This month I'm loving... nifty nylon bags from Flip & Tumble. To survive the GFM (global financial meltdown – oh do keep up!) you need to try smarter shopping. That means buying only as much as you can carry (and resisting the urge of the adrenalin surge whispering 'Time for a binge buy!'). 

 

Shopping locally supports local businesspeople (if you choose independent shops, not the local branch of Tesco!). To make the journey as stress-free as possible, try these handy solutions (unless your child's still in a pushchair – unbeatable as a carrier bag carrier).

 

They're just so big, bulky and well, forgettable. Not anymore. Here's the cutest solution I've seen for American ecomaniacs: the Flip & Tumble bag. These nifty nylon sacks come in a rainbow of hues and roll up into a small ball (like a pair of socks). Stash them in your bag, and whip them out at the checkout for guilt-free purchases (unless you're already in the red – but hey, I'm not your accountant).

 

Save by buying in bulk: they're $9 a bag, going down to $7 a bag for 7+ so team up with an eco-friendly friend. By the way, though the pink is tempting it sometimes pays to go with more gender-neutral colours like this smart red 24-7 bag (right). That way your bloke can't squirm out of chores so easily. The bags are strong too, able to carry up to 25 lbs of goodies.