Apr. 15, 2008 - Save a tree, skip the coupons
Ok, we've been trying the coupon thing and I have to say, sorry, coupons just aren't worth it! 
I'm sure this won't be a popular post, but I promised I would check it out and report back, so here goes nothing. There's a lot of information in this post. I could have added lots more websites, etc. but I have many more responsiblities, so I tried to just sprinkle in a few of my "reasonings" behind each of the products that I do not purchase. (to read why I don't use certain products just click on the product name)
I checked my cost per person per meal before I used one single coupon and it was $1.02 and that did not include snacks or the packed lunches I sent with my husband, so if I factored those in, I know it would be much less than $1 per person per meal.
I scoured and scoured the coupons for ANYTHING that we would use in our home...zip...nada... Cold cereal, canned biscuits, cookie dough, instant potatoes, frozen "meals", carbonated sugary beverages, "light" drinks?? No! Toothpaste? Nope, don't use it. Anti-perspirant, deodorant, hair spray, nope, nope and uhhhh nope! Over the counter medications? Nope. Prescription drugs? No. Disposable diapers or other sanitary products? Rarely. Laundry detergent? No. Drug store make-up? NO WAY! Are you getting the picture? 
(By the way, I asked around what was considered a "good healthy cereal"...the answer, Special K. Well, I checked the ingredients, and since when was High Fructose Corn Syrup healthy?
Now, I know that most people out there DO buy those items and for those folks, I say, if it is something you ALREADY purchase, fine. In my experience that hasn't been the case. Although, there have been a few exceptions. I do use my Staples Business Rewards card (we purchase supplies for the mortgage company) and from time to time I get something good from Staples, like free pens or $$ off of a case of paper, etc. I use those. I also got some toilet paper for pennies per roll by combining a coupon with a store sale.
I still think a better way to save money is to use less stuff. It is not only a way to save the money currently in your wallet, but to save your health later on. You can clean your entire house with just a bottle of vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. If you want you could even use some of the money you are saving from not purchasing all that other garbage that pollutes your body and the environment, to buy some great essential oils!
We use lavender in the rinse cycle to make clothes soft and sweet smelling. We use lemon, lime, or tangerine in our vinegar to spray on countertops...better than Pine Sol any day! A few drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract in your dish rinse water will kill bacteria. For polishing furniture, nothing beats pure olive oil and you can add one drop of lemon essential oil to make it smell like that old familiar Pledge! Pre-treating laundry stains? Try hydrogen peroxide, borax, club soda, or just plain old soap!
Trust me, if you clean up the home environment and get rid of those toxic fumes (Glade Plug ins, Febreeze, Oust, etc. etc.) you'll save the money you've been spending on those products, plus the money you've been spending on your allergies and other ailments caused by your toxic environment! Start your research today, make it a unit study, a home school report, add a page to your website, spread the word! And just say no to those coupons...save a tree!
Comments
Apr. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
How do you clean a house with vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil? Specifically, how would you mix it in a spray bottle as far as proportions go? Thanks!
Nancy (mom of 7 as of tomorrow!)
www.momjustlikeyou.blogspot.com
Apr. 16, 2008 - Recipes for home cleaning
Posted by rebeccahuff
I have had lots of requests for my cleaning recipes. I will post a few on here later today, and then I will add a link to my website, where I will add a page that has EVERY single cleaning recipe that I use in our house....that's going to take me a little while...and I'm right in the middle of a HUGE unit study, so bear with me! Check back tomorrow, I promise to have it done by then :o)
Apr. 16, 2008 - Love this post!
Posted by Sheila@ TimothyMoms.blogspot.com
Ooooh! I hope a gazillion people read this post. I too try to see if coupons will ehlp out our budget every once in awhile and I always end up with the same solution: I DON'T NEED OR USE ANY OF THIS STUFF!!!
I love your ideas about using essential oils and natural cleaning solutions. I would love to read your cleaning solution recipes!!!
Thanks for this post.
Sheila