shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com August 16, 2016 • Page 19 Save on Everything for Back-to-School with these Smart Tips and Tricks a National Retail Federation 2016 annual survey. Where are their dollars going? The top five back-toschool supplies searched for are Crayola ColorStudio iMarker, BIC Pencil Xtra, TI 84 graphing calculator, Brita filtration water bottle and Crayola Washable Erase, according to Qmee, an online shopping companion. So how can you save on these popular items and more when shopping? (StatePoint) Whether your kids are school playground-bound or collegebound, the back-to-school season can be an expensive time of year. Families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend an average $673.57 while college students and families with children in college plan to spend an average of $888.71, according to “Whether it’s a calculator, backpack or dorm furniture, before making a purchase, it’s important to do your research. Educated shoppers always get the best deals,” says Jonathan Knight, CoFounder and CEO, Qmee. Shopping online is the best way to save time and be sure you’re getting a good deal, says Knight, who recommends a few strategies for how parents can get more bang from their backto-school buck: • Price check: Price comparison tools can help you know for sure whether you’re getting the best deal on any given item. These tools automatically research what you’re searching for to show you the best prices available. • Use coupons. These days you don’t need to spend hours scanning the paper with scissors. Online coupons and discount codes can help you save big at checkout. Before clicking “Purchase,” always verify whether any such deals are available. • Connect: Brands are looking to connect with their consumers online. In some cases, you can earn cash for your everyday searches by clicking on relevant ads. Likewise, by sharing your valued consumer opinion through surveys, many brands will reward you with cash. • Use shopping tools: Download a free browser app which will automatically allow you to earn cash for your everyday searches, and also find the best coupon codes while you shop online. For example, online search and save companion Qmee unobtrusively becomes part of your browser to work with search engines and commerce sites such as Google, Bing, Amazon and Walmart, to help you search for what you want, compare prices, secure discounts and offer opinions while earning cash. It’s a good tool to help college kids stick to a budget while shopping for everything from books to dorm supplies. For more information or to download, visit Qmee.com. Back-to-school shopping for students of any age can be expensive, but with the right knowledge, there are plenty of ways to save time and money. 5 Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (StatePoint) It might not feel like you alone can have an impact on the environment, but over time, small lifestyle changes can make a substantial difference. Need some ideas to get started? Draw inspiration from the collective efforts of one California olive company working to run operations in an eco-friendly way. “Our employees are vital to our zero waste efforts,” says Dennis Leikam, environmental manager at Musco Family Olive Company. “Through monthly sustainability topics and a compost program, they’re encouraged to reduce not only our corporate environmental impact, but also their personal impact away from work, as well.” Over 75 percent of residential waste is recyclable, but most people only recycle 30 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While it may be unrealistic to produce zero waste at home, you can get closer to that goal. Such commitment to sustainability is achievable in your own home. Here are some simple actions you can take. Buy the Right Stuff Musco has an ethical sourcing program to ensure that every part of the olive production process meets their sustainability goals. Do your own ethical sourcing by: • Buying local. • Buying products with minimal, recyclable packaging. • Reducing your use of disposable items. • Choosing products from companies with a commitment to sustainability. Drive Less and Bike More In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities by five percent, Musco is tracking emissions through Carbon Disclosure Project, the leading nonprofit working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can lower your carbon footprint by consolidating car trips, and walking or riding your bike to work and on errands. by hand. Really. store in your purse. • Put a brick in your tank to get a low-flow effect without the cost of a new toilet. Conserve Water In the last 10 years, Musco has recycled almost 1.5 billion gallons of water onsite in a closed-loop system. They even grow a special grass that pulls salt from the soil, is harvested and becomes a tasty supplement for local cattle. Here are ways you too can conserve water: • Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. • Use the dishwasher. Unless your dishwasher is more than a decade old, it uses less water than washing • Add aerators to faucets. They cost less than $10 and the accumulated water savings is substantial. • Limit watering outdoors to the coolest times of day, use a moisture sensor, and landscape with native, drought-resistant plants. Bring Your Own Bag Remembering to bring your own bags to the supermarket is hard at first, but is a great habit. Keep market bags in the back of your car and get a foldable tote bag to Feed the Soil Take advantage of municipal compost programs. Most allow whole pizza boxes, paper plates, plate scraps, and bones in the green bin -- all no-no’s for a backyard bin. Or, get yourself a worm box and compost small food scraps that will help your garden grow. You can also toss veggie scraps into a freezer bag until you have enough to make veggie broth. To learn more about sustainability leadership, visit www.olives.com. Remember every small step makes a difference. Keep the numbers of these locally owned businesses on hand for all your service and shopping needs. “Don’t Gamble” - Insure With M.T. & R.C. SMITH INSURANCE 204 W. 4th St. • P Box 1077 .O. Yankton, SD 57078 Downtown Yankton Since 1949 605-665-3611 Wrinkled trunks don’t look good on everybody! National Coin Company Serving Collectors Full Time Since 1967 Buying - Appraising Coins, Paper Money, Gold, Silver, Diamonds We Work with All Insurance Companies 665-7670 - East Hwy. 50, Yankton 267-7670 - Washington St., Gayville 1801 Main • Tyndall, SD Call for Appointment Jim Matney (402)981-1958 We’ve committed our “personal touch” to serving you! I sell results! 605-665-2957 Contact Jim Gevens (605)665-5884 • SIGNS OF ALL KINDS • VINYL LETTERING • DIGITAL PRINTING & MORE jim.gevens@yankton.net • SERVICE • SALES • REPAIRS 3206 E. Hwy. 50 • Yankton, SD (605) 260-0306 • 213 E. 3rd Street • Yankton, SD 57078 We do SANDBLASTING • Large & Small Part Powder Coating • Decorative & Household Items Let us put our experience to work for you! or ectrical Contract Harry Lane, El Residential titive Prices •Commercial • Work • Compe rvice • Quality • Prompt Se eling • Farm Wiring ction or Remod 4/7 New Constru call 2 612 Home: 665-6 0 Cell: 661-104 on To advertise in our next specialty business directory, call the Missouri Valley Shopper at 605-665-5884.