Interested in investing in green technology? Or do you just grocery shop like a savvy eco-lover? Either way you'll want to check out this freebie. Mantra Venture Group, a company that "facilitates investment in sustainable, commercially viable technologies," is offering a free tote bag in green or red.

The company has a patent on converting carbon dioxide to fuel; whether or not you have the money to invest in that product, it's certainly an interesting venture and a snazzy bag that you can proudly store in your hybrid car or bike panniers.

Every day, WalletPop will be bringing you information about a fantastic freebie. Like what you see? Check back tomorrow for more!

The Daily Deal for Saturday, September 27, 2008

Got grocery bags? If you're in Seattle, Washington or a number of other U.S. cities considering following the northwestern trailblazer, you might be replacing your plastic bags with something more permanent. The Gregory Gran Torino bag sounds like a great answer; it combines "the best features found in briefcases, messenger bags and urban backpacks and blends the functionality into a look that's distinctly contemporary and complete."

It's high praise from a bag manufacturer, of course, but it's a good deal so why not check it out? Other retailers had the bag listed at $74.95 to $128.95, so this is a screaming deal at $24.97 at Altrec.com. It includes a laptop sleeve, waterproof outers, and lots of room for books or groceries. Bike to class, bike to the coffee shop, bike to the grocery store, and your things will be fine. Best of all: no 20 cent surcharge to carry home your bagels and brussels sprouts.

Some deals only come around once or twice a year, but offer savings that justify the wait. This post is part of our series on such 'don't miss' sales.

Back when I was doing home remodeling and home repair projects for myself, I enjoyed the routine trips to Menard's home improvement centers to buy products and materials. Its weekly newspaper fliers were stuffed into Upper Midwest newspapers where its 235 stores are located. The stores nearly always had exactly what I needed.

Menards has become known for a promotion called the "Fit in a bag sale." It sends full-sized grocery bags out with a sales flier. Shoppers can take the bags to Menards and fill them with whatever they wish (subject to restrictions). All items in the bag are then discounted by a percentage (which varies from sale to sale, but last August's was 15%) off the normal price of the items in the bag.

I used this sale opportunity to beef up on my home DIY guy supplies. I'd pack that bag with things like duct tape, drywall screws, utility knife blades, lightbulbs, batteries, auto fuses, WD-40, Miracle Grow, and caulk. I'd also pick up things for specific ongoing projects. Perhaps I'd buy solder if I was approaching a copper plumbing task, or some ring shank nails to fix a fence.

Surprisingly, the Menards spokesman I spoke to declined to comment on the sales, or even acknowledge that they exist. Apparently, he didn't want to suggest that you should wait for an upcoming bag sale to buy your supplies. But I will. Who doesn't want to save 15%?

Watch your newspaper and circulars for news of upcoming 'fit in a bag' sales at Menards.