Lets face it – being environmentally friendly isn’t always cheap, but remembering your reusable bag can pay off!

The CVS Green Bag Tag is a $0.99 initial investment that earns you $1 ECB every 4th visit to CVS with your reusable bag! Remember your reusable bag and Green Bag Tag for quick CVS trips – pop, photo pickup, prescription refill – they all count towards earning an ECB! I’ve earned $8 ECB since purchasing my Green Bag Tag!

Don’t forget that reusable bags earn you credit at the grocery store, too. I’ve received $0.05 per bag at Target, Walmart, Jewel, and Strak & Van Til, and I’m sure there are plenty of other grocery stores that are getting in on the action. It’s all about encouraging reusable bag usage and being rewarded for doing your part!

With all this reusable bag talk, I can’t not mention my favorite reusable bags…

Envirosax are the original designer reusable bags. They roll up teeny tiny to fit in your purse and expand to accommodate even the bulkiest groceries. The straps are wide and comfortable and the colors and patterns are cute.

It’s important to be cute while you’re saving the earth!

Envirosax can be purchased in packs of 5, or you can mix and match. They are a bit of an investment, but use your CVS Green Bag Tag and you’ll pay for your Envirosax in no time!

I received an Envirosax in exchange for my review. If you have any questions, please see my site policy.

Thrifty Tip – Reusable Bags

I admit it – I spend a significant amount of money on socks, panties & bras. Under garments are so important for looking and feeling your best that I believe in spending a little extra.

Okay, a lot extra.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not looking for a good deal when I purchase high quality under garments. My favorite bras are pricey and custom fit from a boutique in downtown Chicago (if you watch Oprah, you know which boutique I’m talking about). I only buy them once or twice a year because they are so pricey.

Thankfully, Bare Necessities carries the same brand I buy at the boutique, and once I know my size and style, I can buy them online! Bare Necessities coupons make my favorite bras significantly more affordable.

Almost 40% more affordable!

Is there anything you’re willing to splurge on? Do you go on the hunt for online coupons before making your purchase?

Bare Necessities Coupons

I was going to stay away from CVS this week, but I had several coupons that were too good to let expire.

Purchased:

• 4 Pringles regularly $2.59 on sale 2/$3 – $0.50 Sunday Coupon = $5.50
• 3 Campbell’s Chunky Soups regularly $3.19 on sale 2/$3 – $1.50 printable coupon = $3
• 1 Venus Embrace regularly $8.99 – $2 Sunday Coupon = $6.99
• 1 Olay Body Wash regularly $7.40 – FREE with Venus razor purchase Sunday Coupon = FREE
• 4 Skittles regularly $0.99 on sale $0.89 – 2 BOGO printable coupons = $1.78
• 4 Starburst regularly $0.99 on sale $0.89 – 2 BOGO printable coupons = $1.78
• 1 Johnson & Johnson baby lotion (trial size) regularly $0.99 – $1 printable coupon = FREE
• 2 NYC Nail Polish regularly $1.79 – BOGO Sunday Coupon = $1.79

Earned:

• $4 ECB from Venus Embrace
• $1 from Green Bag tag

Total = $16.72

Saved = $34.24

CVS Savings

• $22 gas
• $16 CVS
• $10 Sonic
• $15 vegetable plants
• $54 Walmart

Those tomato and strawberry bushes better yield $69 worth of fruit.

March 3 thru 7

My February blogging goal was $250. Thanks to two new advertisers and my very first Amazon Affiliates payment, I squeaked in!

• PayPerPost = $29
• SocialSpark = $82.50
• Sponsored Tweets = $44.31
• Juicebox Jungle = $10
• Amazon Affiliates = $34.98
• Freelance = $98

Total = $298.79

I also made $97.50 through freelance writing for Demand Studios. I’m not including this in the above totals because it’s not directly related to my blogs, but it is money I made online, so I think it’s worth a mention.

My goal for March is again $250, with an additional $250 from Demand Studios.

February Paid Blogging

I hate having to pay personal loans and other bills as we have the money. I usually sit down once a payday and pay all the bills at one time. I update our budget, plan for next payday, and figure out how much fun money is left over.

There is no fun money lately.

But, at least the bills are getting paid, right?

• $172 Chase
• $3 USPS
• $28 groceries

The only big bill left this month is a car payment. After that, I can breath a sign of relief.

Until next month.

February 27 thru March 3

BOGO Starburst and Skittles coupons are available when you become a fan of each on Facebook!

Make sure to hit your back button and print two of each, and look out for BOGO deals at CVS so you can get FREE CANDY!

• BOGO Skittles
• BOGO Starburst

BOGO Skittles and Starburst!

Okay, so this Thrifty Tip may be considered down right cheap, but that’s the risk I’m willing to take.

Purex 2-in-1 sheets are frequently on sale BOGO at CVS and coupons are easy to come by, so you can almost always get two packages for under $5. That means that you can wash 40 loads of laundry for under $5.

Pretty good, right?

But what if I told you there was a way to get 80 loads of laundry clean for under $5 using those same Purex 2-in-1 sheets?

That’s right. I know the secret.

Cut your Purex 2-in-1 sheets in half lengthwise.

Now before you scoff, there is plenty of detergent and fabric softener on half a sheet for a medium load of clothes that just need a quick wash.

I never use the full amount of detergent that any package say to use, and I don’t smell.

I don’t think.

Thrifty Tip Thursday – Purex 2-in-1 Sheets

I am so excited to announce that Tropicana has chosen me as a Juicy Insider! I’m going to be giving you the scoop on Tropicana’s newest initiative, Tropicana Juicy Rewards.

Just enjoy your favorite Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice, enter the code on the package on Tropicana Juicy Rewards, and start banking points that can be redeemed for savings at more than 20,000 museums, amusement parks, and events!

One carton of juice is worth up to $15 in savings!

It’s a great way for your family to enjoy the OJ they love and make it possible to spend a little more quality family time together!

Can’t wait to bring you more details!

I wrote this review while participating in the Tropicana Juicy Insiders Ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf of Tropicana. I received 12 free Juicy Rewards points and a $50 Visa gift card to use in redemption of the points and to facilitate my review. Please see my site policy if you have any questions.

Tropicana Juicy Rewards

In the past week, I’ve been approached by a large supermarket chain (one that is based on my own community) and national magazine publication to blog about their newest marketing initiatives.

Neither offered any form of compensation.

I struggle with working for companies without compensation. What do you have to do to prove that you’re worthy of compensation? How much should you do just because you’re a brand enthusiast? Are you blacklisting yourself when you say ‘no thank you’ to these ‘opportunities?’

In the end, I think it comes down to companies valuing me as much as I value them.

And a surprising number of them don’t even come close.

They want our readers. Our platform. Our social media presence. But they don’t value us enough to offer compensation for any of it.

And lets be clear – I’m not asking for unjustified compensation. I’m asking for the fair market value of my work from companies that approach me asking for my time and resources. In some cases, I’m even willing to forgo monetary compensation for other intrinsic benefits.

If you’re a nonprofit, I’m more than happy to offer a blog post to help your cause. If you’re a small business, I’m more than willing to offer reduce rates.

If you’re a large conglomerate, please know that you’re undervaluing and underestimating our work when you send us an ‘opportunity’ that only benefits your company. It’s insulting and it’s frustrating.

I’m not threatening to ‘out’ any of these companies. I’m not boycotting their stores or products. But I will decline to work with them when asked and tell them exactly why.

Companies pay for television and newspaper ads. They pay to send junk mail and fliers. Why is it acceptable to pay for those forms of advertising, but not to pay someone in their own community for quality work?

A payment that may very well be used to make a purchase at their store or to buy their magazine.

Bloggers – Undervalued and Underestimated