I have become a loyal Staples customer for one main reason: Their ink cartridge recycling program. Bring them your tired, dried out, used up HP, Lexmark and Dell cartridges to any store, and Staples will give you a $3.00-off coupon that can be used immediately. Best of all, you can use up to three coupons per purchase.

What I didn’t realize is that there are lots of options for recycling printer cartridges.   ThinkRecycle.com lets you earn money for schools or nonprofits by recycling printer cartridges and cell phones. Not feeling so philanthropic? Try FundingFactory.com, which allows you to earn credits toward new equipment for your business when you turn in those old phones and cartridges.

And, speaking of those old mobile phones, one of the most worthwhile and smart programs I’ve come across in recent years is the Verizon HopeLine program. Give your old mobile phone back to Verizon. The phones are refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence, and makes contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

 It may not save you money, but it may help save a life.

 What’s your fave recycling or combo do-good/fundraising program? Share it in the Comments section.
 

Well, I think I’ve finally recovered from my shopping trip yesterday. My daughter is heading to a private school for Kindergarten — one that has full-day K and which also requires uniforms.

I was surprised that I had no options to order the uniforms online, which is usually my first line of defense in saving money, even if just comparison shopping for good prices. So,  we headed over to the “authorized” shop to pick up her clothes.

School uniforms are controversial. Some say that they save money and time, while others maintain that specific mandates available from limited suppliers virtually ensure that parents will pay top-dollar for the clothes and that there really is no significant savings. After my trip, I have to agree with the latter group.

Last year, we went on a massive shopping trip at our local outlet mall right before school started. I spent $278 for a dozen outfits at the factory store of a major children’s retailer. I spent another $68.00 for a pair of shoes, a pair of sneakers, and a pair of rubber boots at another retailer. We added a few pieces throughout the year — a new winter coat for about $35.00 and a few outfits, new underwear, tights, socks, etc. But, for less than $500.00, she was pretty much outfitted for the year.

Yesterday, I spent $178.00 for two jumpers, three shirts, the warm-weather gym outfit, the cool-weather gym outfit and two pair of tights. Unless I want to live a distinctly little-house-on-the-prairie-esque existence and wash and iron (did I mention that I don’t iron?) jumpers and shirts every night, we’re going to need at least two more jumpers and another shirt or two. Plus, there are variations on the uniform — walking shorts, slacks, polo shirt, different color socks and tights. Then, there are the approved shoes. Sure, she can get by with her slightly scuffed Mary Janes, but it’s the first day in a new school. And kids can be mean.

I estimate that, by the time is all said and done, we’re going to be plunking down another $300-350 to get her outfitted according to school requirements and to give her enough changes of clothes that I’m not condemned to the laundry room every night. Not to mention that she’ll also need play and weekend clothes. So, the money-saving theory of school uniforms, at least in our household, doesn’t hold water.

 Have you found a good way to save money on school uniforms? PLEASE share them in the comments section. My AmEx card will thank you.