electronics and appliances that are kept running or idle. The remedy for eliminating phantom power is simply to turn off or unplug these items when you're not using them. A power strip is the easiest way to accomplish this because with the flip of one switch you can turn off five or six devices. Well the EcoStrip 2.0 from Smarthome takes the convenience of a power strip one step further and makes reducing phantom power that much easier. The EcoStrip 2.0 is USB controlled and acts as a normal power strip and surge protector for your computer and peripheral devices. But because it's USB controlled, when your computer is shut off it automatically shuts down all the peripheral devices as well. So this means at the end of the day when you shut down your computer, you will also be turning off your printer, fax, copier, or any other peripheral device that would normally drain idle power if left on. You might not think that phantom power adds that much more to your energy bill, but reduce it for a month and you'll be surprised at the savings.

Another great tool to utilize if you want to make your business more eco-friendly is DocuSign which is a service that allows you to send, receive, and electronically sign important documents and contracts. Now, I love this service because it not only reduces the use of paper, it allows you to network, negotiate, and close deals faster, and on a much broader scale. For instance, I could send a contract from New York to a client in California and he or she could sign it and have it back to me that same day. This process would normally require either one of us flying cross country, or waiting a couple weeks for snail mail. DocuSign allows your business to run just a little smoother, and would certainly reduce the monthly cost of paper, not to mention you'd be going green!

New year's resolutions often take time and don't always yield immediate results. They require planning, implementation, and stick-to-itness. Make this year one of positive change, both on a personal and occupational level. By reducing costs and going green, you'll be surprised at the changes you can make!

Small Business Savings While Going Green part 1

Posted by Ryan on February 01, 2010     Tags: Small Business Savings Center , Go Green

In a previous blog I talked about the amount of energy that is consumed on standby. I stated that you could save up to 10% off your monthly electric bill just by unplugging these electronic items at night. The problem I've found with this is that half the time I forget to unplug (or turn off) the power strip. I'm only saving money half the time. Now I don't know why I did not think of this before, but the simplest solution for this problem is to invest in a power strip that has a timer on it. It didn't dawn on me until I got an email from Big Al's Aquarium, listing all of their current monthly specials. One of the items listed was the Zilla 24/7 Dual Analog Timer Power Center; on sale for $34.99. I even checked all the other manufacturers of timer power strips (Aquarium Systems, Coralife, Fellowes, GE, Honeywell) and found that the Zilla power strip is the best for the buck. It was intended for terrariums and aquariums, but works just as well with home entertainment systems and other electronic devices. Just set it and forget it and you'll instantly notice the savings on your monthly electric bill.

Posted by Sok on December 13, 2009     Tags: Go Green

Are you familiar with vampire power, phantom loads, idling standby current, and wall warts? Sounds scary huh? Well it should. These terms apply to the things that are literally sucking the power out of your home! It's those red, green, or blue lights on all your electronics that glow when the device is turned off. It's the wall charger that stays plugged even when it's not charging. It's the clock on your microwave, the light on your DVR, the mis-managed power strip. Added together, these items account for more than 10% of your monthly electric bill. Here are some tips to on how to protect yourself from these nasty things that go bump in the night:

1. Unplug all your devices. Pull the plug on the TV, DVR, DVD player, etc.
2. Unplug all your wall chargers when they are not in use. They consume 0.45 W of energy (on average) even when not in use.
3. Turn the main power off. Many devices just remain in standby unless the main power is turned off. Check to see if there is a main power switch on the back of the device.
4. Use power strips. Plug all your devices into a power strip and when you are done, just flip the power on the power strip.
5. When buying any new device or appliance, always check to see if it is energy star qualified.
6. Invest in an Auto Switching Surge Protector. These surge protector strips can sense when the device (i.e. computer or TV) is turned off and automatically severs power. You can find one for less than $30 at Sears.
7. Get a Home Power Monitor. It can give you an up to the minute power usage reading of every plugged in device, displayed in either kilowatt hour or actual dollar amount. Black and Decker makes one for under $100 and is available at BestBuy
8. Get a solar charger to charge those small electronics. Ritz Camera has one called the Juice Bar that comes with 12 different adapters, including a USB connection for $27.
9. Don't just get a batter charger, get a solar battery charger. Smarthome has one that charges AA, AAA, C, and D batteries via solar power.
10. Replace all your incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs. Prices continue to come down on these. Check your home improvement store or office store. If you're buying in bulk (the best way to save), check 1000Bulbs. They sell them in packs of 6 for a discount.
11. Make sure you enable power management features on all your electronics. Customize these features to save even more energy.

Posted by Sok on November 19, 2009     Tags: Go Green

As mentioned in previous posts, there are a number of steps that can be taken to save money while running a successful business. If you look back on CouponShack's Small Business Savings Tips you will find many useful suggestions on ways to make every dollar count, and have a little left over to put back into your business, or your pocket!

Going green, or utilizing eco-friendly solutions, is a huge step that can be taken to better your business, and not to mention the environment. You'll be surprised at how much money can be saved by just being aware of the products you use and the energy your business consumes. In Small Business Savings Tips Part 7 Sok outlined a number of suggestions that can be helpful when it comes to reducing the energy consumption of your business.

Reducing the amount of energy your business consumes is a great way to save money while going green, but it's not the only eco-friendly solution. Environmentally friendly office products are not only a great way to pitch in to help the environment, they could also be an effective way to stretch your dollar. Staples is a great resource when it comes to finding office supplies, and they have thousands of products that are eco-friendly. Products such as recycled paper, filing folders, eco-friendly batteries, and energy star rated technology. If it's good for the environment, and you need it in your office, Staples has you covered. They also have programs which allow you to send or bring in your old computers, printers, and ink cartridges for recycling. Staples will even reward you with store credits and new ink for sending in old ink and toner cartridges for recycling. Just visit Staples Eco-Easy center to find all of your environmentally friendly office supplies. So remember to be aware of the energy you consume and the products you use to go green while saving green!

Posted by Ryan on November 09, 2009     Tags: Small Business Savings Center , Go Green