Bargain Biatch

Befriend The Cat and Save Big On Pumas

I love my Puma’s… proof of my amor can be found on my Facebook page where my photo is a shot of my fantastic pewter and silver Puma High tops.  Now you too can freshen up your Speed Cat shoe collection and save money.  For three days only, now thorough Sept 20 take advantage of the friends and family sale and get 40 percent off everything, including sale merchandise.  I’ll be scooping a few of the graphic tees with on sale for $18 before the discount.  And perhaps I’ll get my girly on and add the pink suede sneakers to my cart. And yes they also come in blue suede. Use discount code PUMAFRIENDS910 at check out and don’t forget to support their Souls4Soles program by making a donation.

September Steals and Deals

 

                                                                                                                                             

Biting off a recent post from Tip Hero about the best things to buy in September.  Topping the list is big tickets appliances.  I’ve been window/showroom shopping for a new washer and dryer and now is the time to get a deal. September is when manufacturers are introducing new models into the showroom.  So to clear up some floor space, retailers are slashing prices in order to unload that “so last year” appliance. 

 

The other best buy is on all things outdoors, like patio furniture and grills.  Just like your summer tan fades, the value of these seasonal items loses it luster making it prime time to scoop up new those lawn chairs, BBQ accessories.  That way you’ll be ready for next summer’s stay cay.  And add to the list of September bargains plants.  Garden centers are eager to move summer plants, trees and shrubs to make room for holiday flora so stock up and plant low maintenance perennials like hostas, Russian sage, peonies and daylilies. But if you have a black thumb like me, opt for the nearly kill-proof bamboo and save (plant) life.

Apartment Therapy…A Shrink For Your Small Space

Now that I’ve completed my bathroom renovation I’m thinking about moving on to other projects and one of my favorite places to browse for decorating ideas is Apartment Therapy.  It’s real estate porn for apartments and better than Brownstoner, less gossipy with more specific categories and easier navigation. Apartment Therapy’s stated mission is to help people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online. Pretty ambitious but the site delivers.  It’s full of helpful, user-friendly posts, colorful photos with resources and suppliers listed, and overall, gives very practical budget conscious decorating tips.  One of my favorite things is the marketplace place with a link called Scavenger, a sexy version of craigslist-like for sale ads for furniture.  Many of the items for sale are quite unique and for a little money, they could make a big impact in your small space. There’s also a technology section featuring new home gadgets and a cooking link with recipes, dining and etiquette tips.  Who doesn’t need to know the proper fork for stabbing your rude dinner guest and removing candle wax from you tighty whities. 

 

The Barter the Better

Have something to trade, goods or services that might be valuable to others?  Well who doesn’t, since there’s a market for everything and I’m sure someone would be happy to trade pole-dancing lessons for pool cleaning.  But in the big wide world, how does slutty stripper hook up with sexy pool boy…..besides porn videos? The Internet of course.  Swap Right and has created a website where people trade their “talents”.  It’s fairly new so there’s not a huge number of ads, and it’s also national so the logistics of the post are a definite consideration.  But in theory, it’s a great idea. Craig’s list also has a small listing of services for swap. I’m definitely gonna keep my eye out for things I could swap. I remember the most relaxed year of my life being the one where I traded weekly Pilates session for weekly massage therapy.  AHHHH!!!!

 

Make Money With a Stoop Sale

Last weekend our building had our annual stoop sale, which is basically swapping junk with your neighbors.  It was a busy day on the block since a few other co-ops were hosting their own Spring Cleaning purges, but that actually can work to your advantage since it creates more foot traffic.  So a few tips if your want to make some extra cash for your discards. 

First Jewelry sells.  Don’t expect to make big bucks but I had lots of earrings, gifts, weird ethnic stuff, silver, crafty whatever that non longer wear and in some cases never wore.  I also had some random necklaces and bangles so I sold them for between 3 to 5 bucks. What really helped was the display.  I attached them to a fancy pillow which went was a big draw and brought people over to look.

House wares, and knickknacks, I guess people can’t have enough decorative stuff to further junk up and already cluttered space.  I had a set of dishes, which went immediately, and my neighbor had some candles, metals sconces and small prints that sold easily.

Athletic Equipment.  I got rid of old rollerblades, bikes seats and cycling shoes.  And finally anything electronic.  Our building didn’t have much in that category but lots of people came by asking for radios, CD players and old iPods or MP3 players.

So clean your closets and make money to pay for drinks later.

 

Martha Says Save Money By "Repurposing"

Domestic Bitch/Diva Martha Stewart in addition to trying to rule the world is trying to save us money. If any one can do it Martha can and she’s come up with an online feature called Home Smarts:  226 Ways to Save Time, Money and Space.  OK a rather random number but some very good, practical ideas. Some of the best one are how to redecorate on a budget using  repurposed (my new favorite word) items to create furniture.  There’s also some good tips on how to use cloth and old clothes for wrapping paper, pillow covers and totes.  I guess I’m newly inspired after spring cleaning my closets and discovering a boatload of stuff that’s can be reimagined and recycled.  Check out the site since if there’s anyone who can organize us it's inmate number 6789

Martha Stewart

Stay Cool and Save On Air Conditioners

Air Conditioners, not the hottest topic for a post but waking up in mid July in a bed tangled up in sweat soaked sheets definitely isn’t sexy. It’s getting hot so time to keep cool and thinking about replacing one of my prehistoric behemoth air conditioners with a smaller, quieter more energy efficient model.  You really can’t afford not to swap out your old energy guzzlers since utility rates are constantly creeping up.  Plus the prices on cooling units have dropped significantly since back in the day.  In fact, there’s a perfectly fine model on sale at Target for about $200.  But that would require going to Target, being told by some surly overweight sistergirl that it’s not in stock, wrestling her for the rain check pad, getting it, but also getting hauled off by security.  Instead I’ll go to Sears since nothing screams a 50’s era appliance like that big book retailer.  They have complete product information, customer reviews and low prices, plus many items ship for free.  And since Sears is old school they still believe in customer service so I won’t have to assault a sales associates too busy texting to help me.

Tricks of the Trade Furniture Restoration

Awesome home cleaning and repair tips this morning on the Today Show Tricks of the Trade segment.  It's features ways to save money by fixing minor home problems.  As a finish up my bathroom renovation its time to clean up the mess and get the rest of the apartment looking as good as the ALMOST FINIISHED bathroom.  The first tip was about how to cover up the nicks and chips in well worn furniture.  All it takes is a bit of matching liquid shoe polish dabbed on and blown dry with a hair dryer.  Then polish as normal to get it to the original sheen,  the same hold true for unmatched or deep scratches in floorboards. Also good for overall floor restoration minus the sanding and refinishing is a product called Rejuvenate.  My neighbors used this on their floor when they were prepping for an open house and it made dull worn floors look clean and refreshed.  And they gave me the leftover bottle and it did wonders on my dingy floors

 

The second best tip was Eraser Magic for removing scuffs from walls and baseboards without having repaint.  Apparently if you have kids this is as essential as juice boxes and Valium.  

The video also gives ways to mend picture frames, loosen sticky drawers and other simple quick fixes. Going now to home to pick up so low cost supplies for my spring makeover.

 

Celebrate Earth Day With Vodka

In honor of earth day/week, here’s a way to save some green while going green with a vodka theme.  Click here for the top 10 alternative uses for the cleanest of spirits…and while there are even more uses for lemon juice, I might not have a lemon handy but I’ll never be out of vodka!

 

And the second tip is to start a garden.  With whatever space you have.  Since I’m a serial plant killer I think it’s best I stick with the heartier herbs that will do well in a window box.  For under around $10 you can get some thyme (very versatile for cooking) basil (for when tomatoes are finally in season) and mint…for mojitos of course.  And with your own herbs ready for picking, you’ll never have to pay for the overpriced wilted specimens from the supermarket.

Good Hair For Less (than $47,000)

After last week’s movie review of “Good Hair” someone sent me an article about an ex-model, turned foot model, now photographer who spends ten grand a visit at the hair Salon.  Shallow Brandi Irwin goes to the Gemini Salon and has multiple services including the hair of Indian virgins that has been di-pigmented and treated woven into her head.  She gets her “Rapenzel like” locks done about 4x a year plus maintenance appts . OK I’m not that good at math but I am good at STUPID and forty grand plus a year on hair is beyond______fill in whatever blank! Perhaps you don’t have $47,000 to spend on someone else’s your hair but you can still want to look good.  Here are some cheaper options.  But if you want Brandi’s classy tattoos including POSH emblazoned across her knuckles, you’re on your own.

 

Try Beauty School, not everyone is a drop out and they do have to practice on real people. Search for schools in your area and it services can be free or at nominal cost.  There are also salons that have student night.  You might not be able to pick the specific service but it’s a goo option if you’re up fro something new.

 

Be a hair model.  Again for the more adventurous but the cut might open your eyes to and entirely different look and…for free

 

DIY Color. There are lots of well-reviewed coloring products that you can buy and apply.  Overall color is easier than highlights but there are high and low light kits that make it easier. 

 

OR invite and friend or two over and have a beauty night.  It’s much easier to apply color or to perm someone else’s head than on your own multitasking self.

 

Save on the cut and splurge on the color.  Again the coloring process can be tricky and the expert colorist can create more subtle contrasts.

 

Get a home visit.  Many stylists are more than happy to cut you a deal by coming to you.  It’s a win win since there’s no salon split, no overhead and you can invite a few friends and get a group discount