Maybe you hate the "used" smell or perhaps have the same level of patience as your toddler, but if you have specific reasons for avoiding the thrift stores in your community, it's time to get over that fear and embrace the idea of second-hand.

The items you find there have not only been saved from the depths of a landfill, but they're often priced much lower than similiar things you would find in a regular store - and in today's economic climate, both those points are hard ones to argue with. The saying "someone else's junk is another person's treasure" holds especially true - just because someone else didn't want something, doesn't mean you can't find good use for it. If you're new to the world of thrifting, there are some things to keep in mind before you reach the aisles.

What to look for
Clothing - Whether you're looking for a few new pieces to update your wardrobe or have a job interview coming up that requires a new suit, a second-hand shop generally holds more potential than you might initially believe. However, where you can really get more bang for your buck is in the children's section. Let's face it, kids outgrow their clothes and shoes in the time it takes to get from a store back to the house and keeping them attired can be an expensive task. Often times, when perusing the kid's clothing in a thrift store, you'll find things appear to have been worn only a handful of times for a fraction of what you would pay for a comparable item you purchase brand-new in a store. Even better, when your young ones are done with it, you can send it back to the store for another family to find and enjoy.

Household Appliances - When your coffee maker bites the dust, heading to Wal-Mart to pick up a new one might not fit within your budget. Look around for used household appliances that are still in good working order. People tend to get rid of their current appliances when they've upgraded to new ones or if they're broken. Always be sure to plug in an appliance to verify it's working and if not, to see if you can easily identify the problem. If you know a good handyman that can fix the issue for relatively cheap, you may just end up with a pretty great bargin.

Toys - You want to reward your child for good behavior or find a great birthday present for them, but the budget is a bit tight. Like clothing, kids outgrow toys and if they hold no sentimental value, parents often donate them to goodwill or thrift stores so they can find second life. Look caerfully and you'll probably find that new (old) bike or a stuffed animal to cuddle your child has been pleading for, with the need for a minor touch-up like some new paint or sewing a tiny rip. One word of caution: always check for a toy's origin if you're concerned about issues such as lead levels, and wash or sanitize as necessary before giving your child their new treasure.

Furniture - When you think of the furniture options at a thrift shop, you may get visions of horrible old floral patterns or chipped, splintering wood.. Well friends, that is exactly what slipcovers/sanders/paint were invented for. If the condition of a couch is still relatively good, try to ignore the hideous design and envsion its potential with a new covering. Likewise, old coffee tables or a kitchen table and chairs that are made of solid wood may look like they've seen better days, but with a good sanding and stain, can look brand new..

The benefits of used
Aside from the obvious points (you save money and re-using is great for the earth), the profits from may second-hand stores go to charities such as the Salvation Army. You also have great potential to find brand-new items that the previous owners simply never used, whether because they received duplicate wedding gifts or simply never really needed the item in question. And if name brands are a priority for you, guess what? You'll often find those at great bargain prices as well.

What to watch for
Always inquire about the return or exchange policy since many stores only offer final sales. This makes it especially important to try clothing on before taking it home or ensuring an appliance either works or can be fixed before purchasing. Also check clothing for any permanent damage such as ink or bleach stains or holes.

You'll also need a fair dose of patience since searching shelves and racks to find those fantastic items can be time-consuming or may require a visit to more than one store if you're searching for something specific. And finally, realize that not every trip to the thrift store will be a winner. Sometimes you'll score a huge victory, while other times you may leave frustrated over not finding what you were looking for. Thrifting is a hit-and-miss game, but when successful, can give you a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that will keep you heading back for repeat visits in the future.

» The Frugal Shopper

Whether you love them or loathe them, there is no denying that Uggs are one of the most popular footwear trends out there.  I have seen them on 18 month old babies, and I have also seen them on 50 year old women.  I must admit that this is one article that almost brings me to tears to write.  I am the owner of a pair of mid calf, grey Uggs, and they have been my go-to winter boot of choice for the last year and a half.  They are warm, very comfortable, and can be worn with many different outfits.  I have to admit that other than that, I never did put much thought into exactly how my Uggs were produced.

1.  Uggs are made from sheepskin.  Yes, most people, myself included, do realize this however most also do not look into exactly where this sheepskin comes from.  Uggs are made from Australian merino sheep, which happen to be animals that are treated very inhumanely.  Merino sheep were bread to have an excessive amount of fleece, which also causes them to have very wrinkly skin.  Most are sheared through a painful process called mulesing, where strips of flesh are also cut off of the animals hindquarters.  As with all procedures sheep endure, including castration, no anesthetic is used.  Very little care is also put into how these animals are treated during shearing and slaughter, and because of that the conditions are very inhumane.  In fact, many celebrities and clothing companies,like H&M are now boycotting Australian merino wool for these reasons.

2.  Made in Australia?  I shamefully admit that when I bought my Uggs instead of checking the label I automatically believed that they were made in Australia.  After all that is how they are marketed.  Their website is www.uggaustralia.com, for goodness sakes.  However, when I looked at the tag inside my Uggs boots, I was very surprised to  see “made in China” written on the label.  As uncovered by Blonde By Nature, Uggs Australia boots are made in China, albeit with Australian merino sheepskin.
 
3.   Uggs was a generic name for this style of Australian sheepskin boots which has been around for decades.  There is talk of them originating in World War II.  The name was sold to Deckers Outdoor Coropration.  So, while UGG boots are a brand name boot, they are not the only sheepskin boot on the market.  There are many quality sheepskin boots that are actually made in Australia.  While this doesn’t do anything to help with the merino sheep issue, at least they are made in Australia.  And guess what?  They are usually cheaper too!

So, according to these important tidbits of information, I own a pair of boots that come from the most abused and mistreated sheep in the world, and are manufactured my some of the most mistreated, underpaid workers in the world.  Not only that, but they are also the incredibly over-priced product of a company being able to buy and market the brand name to their advantage without actually producing an original, made in Australia product.   And all for a whopping price of $250!  The only question really left to ask is why then exactly are the Uggs Australia boots worth so much more that all of the cheaper sheepskin brands?  The only reason I can think of is because of fantastic marketing and brand recognition.  It just goes to show that paying for a name brand nowadays doesn’t always pay off.

Are their humane Ugg alternatives available?

Yes!  Luckily, as awareness about the issues surrounding animal skins grow, many companies now offer cruelty free Ugg style boots.  There are some fabulous faux sheep skin boots available....and for a much more reasonable price than the brand name Uggs.

I have learned some important lessons from writing this article.  First, always check the label.  Second, don’t automatically fall for slick marketing, and finally read beyond the hype and learn about the product you are interested in buying.

» Save the Sheep

As the temperature falls it can be pretty tempting to crank the thermostat way up until your home or office is warm and toasty. However when you consider that nearly half the amount of energy you use in your home each year goes toward heating and cooling it, it may have you thinking of alternative ways to stay warm before you reach for that knob. You don't have to keep your house at a temperature suitable for polar bears to be energy-efficient, but you can keep your room temperature reasonable by dressing appropriately - yes, even in your own house.

Hopefully you won't require a down jacket while inside, but consider the following head-to-toe requirements the next time you start to get chilled.

Hat
You probably don't need the world's warmest toque when you're inside, but if your ears are feeling a bit cool, a nice light hat will keep them warm without making you too warm. Also, because you can lose substantial heat through your head, logically keeping it covered should help you feel warmer all-around.

Long-sleeved shirt
Obviously if you're sitting around your house or the office, a material that wicks moisture away from your skin during strenuous activity probably isn't necessary. Look for a plain thermal shirt for ultimate comfort and warmth. If you need something office-appropriate, a cotton shirt in whatever level of dressiness is require for the work environment is fine, just make sure it looks nice on it's own without the need for anything on top of it.

Sweater
Or a hoodie, take your pick. Just make sure it's comfortable and cozy. If you find you're always cold at the office, keep a warm sweater on a hook behind or your door or in a discreet corner so it's there anytime you feel the shivers coming on. Layer this over your long-sleeved shirt.

...read the rest...

This is hardly breaking news, but let's face it: hemp has a pretty big image problem.  The most outspoken supporters of hemp production are more concerned about its THC content (the stuff that gets you stoned) and control by the Illuminati (I'm not kidding) than they are about true environmental benefits.  A bunch of white dudes with dreadlocks are probably not the supporters you want if you're going to champion the acceptance of hemp to the mainstream of society.  The diagram on the right illustrates all of the great uses for hemp without the assistance of Harold and Kumar (or Cheech and Chong for our old readers), and this is what the common consumer needs more education on.

Hemp is grown in the EU, Canada and China and the variety that's grown is a cannabis subspecies that is very high in fibre (great for making stuff out of), but not so great for smoking (sorry, dudes).  The United States imports more industrial hemp than any other nation, but is ironically the only industrialized nation that still bans the cultivation of this wonder crop.

The oil from hemp seeds can be used to make plastics, skin creams and even paint!  In France Hempcrete is commonly used building material that uses hemp as a strengthening agent.  But the real story about hemp is in the fibre.

Way back in 1916 (woo!), the USDA issued a bulletin that reported 1 acre of cannabis hemp produced a comparable amount of fibre suitable for making paper as 4.1 acres of trees while requiring only a small fraction of the chemicals required to turn wood fibre into paper.  And yet here we are nearly a hundred years later and a misguided "War on Drugs" is preventing American farmers from growing this supercrop right in their own backyard.

With a chaotic and unpredicatable future ahead we could be in for some real shake-ups due to global warming and a crazy economy.  More than ever we should be looking at crops like industrial hemp that give us a big return on the resources (water, land, energy) we put into it.

As a consumer, you owe it to yourself to get educated.  Hit the jump and read-through the Wikipedia article on hemp to get started.

» Hemp (Wikipedia)

With a little Bean on the way in just a couple of weeks, Mr. Pinky Bean and I have admittedly been all-consumed with getting ready for our new arrival, which has meant months of reading, taking prenatal classes and just generally getting ready to tackle the enormous job of parenthood. Almost as overwhelming as the prospect of multiple feedings, dirty diapers and endless piles of laundry is trying to figure out what exactly a baby needs. Perusing the aisles of your local big-box store can be daunting as it seems there is a product available  for every type of situation or occurrence you could possibly find yourself in with a baby.

However a recent neighborhood garage sale spree revealed on very obvious thing: parents will buy their kids just about anything if it promises even the slightest chance of keeping them well-fed, dry or content. Maybe it's naive to think this as first-time parents, but we started to wonder just how much of this equipment we'll actually need. Since blindly visiting a store only succeeded in overwhelming us with all the possible options, we decided to find a checklist and work from there, weeding out what we thought the essentials would be, and which purchases could wait or be eliminated entirely. Below you'll see our assessment, but feel free to argue for or against any of these items (or add any we missed). Our only goal in this process was to hopefully avoid buying a whole lot of junk we (and the baby!) don't need, that will more than likely end up as clutter in our home, eventually landing in a giveaway pile, or worse (gulp), a landfill.

The musts

Crib - Sure, there are some parents who are comfortable allowing their babies to sleep in bed with them, however several sources caution about the dangers of doing so, including possible over-heating or suffocation. Mr. PB and I are sound sleepers and tend to toss, turn and roll over at night - in other words, hardly the ideal environment for a tiny infant. However, a brand-new crib was looking to cost the same as the monthly rent for a small apartment (with utilities included!). We attempted to strike a fair balance by purchasing a used crib, only after ensuring the one we found had no safety recalls and met the safety standards outlined by Health Canada. The bonus? We were able to get a matching dresser that also acts as a change table and can be used well beyond the baby years. And both pieces cost about one-third of buying each brand-new.

Bassinet - Of all of our purchases, this was one of the most contentious. After all, if you're buying a crib, why would you need another place for the baby to sleep? Several acquaintances pointed out the benefits, including being able to wake up for feedings before baby becomes hysterical and even being able to comfort them back to sleep if they start to become fussy, but don't necessarily need to eat or be changed. However spending $200 on something the baby would only use for an average of three months seemed like a lot of money, even with plans to have another child in the future. If you want the benefits of a bassinet without the issue of clutter, consider borrowing from a friend or buying a used one and then passing it along to another family when you're finished using it.

Car seat - Britney Spears may have once thought driving with her baby on her lap was acceptable, but you'll be hard-pressed to find many parents or safety experts who agree. The bottom line is, most hospitals won't even discharge you and your little one if you don't have a car seat (and one that's properly installed!). Obviously if you don't have a car, this is a moot point, but if your child will be riding with you or anyone at any point, this is a non-negotiable item. And unfortunately, purchasing a used one from a stranger also presents risks, as any car seat involved in any type of vehicle accident should not be used for safety reasons. Bottom line: this is something you may have to bite the bullet and buy, new unless you happen to know (and more importantly, trust!) someone who can provide a used one and guarantee it has never been involved in an accident. The good news? As long as it remains in pristine condition and has no safety recalls, you should be able to keep and use the same one if you have another baby down the road, or can pass it along to someone who trusts you.

If the car seat is starting to look a little worse for wear, consider adding an eco-friendly car seat cover, such as the bamboo options from Itzy Ritzy.

Sling/Baby carrier - Strollers may not be a must (see below), but having a hands-free option of transporting your baby sure is. The mere thought of carrying a growing baby around a farmers' market or on a nice, leisurely stroll is almost enough to make the arms actually start aching. Plus there will inevitably be chores to be done at home that will be neglected if the baby is fussy and just wants to be close to mom or dad. Then of course there is also the fact that close contact is soothing and comforting to a baby, something many parents argue is a necessity. There are a whole lot of options here, from the popular Baby Bjorn carriers to greener options such as one of the Baby Buddha organic bamboo slings.

The maybes

Stroller - Unlike a car seat, strollers are negotiable simply because there are other ways to carry your baby around, such as the aforementioned carriers and slings. Strollers can range in price, from less than $200 to we-may-have-to-refinance-our-home-to-afford-this. They can be heavy, bulky and awkward, but they can also be a godsend for those who do a lot of walking but choose not to participate in baby-wearing. This is another purchase you can peruse online classified ads to find used, or look for at your local second-hand shop. If you do go for a used option, be sure to watch for possible safety issues such as overall sturdiness, working brakes and broken wheels. Follow the same advice for used cribs and be sure to check for any safety recalls of the model you are considering.

Breast pump - If you're planning to breastfeed, you may or may not require a pump. Many professional resources recommend waiting until you determine your milk supply and allow your baby to become accustomed to your breast before attempting to use a bottle since it can cause nipple confusion. However, if your baby can't latch properly and you still want him or her to reap the health benefits of breast milk, pumping may be your best option. While popular Medela pumps can run you close to $400, you can often rent one if you'll only need it for a shorter period. Unfortunately this is another item where used options carry certain risks, such as the presence of harmful organisms or contamination.

Change table - The average baby will need to be changed anywhere from eight to 12 times per day, but that still doesn't necessarily mean you'll need a change table. Many parents find it simpler to simply change their baby on the floor or other surfaces such as the couch or bed. In these cases, a good changing pad such as the vinyl-free ones from Parenting by Nature will work just as well. For your added convenience, you can simply fold it up and take it on the go with you, something you definitely can't do with a change table. For far less money, you buy a couple to keep around the house and to travel with you.

...read the rest...

Back in January Pinky Bean featured the San Francisco based Little Green Star and their delightful (and eco-friendly) children's clothes.  Well we just received word that from now through September 30th you can shop their entire site for 30% off!  

Little Green Star is for the nature lovin’ kids who love lady bugs, gaze at the stars, and protect our great oceans!  These kiddos shout “be green with me” when they wear
our tees, and you just can’t resist joining in on their adventure. 

Each eco-fun design helps share the message that living green is smart and cool.  So, whether you buy organic fruits and veggies, drive a hybrid car, or teach your kids to
recycle, Little Green Star tees are another way to celebrate your way of living.

All tees and onesies are made from 100% organic cotton, grown and sewn in the USA, and printed with water-based inks.  Sizes range from 3-6 months up to 6T.  Use promotion code LUVLGS before you add anything to the shopping cart and you will see the prices change to reflect the sale!

So from babies to big kids Little Green Star has you covered... and at 30% off no less!

Sorry for all the exclamation points but this is the sort of thing that gets us pretty excited here in Ecollo-land.  This is a company that produces a really great product that you can feel good about buying.  Little Green Star is supporting American farmers by sourcing organic cotton grown in the USA and supporting American industry in their manufacturing.  Top that off with cute, ecological messages and a 30% discount and what's not to love?

So hit the jump to pop over to Little Green Star and check them out for yourself.

» Little Green Star