Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

As Earth Day approaches on April 22, 2012 this year, I thought I would give you some resources that will help you to recycle.

Earth911.com –

Put in your zip code and find out resources to dispose of your unwanted items responsibly like used batteries, electronics, paints, etc.  In addition to recycling centers, you can also  search local sources to pick up things like mulch or hay for your garden.

You can also get articles and ideas about recycling and going green.

Trade Old Electronics for a Gift Certificate

I understand Best Buy will take old electronics and give you a gift certificate.

I don’t think it’s for much but worth checking out.

Have Fun Being Green

At Recyclebank.com, they have ideas on living green and saving money.

If you like you can earn points and get rewards.

They make a game of earning the rewards and it takes quite a few points to get something good but the more important goal is getting you to recycle and learn about being green.

Get creative with your old T-shirts

Here is an article on recycling your favorite,  worn out T-shirts and making something with them.

Give Your Plants Free Starbucks

Many of the Starbucks offer free used coffee grounds to use in your garden.  The ones I’ve seen have baskets with bags of used coffee grounds, ready to go.

My cute red shoes

This is a brief audio that my sister and I created when we wrote our guide, Creative Money Saving Ideas, Tips on saving money to create the life you want.

We talk about how my sister reduced her clothing budget by about 90% and got a lot of great, designer clothes by shopping at resale shops.

Click on the image below and check it out!

A lot of people are faced with stress from additional expenses at the holidays.

Here are a few great inexpensive ideas from the book I co-authored with Susan Volpe called Creative Money Saving Ideas.

A Gift of Your Time

“The number one reason most people don’t get what they want is that they don’t know what they want.” T. Harv Eker

Is there something you could give in the way of a service or something you could teach that would make a wonderful gift?

You might be able to give someone tennis, sewing, or cooking lessons, or plant a small flower cutting garden for them. You could give them a day of spring cleaning or help them to organize a closet.

What do you know how to do that may be appreciated?

Make sure, though, that you follow through on your promise. Once you have given your gift of time, set a date and make sure the date is on both your calendars.

Cookie of the Month

It can be difficult to find gifts for people when they have everything they need.

One year, we gave my husband’s parents a batch of homemade cookies with a certificate stating they would receive their “cookie of the month” gift for the next 6 months. We sent them a different kind each month. It was a big hit!

Flavored Vinegars

You can make some interesting seasonal fruit vinegars. When strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or other fruit is at its peak and in season, you can make and bottle the vinegar and store it in a cool place until the holidays.

The other bonus is you will have less to do when the holidays arrive. One year, I made a delicious Cranberry Champagne Vinegar. Cranberries are usually available by early November.

Include a favorite salad dressing recipe and other ways to use the vinegar.

Jar Gifts

These look great and are easy and fun to make. Last year I gave a tray with a chocolate cake, cranberry rice, and a spice blend and we got a great response!

Look on the internet for layered jar recipes and you’ll find a host of recipes for cookies, dessert bars, brownies, soups, bath salts, etc. The ingredients are layered in a mason or other clear jar.

There are also recipe books with countless variations. You might want to test the recipes first to make sure you like them!

Also if you have your own recipe that you know you like, you can convert it into a jar gift. Layer the dry ingredients in a jar, and add a card explaining what fresh ingredients to add and how to complete the dish.

Check out the Discount stores like the 99 Cents and Dollar Stores or Big Lots for inexpensive containers and jars. Or buy a case of canning jars from the grocery store.

Check out Creative Money Saving Ideas for more inexpensive gift ideas and a lot more!