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I did a large amount of holiday shopping this year online. It’s an easy way to get great prices, but also order from some unique shops on Etsy. As we sort through all the lovely gifts we received, we have a couple that need to be returned or exchanged.  January 3rd is National Returns Day. It’s kind of like a back-to-reality moment when you want to clean up your house and check those returns off your to-do list. On January 3rd, UPS will ship more than 520,000 from consumers back to retailers. As companies like Amazon report their biggest year yet, many people will line up to do their returns in the easiest way possible.

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Here are a couple ways to ship your packages in an eco-friendly way:

  • Skip the overnight shipping option. It increases the carbon footprint of that package’s return trip.
  • Repack in a used box. I save a few during the month in case I have any returns I need to do.
  • Use grocery paper shopping bags to wrap a return. The paper is strong and free!
  • Pack breakables in newspaper instead of bubble wrap or packaging peanuts. If you have a shredder, you can use the shredded paper.
  • UPS offers carbon offset options
  • Skip the drive to the store and have your local UPS driver pick up your returns.

While you are at UPS, see if your location will accept any packaging peanuts you received. Select locations will recycle them.

On January 3rd, I’ll be at our local Needham UPS location at 946 Great Plain Ave spreading the word about UPS’s Hassle Free Return options. They make it easy. I’ll be bringing my box to return to Amazon so I’ll give it a test run. You can follow me on Twitter @RandomRecycling and the #HassleFreeReturns. Our local sponsor is Wayfair, rsvp for the twitter party below to win a gift card for some personal shopping on their site.

There are also other events happening in Atlanta and Denver.

  • The UPS Store, 10800 Alpharetta Highway, Suite 208, Roswell, GA 30076 with Megan Cooper, @jamonkey
  • The UPS Store, 8200 S Quebec St Ste A3, Centennial, CO  80112 with Jen Goode, @jgoode

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JOIN THE PARTY FROM YOUR HOUSE!

DATE: Thursday, January 3rd

TIME: 3:00PM – 4:00PM EST

LOCATION: #HassleFreeReturns

HOSTS: @AudreyMcClellan @VeraSweeney

PANELISTS: @WhitneyMWS @JoLynneS @MyGOMOM @SavvyMommy

TWEETGRID: http://tinyurl.com/bl73oyw

PRIZES: (4) Giveaways throughout the hour!!
– $25 The UPS Store gift card
– (2) 1 $50 gift card from Sierra Trading Post
– $100 gift card from Wayfair

RSVP required to win, enter HERE.

RULES: You must be a US resident 18 and older to be eligible to win. Please see attached document for official rules.

Disclosure:

The UPS National Returns Day public relations team partnered with bloggers such as myself to help educate consumers about UPS National Returns Day. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to say or influence opinions in my blog posts. UPS believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. UPS’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. 

NetZero MB Logo - colorAs a mom and a blogger, I like being connected. I like to know what’s going on with my friends, my family, current events and my Google calendar. Being able to connect to the internet whenever I want to is a key part of this.  Usually my iPhone is enough, but other times I would like to read through emails and such on my iPad or laptop with a larger screen. I tested out the NetZero 4G HotSpot and now I can get connected whenever and wherever I may be. To some it may be a curse, to me it’s a blessing.

Here is my favorite part about the Hotspot.  I can take it anywhere to get work done.  In addition to this blog, I co-manage a second blog, cover social media for our local farmers market and get way too many emails a day.  I try not to spend too much time at the computer, but it’s kind of a job requirement.  My most productive time with the computer is spent at a coffee shop where I can work undisturbed.  With my NetZero HotSpot, I can go to any coffee shop.  Happily I can go to the small, local shop instead of a big chain coffee shop. It’s quieter and I’m even more productive without the distraction of major people watching.

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You can take the NetZero HotSpot to your favorite coffee shop, big or small.

One important factor in using a HotSpot is maintaining privacy.  The NetZero offers a private, protected internet connection. You can however, let a small team use the HotSpot. Up to 8 people can log in and use it. This offers great flexibility for people who work in small groups. Or, use it in a car that allows you to amplify a HotSpot for all passengers. Everyone can tune in to their own mobile devices while on the go.

Want to try it out?  Check out the NetZero website for details on all the many options available.  The hardware is on sale now for the holidays, plus the value-priced monthly data plans cover a wide range of needs. For any blogger than attends a conference, having your own wireless is a lifesaver.

NetZero is also offering a $300 value giveaway for one lucky reader. This will include 3 months of their Platinum Plan. Just think, you could be getting some work down while you sit in a waiting room, enjoy some fresh coffee or while your kids are busy at after-school lessons. The contest is open to US residents only, it ends December 20th at midnight. Please enter using the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided a sample from NetZero to facilitate my review. All opinions shared here are my own. This is part of a Mom It Forward campaign.