Why BOGO Greenio (yo)?

"What's it all about?" I hear you ask...

Looking back I guess I’ve always been a little bit cheap and a little bit green.  I could never justify spending $500 on a designer handbag like some of my friends, but that was probably because I just didn’t have that kind of money.  On the green side, I recycled at work, but nothing too serious.  Now that I’m a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) my love of cheap and green have been “stepped up a notch”.  I'm like a yellow belt in both and aiming to be a black belt!

Photo credit to Munchkin #2 and my crazy skills in MS Paint "haaaaay- yAH!"

I’ve been couponing for about a year and I’m not extreme, but I’ve developed my own system (I think that’s key, I'll be blogging about it soon) and by combining store sales (BOGO) with coupons I’ve recently been able to hit my spending goal for weekly groceries ($150 for a family of four).  I usually save about $50-$60, but sometimes as much as $70.  I think it’s also important to live within your means and my quest for bargains is definitely a major part of that now that we’re on one income.  My love of BOGO helps me save pennies for “luxury” items such as trips to the hairdresser  and maybe, one day, a vacation (one can dream, right?).

The green part seems obvious to me, but not everyone sees it this way…there’s a saying that we don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors we are borrowing it from our children [http://www.quotegarden.com/earth-day.html].  In my opinion, the earth is not an infinite resource to be used up and spit out without a second thought.  It’s a delicately balanced system and one of these days we might tip the balance too far the wrong way.  I don’t get why people don’t care that the plastic we throw out might end up floating around the ocean for thousands of years or that stuff we flush down the drain ends up in our rivers or that every day we’re releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that has been stored in the ground for millions of years.  The world is a beautiful place and I want to do my part to not totally mess it up!  No one is perfect and I don't live in a tree and eat bark, but I’m trying to make the best choices I can as a modern (dare I say it - gulp!) housewife (yuk!  I don't like describing myself in such a 1950s kind of way!  I prefer CEO/CFO of my house!).

OK (steps down from soapbox), got that off my chest.  On with the fun!  I promise not to be so serious in future J

Who me?

Welcome to my blog.  BOGO Greenio means I'm trying to save money (BOGO = Buy One Get One Free) and save the planet at the same time. 

The first thing people usually notice about me is that I’m “not from these parts”.  I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien!  No, I’m not from Mars (or Venus), I’m from England.  I used to work in a customer service call center and I talked to a lot of people on the phone during the working day, so I’ve probably been asked about my accent a gazillion times!  By the way, I don’t have an accent YOU DO!


Artwork by BOGO Greenio and Munchkin #2 (using materials from the recycle bin in the kitchen)


We live in small town America and love it.  It does have drawbacks - the most severe being that we have to drive 20 minutes to Publix or to get Chinese takeout, but in general it’s great.  Being so far away from “civilization” actually makes me think twice before setting out to a place where I have to a) spend money and b) use gas to get there. 

I jumped off the corporate ladder about a year ago and gave up a decent salary to stay at home with my two daughters (munchkins #1 and #2).  So far I love being a mom full-time and I don’t regret my choice.  Being at home  is not for everyone, but it’s right for me right now.  I can feel the benefits of it in our little family because I’m happy and happy mommy = happy family! 

Adjusting to one income has been a challenge, but one I’ve faced with enthusiasm and good humor.  Couponing and being careful consumers are two strategies that have allowed us to stretch our one income so that we can still live comfortably and pay the bills on time.

 I describe myself as an intermediate couponer.  I try to buy most things we need with a coupon and/or on sale, but I make exceptions occasionally for things we really need.  I think carefully before spending money on anything and I’m always looking for good deals.  I’m trying hard to balance budget issues with a green conscience and it’s not always easy.  Add in to this trying to make good healthy choices and it gets even more complicated, but I’m getting there!

Come along with me on my BOGO Greenio journey…..

Under Construction

This blog is under construction, please visit again soon to join the fun!