Donating our items for our Simple Service Project

Last week I posted about our family’s participation in GE Simple Service Project and how we adopted a family from our church. In addition to the traditional items they asked for  we decided to also donate energy saving light bulbs by GE. Our family took a trip to Walmart again with our list of toys and sizes our adopted family had requested. This is what we brought home this time.

 



I know it was especially hard for my boys to pick out a Nerf gun to donate as they have been asking for one for sometime now. I was proud of them for picking one of the larger ones that I know they would have loved to come home and opened.

They also picked a game we thought one of the children would enjoy that we enjoy as a family. Picking out a game brought up some discussion as to should it be a one player game or do we think they play as a family? A great parenting moment in Walmart’s Game aisle.

Since we knew this family needed help during this hard financial time we thought by donating these GE energy saving light bulbs they would save money in the long run. Here is an example of just how much one would save.

The donation at our church is not collected until the 8th of December but we will be wrapping the gifts and food together as a family and then driving over together to drop it off.

Donating our items for our Simple Service Project

 
 
This time of year we are looking to save money in so many ways. Did you know there are so many ways to find rebates on energy saving practices?

Rebates 101: Five Steps To Finding Free Money

Good news for homeowners looking to upgrade their house without seriously downgrading their finances: Product rebates are available for many kinds of energy-efficient home appliances.

Why? The government and utilities both want consumers to use less energy, and one way they hope to influence people is by offering incentives to purchase more energy-efficient models. For a homeowner, that means saving more on the initial purchase and on monthly utility bills.

How? Try these tips:

1. Check with your utility company. Electric companies often offer rebates on energy-efficient products. Visit their website and search for a listing of available rebates by appliance category, along with the qualification, incentive and application. If you can’t find information online, call the customer service number listed on your last bill.

2. Research government rebates. Government programs such as the ENERGY STAR rebate locator let you enter your zip code and type of appliance at http://www.energystar.gov/ to find special offers.

3. Search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) website, http://www.dsireusa.org/, for residential rebates and incentives in your state.

4. Look for in-store signage. Signs and brochures next to appliance displays often outline available offers and some store personnel are trained to relay available rebates.

5. Visit manufacturer websites. Some appliance manufacturers make it even easier to locate rebates through easy-to-use online search functions. For example, GE Appliances’ Rebate Finder lets you enter your zip code and the appliance you’re shopping for to view a list of rebates and immediately download rebate applications. Visit www.geappliances.com/rebates_promotions to learn more, including how you might be able to earn money for recycling your old model. To make rebate and appliance research as easy as possible, a rebate finder is located on every appliance model page.

Rebates can help you save a considerable amount of money when it comes to appliance purchases. By making research a part of your appliance shopping, you won’t miss out on great savings

 

 


Please think about participating in the GE challenge and submit a nomination of a school or charity to win a $100 WM gift card at ; My husband donated the second box of GE lights to The William Byrd home which serves underprivileged youth.

“As part of my partnership with GE, I received coupons for my GE light bulbs. All opinions posted about my GE Lighting experience are my own.” “I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ Champions for Kids and GE Lighting #CBias #SocialFabric”

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9 Comments

  1. I know your boys are learning a value lesson by picking out the toys for someone else. What a gift!
    I’m also sure the family is going to love everything-what a way to spread holiday cheer!

  2. I love the fact that you and your family are donating this year, and the GE light bulbs are such an awesoem idea!

  3. How nice of you and your family to buy all that to donate! I love it!

  4. Thank you for the info on how to donate locally!! I love that the gifts are picked for the family personally, What a terrific cause.

  5. Fantastic organization to give back!! i’m sure you church can really appreciate this. Great post!!

  6. What a wonderful ideas! And that is great that you are donating and teaching your children to do the same! God Bless!

  7. I never thought about donating lightbulbs like that! What a great way to help in the long term! Thanks!

  8. It’s really awesome to read that your kids are so involved in that!! They will also remember that life lesson of giving to others!

  9. Good article. I love donating.