Just about every store has their own re-usable bag that they sell.  Did you know, though, that some stores will actually PAY YOU to use a re-usable bag?

It's true!  What's more, you don't have to use THAT store's bag in order to get paid!  You can bring in a cloth bag from another store, one you made yourself, one you got at a thrift store.  Literally, ANY cloth bag!

FYI:  My BEST find on cloth bags (and I mean GOOD, REAL cloth bags) has been at the thrift store where they were selling them for a quarter each!  You can also find them at garage sales & on sale at your store.  Look for the REAL cloth bags over the cheaper versions most stores sell.  You can wash the cheaper versions, but ultimately, they won't last as long as real cloth (which pretty much lasts forever).

Here is a list of the stores that will reimburse you in some way for bringing cloth bags:

• CVS:  While CVS has the best reimbursement rate, it does involve a little more than just bringing in a bag.  You have to buy their "bag tag" for $1 (ask at the front if you can't find it).  From then on out, every time you use a cloth bag have them scan the tag (up to 1 scan per transaction).  After 3 scans, you get a $1 ECB.  The 1st 3 scans pay for your bag tag.  Every transaction after that is a money-maker (assuming you already had the cloth bags.)  That equals out to about $.33 per transaction which is actually really good if you typically only leave CVS with 1 bag (like me).  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Target:  They will pay you $.05 for every cloth bag used in your transaction with no limit.  They scan a bar code that they have taped to their register to give you the credit.  If they haven't scanned it yet, I remind them before I pay.  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Kroger Stores (Smiths, Kroger, & Dillon's are confirmed participants. Some of the other Kroger chain stores such as Fred Meyer, Tom Thumb, Ralph's, etc. may or may not be participating.):  The listed Kroger chain stores will give you 5 reward points on their reward card for every reusable bag that you use in a transaction with no limit.  They have to scan a bar code at the register (or at the front kiosk for self-scans).  If they haven't scanned it yet, I remind them before I pay.  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Whole Foods:  Again, you'll get $.05 for every bag you use in a transaction with no limit.  Just as with the others, they'll need to manually input the number of bags that you used so be sure to remind them before you pay. You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Trader Joes: They don't offer a credit per bag, but there is a weekly drawing for a $10 gift card that you can enter if you use cloth bags.  You have to go up to the desk at the front & enter after you've paid.  It's not as good as getting paid every time, but it's better than nothing if you're going to shop there anyway.
  

(Please note, this list is NOT exhaustive.  I'd love you to help me add to my list.  If there's a store in your area that gives a credit or pays you for bringing your own cloth bags, please let me know.) 

Miracle Diapers is right now having their 1st Annual Spread the Cloth Diaper Love event.

Today is a great freebie day; espeically if you own a business and usually buy Turbo Tax for business.

Free Suave:

You can get free Suave TODAY ONLY by going here and filling out your information. The coupon is mailed to you so there are no worries if you have problems filling out coupons!

Please note that the Suave site is VERY bogged down today (for some unknown reason :-) As a result, it may take you several times to submit your request. (It took me about 6 tries over the course of several minutes to submit mine.)

Free Turbo Tax for Business:

WOW! This is an INCREDIBLE deal for those who own their own business and do their own taxes. Unfortunately, this does NOT apply to Turbo Tax HOME & Business. I wish it did. That's what we use.

If you go here, you can download Turbo Tax for Business free directly from the Turbo Tax website. It also includes free e-filing so you really can do your taxes for free this year!
This is a great deal worth $110 if you normally download your taxes online with free e-file.
Free Cloth Diapers:
This one is a little trickier. Miracle Diapers offers free cloth diapers for those who need them. There is an application process and you must qualify to receive the free diapers. You must also return the free diapers you receive when you are done using them. For those who desire to use cloth but can't afford the up-front investment, this is a great deal! (Just a note here that although there is an up-front investment to using cloth diapers, the TOTAL cost is much less...often FAR less than the cost of disposables. Plus, many of the cloth diapers available now are just as easy to use as disposables.)
The reason this is such a great deal is because until recently, Miracle Diapers was not even accepting applications from those needing diapers. When they DID offer applications, you actually had to FIRST apply to RESERVE an application THEN when there was a spot available, they would let you ACTUALLY apply. It was a several step process and just because you applied to RESERVE an application DIDN'T mean you would get an ACTUAL application.
Now, however, they are offering you the opportunity to ACTUALLY apply without reservations! You can do so here if you're interested.
$10 Cloth Diaper Trial
I know I have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating while we're talking about cloth diapers.
Those interested in cloth diapers but don't know WHICH cloth diapers to use, can do a "diaper trial" through Jillian's Drawers. You pay a depost of $112.84 and get to try an assortment of cloth diapers for 21 days. You then return the diapers to Jillian's Drawers and get a refund of your deposit minus the $10 trial fee.
The trial gives you the opportunity to try several different types of cloth diapers. The package includes Thirstie's Fab Fitted, Fuzzi Bunz (Kissaluvs w/newborn package), Bum Genius Pocket, Bum Genius AIO, Thirstie's Pocket AIO, Chinese Prefolds, Organic Imse Vimse Cover, Snappi, Bum Genius and Fuzzi Bunz inserts, and flushable liners (which you don't have to return).
If you want to keep the diapers after the trial, they'll give you back your $10 fee which will then be a bonus discount off the diapers!
The diapers you get are new. (They sell any used diapers returned in their own resell shop.) As a result, you will have to wash the diapers at least 3 times before using them on your baby. They also allow you to order them just before your baby is due. The diapers just have to be USED for 21 days or less. They are flexible.
You will have to pay $11.95 shipping to get the diapers to you and will also have to pay to ship them back. You can ship them back using any method you choose, but USPS priority shipping is $9.80 for their flat rate box.
Enjoy your freebies!
-Me

Have you ever thought about cloth diapering your baby? You want to try it but you're afraid you'll spend tons of money on the diapers only to find out it's just not for you. There's now a program JUST for you! For $10 you can try several of the most popular brands of pre-made cloth diapers including FuzziBunz and BumGenius for 21 days. You really can't be a deal like that! You do have to pay a deposit of $112.84, but if you return all of the diapers after the 21 days, the they refund you all but $10.

Many who know they want to cloth diaper will still use this program to help them decide which diaper they want to use.

Thanks, Jillian's Drawers for making this so much easier for new moms. Here's the link.

If you're wondering about cost comparison, think about this: You will spend between $300 and $600 to buy the "best" (very subjective) pre-made diapers ONCE. If you buy disposables, you will easily spend $1500-$3000 for the first 3 years of your child's life on diapers. (The cost varies because those who coupon &/or use generics may find the diapers for cheaper. STILL, they're going to spend at least TRIPLE (if not more) on disposables!

Plus, if you're using cloth, you can avoid all of the chemicals that commercial disposables have in them. Some do bleach their cloth diapers, but I would avoid that using instead vinegar &/or baking soda to sanitize. Plenty do that and their children survive just fine. They will come across enough chemicals in their lives without me needing to subject them to chemicals literally right out of the womb!

I know if I were to have another child (which we'd like to do in the future), I would definitely use cloth this time. No question about it. I wish I had used cloth for my other 3. I'd like to think I'd be handy enough to make them, but I'm still trying to figure out how to sew cloth pads for myself. (Yes. You read that right. More on that later. And no, I'm not crazy.)

-Me