What color would you call the grass in your yard?  I would call mine ‘less-than-green.’  I’m slightly optimistic.

This year I’m determined to help our grass grow greener.  I really want our lawn to look more welcoming.

The question is, “How exactly does one obtain and maintain a healthy yard?”

After researching I have pulled together 3 easy ways to get the green yard we’re all longing for without having to pay the cost of professionals to do the work.

Fertilize and fertilize again.  Most people think fertilizing their yard once a year is good for their lawn.  Research shows that lawns that are fertilized 2-4 times a year show lush growth.  Save 8% on lawn fertilizers and fertilizer spreaders with discount Sears gift cards from Plastic Jungle.  You can also save 7% on lawn care needs with Plastic Jungle discount Lowe’s gift cards or Home Depot discount gift cards.

Cut grass to a healthy length.  The pros say that when you cut grass too low it makes it easier for weeds to grow.  So what exactly is a healthy grass height?  It is recommended that no more than 1/3 of a stalk of grass be cut off each time you mow.  This means that keeping a regular eye on grass growth is important as a few days of rain can increase how soon you might need to mow.  Discount Sears gift cards, discount Lowe’s gift cards, and discount Home Depot gift cards are great for saving on lawn mowers, riding mowers, and lawn tractors.  My dad loves his lawn tractor.  He says that the task feels more like an enjoyable ride.

Keep grass clippings for your yard.  Research from the University of Florida indicates that by dropping clipped grass into your own yard you are doing a lot of good for your lawn and for the environment.  Most of today’s mowers have a mulch feature that cuts grass blades multiple times so you don’t have to worry about picking anything up.  Putting cut grass back into the soil has three great benefits: (1) It puts nitrogen and other essential elements like phosphorus, potassium, manganese and iron back into the soil, (2) Cut grass actually helps decompose thatch (think leaves, dead stems, and roots), and (3) Keeping your clippings actually cuts down on the amount of waste in landfills.  It is estimated that cut grass accounts for 10% of landfill waste.

Do you see what i see?

If anyone in your family has vision needs, you know that without vision insurance or with minimal vision insurance benefits, the cost of eye exams and new eyeglasses or a year’s supply of contact lenses can be quite costly.  Stack any vision benefits you might have with store sales, coupons, and rebates with Plastic Jungle discount gift cards and you’ll get vision care for your family at a maximized discount.

You read that right!  You can use discount gift cards to score savings on your family’s eyecare needs.

You can use discount JC Penney gift cards to get your next pair of glasses, sunglasses, and contacts for 10% less at JC Penney Optical.

If you prefer the styles or prices at Sears Optical you can also use Sears discount gift cards to save 8% on your eye exam and eyewear.

Don’t overlook this blind spot: Print these JC Penney Optical coupons or Sears Optical coupons before you head to the mall so you’re ready to open your eyelids to double the savings!

Did you know?  Nation-wide, approximately 25% of school-age children have vision problems.  Ironically, 48% of parents with children under 12 have never taken their child to an eye care professional.

Don’t squint any longer.  Go get an updated prescription so your eyes don’t have to work harder than they need to.

Is a good kid a result of good role models? 

Every parent hopes to impart some wisdom on to their children.  What are lessons every kid should know to stay safe and become productive members of our society?

How to be a good driver.

Our kids are watching.  Every time we slam on the breaks to avoid hitting the car in front of us and whisper a less than nice word under our breath, our kids are listening.

You can be a model of a good driver by practicing road safety.  Leave enough space on the highway between you and the car in front of you no matter the road condition.  Okay, so… some cars might pass you, but you’ll be teaching your children that it is important to be safe on the road.  Then, one day when your kids get behind the steering wheel, maybe they’ll remember what you taught them.  Won’t that help give you a little peace of mind when your teenager takes the keys to your car?

The importance of education.

It’s one thing to have a good night’s rest and yet another to finish homework before bedtime.  Having good boundaries around privileges like watching t.v. or playing with friends after homework is completed can help children learn to prioritize getting work done before play.

You can encourage your children with their schoolwork by celebrating good grades as well as small victories like drawing a nice picture or remembering how to correctly spell the words on a spelling test.

How to save money.

The way we shop can impact our children to mimic our shopping habits as they get older.  If we charge more than we can pay off to a credit card, our children learn that it’s normal to live beyond our means.

If we calculate how we spend money and try to live frugally by saving money whenever we can, such as stacking Plastic Jungle discount gift cards with store coupons and store sales, our children learn savvy spending habits.

What are your children learning from your habits?