Green Products that save you Green

Yes, it's frugal Margaret again just back from Kroger. This week I saved $75.29 but I won't bore you with the details other than you should check out products that are buy 10, save $5. That makes Uncle Bens rice boxes more than half off. I was also able to get 2 bottles of Flinstone vitamins for much less (regularly $14.78, on sale for $4.50 each, take $.50 each off for the promotion, use $3 printable coupon; my total: $5).

I do want to point out one good deal that's good for the environment and for your pocket book: Windex Nature's Source glass cleaner. According to their label, it's 99.9% natural, uses plant-based, biodegradable cleaners, contains no ammonia, bleach, phosphorus, or dyes, and was not tested on animals.

Now at Kroger, if you buy two, you get $1 off your next shopping trip. You can also use the $1 coupons attached to the bottles. If you buy one more or have other SC Johnson products to buy (see list & get rebate form here), you can send in your receipt for a $5 rebate. That brings the cost of buying three glass cleaners from $11.37 down to just $2.37. Go green, save green.

Ok, I know I said I was done with the savings rant. If you can bear one more, here are three of the best deals I found at Kroger today (my total savings: $45.88).

There are several items that can earn you discounts on future trips (within two weeks)--like Walgreens register rewards. I bought 4 Pillsbury pizza dough tubes, got $1 off from Cellfire.com and $1 off from Shortcuts.com, and earned a $2 reward. I could have saved another $.40 from a coupon I printed online, but my printer was running low on ink and it wouldn't scan.

Another good deal I thought was Ziploc bags: buy 3 boxes and get a $2 reward. I'm now going to send in for a rebate from SC Johnson and will get $5 back. Since you can get 50 sandwich bags for $2.29, it's like getting three boxes for free. And if you have manufacturer's coupons, you can even make some money. May I suggest the Ziploc Evolve version (same price as the regular) but it's better for the environment because it uses 25% less plastic and is made with wind energy. With this deal, you get to be a Super Mom on several levels!

Finally, I stocked up on sodas because of the free Cheezits promotion: buy 3 12 packs or Cokes / Sprites on sale for $12 and get 2 free boxes of Cheezits (worth $5.58). Even though I've seen Cokes cheaper at Target, if your kids like Cheezits, this is the better deal.