personal finance in a coupon blog

Thank god Earth Day is every day at EcoStiletto, because we're going to need 365 of them to read all the amazing sustainably-minded books that just came out. From small lifestyle changes, to the new eco-teen scene to ultra-easy organic cooking (complete with composting tips)—there's something for everyone in this fresh crop of green reads. Read More »

I have this fantasy that someone with authority--Homeland Security or maybe Martha Stewart--puts me in charge of confiscating and destroying all white plastic lawn furniture.

Seriously, we have to find a resting place for this eyesore. Now I know they are a great convenience at parties, as they can be easily thrown in the pool or under a hose to wash off those nasty beer spills and hot dog relish, but I must warn you: I'm on a Search and Destroy mission, my friends.

Step away from the plastic chair! Read More »

Ever spent the weekend at the beach? After a few days in a bathing suit, chances are you experienced that not-so-fresh feeling. But despite what your mother told you, the discomfort may not be caused by a damp suit, but rather the fabric itself.

Say, what? Bear with us. Because of over-exposure, latex allergies are nearing epidemic levels: According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, between one and six percent of the population is allergic to the stuff, which can cause skin irritations, rashes, and more. Read More »

The Apple iPad is all the rage right now, but netbooks are still flying off the shelves. Know why? Because they do a lot more and cost a lot less.

Indeed, as evidenced by my earlier post this week, you can buy a very nicely equipped netbook for as little as $250. The entry-level iPad: $499. Okay, but what should you look for when choosing a netbook, and how can you make the most of it?

Here are five rules (Okay, guidelines...) to follow: Read More »

Using coupons to cut costs and save money during rough economic times?  Here are a few key "How to Be a Good Coupon Spender" guidelines:

Spend Coupons Ethically

• Coupons have expiration dates for a reason! Manufacturers make coupons available for specific periods during a specific campaign.  Don't try to slip an expired coupon through just because you're using a self-checkout or you don't think the cashier will notice.  **If you have a special circumstance and you really want to spend that expired coupon, ask the store manager for permission first.

• Don't make copies of coupons. This is FRAUD.  Many stores have such strict coupon acceptance policies because people try to cheat the system and make fraudulent coupons.  This is the same as stealing.

Read More »

You've all seen the commercials, probably in the middle of the night. Incredibly handy products for impossibly low prices. Products that until that very moment, you had no idea that you couldn't live without. Call now!

I speak, of course, of As Seen on TV products. After being yelled at by Billy Mays (rest his soul...) repeatedly and sitting through one too many nights of infomercials, I got to wondering- do these products actually work? Are they worth the money? After all, whether something costs $19.95 or 95 cents, it is a waste of money if it doesn't do what it's supposed to. I decided then and there that someone needed to get to the bottom of this mystery. Someone with the hard-hitting investigative chops needed to get to the truth, no matter how ugly. Unfortunately, no one resembling that was available, so I slapped on a Snuggie and tested three of the more popular As Seen on TV products myself.

Are you humming the SlapChop remix yet? Check out my results below! Read More »

Yes, she's married to one of the "50 Most Beautiful People." Yes, she spent the awards season traipsing over red carpets from Venice, Italy to Venice, CA. But as the co-owner of Eco Age, a sustainable fashion and lifestyle boutique in London, and co-founder of the "12 Degrees of Ethical Fashion" project, Livia Firth is a committed ecoista who walks the talk--and rolls with the punches. Read More »

Let's face it, not every fashion trend can be a hit. Although, we can usually learn from our fashion mistakes. Think Madonna's cone bra, the whole idea of latex and shoulder pads. What were we thinking?

In honor of our best and worst fashion faux-pas, I thought I'd examine some of this year's trends to just skip all together.

So put your wallets away, and just avoid these at all costs: Read More »

You're not going to believe this, but there are people out there who know more about wine than I do. Seriously! I recently had the pleasure of talking to one of those people: Gwendolyn Wilson Osborn, Director of Wine at wine.com. We discussed several topics. The one closest to my heart would have to be the value of wine ratings. We agreed that scores from top critics are excellent guides to picking out a good wine, but they shouldn't be the be-all and end-all when it comes to wine shopping. There's nothing like discovering a nearly-anonymous diamond in the rough all on your own, or with a little help from your local wine merchant or wine-loving friend.

With that in mind, I got Gwendolyn to answer a few questions about finding those not-so-publicized, possibly un-reviewed wines. As expected, she had some great information to share. Read and learn, readers and learners! Read More »

At EcoStiletto, we always cry at weddings. After all, the typical U.S. wedding is not just an occasion for opulence and elegance--it's also an occasion for excessive resource use, unchecked wastefulness and extreme environmental impact. "The typical American wedding typically includes things like conflict-sourced diamonds set in gold mined with cyanide--the furthest thing from a representation of true love," said eco-wedding planner Paige Anderson Appel of Los Angeles, CA based Bash Eco Events.

Paige recommends checking in with carbon-offsetter TerraPass' wedding carbon-footprint calculator when planning your nuptials, making Organic Bouquet your go-to, and avoiding traditional wedding staples like pesticide-laden gowns, asthma-inducing paraffin candles, tree-gobbling invitations and non-recyclable gifts and favors.

No wonder we weep.

Wish your big day could have a smaller footprint, ecoista? Read on. Read More »

To continue last week's discussion on When Shopping and Kids Don't Mix, let's discuss a topic a few readers mentioned:  grocery shopping. For those who have gone the online grocery shopping route, you know it saves time, money, and the few shreds of sanity parenting has left behind.

For those who haven't tried it, let me regale you with reasons why I love online grocery shopping. Read More »

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Here we are again, your intrepid philosophers of the gaming-verse, here to show you the way once again to gaming nirvana. This week, Yasar and I want to share our picks for the perfect games to put you in that Olympic spirit. If you're as caught up as we are in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver (Go USA Hockey!), then you are no doubt thinking, "How can I extend my love of the games beyond the measly glimpses NBC gives me?" Fear not, for we have the perfect games to help you simulate your own quest for gaming gold. Or silver or bronze if you play games as badly as Yasar does.

Here now, the best games to go along with the 2010 Winter Olympics: Read More »