There are several great companies to choose from which specialize in providing quality green products at an affordable price. Perhaps the leader among these eco-friendly vendors is SeventhGeneration.com, a respected company offering an array of pioneering advances in green technology and production. From household cleaning sprays derived from naturally occurring plant enzymes to 100% biodegradable diapers which contain no alcohol, dyes or other synthetic chemicals, the SeventhGeneration.com product line is a testament to the money saving potential held by adopting a green lifestyle. By taking the time to compare and contrast the diverse assortment of green products to choose from, you can easily find excellent deals and tremendous value. By combining the use of green items in your household routine with a concerted effort to modify certain behaviors in your life, you stand to save an incredible amount of money in the most rewarding way imaginable.

The next time you need to visit the bank or post office, try walking or using public transportation rather than driving your vehicle. Taking many short trips which could just as easily be walked is a severe drain on your pocketbook which also contributes to the degradation of our natural environment. The choice to walk just five miles per week while you run errands will save you upwards of a hundred dollars on gasoline, while also reducing your car insurance bill and your emission of greenhouse gases. Electricity usage is another environmental threat that also costs the average person a large sum of money every year. Simply making yourself aware of your family’s electricity use, by turning off lights after leaving the room and unplugging unused appliances, will immediately result in a pleasant reduction in your monthly utility bills.

1. Samples sales.  The great thing about sample sales is that they’re the real deal…for less.  Of course, you have to get into the city when the sales are on, squeeze your way through a cluster of buyers trying to snag the last little number in your size, and then try everything on in a room full of other customers, but considering you could walk out with incredible designer pieces (albeit a season out of date) for a fraction of the cost, it’s well worth the effort.
2. DOTD.  There’s simply no downside to signing up for deal-of-the-day sites.  While Groupon won’t really offer you a chance at the fashions that will make you look like a millionaire, there are sites devoted to fashionistas on the prowl for label clothing at less cost.  HauteLook, Gilt Groupe, and Beyond the Rack all offer memberships (for free) that allow users to take advantage of daily deals on their favorite brands.  And they’re so considerate: they even send you daily emails that prompt you to buy!
3. Knockoffs.  Okay, so it’s actually illegal to knowingly buy and sell knockoffs, but you can certainly search for similar items to the ones you see on the runways.  Thanks to the trickle-down effect, department stores quickly mimic the ensembles that spring up at fashion weeks across the globe.  And once they’ve hit department stores, the next stop is discount superstores (like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross, for example).  So while you may have to wait a few months for the low-end version of that fabulous maxi-dress you saw on the Bryant Park highlights, it can virtually be yours for a lot less.
4. Designer labels for less.  With all of the designers creating affordable lines for stores like Kohl’s (Vera Wang, Lauren Conrad), Target (Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen), Payless (Christian Siriano, of Project Runway fame), and more, you can get your hands on some amazingly flattering fashions that look totally posh for pennies on the dollar.
5. Online retailers.  If you’re looking for a website that offers deals on fashions, you’re going to find plenty.  But the ones that offer some of the best deals are those that sell overstock and used items.  Overstock.com is a good bet; they’ve got a little bit of everything, designer clothing included.  But if you’re in the market for lightly-used, authentic fashions, eBay may also provide suitable (and suitably-priced options).

1. Family discount days.  Many venues will offer discount days (or events, or show times) for families looking to save a few bucks on an outing for several people.  You might find these deals via the businesses themselves (try movie theaters, museums, theme parks, etc.) or you can check in with your local community center and chamber of commerce to find out about specials they may be promoting.
2. Groupon.  You’ve likely tried looking for coupons for the types of entertainment you prefer, but by signing up for deal of the day (DOTD) sites like Groupon you may be able to get screaming deals on not only the things that you’ve already tried, but also activities and events that you’ve never even considered.  DOTD services are generally free (you just have to sign up) and they will send daily deals directly to your inbox for your perusal (with no pressure to buy).
3. Social networking.  You probably thought that sites like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and other social networking sites were just for the kids.  Or maybe you only use them as another form of communication with friends and family.  But if this is your attitude, you’re really missing out on some of the perks of membership.  By connecting to businesses and organizations that offer the entertainments you love you can become privy to sales, coupons, discounts, and even special events that would otherwise have passed you by.  So make the most of your social networking experience and find ways to get the deals you crave.
4. Organize group outings.  Sometimes you can save a lot by arranging for a large group to partake of entertainment events.  Do you like to attend sporting events?  Groups over ten can often receive a per-ticket discount.  Going to a museum with a large group could not only lead to lower prices but also additional amenities (like special tours or viewings).
5. The movies.  Although you may be stymied by movie prices that only go up and up, there are definitely ways around paying full price.  Forget the matinees (which are almost as expensive) and opt to wait for movies to hit the discount theater.  You might wait three months, but you’ll see it on the big screen for a quarter of the cost.  You should also look into On Demand (via cable) which sometimes offers same-day rentals.  Expect to pay about $10 to rent a movie that is coming out in theaters and $4-6 for those that are new releases on DVD.  Either way, you save!

Emma Martin writes for Voucher King where you can find Sky offer codes and lots of other great discounts on the best in food and entertainment.

1.  Spending on credit.  Everyone knows that you shouldn’t get in over your head with credit card debt, but you might not realize all of the ways that you can get drawn into needless spending (for example, with online accounts that store your info and require only a click to make purchases).  Even with only one card you might have problems.  Your best bet is to keep a card for emergencies but put it in your safe at home or a safe deposit box at the bank.  It’s there if you really need it, but it’s hard enough to get at that you shouldn’t use it often (and certainly not for frivolous purchases).

2.  Carrying lots of cash.  Have you noticed that when you have cash on you it tends to burn a hole in your pocket?  This is because you know you’re not going to owe anything once the money leaves your hands.  Unlike a credit card charge, which shows up on the bill, you may spend money thoughtlessly simply because you can “afford it”.  However, if you’re burning through cash simply because you’re carrying it, then you should be thinking about how that money could be earning for you if you were to invest it, rather than helping the kid at Starbucks pay for college.

3.  Emotional spending.  This is a big, bad way to get in financial trouble.  Some people eat when they feel bad.  Others take it out on the punching bag at the gym.  But if your response to a fight with your spouse or a rough day at the office is to go shopping, you will soon find yourself in financial straits.  Instead, spend some of that money on a therapist to help you deal with your avoidance issues.

4.  Personal loans.  It can be tempting to give out personal loans to friends and family when you have the money to do so.  After all, they’d do the same for you, right?  Maybe they would and maybe they wouldn’t, but before you go giving away your disposable income to every family member that wants a handout, think about when (or if) you’re going to get that money back and whether or not you can really afford to loan it out when it should be in interest-bearing accounts, working for you.  Generosity is one thing, but continuing to loan money when you haven’t seen a penny come back is ill-advised.

5.  Foregoing the 401K.  Planning for your future starts here and if you donate to a 401K the money is pre-tax dollars that come directly out of your paycheck.  You won’t even notice the money is missing, so don’t neglect this basic financial necessity.

Emma Martin writes for Coupon Croc where you can find discount codes for the best in dining and entertainment. Checkout the Thomson discount code for your travel needs.

1.  Purchase in advance.  This is one of the best ways to save on airfare and hotel accommodations, not to mention ensuring availability and options.  If you know you’re going to be traveling six months to a year in advance, don’t wait for prices to improve (they probably won’t, although sometimes there are large sales over holiday weekends and such).  Purchase tickets and make reservations while prices are low and you’re guaranteed to save money over those who opt to wait it out.

2.  Comparison shop.  This seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people only go to one discount travel site and then call it a day.  By visiting multiple sites (some of which can secure larger blocks of tickets for better discounts, or those that have deals worked out with specific partners), you’re guaranteed to ultimately find the best prices.  Another good option if you have the time is to try sites that let you name your own price (like Priceline).  You might be surprised how much you can save just by asking.

3.  Travel light.  With fees for everything short of the air you breathe (from seat assignments to snacks to luggage), it really behooves you to plan ahead.  By packing a light carry-on, you can avoid the new checked-baggage fees that are plaguing the airline industry (in many cases, you don’t just pay for additional bags, but for the first one…and you get charged more if you pay at the airport instead of the time of ticket purchase!).  For both utility and savings, check out the goods at Scottevest, which offers all manner of jackets loaded with 20+ pockets to house all your electronics in one easy-to-scan (and weather resistant) package.

4.  Get a suite.  Okay, this definitely doesn’t sound like a good way to save money, but hear me out.  If you’re going for an extended stay, paying a few dollars more each night for a room that comes with a kitchenette could save you a lot (and keep you from suffering the malaise and indigestion that always seems to follow days of eating out).  You might be surprised at how much you spend on food when you travel (figure on a minimum of about $50 per day, and probably more than that).  By going for the complimentary continental breakfast and preparing your own lunch and dinner in your room, you stand to save a lot, especially if you stay at an economy Inn & Suites type place.

5.  Spring for trip insurance.  Again, this is clearly an added expense, but the one time you have to change your flight plans because of a 24-hour flu, a traffic jam that causes you to miss your scheduled flight, or any other reason, you’ll be happy you paid the extra fifteen or twenty bucks and avoided the $100 transfer fee or the cost of buying a new ticket altogether.

Emma Martin writes for Thailand Holidays where you can plan your next exciting vacation.