Where has the past month gone? I’m so sorry I’ve been so quiet. Is anyone still keeping up?

I’ve been super-busy lately, between my downsizing (follow along at www.penniesforpackrats.blogspot.com) and Hurricane Sandy (we’re safe, but there was a lot of preparation work to be done beforehand just in case, and I’ve been trying to help out those who did not fare as well. Another storm [Nor'Easter] due tomorrow – please keep all those in need in your thoughts.)

I’m going to try to post more even if it’s just a quick thought or link – just to keep in the habit even when there isn’t enough time for the in-depth posts I really like to write.  Here’s a freebie for today:  10 FREE holiday cards from tinyprints!  Perfect for the “old schoolers” in your family who still really appreciate a paper, snail-mail card.

A little note before I begin, regarding Diatomaceous Earth:  Since my post a few days ago, I have been made aware that Diatomaceous Earth sold for use in swimming pool filters is not recommended for pest deterrence, as it is not guaranteed to be safe for pets and humans, and it may also be less effectivein pest treatment due to being heat-treated.  

Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is recommended, and is available at a good price through Amazon ($23 for 10 lbs and eligible for Super-Saver Shipping if you spend $25 or more.)  

Click this link:  Diatomaceous Earth-Food Grade-10 Pounds by: Nature’s Wisdom
or find it in the Green Penny Pincher Shoppe 

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for Canadian readers: Groupon in Canada

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably at least heard of Groupon by now.  From their site:  ”Groupon features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in 48 countries, and soon beyond (read: Space). ”  (<< Wheee!  Let’s go!)  New to Groupon?  Please consider signing up through my referral link and help me get a little $ to keep this blog going! Thanks in advance!I’ve lost count of how many good deals I have bought (and some, sadly, passed up) on Groupon.  Haircuts, massages, gift cards, dining certificates, even travel.  In honor of Earth Day on April 22nd (this Sunday!), Groupon is currently offering some great eco-deals:

$25 for $50 Worth of Eco-Friendly Home Décor, Accessories, and Gifts at Bambeco.com 
Get Your Groupon!

Get Your Groupon!

This one is a SUPER deal:

Spend $59 on a 30-piece Simply DIY conservation kit (a $118 value).(1) wall-mountable, low-flow Spoiler 2.0 GPM white showerhead w/pause feature(1) package of Teflon tape to quickly seal pipes(1) Stop In Time shower timer requires shower singers to belt the abridged version of Bohemian Rhapsody(2) toilet tummy water savers reduce tank fill(2) packages of leak-detection dye tablets alert users to leaky toilet flappers(2) 1.0 GPM standard bathroom faucet aerators(1) hot-water gauge(1) dual-spray swivel faucet aerator(1) dish squeegee(1) multiwindow insulating kit(2) refrigerator/freezer thermometers(1) furnace filter whistle to sound an alarm when filters need changing(1) 20-pack of insulating light switch and outlet sealers(1) LED nightlight(2) packages of foam tape weather stripping(4) 13-watt LumaCoil CFL bulbs(4) 18-watt LumaCoil CFL bulbs(1) self-stick door sweep to prevent drafts and unexpected visits(1) switch-plate energy saver equipped with a color-coded thermometer encourages eco-friendly interior temperatures

Get Your Groupon!

Check out the Groupon Earth Day Deals page for more great eco-minded deals, including Hypo-Allergenic Pillows, travel to beautiful destinations, portable solar chargers,  healthy food delivered to your door, and exciting volunteer opportunities!  Get Your Groupon!

for Canadian readers: Groupon in Canada

Hope you are all recovering from a wonderful holiday celebration (or right in the middle of one!)   I’ll bet you got some great gifts (and some not-so-great ones too.)  Chances are that the person who bought it for you, love it or hate it, actually put some time, thought, and money into it.

Hand-Stamped Thank-You Cards from Mooseart at Etsy

Although they’re barely heard of nowadays (a true shame), thank-you notes will never go out of fashion.  This is one of the few times where I will break the eco- and spendy rules and say GO WITH A TRADITIONAL, SNAIL-MAIL HANDWRITTEN NOTE.  Especially if it is for a grandparent or someone else from the pre-digital revolution.  And especially for a handmade gift – even if you hate it or it doesn’t fit, it likely took them many hours of hard work to make it.

Guilt trip:  when is the last time you sent a thank-you note?  Have you even thought about them at all this year?  They won’t take you long and they will warm the hearts of those who receive them, and make them so glad they invested in you.  Stamps have gone up, but they are still only 44 cents (for now – they go up to 45 cents on the 1st of the year, so go out and get some “Forever” stamps now!) and that is a small price to pay for keeping the peace and making someone happy.  In addition to post offices, stamps are also available for purchase at many grocery and big-box stores as well as newsstands, drugstores, and office supply stores.

Thank-you notes  can be written on stationery or blank notecards, or you can make or purchase special thank-you notes.  What is important is that you send it!

Here’s a basic outline of a short, sweet thank-you note:

Green Gift-Wrapping Alternatives – The Paper Bag

Sometimes the most beautiful wrappings are also the simplest.  Gather up the paper bags (and other scrap paper) you have (I’ve been saving my son’s scribble-paper!) and put them to work for you when you wrap your holiday gifts.  Fabric works great too!

Lace on Kraft Paper from Sweet Paul Mag

Paper Hearts (originally for Valentine's Day)

(White) Paper roll of cookies with recipe, from Southern Living

Kraft paper wrapping embellished with metallic markers, inspired by Anthropologie

Kraft paper & scrap fabric wrapping from The Thrifty Crafter

CUSTOM Kraft Gift Tags - Pennant Flag Set of 14, $10 from OhHelloMagpie at Etsy

I have a borderline-obsessive preoccupation with saving glass jars.  I still have dozens of baby food jars from when my son was on purees that I can’t let go of because I know they’ll make the perfect project (DIY spice rack anyone?) and I actually buy a certain brand of marinara sauce because I like to re-use the mason jars it comes in as drinking glasses and storage for dry goods.  Someday I will have a gorgeous apothecary-style display in my kitchen something like this:

Just kidding! More like this:

Lots of stores have pre-made cocoa or cookie mixes in jars, but there is so much further to take it… I would love to get any of these things as a gift!

Red Velvet Cupcakes in a Jar

Mason Jar Wall Storage

Whole-Wheat Buttermilk Rolls

Terrarium, $38 from doodlebirdie.etsy.com

Sewing Kit in a Jar from Martha Stewart

Monkey Bread in a Jar

Hanging Tealight Lanterns