What's the top reason shoppers don't buy green? (Hint: It ain't cheap.)

That's right. Price.

According to the 2007 GfK Roper Green Gauge® Study, about 40% of Americans say they'd pay for a product that's better for the environment. But at the same time, 74% of those surveyed say green products are too expensive. Hopefully, supply and demand will eventually bring down the price of eco-friendly goods. But in the meantime, how can green shoppers save a buck?

Here are a few thrifty tips that can help eco-conscious consumers stretch their dollars:

How to Find Green Bargains

Sales: There are lots of green e-tailers with sales pages and seasonal promotions on their websites -- everyone from big companies such as green living cataloger Gaiam to small mom-and-pop businesses.

Coupons: Unfortunately, coupons for organic foods are not nearly as common as they are for conventional grocery items. However, many organic dairy companies, such as Horizon Organic and Stonyfield Farms, do offer coupons on their websites.

Bulk Discounts: Buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save money. Amazon.com offers lots of super-sized green goods -- everything from 10 packs of Seventh Generation paper towels to 4 packs of Ecos Laundry Detergent. Many organic meat companies offer bulk savings through their websites as well. If a large quantity order is too much for your household, find a "bulk buddy" and split the order.

Free Shipping: Free shipping deals from green e-tailers offer a great value for folks who don't live within easy driving distance to stores with eco-friendly products. Just be sure to read the fine print -- minimum purchase orders and restrictions often apply.

How to Win Green Prizes

Sweepstakes: More and more companies are sponsoring sweepstakes for eco-friendly products. We caution you to review the prize description carefully to determine whether the prize is indeed eco-friendly.  If you're not sure what makes a product green, check out Consumer Reports' Greener Choices and Green America's Shop & Unshop -- both of these not-for-profit organizations offer helpful information.

Contests: A lot fewer people enter contests, where the winner is determined by "skill" -- like the best essay, best video, etc. So your odds of winning a contest are generally a lot higher than winning a sweepstakes, where the winner is determined randomly. We have seen some great contests out there, especially for school-related prizes (like a $200,000 hybrid school bus!)

We hope these tips help you save green and win green while you go green. Good luck!

Ecobunga! (http://www.ecobunga.com) lists hundreds of deals and giveaways for eco-friendly products -- everything from coupons on organic foods to sweepstakes for hybrid cars.

To kick-start your green winnings, we invite you to enter Ecobunga's own monthly green giveaways, too! Just visit http://www.ecobunga.com/giveaway