Being Booga

There’s FREE fun and wholesome goodness available to those who are lucky enough to live close to a town or city that has a Botanical Gardens. Many communities’ Botanical Gardens are gearing up for the season by hosting Spring Plant Sales, Free Admission Days and Education / Special Events Days.

My own Denver Botanic Gardens is offering Free Admission to the public this weekend during its Annual Plant Sale.

On Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 10 am to 4 pm, the public can enjoy the Gardens and free admission to tour the Gardens or join in the bloom-bargaining fun.

Drawing thousands of people, it’s sure to a be a wonderful event but one that, if not well-prepared for, you may not be able to take advantage of all the great deals.

Carol O’Meara, at The Rocky Mountain News has put together an awesome guide on how to prepare for and get the most out of these special events.
I think this guide would be useful and applicable at any large Botanical Gardens Plant Sale.
See the Guide Here

For my Blog Readers and Subscribers I also went around the ‘net and rounded up some information on Plant Sales and Free Days at Botanical Gardens in other cities.

Here’s my list along with links to the Gardens’ web site’s events pages.

Berry Botanic Garden
Montgomery Park in NW Portland, Oregon
Next Plant Sale September 27, 2008
More Information

San Francisco Botanical Garden
More Information

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Sales and Events
More Information

University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley
**FREE Admission the first Thursday of every month
More Information

Leach Botanical Gardens
Portland, OR
I couldn’t find “Free Admission Days” but they do have a Spring Plant Sale.
**I was pleased to find out they also host a Seed Exchange.
More Information

Mother’s Day Perennial Plant Sale
**featuring Master Gardeners to answer questions
UBC Botanical Garden in Vancouver, Canada
More Information

I realize this is a very short list. If your city is not represented, simply search “Botanical Gardens Plant Sale” and your location to find out if a Botanical Gardens close to you offers these special events. See the top-right of this page for a Google search box.

Here’s an idea if you’ve missed your Spring Sale or other special event:

Why not write in your mom’s card a future “date” you plan to take her for a fun filled time together at a Botanical Garden!

What is happening in your community this weekend? Please let us know by posting it in comments! Thanks and have a fabulous weekend!

Here’s a chance for Denver residents to save on their grocery bill.  SHARE Colorado, a large food co-op, is having a Warehouse Food Sale.

SHARE Colorado - If you eat, you qualify!

** WAREHOUSE FOOD SALE **

FILL A BOX $30.00

DENVER COLORADO
9360 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80260

MAY 10, 9AM-NOON
12 X 12 X 14
BOX BOXES WILL BE PROVIDED
**NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF BOXES PER CUSTOMER**

FROZEN FOODS AND PANTRY ITEMS

Share Wish List / needs:

*   Snow Plow for company truck to plow parking lot
*   Atrists to paint murals on our trucks.

Call Terri at  303-428-0400 X 1005

SHARE Colorado
9360 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80260     303-428-0400
1-800-933-7427

Visit their web site for information:
www.ShareColorado.Com

SHARE Colorado is a food co-op operating in Denver that makes groceries affordable for everyone.

Unlike most food programs that are need-based or require some sort of qualification, SHARE is open to everyone.

According to their web site, you can average a 50% savings - that is, if you purchase their “Classic Package” for $25.00 they say the same products in local markets would cost over $50! They have several packages available and you can even order specific items ala carte.

Not only will you save cash but you’ll save TIME - because the packages are put together for you - all you have to do is pick up your order at a community center or church in your neighborhood. Ordering is easy. You can call SHARE Colorado or use their web site. You can view the packages and even download menus that are created around that month’s food items.

They also state on their web site that are not there only to serve low-income families, but that everyone qualifies - “If you Eat, You Qualify”.

The program helps everyone save money on groceries so they can use their money elsewhere.

How the program works:
Those who wish to participate locate their local distribution center and order their grocery packages ahead of time. Then the items become available for pick up on distribution days at various locations in Denver neighborhoods.

There are similar programs in communities nationwide. The co-op in Colorado was formerly known as WORLD SHARE and is now SHARE Colorado and serves affiliate communities in an 8-State Region. I was told that there are similar programs / food co-ops in communities all over the US.

The program is largely run by volunteers, they only employ 6 staff which includes grocery buyers. They also rely on tips from volunteers on good information about grocery pricing. They purchase large quantities of food at a discount or at wholesale and pass the savings on to us by using volunteers to make it work each month.

You can get started right now by viewing the May packages and placing your order on their web site.

The APRIL Classic Package costs $25.00 and includes the following:

Organic Meatballs 12oz - Tex-Mex Skillet Dinner 44oz.(feeds family of 4) - Bratwurst 16 oz
Breakfast Sausage links 12 oz - Ground Beef xtra-Lean 1 lb - Hamburger Dinner
Potatoes(6 ea) - Onions(3ea) -Lettuce Radishes Tomatoes (2ea)nMangos (2ea)
Lemons (2ea) Oranges(5ea) Grapefruit(2ea)

It’s too late now to order the April package, but you can preview and order your grocery packages for May. The web site is http://www.sharecolorado.com

I’ve always been interested in Food Co-Ops as a great way to involve myself in the community and save money. SHARE Colorado helps me do both. I look forward to saving money, eating well, and participating in something in my community.

SHARE Colorado serves the following Regions - The links allow you to search for an ordering and distribution center by zip code:
South Dakota :: Wyoming :: New Mexico :: Nebraska :: Texas ::Kansas ::Oklahoma :: Missouri :: Arizona :: Utah ::

Other Sources of Information:
What is a Coop? :: National Cooperative Business Association
Coop Directory

Do you participate in a food co-op or grocery buyer’s club? Do you know of similar programs in your area? What are some more ways you know of to save money on groceries?

Please Comment!

I am so excited today because I signed up for PayPerPost.

PayPerPost is a place where advertisers and bloggers can meet. What I love the most about PPP is the fact that I can still write about what I WANT to write about, what I am passionate about - and make a little money while doing it.

It’s free to sign up, too. I can log in anytime and check out open opportunities in subjects that match what my readers are interested in.

The first place I go when I log in is to the PPP Marketplace where I can browse blog ads and find opportunities to get paid for writing.

I’m hoping I can earn some extra money by writing about different products and services that I think would be of interest to my blog-audience and community members.

What will I do with the money? Well, I’m all about using the best quality cookware that money can buy and I’m slowly collecting the All Clad Copper Core pots and pans. The next one on my list is the All-Clad Cop-R-Chef 12-Inch Fry Pan.

So I think if I write some content from PayPerPost blog ads, then in a few weeks or months I might be able to afford it!

Aside from earning some extra money, I think that working with PPP might make me a better blogger.

This Post is….

Fabulous!

Hello Web Visitor!

If you’re looking for ways to spend less on groceries and stretch your dollars, you’re in the right place.

Being Frugal is becoming a hot topic with today’s scary economy. There’s lots of information available to those seeking real solutions - everything from Better Budgeting, Shopping, Saving and Being Resourceful.

Here’s a Round Up of some of Being Booga - Domestic Goodness’ information on the subject of saving and spending less.

• Save 26% on groceries in Denver (or anywhere)
• How I Saved by Shopping Ethnic Markets
• How to Survive a “no money for food” crisis
• No money for new furniture? Make something great (Being Resourceful)
• Get things for FREE - Try Rebates!
• Make Your Own? Yes you can, and you can save a bundle and help the environment. Try These:
  Laundry Detergent - Homemade!
  Cleaning Supplies - Cheap, Environmentally Friendly and Homemade Easy
• Make an easy, quick $25.00
• You Need a Budget - I did, and this software was essential to helping me get it.
  

If you’re new here and want to stay informed with the latest tips, tricks and advice about homemaking and being frugal, please sign up to our news feed. It’s free!

Don’t forget to check the RECIPES and other categories for cheap recipes and more easy solutions.

Also, please feel free to comment - I’d love to hear from you especially if you found something here to be helpful.