How to recycle your cash

Recycling is not only good for the environment, but it's also good for your pockets.

1. Recycle Clothes

During this "Great Recession," I recently found crafty ways to recycle cash back into my wallet.
I started by cleaning out my closet. I finally gave up my 2 sizes too small jeans and outdated fashion attire. I thought about selling them on eBay, but that is too much work and such a waiting game.  So, I decided to go to CrossRoads Trading Co., my favorite secondhand discount store to sell my clothes.

Although they only paid me 35% of the price they sell the item in the store for, I was able to get a few of my used clothes off my hands and score some cash in my pocket.  I also asked for trade.  If you decide to trade your clothes, you receive 50% of the asking price.   For those of you who are not mathematicians, here is a break down:

The store planned on selling a pair of my jeans for $15.00.  I received 35% from $15.00, which averages to $5.25.  On the other hand, the trading value of 50% turns out to be $7.50.  I like to trade and get cash, so I get the best of both worlds.  So, I received $5.25 cash for one pair and $7.50 in trade.  Believe it or not, I scored a gently worn BCBG Sweater Dress with the trade money.

2.  Recycle your Cans and Bottles

My Husband and I drink lots of bottled water and diet soda.  We use to recycle our aluminum cans and plastic bottles with our trash company.  We decided that the savings were minimal and decided to go directly to the recycling company.  To our surprise, the price per pound for plastic is .95 cents and $1.70 for aluminum cans.  That's Huge! We made $8.80, just from recycling.  No wonder there are so many people collecting cans and night creepers that rummage through my recycling bins.

Okay, so I'm not suggesting that you go pick up bottles and cans on the streets.  I'm just giving you the facts on how much money you can make by recycling. Just imagine if you recycled the $8.80 every week for 52 weeks. At the end of the year, that would equal to $457.60 in your pocket.  Now that's a nice chunk of change for a mini Vacation.







Although I did not get the

Re-gift or not?!

There are many who shy away from re-gifting any of the gifts they receive because of their idea of moral values ( i.e, being cheap)

I find that re-gifting has nothing to do with moral values. It's a gift that you received that you would never be caught dead wearing or better yet, a shaking dumbbell that makes you look and feel as though you should be in an X-rated video. Instead of allowing it to become a part of the clutter in your house, why not re-gift it.

When is it ok to re-gift the items? It's not when, it's how:

1. Re-gift at white elephant parties.

White elephant parties are parties with set minimum values for gifts with random drawings and swap options. If someone gets your gift and they don't like it, they can try to steal and swap the gift with someone else. You can never get your horrible item, but a downfall is you may get another horrible gift you did not want. Re-gift it at another white elephant party.

2. Give it to the host of a party

Re-gift your gift to a host of a Christmas shindig. A gift for the host is always a great gesture.

4. If all else fails.

Donate the gift to charity. Find a local goodwill or salvation army donation center in your neighborhood. I'm sure someone will need that shaking dumbbell or chances are- they will resell it. The money the donation centers make is recycled by providing jobs, shelter and resources.

So don't feel bad about re-gifting. It's just like recycling!

Bargain Steals

Today was a day of bargain hunting. I woke up early and drove to my nearest discount store, Ross.

I had no idea what I was looking for, but I knew I had to find a fabulous Christmas gift for my label junkie friend.

My first stop was the electronic section. I figured I could probably find a really cool gadget for my Husband and kill two birds with one stone. To my surprise, I found nothing that stuck out for him.

However, just in case I missed something, I continued to dig around the electronics aisle. After searching for 20 minutes, I found two fabulous items for my label junkie friend. I quickly snatched them up as though someone was behind me, waiting to steal the deal.

I found a set of Paul Frank SkullHead earbuds and a Hello Kitty iPhone 4 case. It was definitely a steal. I paid less then half price for both items- leaving me some change for a nice afternoon lunch with my Husband.

Here is the breakdown of the items I bought and the listed price on a popular discount online store called Amazon:

Paul Frank Earbuds

Ross' price: $12.99
Amazon's price: $28.99
Savings= $16.00

Hello Kitty iPhone 4 case

Ross' price: $5.99
Amazon's price: $12.50
Savings= $6.51

*Hot tip-go early when the store opens and you'll get the best selection to rummage through.