Alternate uses for rubber bands

One of the best ways to reduce waste and to save money, is to use what you already have. And one of the best ways to make the most of what you already have, is to think about other ways to use those items.

Every so often I highlight a new item that you can repurpose around your house. What's up for today? Rubber bands. Exciting, I know!

Here's a quick list of a few alternate uses for rubber bands...

1. Decorate Easter eggs... wrap them around the egg a few times, dip egg into dye, then remove rubber bands when the dye has dried.
2. Wrap them around wrapping paper rolls to keep them from getting too ragged.
3. Hold wobbly items in place in your dishwasher with a rubber band.
4. Open jars more easily... wrap a rubber band around the lid a few times for a better grip.
5. Wrap a rubber band around your chimes during heavy winds.
6. Wrap a rubber band a few times around the edges of your hangers. This makes a non-slip surface so shirts stay in place.

Looking for more ways to repurpose items? Check these out:

1. Repurposed baby food jars
2. Repurpose baby wipe containers
3. Uses for plastic bags
4. Crafty Edition: Repurpose formula cans
5. Reusing empty shoe boxes

Barnes & Noble 10% off coupon

One of my most favorite ways to relax is to sit on the beach and read a good book. Gotta love the warm sun, the cool breeze and the sound of the gentle crash of the waves.

So peaceful and it's super easy to get lost in whatever you're reading.

Anyway... maybe you need some new reading material for those great beach days. Or maybe you're just snuggled with a book in a comfy chair at home.

Either way, take 10% off any one item at Barnes & Noble, now through 7/19/09. To take advantage of this offer click through and use code: U4W8R8B. You're welcome!

Show me the money... (Weekly Recap)

How much extra money did you earn this week? How much did you save? Here's my weekly re-cap of money/gift cards earned, cash saved by using coupons, and freebies received in the mail.

It's fun to see your savings/earnings amounts all added up. It clearly shows that it's time well spent when you cut coupons, hunt for sales, and make little bits of money here and there. Here's my re-cap for last week, 6/28/09 -7/4/09.

Cash/Checks/Gift Cards Received

$0.30...... YouData (Earn cash by viewing ads... paid every Friday!)
$10.00.... Amazon.com gift card from Swagbucks (Earn gift cards for using their search engine! Sign up HERE, it's free!)
$1.00...... Diapers.com referral (Use code: NOWSAVE5 to take $10 off your 1st order)
$21.00.... Survey Savvy

Total: $32.30

Coupon Savings

$29.40... Acme
$5.00..... Payless
$1.65...... Kohl's
$12.95... TGI Fridays

Total: $49.00

Freebies

First aid kit
Fancy Feast Appetizers Cat food (I'll donate this since we don't have a cat.)


Total 2009 Cash/Checks/Gift Cards Received: $897.39
Total 2009 Coupon Savings: $1,421.64

Find my previous weekly re-caps here.

New Swagcode!

Are you a Swagbucks user? I hope so... it's my absolute most favorite way to earn money online.

Well, today 7/5/09, they have a free swagcode for everyone! The code is: Independence.

This will get you 1 free swagbuck into your account. Making you 1 step closer to cashing out for cash, gift cards or other prizes!!!

Don't have a Swagbucks account yet? What are you waiting for??? It's a completely free search engine, just like Google or whatever you're using now.

The difference? You randomly earn swagbucks from doing searches. You can then use your swagbucks to redeem for cash, gift cards or other cool prizes.

Sign up for your Swagbucks account here.

I've earned well over $200 in Amazon gift cards since I started using Swagbucks last year!!! I LOVE it.

Oriental Trading: Take 20% off ANY order

Just in case you're planning a party sometime soon, I have a great coupon for ya.

Snag 20% off any size order at Oriental Trading! Simply use coupon code: WCX8178 at checkout. Offer expires 7/6/09.

If you've never shopped at Oriental Trading, they are the headquarters for party supplies, decorations and favors. Oh and they carry about a gazillion other things as well. All, super cheap.

BONUS: Make your Oriental Trading purchase through your Ebates account and you'll earn 3% cash back! New to Ebates? Sign up for your free account and you'll earn a $5.00 bonus in addition to your cash back!

Puzzles: B2G1 Free + Free Shipping

I LOVE the Melissa & Doug Puzzles and other wooden toys. They are so cute and made with such great quality that they easily stand apart from other puzzles and toys.

Anyway, eToys has a hard-to-pass-up deal going on where you can buy any 2 Melissa & Doug puzzles or toys, and you'll get another one for free! And, like icing on the cake, they are offering free shipping as well!!!

No coupon code necessary for this promo, just click through above and add your three items to your cart. The free one will be adjusted at checkout. Offer runs through 7/11/09.

$1.00 off Gerber Graduates Smart Sips

Have your toddlers or preschoolers tried the new Graduates Smart Sips drinks? We haven't yet.

Apparently these Smart Sips are milk drinks loaded with vitamins and minerals. And they come in Plain, Vanilla & Strawberry.

You can learn more about them here, if you want.

And then you can print out a great coupon for $1.00 off any one single serve Graduates Smart Sips.

Bath & Body Works FREEBIE!!!!

Gotta love freebies!

And right now you can get a free Antibacterial Foaming Hand Sanitizer from Bath & Body Works!!!

To claim your freebie, simply print this coupon. Offer is valid with any purchase and is good in-store only.

Offer good through 7/5/09.

Also, note that their Signature Collection Classics are marked down from $9.50-$10.50 to only $4.00!!! So this would be a great, cheap product to purchase in order to get your freebie.