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Monday, October 26, 2009
Chinook Books
As promised in my last post I am going to delve into the wonderful world of Chinook Books.
Chinook books are coupon books by EcoMetro with coupons for local, green-oriented businesses. They have books for Seattle/Puget Sound area WA, Portland OR, Silicon Valley/Santa Cruz CA, East Bay CA, Denver/Boulder CO, and Twin Cities MN. There are hundreds and hundreds if not thousands of dollars of savings in these books, and they usually cost about $20 a piece. I keep my eyes peeled for the times when they are on sale for $15 or try and buy them as part of a fund raiser. Chinook Books are pretty great fund raising tools, I think you can buy them for $10 a piece and then make a $10 profit when you resell them to the community for your fundraiser.
As I am located in the Seattle area I am most familiar with the Seattle/Puget Sound book and I will be talking exclusively about this book. If you live in one of these other areas I strongly suggest you check out your local Chinook Book either at your local grocery store (where I live you can find these books at the health food store and some local green-oriented businesses) or online at http://www.ecometro.com/
If you look at their website you will also find online coupons, events, reviews of businesses and various articles on local events and environmental subjects.
The Chinook book itself has coupons for things such as groceries (these coupons can mostly be used at any store that carries the item, although some are store-specific such as a free five pound bag of organic carrots from Town and Country grocery stores); local restaurants; "play" including discounts for theater, music, museums and sports-related activities such as kayaking; "home" which has coupons for home improvement and there are also garden related coupons.
I have two Chinook books in my car currently and if I can remember I either bring the book into the store with me or go through it before I go in to see if there is a coupon for anything I might be buying. I also take advantage of the coupon sleeve that is provided in the book and I carry coupons for items I know I will be buying at some point in my wallet. If you are a savvy shopper who watches sales through grocery store circulars you can sometimes get amazing deals on groceries. I am a member of PCC, which is a local health food store co-op turned local chain and they send their members monthly circulars along with 10% off coupons to be used once a month. I have saved up to 40% on my grocery bill at PCC through using Chinook book coupons/Mambo Sprout (http://www.mambosprouts.com)and online coupons/watching circular ad prices/and using my 10% off membership discount. Yes, you can buy groceries at the health food store and do it at a reasonable price!
Don't discount places such as Safeway, Fred Meyer's or QFC, either... many of them have a fair sprinkling of 'health food' throughout the store and again, really good bargains can be found if you watch the circulars and always take your coupons in with you.
While I use my Chinook book almost exclusively for grocery shopping it has come in handy for many other items as well. I especially recommend checking out Bartell's Drug Store for items such as Tom's of Maine beauty/health products, Seventh Generation cleaning products and other green health/beauty/cleaning products you use because they often have good sales on these items, you can add in specific Chinook coupons for the items AND you can take $5 off with the Bartell's coupon. Not too bad.
My other favorite thing about the Chinook book is the breakdown of the different neighborhoods in Seattle with information on local businesses... I like to use this feature to see what businesses around me take the Chinook book coupons and to plan out shopping trips in order to do the least amount of driving/gas wasting. I have found some pretty great little shops I'd otherwise never know about thanks to this feature.
I often trade coupons with my friends, too. I always feel bad for those amazing coupons in my book just languishing there, wanting to be used and doing coupon swaps means the coupons are out there, doing what they were made to do. :) I have been able to get quite a few duplicate coupons for items I regularly buy that I'd otherwise have to shell out another $20 to get, just by doing coupon trades. If you work in an office or go to school you can put out an email looking for coupon swaps and if you're lucky you'll get some really great coupons in trade for ones that you would never have used in the first place.
Stay tuned for more random ramblings. Please let me know if there is any subject in particular you'd like to hear about in regards to living healthy on a budget in Seattle!
Chinook books are coupon books by EcoMetro with coupons for local, green-oriented businesses. They have books for Seattle/Puget Sound area WA, Portland OR, Silicon Valley/Santa Cruz CA, East Bay CA, Denver/Boulder CO, and Twin Cities MN. There are hundreds and hundreds if not thousands of dollars of savings in these books, and they usually cost about $20 a piece. I keep my eyes peeled for the times when they are on sale for $15 or try and buy them as part of a fund raiser. Chinook Books are pretty great fund raising tools, I think you can buy them for $10 a piece and then make a $10 profit when you resell them to the community for your fundraiser.
As I am located in the Seattle area I am most familiar with the Seattle/Puget Sound book and I will be talking exclusively about this book. If you live in one of these other areas I strongly suggest you check out your local Chinook Book either at your local grocery store (where I live you can find these books at the health food store and some local green-oriented businesses) or online at http://www.ecometro.com/
If you look at their website you will also find online coupons, events, reviews of businesses and various articles on local events and environmental subjects.
The Chinook book itself has coupons for things such as groceries (these coupons can mostly be used at any store that carries the item, although some are store-specific such as a free five pound bag of organic carrots from Town and Country grocery stores); local restaurants; "play" including discounts for theater, music, museums and sports-related activities such as kayaking; "home" which has coupons for home improvement and there are also garden related coupons.
I have two Chinook books in my car currently and if I can remember I either bring the book into the store with me or go through it before I go in to see if there is a coupon for anything I might be buying. I also take advantage of the coupon sleeve that is provided in the book and I carry coupons for items I know I will be buying at some point in my wallet. If you are a savvy shopper who watches sales through grocery store circulars you can sometimes get amazing deals on groceries. I am a member of PCC, which is a local health food store co-op turned local chain and they send their members monthly circulars along with 10% off coupons to be used once a month. I have saved up to 40% on my grocery bill at PCC through using Chinook book coupons/Mambo Sprout (http://www.mambosprouts.com)and online coupons/watching circular ad prices/and using my 10% off membership discount. Yes, you can buy groceries at the health food store and do it at a reasonable price!
Don't discount places such as Safeway, Fred Meyer's or QFC, either... many of them have a fair sprinkling of 'health food' throughout the store and again, really good bargains can be found if you watch the circulars and always take your coupons in with you.
While I use my Chinook book almost exclusively for grocery shopping it has come in handy for many other items as well. I especially recommend checking out Bartell's Drug Store for items such as Tom's of Maine beauty/health products, Seventh Generation cleaning products and other green health/beauty/cleaning products you use because they often have good sales on these items, you can add in specific Chinook coupons for the items AND you can take $5 off with the Bartell's coupon. Not too bad.
My other favorite thing about the Chinook book is the breakdown of the different neighborhoods in Seattle with information on local businesses... I like to use this feature to see what businesses around me take the Chinook book coupons and to plan out shopping trips in order to do the least amount of driving/gas wasting. I have found some pretty great little shops I'd otherwise never know about thanks to this feature.
I often trade coupons with my friends, too. I always feel bad for those amazing coupons in my book just languishing there, wanting to be used and doing coupon swaps means the coupons are out there, doing what they were made to do. :) I have been able to get quite a few duplicate coupons for items I regularly buy that I'd otherwise have to shell out another $20 to get, just by doing coupon trades. If you work in an office or go to school you can put out an email looking for coupon swaps and if you're lucky you'll get some really great coupons in trade for ones that you would never have used in the first place.
Stay tuned for more random ramblings. Please let me know if there is any subject in particular you'd like to hear about in regards to living healthy on a budget in Seattle!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Great places to get cheap, eco-friendly baby items in the Seattle area!
As a student I don't make very much money, and now that I have a baby on the way and am not working I make even less! Thank goodness my husband is willing to support me as I add yet another degree to my name (eventually I will have more letters after my name than in it).
I do my very best to buy organic, recycled or otherwise eco-friendly items, but that can be really costly. I thought I would share how a nearly unemployed medical student gets by in our high-cost-of-living city while living eco-friendly.
As I am expecting my first baby I am constantly on the look out for ways to get baby clothes and baby items on the cheap. Places that have worked for me so far include:
Thrift Stores: Set rules for yourself when you go thrift store shopping! Mine include the following:
1)I make a list of items I need and try to stick to the list.
2)If there is something not on the list that I feel I absolutely must have I will put it in my basket and consider it carefully (if you think there is something you want pick it up because it is usually one of a kind and if someone else snags it you're out of luck).
3) Look over the item very carefully, examine all seams, hinges, interiors, what have you. If you are buying junk you've wasted your money, even if it's only $1.
4) If there is something wrong with the item that you think you can fix or live with and there is no "as is" tag you can sometimes get the checker or manager to reduce the price.
5) Remember: salt, baking soda, vinegar and Borax are amazing at getting out stains. People often donate dirty items (sad but true) to the thrift store and they don't get washed properly before being put out on the floor.
6) No matter what: wash the item in your next batch of laundry! This should be done with all clothing/linens whether thrifted or brand new. Especially if you are expecting a baby soon you want everything ready to go.
Goodwill Industries: web address: http://www.seattlegoodwill.org/seatt
While it appears that their prices have increased due to the recession and are often quite arbitrary you can get some excellent deals on baby clothes (I have a hard and fast rule that I won't pay more than $1.00 for any one piece of baby clothing) and if you go when there is a sale you can get even better deals. If you check the website above you can get their sale schedules and if you use the Chinook Book (more on this wonderful coupon book in a later post) you can get an additional 20% off your entire purchase.
Examples of amazing things I have gotten at the Goodwill: practically brand new onesies and sleepers with incredibly cute little animals all over them. Never-used glass baby bottles for 50 cents a piece.
Value Village: website: http://www.valuevillage.com You have to sign up for their enews if you want to know when they are having special sales/promotions. Like the Goodwill they often have sales on specific colored tags throughout the month. They do a calendar at the beginning of the year that has monthly coupons inside, which can be quite handy.
Examples of amazing things I have gotten at Value Village: organic baby clothes, an exquisite hand-knit baby blanket and a super warm baby snuggly with hood and fold over hand warmers for when my winter baby comes!
Consignment Stores: not only do these stores have some great items at pretty good prices, you can bring in items you no longer need and get money or store credit when they are sold. Disclaimer: I have yet to consign anything at the following stores, but I plan to.
Me n Moms: website: http//www.menmoms.com There are three locations for Me N Moms stores: Ballard, Lynnwood and Issaquah. They have a selection of maternity clothing, infant/toddler/child clothing, toys and furniture. Items appear to be in very good shape and are well organized, as opposed to thrift stores where you need to be ready for treasure hunting. I use the $5 off of $25 coupon from the Chinook Book and there are racks of clothing that have been reduced for quick sale.
Examples of items I have gotten at Me n Moms: maternity jeans, several maternity shirts, toys for my nephew.
Labels: Womens and Childrens Consignment: website: http//www.labelsseattle.com Located in Greenwood, this is one of the nicest consignment shops I have ever seen. It is a bit small, but filled with lovely items that are in excellent shape. They have women's, children's and maternity clothing. The maternity clothing section, while very small, is filled with lovely items.
Examples of items I have gotten at Labels: one of the cutest skirts I have ever seen in my life (a maternity skirt at that, and if you have tried buying maternity clothing you may know that 'cute' is very hard to come by!), dressy maternity top, gorgeous maternity sweater.
Other places to consider for eco-friendly baby clothes/items: I have yet to use these places myself.
Kate Quinn Organics website: http//www.katequinnorganics.com You can go to their Saturday trunk sales and get a great deal on adorable, organic baby clothes.
Freepeats: website: http//www.freepeats.org Currently they are offering a free lifetime membership through September 2009. They are doing a first 100 offers giveaway currently where the first 100 offers for a particular area will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com
You can sign up and offer baby items you no longer need and find items that are being offered for free in your area. You can also post items you are looking for and if another member has the item they can contact you. The beauty of this is that you can pick up the item from the other freepeat member and no shipping is involved. What a wonderful way to reduce/reuse/recycle. The Seattle freepeats website seems a little slow right now. Join and help get things moving!
Freecycle Seattle: website: http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/Washington/Seattle This is a Yahoo group, so if you don't have a Yahoo account you will need to get one. This is similar to freepeats as you can post items you are seeking or offering. This is a very well run site that will send you daily emails about items wanted or offered. I have seen all sorts of great things on here including furniture and building supplies. I have also seen some random items such as "small can of shaving cream" hmm... interesting! I have used this site just a little bit myself and got a nice plastic underbed box for organizing fabric. As with freepeats Freecycle is all local, so you go and pick up the item yourself, no shipping involved. Again, what a wonderful way to reduce/reuse/recycle!
Other areas I have gotten cheap/eco-friendly baby clothes: My sister, my friends, friends of friends. Let people know you are having a baby and that you are looking for particular items that they no longer need and you may find yourself with more clothes/bottles/diapers than you thought possible. Obviously this can get a bit out of hand, so be discerning! If you know you don't need the item/won't use it kindly let them know or pass it on to someone who will whether a friend or donation.
I do my very best to buy organic, recycled or otherwise eco-friendly items, but that can be really costly. I thought I would share how a nearly unemployed medical student gets by in our high-cost-of-living city while living eco-friendly.
As I am expecting my first baby I am constantly on the look out for ways to get baby clothes and baby items on the cheap. Places that have worked for me so far include:
Thrift Stores: Set rules for yourself when you go thrift store shopping! Mine include the following:
1)I make a list of items I need and try to stick to the list.
2)If there is something not on the list that I feel I absolutely must have I will put it in my basket and consider it carefully (if you think there is something you want pick it up because it is usually one of a kind and if someone else snags it you're out of luck).
3) Look over the item very carefully, examine all seams, hinges, interiors, what have you. If you are buying junk you've wasted your money, even if it's only $1.
4) If there is something wrong with the item that you think you can fix or live with and there is no "as is" tag you can sometimes get the checker or manager to reduce the price.
5) Remember: salt, baking soda, vinegar and Borax are amazing at getting out stains. People often donate dirty items (sad but true) to the thrift store and they don't get washed properly before being put out on the floor.
6) No matter what: wash the item in your next batch of laundry! This should be done with all clothing/linens whether thrifted or brand new. Especially if you are expecting a baby soon you want everything ready to go.
Goodwill Industries: web address: http://www.seattlegoodwill.org/seatt
While it appears that their prices have increased due to the recession and are often quite arbitrary you can get some excellent deals on baby clothes (I have a hard and fast rule that I won't pay more than $1.00 for any one piece of baby clothing) and if you go when there is a sale you can get even better deals. If you check the website above you can get their sale schedules and if you use the Chinook Book (more on this wonderful coupon book in a later post) you can get an additional 20% off your entire purchase.
Examples of amazing things I have gotten at the Goodwill: practically brand new onesies and sleepers with incredibly cute little animals all over them. Never-used glass baby bottles for 50 cents a piece.
Value Village: website: http://www.valuevillage.com You have to sign up for their enews if you want to know when they are having special sales/promotions. Like the Goodwill they often have sales on specific colored tags throughout the month. They do a calendar at the beginning of the year that has monthly coupons inside, which can be quite handy.
Examples of amazing things I have gotten at Value Village: organic baby clothes, an exquisite hand-knit baby blanket and a super warm baby snuggly with hood and fold over hand warmers for when my winter baby comes!
Consignment Stores: not only do these stores have some great items at pretty good prices, you can bring in items you no longer need and get money or store credit when they are sold. Disclaimer: I have yet to consign anything at the following stores, but I plan to.
Me n Moms: website: http//www.menmoms.com There are three locations for Me N Moms stores: Ballard, Lynnwood and Issaquah. They have a selection of maternity clothing, infant/toddler/child clothing, toys and furniture. Items appear to be in very good shape and are well organized, as opposed to thrift stores where you need to be ready for treasure hunting. I use the $5 off of $25 coupon from the Chinook Book and there are racks of clothing that have been reduced for quick sale.
Examples of items I have gotten at Me n Moms: maternity jeans, several maternity shirts, toys for my nephew.
Labels: Womens and Childrens Consignment: website: http//www.labelsseattle.com Located in Greenwood, this is one of the nicest consignment shops I have ever seen. It is a bit small, but filled with lovely items that are in excellent shape. They have women's, children's and maternity clothing. The maternity clothing section, while very small, is filled with lovely items.
Examples of items I have gotten at Labels: one of the cutest skirts I have ever seen in my life (a maternity skirt at that, and if you have tried buying maternity clothing you may know that 'cute' is very hard to come by!), dressy maternity top, gorgeous maternity sweater.
Other places to consider for eco-friendly baby clothes/items: I have yet to use these places myself.
Kate Quinn Organics website: http//www.katequinnorganics.com You can go to their Saturday trunk sales and get a great deal on adorable, organic baby clothes.
Freepeats: website: http//www.freepeats.org Currently they are offering a free lifetime membership through September 2009. They are doing a first 100 offers giveaway currently where the first 100 offers for a particular area will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com
You can sign up and offer baby items you no longer need and find items that are being offered for free in your area. You can also post items you are looking for and if another member has the item they can contact you. The beauty of this is that you can pick up the item from the other freepeat member and no shipping is involved. What a wonderful way to reduce/reuse/recycle. The Seattle freepeats website seems a little slow right now. Join and help get things moving!
Freecycle Seattle: website: http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/Washington/Seattle This is a Yahoo group, so if you don't have a Yahoo account you will need to get one. This is similar to freepeats as you can post items you are seeking or offering. This is a very well run site that will send you daily emails about items wanted or offered. I have seen all sorts of great things on here including furniture and building supplies. I have also seen some random items such as "small can of shaving cream" hmm... interesting! I have used this site just a little bit myself and got a nice plastic underbed box for organizing fabric. As with freepeats Freecycle is all local, so you go and pick up the item yourself, no shipping involved. Again, what a wonderful way to reduce/reuse/recycle!
Other areas I have gotten cheap/eco-friendly baby clothes: My sister, my friends, friends of friends. Let people know you are having a baby and that you are looking for particular items that they no longer need and you may find yourself with more clothes/bottles/diapers than you thought possible. Obviously this can get a bit out of hand, so be discerning! If you know you don't need the item/won't use it kindly let them know or pass it on to someone who will whether a friend or donation.
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