| Who doesn't want to save money? And do | | | | be amazed at how much lip colour is in the |
| something good for this planet we call home. Big | | | | bottom of your lipstick tube. Blend with a bit of |
| changes are hard but small ones can add up. They | | | | sheer gloss to extend it further. Save money, |
| count. Do something and stick with it until it's a | | | | buy fewer lipsticks. Better yet, buy a good lipstick |
| habit. Then look for new ideas and incorporate | | | | pencil, a pot of neutral gloss, and voila! |
| them little by little. Want more money in your | | | | 6. Eye make up. Don't buy those multi-colour |
| pocket and less garbage in the dumps? Here are | | | | collections in big plastic cases. Buy single pots of |
| some quick and simple ideas to get you started | | | | colours you actually use. Apply with a brush. The |
| right now. | | | | eye shadow lasts longer and there's less waste. |
| 1. Invest in cloth or recycled fibre grocery bags. | | | | You can even reuse the tiny containers - a pill |
| Buy lots and keep some at home, at work, in the | | | | box for your purse, or hold safety pins, buttons |
| car. Never go shopping without them. Some | | | | or snap fasteners in your sewing box or when |
| stores give you credit for using them, too, so | | | | you travel. |
| you save even more. Look for thermal ones for | | | | 7. Paper. We can't live without it but we can try |
| hot/cold items. | | | | to save a few trees. Don't just throw out those |
| 2. If you do get plastic bags, recycle or reuse | | | | misprints or extra copies - use the back for scrap |
| them. Some stores have plastic bag recycling bins. | | | | paper (notes, grocery lists, test runs when printing |
| At home, line waste baskets with used bags. Or | | | | drafts). Shred paper and use it for filler when |
| put your recycling items in bags to take down the | | | | packing stuff or moving. |
| big recycling bins (for condo and apartment | | | | 8. Print double sided unless absolutely impossible |
| dwellers). Separate items (cans in one bag, plastic | | | | (e.g., for legal documents or client work). |
| bottles in another). Use them as shoe bags when | | | | 9. Need short file folders but only have long ones? |
| packing. Challenge your family to come up with | | | | Cut them down to size. No one will notice. Give |
| ideas. | | | | the bottoms to your kids to make a collage or |
| 3. Don't buy new clothes until you recycle your old | | | | greeting cards. |
| ones. Take the good stuff to consignment stores | | | | 10. Save your pennies, nickels and dimes. |
| (some will give you 45% of the selling price). Or | | | | Quarters, loonies and toonies too (if you don't |
| have a "swap meet" - invite friends or family to | | | | need them for laundry or vending machines). Get |
| exchange clothes, accessories, etc. Give the so-so | | | | a nice jar or container. Make a habit of emptying |
| stuff away (to charities like Goodwill or Salvation | | | | your wallet or pockets every day. Small change |
| Army or local shelters/missions). Turn the rags | | | | adds up over time. Roll up your coins and take |
| into, well, rags. Or a quilt. | | | | them to the bank, deposit them and watch your |
| 4. Stretch your fashion dollar. Don't be | | | | savings grow! |
| embarrassed to check out second-hand stores - | | | | Choose your priorities - what's most important to |
| especially in nicer neighbourhoods. You'll be amazed | | | | you? Keep in mind that prices are going up - for |
| at some of the clothes and accessories you'll find | | | | everything. If you get into the habit of saving and |
| - in good condition and at low prices. Plus, they | | | | being environmentally friendly when you choose |
| have already been washed so they will not shrink! | | | | to, it will be easier to do if the time comes when |
| 5. Ladies, buy a lipstick brush and use it. You will | | | | you have to. |