As a child growing up in my father's home, I hated taking out the trash. Really. It was the worst job ever, because (a) you had to put on shoes and go outside (my mother is a firm believer that if you traipse around outside without shoes you will step on a nail and get tetanus) and (b) occasionally we bought the random cheap trash bags, and they would usually leak with a weeks worth of coffee grounds, eggshells and other assorted flotsam and jetsam.

Also, since we got the slightly cheaper ones sometime, we couldn't fill it up all the way or it would bust, because it was so cheap. This led to dozens of half-full trash bags that would need to be taken out. Gah.

An article over at The Simple Dollar puts the cheap trash bag dilemma to task: you fill up cheap trash bags like halfway so you use more, and also your children will be mad at you.

They also break down some impressive math that I could never in a million years think to produce:

Whenever I make a comment along these lines, people almost always suggest not filling the bags as much. "If you only filled the generics 80% full, then you wouldn't have the breakage!" Well, let's look at that scenario. If I have five 13 gallon bags and I fill each of them 80% full, I've got 52 gallons of trash. On the other hand, if I have four 13 gallon bags and I fill each of them to the brim, I have the same amount of trash — 52 gallons.

So, I can either use five generic bags (which cost fifteen cents a pop), empty the trash 25% more often, put more plastic into the environment, and spend a total of 75 cents, or I can use four of our preferred bags (which cost eighteen cents a pop), put less plastic into the environment, and only spend 72 cents.

Money saving and green! I feel so much better now.

Or you could just buy Louis-Vuitton trash bags, like me. I also use Dolce and Gabana toilet paper (exclusively), and all the water in my house is actually Dom Perignon. Don't hate.

What kind of trash bags do you use? I'm a big fan of Hefty bags, but to each his own. Sound off in the comment section!

DeAndre'

We are really excited to share episode 1 of the brand new Living Young & Free Show.

As more and more Young & Free regions go live, the opportunity to for the Y&F Spokesters to join forces has really become apparent. Up until now, each Y&F Spokesperson has essentially been an island to their own. 

Well, that's all changing now. In addition to the regular independent blogging and videos, we are now producing a coordinated show. Cheryl, the Living Young & Free Community Manager is our (awesome) host and each episode will feature three educational segments from our spokesters.

The plan is to put out a new show every two weeks so stay tuned!

Episodes will be hosted on the Living Young & Free Network and you can check them out there: www.livingyoungandfree.com. You can also subscribe in iTunes by clicking here.

Please leave a comment. We would love to hear what you think! 

The Y&F Texas Team

The majority of us will not be visiting "The Hut" for our pizza needs. Good to know. The rest of us think its cool/ are on Atkins. Delicious Atkins.

Our poll this week has to do with the glut of vampire media out there/ Twilight came out last year, its sequel is due out sometime, theres the show "True Blood" on pay cable, and the CW has a new show about attractive vampires living in a modern world.

Are you on vampire overload yet?

Vote in the poll! Do it! Now!

DeAndre'

In 1983 Michael Jackson debuted the Moonwalk at the Motown 25 Live Ceremony. This has got to be one of the most revolutionary, game-changing moments in music histoy. Check it out!

Also, in this clip from the Jackson 5, the Jacksons perform on the Carol Burnett Show, and 6 year old Janet makes one of her debut singing appearances near the end!

Have a great weekend!

DeAndre'

(insert Billy Mays voice here)

DID YOU FORGET FATHER'S DAY THIS YEAR?

(Sepia toned vignette of woman being glared at by a man. She forgot Father's Day.)

ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING A HORRIBLE PERSON!?

(His glare intensifies.)

NEVER FEAR, BECAUSE THIS NEW SET OF CLOTHES FOR YOUR BABY CHANGES COLORS WHEN THEY HAVE A FEVER!

Blink.

This baby garment changes color if your baby has a fever. Because, you know... a thermometer is super difficult to use. But it changes color!

On the other hand, you can always go to the Tie Outlet.

AND HERE'S HOW!

DeAndre'

Well friends, the poll results from last week are in! When it comes down to the Facebook URL name change, here are the results!

The majority thinks that the Facebok URLs are a step in the right direction. Groovy.

For this week's poll, we have a question for you guys!

From MSN:

Pizza Hut is slicing the "pizza" from its boxes and some store signs. The fast food chain will now brand some stores as simply "The Hut."

So, question: New Pizza Hut logo. Is it hot or not?

Head on over to our poll section and cast your vote! While you're at it, leave a comment! Sign up for E-Updates and you'll be eligible to win Astros tickets!

Make it happen!

DeAndre'

So friends, my goal is to save money by leaving it at home! I'll tuck a little emergency money in a compartment, but other than that, I'll be rolling money-free!

Now, when it comes time to go out for dinner, or lunch, or the movies, I'll try to make sure that I have as close as possible to the correct amount that I need.

Sound like a plan? Try it with me, and lets see how much money we can save!

Also - never sell cologne outside of a movie theatre. Totes unclassy.

DeAndre'

In case for some reason you didn't believe the header, watch this wonderful group of children sing "Don't Stop Believin'." And check out the superstar solo from a young man I have named Jeremy in my mind.

Have a great Juneteenth and Father's Day weekend! And...

DON'T STOP....BELIEVIN....HOLD ON TO THAT FEE-EEE-EEE-LIN.

I'm just sayin.

DeAndre'

I don't know if you checked your thermostat recently, but it is so. Hot. Right. Now.

I left a bag of gummy worms in my car an hour ago and they are now soup. Delicious, sweet and sour soup.

But never fear, good gals and lads, I have stumbled upon a most magnificent list of ways to stay cool during the summer - and most of them are free!

Some of the highlights:

• Freeze a t-shirt or bandanna in the fridge and wear it. Mmmm.
• Go to the museum.
• Set up a lawn sprinkler!!

The last one is my personal favorite: this is an easy way to mimic the joy of a water park in your very own backyard!

Peep the entire list here, and try, try, try to stay cool! Leave your tips in the comment section, and remember that every single one of your comments could help you win Astros Tickets!

DeAndre'

Just a friendly reminder from your neighbor, DeAndre:

We're giving away Astros tickets this month! Remember, there are so many awesome ways to win these tickets to see the Stro's play!

* Adding comments to the blog
* Submitting poll ideas
* Submitting events to the calendar
* Adding to the free stuff directory
* Asking our experts a question

The tickets are for July 25, 2009, and the Astros will be playing the New York Mets! You have all of June to comment or submit ideas...so what are you waiting for!?!?!?

DeAndre'