I don't like carefresh because it is really dusty and can lead to some respiratory issues.

We use aspen here for everything really(except the scorpion, and the frog) and it is cheap and keeps the smell down significantly. I get 2cu. ft. compressed bags(the bigguns) at Petsmart for $11. They expand to 4cu. ft. and last a very long time.

Oh yeah. If you have a Tractor Supply store near you, they have aspen much cheaper. Same size huge bags like Petsmart, but they only cost about $8. Bigger chips though, so I guess it's what you prefer.