EcoStore USA Review and Giveaway

I use many different kinds of Earth-friendly cleaning products in our household, so when EcoStore USA contacted me to do a review and giveaway I was very intrigued. EcoStore USA is an e-commerce site that sells plant-based, non-toxic household cleaning, baby, and personal care items. I chose to review the Naturally Antibacterial Spray Cleaner and the Baby Shampoo -- two products I am particularly picky about!

First, the spray cleaner... Two things I noticed right away: 1. it has a light lemon scent (lovely) and 2. a little bit goes a long way. I put this cleaner to the test by tackling the crusty crud that lives under Clara's booster seat. You know, the spot that seems to regenerate almost overnight with grime and enough crumbs to feed a small flock of birds? Yeah, that spot.

Here's the before photo:

....and after (MUCH better)!

So, Earth-friendly AND it cleans very well using very little spray.... I am impressed!

Next up was the baby shampoo (seen here)...

Again, this shampoo did not disappoint. I had great results using a very small amount on both of my girls' hair. It lathers up quite nicely, has a unique and pleasant scent, and easily rinsed out leaving their hair clean and shiny.... beautiful!

Now the fun part, EcoStore USA is offering you the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to be used on their website, plus free shipping! Giveaway is open to all US and Canadian residents only.

Ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post and be sure to include you email address in the comments field.
2. Tweet or blog about this giveaway. Come back here and leave a comment that you tweeted/blogged about it.
3. Follow EcoStore USA on Twitter. Come back here and leave a comment that you are now following them.

Easy, right??

You may also be interested to know that EcoStore USA is featuring a BOGO back-to-school promotion on orders of $50 or more, and shipping is always free on orders over $25!!

Winner will be chosen by random.org and giveaway ends Wednesday, August 19th @ 6:30pm EST. Good luck!!

5 Tips to Save Money on Eating Out

Last week, Mark and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, and we thought it would be nice to take the family out for dinner to celebrate! As a frugal freak, I'm always looking for ways to save money and cut costs. Here are some of our favorite ways to save money on eating out:

1. Kids Eat Free -- Visit kidseatfree.com for local restaurant deals featuring free kid's meals. This can be a huge money saver, especially for those large families with several kids.


2. Restaurant.com -- Find deals on neighborhood restaurants and purchase $25 gift certificates for just $10! 


3. Entertainment Book -- Depending on where you live, and how often you go out to eat, the Entertainment Book can be a huge money-saver.


4. Brochures from Local Hotels -- If you live near any hotels, visit the lobby and pick up any brochures for local attractions. Many of these contain coupons for restaurants as well!


5. Yellow Pages -- Your local Yellow Pages is also a good source for restaurant coupons, and some even list several menus from restaurants (which could save you lots of time too).

$5 Friday -- Outdoor Picnic Snack for Five Bucks

This Memorial Day weekend, I'm sure there will be lots of picnics and barbecues. For $5 Friday, I took the girls with me for a special trip to the grocery store to see how far we could stretch our $5 for an outdoor picnic snack! 

Here's what we purchased for less than $5:

1 lb. organic carrots = $0.99

1/3 lb. red seedless grapes = $0.66

1 bag white cheddar popcorn = $0.50

1 bag soy nuts = $1.49

1 box pasta salad mix = $1.00

1 pitcher ice water = free

Total spent = $4.64!!

I made the dip for the carrots by stretching the ranch seasoning packet from the pasta salad mix with a little more mayo and added some milk to make it a little more creamy. It worked well!

Happy Frugal Picnicking!

31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin Robbins

Just a reminder, or in case you did not already know, tonight is Baskin Robbins 31 cent scoop night from 5pm to 10pm! Take the whole family out for an inexpensive ice cream treat. A small scoop is just $0.31! More details here. Sign up for their newsletter, and you'll know when the next one is.

Get Your FREE Sub

Quiznos is giving away coupons for a free sub to the first million people who register at http://www.millionsubs.com Go get your coupon!

Free Books!

My mother-in-law first told me about this tip, and I am so glad she shared it with me! If you are a literature junkie, be sure to check out DailyLit.com to read books for FREE via email or RSS. Lots of children's titles are available too. It is so easy to sign up and get started. First, browse their collection of books to find the title you want. Enter your email address, and click subscribe. Most books are available in several segments that require less than 5 minutes a day of reading. The best part -- no late fees from the library! For more information, click here.

Save Money on Electronics

One of the questions I am asked quite frequently is "How do you get the best deals on electronics?" Here are some of my favorite tips to save big bucks on that new digital camera, laptop, or other electronic purchase:

1. Network: Let everyone know that you are in the market to buy a (insert electronic name here). Often a friend of a friend may have exactly what you are looking for, or know of a place that is having good deals, so it never hurts to get the word out.
2. Buy Used: Place an ad on Craigslist. It is free, and you may be able to snag a good deal. Also, browse eBay for listings on used items.
3. Try Refurbished: Check out Amazon Warehouse for great deals on refurbished electronics. Our digital camera came from here (Nikon D40), and we have been so happy about this purchase.
4. Open Box Models: I went to a large electronics store to buy a sub-woofer for Mark. I asked about the Open Box model and got a substantial discount. It even came with the same warranty, just no box -- they wrapped it in bubble wrap.
5. Other Deals: If you have not checked out Woot, you should. Woot features one item a day (usually deeply discounted) and they sell it until it is sold out before offering another item the next day. No matter what you buy, the shipping is always just $5!!

Save Money on Eating Out

Go to Restaurant.com and use checkout code DINE to purchase a $25 gift certificate to your local favorite restaurants for just $2!! Certificates do not expire for a full year, so it is a good time to stock up. Offer good today only.

We have used these before (and given some as gifts), and it is always a good deal!

Free Stickers!

Visit the Gmail blog for some free stickers! Just send a self-addressed stamped envelope. Click here for details. These look really cute!

The Money Garden

Who says money doesn't grow on trees? This $10 seed investment boasts that it can yield over $650 worth of vegetables on just one tenth of an acre! For more gardening tips, see my recent post Garden Planning.

Free Breakfast at Denny's

If you watched the Super Bowl last night (and you did watch, didn't you?), then you probably saw that Denny's is offering a FREE Grand Slam Breakfast tomorrow (Tuesday, February 3rd) from 6 AM - 2 PM! For more information, or to find a Denny's near you, click here.

Free Coffee and Breakfast Menu Samples at Panera Bread

Panera Bread is offering free coffee all day Wednesday, January 28th and free samples of some of their new breakfast items like the granola parfaits and grilled breakfast sandwiches! Yummy! Click here to find a Panera Bread near you.

Photo by Samantha Celera

Create 6 FREE Valentine's Day Cards

Stories by Everyone is running a special for 6 FREE Valentine's Day Cards. You can upload a photo to personalize them -- very cute! Shipping is also free. Enter code valentine at checkout. Offer expires 2/1/2009. Not valid with any other offer.

Get a Deal on Disney

Disney is now offering a package to buy 4 nights, get 3 more nights with tickets free! Plus, when you travel between 3/1 - 3/9 and 3/17- 3/29, you'll also get a $200 Disney Gift Card. Click here for details.

20% off Online Solar Course

Are you considering installing solar panels to your home? You might want to enroll for an extensive 4 hour online course offered by Eco Achievers. Enter coupon code RENEW at checkout and you will save 20% off the $59 enrollment fee. Offer expires 02/16/2009. Click here for more details.

Top 5 Fun Freebies for Inauguration Day

Tomorrow is Inauguration Day, and there are some fun freebies to be had! Here are some you won't want to miss:

1. Download America's Song -- A free .mp3 download courtesy of Oprah. This song is sure to get you into a patriotic mood!
2. Krispy Kreme Donut -- Visit your local Krispy Kreme for a free donut of your choice. Click here for more information.
3. Starbuck's Coffee -- This is my favorite giveaway.  Starbucks has joined up with HandsOn Network to promote volunteerism. Go to your local Starbucks and pledge just 5 hours of volunteer community service. Show your pledge card and you will get a free tall coffee! Afterwards, log on to pledge5.starbucks.com to find local volunteer opportunities, track your hours pledged and receive updates on the campaign. For more information, click here.
4. TGI Friday's -- Don't have a party to go to, but still want to get out for some fun? Head over to TGI Fridays for their World's Largest Inauguration Party. Join their Give Me More Striped club (for free), and you can enjoy free red and white Friday's chips with salsa and chipotle ranch dip, half-priced appetizers, and a commemorative Friday's button. Party starts at 9pm! Click here for more information.
5. Free Memorabilia -- Looking to collect a small piece of history? Click here for a free "Yes We Did" commemorative sticker from MoveOn.org or click here for a free copy of the inauguration cover from The New Yorker.

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dq090702/2745257948/

Know a great freebie for Inauguration Day that I didn't mention? Leave a comment and share your tip with us!

Giveaway Reminder

Just a reminder, the $10 iTunes Gift Card Giveaway ends at 6pm EST today, so be sure to get your entry in!  Click here for details on how to enter...  Good luck!!

Top 5 Things to Buy Used

Photo by DIY City Mag

I am a huge fan of shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, and yard sales for used items.  Not only is this a great money-saving strategy, it is also better for the environment.  Buying used requires less resources to produce, and helps keep waste out of landfills.  

Here is my top 5 list of things to buy used:

1. Books --  I never buy new books anymore.  Instead, I frequently borrow books from the library for free, or search for used books.  See my related post: Alternatives to buying new books for more information.
2. Wooden Furniture --  Huge savings here!  Check the condition and if the furniture seems sturdy, you may be able to refinish the surface and have a "like new" piece to add to your home.
3. Lighting and Home Decor --  Lamps, light fixtures, and other home decor items usually go for about 10% of the original purchase price.  With lighting, be sure it is UL certified.
4. Children's Clothing --  Kids outgrow their clothes at such a rapid rate.  Instead of stressing over whether or not that stain is going to come out of little Johnny's new outfit, try finding quality used kids clothes and save yourself a ton of money. If the price is right, I have been known to stockpile clothes for the girls for years to come.
5. Glassware/Bakeware -- You can find significant savings in used glassware or bakeware.  If you see an item you like, be sure to purchase it right away.  Items in thrift stores tend to move very quickly!

Have a favorite thing you like to buy used?  Leave us a comment and share your ideas with us!

Printable Coupons for Organics

Here is a great list of online printable coupons for organic items:

1. Organic Valley -- Save on milk, cheese, soymilk, and butter.  Each coupon can be printed twice.  Also, click here for a printable coupon for $2 off the purchase of any 2 Organic Valley products.
2. Mambo Sprouts -- Many coupons here for green cleaning products, organic peanut butter, organic chocolate chips, and more!
3. Horizon Organic -- Sign up on their website for free printable coupons for organic milk and butter.
4. Earth's Best Organic -- Register to print a coupon good for $1 off 10 jars of organic baby food (You may print the coupon up to three times), and $1 off any two Sesame Street Earth's Best Organic products (You may print once).
5. Stonyfield Farm -- Register for several coupons for organic milk, ice cream, and yogurt.
6. Brown Cow Farm -- Register for several printable coupons for yummy organic yogurt.
7. Earthbound Farm -- Quiz your knowledge on organic farming and you will receive a coupon (via snail mail) for Earthbound Farm's organic products.  They will usually include a newsletter which also contains coupons!

Know of a good printable coupon for organics that I forgot to add?  Leave a comment and share it with us!

This Week Find Deals on Craft Supplies

Photo by Lauren Weinhold

We frequently make crafts from recycled items, but we also keep a well-stocked selection of paints, felt, markers, crayons, and glue on-hand. Here are some ways to help build up your craft closet by taking advantage of some upcoming sales and online deals.

1. Click here for printable coupons for A.C. Moore valid 1/11/09-1/17/09 including: 
   :: 50% off any one regular priced floral item
   :: 40% off any one regular priced kids' activity 
   :: $3 off all 20 oz jar candles
   :: 50% off any one regular price item (good 1/17/09 only).
   
2. Michael's is featuring 70% off yarn and a winter clearance sale with several items throughout the store marked down 80% off until 1/17/09.  Click here for details.
3. Use promotion code SFD031 in your online shopping basket at JoAnn for 50% off any one regular priced item.  Also on sale at JoAnn is a 40 pack of foam sheets for just $2.99.
4. MakingFriends.com has online coupons for mail-in sample requests.  Many can be shipped for just $1.
5. Oriental Trading Company has free shipping on orders of $59 or more.  There is a winter clearance sale on hundreds of items 50-75% off.

Have a tip on an upcoming craft sale that I forgot to add?  Leave us a comment and share it with us!