Saving the Earth – and Money Too

by: Amy Hannold, Frugal Living Editor, 247Moms.com

Considering our Earth, in honor of Earth Day (April 22), we can make the best use of what we have in sustaining our daily lives, without creating more trash. Some of these ideas will save you money as well.

Don’t Toss It, Swap It!: There are a number of website where you can trade books, CDs, DVDs, and Video games that you have for ones that you’d like to own. For the cost of shipping the item you have to another member, an item you want will be sent to you. So clear out those boxes of unused media, and get ready to enjoy some new titles!

PaperBackSwap.com: Sister sites are SwapaCD.com and SwapaDVD.com

You can acquire credits through items you’ve sent to others, or by buying credits. “Storytime with Soldiers”, a donation program of PaperbackSwap.com, gives you the opportunity to support military families. Audio books and text books can also be traded here.

Swaptree.com: Swap CDs, DVDs, video games, and books

At this site, they offer you the opportunity to trade a CD for a DVD, in addition trading for the same type of media.

BookMooch.com: Swap books you have for books you want to read. Earn points by sending books from your bookshelf to others. Exchange points for books listed by website users.

Before You Hit the Mall, Hit the Streets: As the weather gets warmer, we begin to sort through our closets for what we’re going to wear. Already there are many great garage sales where you can find clothes fit for the upcoming sunny days. Thrift stores and consignment stores will also be turning their inventory for the changing seasons.

Make Friends, Refresh Your Wardrobe!: Coordinate a clothing swap in your neighborhood, community center, school, or playgroup. Recruit some help, categorize clothing and accessories by size/gender, and invite a large number of people. Collect donations of clean bags and clothing in advance of the event, so that you have inventory to greet your first guests. Donate the remaining clothes to local charities or shelters.

Pre-Cycle! Think about what you buy and use. How can you make more “Earth-friendly” choices? We prevent the need to recycle when we buy less packaging and reuse what we have. Read PlanetPals.com’s Earth Day 2010 Earth-Zine and learn “Top 10 Ways to Pre-Cycle”, along with other family fun and learning activities. PlanetPals.com is a great resource for teachers and homeschoolers too!:

http://www.planetpals.com/pp_magazine22.html