On Thursday May 2nd, Walmart Canada declared it the national day of savings for stores across Canada and they challenged a group of us bloggers from across Canada to see what we could buy for $100.

Well I shop quite regularly at Walmart as it is the store at the end of my street. Really it is my corner store.

So what was my challenge since I am job hunting I decided to get outfits I could wear for work and since I work in Social Media I need everything from a dress to casual pants and tops. I took part in the challenge at the Dufferin Mall Walmart.

As soon as I got to the store I noticed prices that are absolutely great for basics.

So I wandered through to the plus section were I was able to find everything I needed for a back to work wardrobe on a budget.

So what does a $100 buy a mom on a budget?

Bought were:

2 dresses one black and one blue $5 (clearance)and $16 = $21

2 pair of pants one black dressy pair and one grey and casual $25 and $5 = $30

2 t-shirts, one purple and one green = $16

1 pair of sandals = $29

= $96

Since I shop at Walmart frequently this was an easy challenge for me, infact since Thursday I updated my office for $40 with a new desk from Walmart for $36, and bought few things to update my kitchen for under $10 but more on them another day.

How would you spend $100 at Walmart and how far could you stretch yours?

* I did receive a $100 Gift Card from Walmart Canada to participate in the challenge but was not compensated any further and as always my opinions are my own.

I first wrote about Earth Day and going green back in 2007, and have talked about it ever since over a variety of posts on this blog. Earth Day 2013 is next Monday and there are so many ways to go green. Did you know by going green you are also being money smart? By making simple changes you often save money by being environmentally friendly.

So how can you make simple changes at home that make you green and save you money?

In the Furnace Room

• Wrap your water heater with an insulation blanket
• Lower the temperature on your water heater
• Make sure furnace filters in forced-air systems are clean. I just changed mine.
• Insulate the water pipes.

In the Kitchen

• Eat your leftovers.
• Cook meatless at least once a week. We aim for twice or more.
• Use cloth instead of paper towels to clean. We actually do have a rag bag made from old clothes and towels.
• Use a full dishwasher instead of washing dishes if you have an Energy Star dishwasher.
• Use the microwave or slow cooker when you can, it is more energy efficient then the stove.
• Use green cleaning methods. Vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, Borax, and regular dish soap are all you really need for the majority of your household cleaning. Don’t want to mix it yourself? There are plenty of green alternatives.

In the Bathroom

• Replace any old toilets with a low flow toilet
• Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Take short showers and skip the bath.
• Use a Diva Cup dear women if you have a cycle, great for the environment and .

In the Bedroom

• Throw on an extra blanket instead of turning up the heat. 
• Donate any clothes to a local thrift store, or sell them at a consignment shop.
• Do what our grandmothers did and mend clothing instead of tossing.
• Keep the thermostat at 67 degrees in the winter and use those slippers and a sweater.

All Over the House

• Use a welcome mat and wipe off your shoes if you wear shoes indoors.
• Switch all your lightbulbs to CFL’s
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room
• Unplug and turn off things when not in use, even your computer.

Outside

• Have a compost bin.
• Stop using disposable bags. Have cloth grocery bags.
• Recycle everything possible. Glass, metal, plastic, paper, cardboard (don’t forget junk mail!) and more. And participate in special item recycling days, such as for paints or electronics.
• Whenever practical, walk or ride your bike. For trips less than 3km, it actually takes less time to bike it.
• Work from home when you can.

These are just some tips, there are many many more, what are some of the ways you are saving at your house? Join me and the #cdnmoney community as we talk about this very topic tonight March 17th at 7 pm EST.

Now for Earth Day my family is planting trees, are you planning in participating in any group activity for Earth Day? There are many going on through out Canada check out the link to know what is going on in your neighbourhood.

After a weekend of thinking about taking care of me, I have been thinking how can I take better care of me on a budget. One of the lessons I have learned it is good to spend a few dollars on good quality things that last longer but there are many ways you can save as well and homemade beauty is one of those ways. I love a great face mask, what woman doesn’t?

I also love Pinterest and many of these recipes are inspired from posts I found there.

I love peppermint and a great scrub and exfoliant. Did you know you can make a great peppermint scrub for a few dollars.

For A Great Peppermint Sugar Scrub

3 cups of white sugar

1 cup + 2 Tbsp. of olive oil

For A Great Oatmeal Banana Mask and Scrub

This one is my take on the OatFix that is sold at Lush. We love Lush in this house but sometimes I go with what is in the house.

Last night for the #cdnmoney chat on twitter we were talking about all the ways there are to save at the grocery store. There are literally many ways that you can help save on your grocery bill each week. Here are just a few:

Have a Budget

So many people have an idea of what they would like to spend but never set a budget. Track what you are spending now on groceries and then ask it this really what you need to be spending each and every week. You would be surprised to find that many people can simply save cash by knowing what they want to spend. Know your money amounts.

Shop the Flyers and Make a List

Another great way to save is taking advantage of those flyers that get dropped off at your door each and every week. Don’t just toss them in the recycle pile, read through them and find the best deals. Did you know that you make a list and even use the advertised price to price match at a number of stores? Every week I make a list of what I want to buy based on that weeks sales.  Our menu revolves around the sales.

Use Coupons

I know some people hate clipping coupons but I always say if you found money lying on the road you would pick it up right, and then spend it right? So why not clip or collect and use coupons. There are many ways to get them: brand websites, Facebook pages, and apps, newspaper inserts still, hanging at the grocery store, and even by requesting them straight from the brand. There are even clipping services and coupon trains that allow you to trade coupons. My one piece of advice though when clipping coupons collect coupons for the brands you know love and use, and forget the rest or use them for trading. You never want to use a coupon for the sake of couponing.

Turn to Technology

Today one of my favorite phrases is there is an App for that. When to comes saving at the grocery store in Canada there are even a number of apps that helping Canadians cost their costs. I was recently at DX3 where I discovered the Reebee App (which is available for iphone and soon for Android and Blackberry as well). It gives you all your flyers on your phone which makes price matching at the grocery store a breeze. I used it yesterday at Walmart.

Another great app that helps you save is Checkout 51. Checkout 51 is is looking to change the world of couponing in Canada by offering Canadians cash back, without them having to use a single coupon. What you do is buy groceries at any store in Canada ( sorry Quebec is not included) and then get cash back based on the offers of the week (there are about 10 each week) . A check is sent out after you are at $20 or you can bank them for awhile. Another great way to cut your costs.

There are many more ways to save then just these what are your favorite ways to cut your grocery bill, how do you trim yours?

Contest Sample

On a recent #cdnmoney money chat I shared that I wanted to run a contest on Common Cents Mom. I want you to share your best money tips with me

I just celebrated 5 years as Common Cents Mom

4 years on Twitter

and 8000 followers on Twitter and I want to do something special.

Please share with me your best money tip. Take a picture of you sharing your tip and send it to me at holliep@live.ca

What am I going to do with your tips? I am going to make a video that will be shared here in just over a month.

This contest runs till April 13th, 2003

What can you win?

     A $200 Visa or Mastercard Gift Card

To enter remember to email me your photo with your tip. When you have done that come back here and leave a comment. I will be sharing your photos this month on my facebook page. After the 13th of April I make the video and share that here!