Frugal Column March 11, 2012

You know what they say one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure. Now that it feels like spring is here go through your clutter and donate, recycle or sell your castoffs so they can do some good. You may end up with a bonus of some extra cash in your pocket but you will have a positive feeling that you have cleaned and organized your space.
Paint Disposal:
Bluegrass PRIDE is offering Waste Paint Hardener at no cost to residents of its service region. To receive up to 5 free bags of these crystals, contact your local PRIDE coordinator or call the PRIDE office toll free at 866-222-1648. One bag will harden up to 2/3 of water-based paint such as latex and acrylic. http://www.bgpride.org/PaintDisposal.htm
Documents:
Disposing of old files can be a task that some of us don’t know what to keep and what to throw away. Check out University of Kentucky Cooperative Education site for a list of what important papers you need to keep and what you can shred. http://www.extension.org/pages/12475/organize-your-important-papers

Now that you have all the appropriate papers to dispose of on Tuesday, March 27 you can bring up to five boxes per car to be securely shredded for free at the old landfill on Old Frankfort Pike from 11:30am to 1:30pm. They will be shredded on site by CINTAS. http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=2604

Drop off up to 5lbs. of old documents, bank statements and more at Staples to be shredded for free during the month of March. (regularly 79 cents a pound) www.staples.com
Old Video Games and Electronics:
What do you do with all those video games you are not playing anymore or that you just played to many times and would like new ones? One local option is GameStop where they will buy your old games and give you credit toward the purchase of games, consoles and gear. www.gamestop.com
Best Buy has a trade-in program where all you have to do is bring in your gently used electronic for Best Buy Gift Cards. http://deals.bestbuy.com/latesttech

Clothes:
There are many consignment stores in our area that will pay you for your clothes that are in good condition. Plato’s Closet, Clothes Mentor and Once Upon a Child are a couple of local stores located at Zandale Plaza off Nicholasville Road where you can bring in brand name clothes that are in good condition to get cash on the spot.

If you don’t want to drive to the store check out Thredup to get money for your child’s outgrown items. Just order a free empty bag, fill it up and leave it outside for your mail carrier to pick-up. Claim your cashback via Paypay, or use it as a credit on like-new kids clothing items that fit. http://www.thredup.com/

Automobile products:
Your local Advance Auto Parts store will accept used vehicle batteries, motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic oil, gear oil and steering fluid free of charge.

Lexington Fayette Urban County Government offers three free disposal days – April 21, July 21 and October 20. This is an opportunity to dispose of household waste at no cost. Citizens can drop off a level pickup truck load of bagged household waste and up to four tires off the rims for free. http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=2355

Appliances:
Call 311 to request a pickup of appliances, such as air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators, water heaters, washer, dryers, stoves, furnaces etc. There is no charge for picking up these appliances. Fayette County residents can also take appliances, free of charge to Environmental Recycling Inc. at 3899 Winchester Road. Call for more information 859-293-0167.

Sports Equipment:
Play It Again Sports pays cash for all kinds of sports and fitness gear. Get your child ready for next season sports by clearing out your cluttered garage or closet of their outgrown sports equipment and get credit or cash to purchase next seasons equipment. Check out their website for the closest store. www.playitagainsports.com

Just about anything:
Freecycle.com reduces waste by connecting trash-bound household items like lumber, furniture, decorations and just about anything to local people who want them.

Don’t forget about the good old yard sale.

Real Simple is offering up a new mail-in rebate which will score you a FREE $5 Target gift card when you purchase one or more of the following participating items…
* Dove Brand Silky Smooth Chocolate Eggs
* Starbucks Blonde Roast
* Simple Skin Care
* Real Simple Magazine
http://www.realsimple.com/real-simple-rewards/spring-forward/

Free Blueberry Pancake Puppies Sundae at Denny’s with purchase of one entrée valued at $2.50 or more coupon. http://www.dennyssocial.com/coupon/whats_sizzlin/sizzlin_puppies_sundae.pdf

Get a Stephanie Johnson Cosmetic Bag ($45 value) for free when you buy two Playtex products. http://www.playtexpromo.com/

CVS Deal:
General Mills cereal on sale three for $7 use $1 Sunday paper coupon making final price just $2 each.
Purex Liquid Detergent on sale for $2.49 use 50 cents Sunday paper coupon making final price just $1.99.
Dial for Men Speed Foam Body Wash on sale for $4.99 receive $2 extracare bucks plus use $1 Sunday paper coupon making final price just $1.99

Walgreens Deal:
Purex Ultra Packs on sale for $3.49 use 50 cents Walgreens coupon plus $1 Sunday paper coupon making final price just $1.99.
Buy two Scrubbling Bubbles bathroom cleaners for $6 use $1 Walgreens coupon plus $2 Sunday paper coupon making the final price $1.50 each.
Colgate Optic White, Total Advanced or Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste two for $8 receive $3 in register rewards use two $1 Sunday paper making the final price $1.50 each.

Rite Aid Deal:
Tide 50oz. on sale for $5.99 receive $1+UPs rewards plus use $1 Sunday paper coupon making final price $3.99.
Soft Scrub on sale two for $5 use two $1 Sunday paper coupons making final price just $1.50 each.
Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste on sale for $3.49 receive $1 +UPs rewards plus use $1 Sunday paper coupon making the final price just $1.49