Lőrinc / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

My secret to having an arsenal full of specialized cooking utensils without going broke is the hardware store. In many cases, the only difference between a hardware store tool and the kitchen version is price. Read on to see what cheap kitchen tools you can find at your local hardware.

Cooking Twine
Skip the small packages of kitchen twine sold at supermarkets and buy a cheap roll of twine at the hardware store. Just make sure to look for cotton twine only as nylon and other synthetic twines will melt. Twine comes in handy for trussing up poultry, tying together bouquet garnis, and holding roasts together.

Brushes
Basting brushes are the same quality as paintbrushes at hardware stores, but there so much cheaper. They’re usually less than $1 so it may be worth stocking up on different sizes to tackle different tasks. You can use brushes for basting and glazing everything from roasts to fruit tarts.

Blowtorch
A chef’s blowtorch starts at around $30, but hardware store torches are much cheaper and hold more fuel. These are a must if you want to caramelize the top of a creme brulee. Yum! The torch also comes in handy when making bananas foster.

Pizza Stones and Bricks
The secret to a crispy pizza is a pizza stone. Awhile back, I share how you can make your own pizza stone with unglazed ceramic or quarry tile from the hardware store. You can also buy a cheap brick to use as a weight (just cover it with foil) when making paninis or chicken under a brick.

Graters and Zesters
Head to the woodworking aisle to find cheap graters to zest lemons and other citrus fruits. Did you know Microplane first release it’s graters and zesters as woodworking tools? You’ll find quality rasps for a fraction of the cost as those found in fancy cooking supply stores. Make sure to buy one made out of stainless steel so it doesn’t rust.

Cedar Planks and Hickory Chips
With summer just around the corner, head to the hardware store to get ready for barbecues. Add flavor to your food with wood planks or chips. Cedar pairs well with salmon on the grill and hickory chips will impart a woodsy taste to you meat.

Pliers
These are a must if you have small kids that like to eat fish. You can use pliers to pick small bones out of fresh fish. Needle-nose pliers from the hardware store are inexpensive and precise. They usually cost less than $2, while fish tweezers at cooking supply stores cost $15 or more.

Scrapers and Knives
Drywall scraper and paint knives can double as tools for bakers. These hardware finds are cheap compared to pastry knives and cake decoration tools and work just as well. They can run you anywhere from $1 -$2 compared to $7 – $15.

Funnels

Funnels come in handy when you want to transfer oil to a spritz bottle. Hardware stores usually sell them in a set of two or three for less than $5. One funnel at a cooking supply store can set you back $15!

Have you tried any of these less expensive alternative kitchen utensils? What other hardware store finds double as cooking tools?

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

bucklava/flickr

I need to replace all the windows and sliding glass doors in my house. They are so old and drafty that with the increased price of electricity, I am literally throwing money out the window. I have a handy hubby and a sturdy son – I’ll do the research and the buying – they will do the hard physical stuff. Do you think I am biting off more than I can handle?

The house has two sliding glass doors and thirteen windows. That’s a lot to replace.

I am planning on getting

three quotes from companies that are specialists. Most of them also sell the windows that they install. I know that if I use a company to replace the windows that I will most likely pay a 100% markup on the windows and labor. The quote will include a commission for the salesman, travel costs, worker benefits (if any), fees, and taxes. That makes for A BIG markup.

I know that now is a good time to get bids because most companies are slow and will lower their prices and give lots of incentives. There are also tax breaks for homeowners who upgrade their homes for energy efficiency. Los Angeles currently has a home efficiency rebate program that offers rebates on new windows, air conditioners, refrigerators and pool pumps.

I am still in the process of getting quotes for this job, but my first quote was way more than I want to pay – $7,500!!! This was already down from the original $9,000 quote. Yikes. If I just redo one of the sliding doors (which is the upgrade I want the most), it will cost me $1,500. That’s more than I want to pay to put in a door.

OK, so what is my alternative? We could do it ourselves. My hubby is VERY handy and my 20 year-old son is strong. I mean, how hard can it be? (Famous last words.)

Here’s where I am starting. I watched a free preview of a DVD that seems to have excellent instructions on how to install vinyl windows and doors. The two videos – one on windows and one on doors – cost almost $40. I looked at the library, Amazon and a DVD swap site, but they wasn’t there. I figure it is worth $40 to save possibly $5,000. (The cost of labor in the quote I received. Still have to cover materials.) Plus, the entire family will watch these videos together and learn valuable information. This is the kind of life lesson that home schoolers love.

I am considering hiring someone experienced to work with my husband and son for at least the first day. The question is, do I hire an expert or do it myself? What do you think?

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

ex.libris / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Earlier this week I wrote about saving money on flowers and I wanted to share another fun idea for cutting down costs. Bringing the outside inside is easy when you make a succulents terrarium. You don’t have to have a green thumb to make one! See the instructions below.

These terrariums make great homemade gifts and add a little extra to your home decor. Did I mention they are super cheap to make and maintain? This weekend I’m making a terrarium with the succulents I’m using to decorate for my sister’s birthday bash. (Expect a post about how I saved money on her party.)

Materials

• Any type of clear plastic or glass container. Old bottles, fish bowls, or jars with a wide opening work well.
• Cactus soil
• Pea gravel or aquarium rocks
• Sphagnum moss, Succulent plants, small Cacti and any other small plants that don’t need a lot of light
• Rocks, wood, or shells

Directions

henna lion / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Making your own seedling pots is an easy and inexpensive way to get your garden started for spring. This weekend I’m making pots out of newspaper to start my basil plants. I’ll show you how to make your own pots below.

Materials

Water
Flour
Newspaper
Scissors
1¼ inch-diameter can

Directions

To make the flour and water paste, simply mix together 1 part flour to 2 parts water. You want the consistency of glue so make sure to mix well to remove lumps. Add more water or flour to get the right texture. Don’t use any other kind of glue on your pots. This is the best paste because it’s non-toxic.

To make the pots, spread open a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface. Then place the can (or whatever other cylinder you have handy) along one edge of the paper. Roll the can and bottle one turn, then smear a small amount of the flour-and-water paste on the rolled portion of the paper. Continue to roll the bottle and leave about 3 inches at the end of the paper to add more paste. Press firmly to secure the paper and then remove the can. Allow the paper to dry completely.

When the paper is dry, cut the tube into 3-inch lengths. Voila! You’ve got yourself biodegradable pots. When you’re ready to start sowing, stand the open-ended cylinders inside a planting tray. If you don’t have one, a cardboard lid works well. Fill your pots with soil and then plant your seeds.

Before transplanting, make sure to follow my spring gardening tips. When you transplant your seedlings, dig a hole deep enough to fit the entire newspaper pot and cover it completely with soil. If you don’t, the paper will take away moisture from the seedlings.

Make sure to feed your plants with compost so they grow big and healthy. Need a composter? Don’t buy it! Bargain Babe shows you how to make your own composter for cheap. Let us know what you’re planting in your garden this spring.

celesteh/flickr

I cook from scratch everyday. My kitchen cabinets and drawers are FULL of gizmos and gadgets. Save yourself money and don’t buy things you don’t need for your kitchen – no matter how enticing the infomercial. If you feel like you MUST get it, wait until it shows up at a yard sale.

There is nothing on this list that I have not seen or purchased at a yard sale or thrift store.

1. Knives – I have good ones and keep them sharp. They are a cook’s best friend.
2. A manual can opener – I finally got one with rubber covered handles. My hands are glad.
3. Measuring cups & spoons – Pyrex measuring cup for liquids. Nested measuring cups for solids.
4. Nested glass bowls – The smallest bowl is great for scrambling one egg. The largest bowl is a swell family popcorn bowl.
5. A manual hand mixer – The best tool to use for mixing pudding, pancake batter, and a lot of other things. A lighter and more mobile tool than counter top mixers.
6. Large soup pot & lid – How could I cook for my family without a soup pot? Throw in some meat, veggies and water and simmer, simmer, simmer.
7. Small saute skillet – From one fried egg to sauteed mushrooms.
8. Large deep skillet – I use this to make chili. I suppose if I fried chicken, I would use this skillet.
9. Electric kettle – I only acquired this in the last year and it is soooo wonderful. I can boil up water for a cup of tea in a 30 seconds. I don’t use it for anything but water, so I don’t have to wash it.
10. Vegetable peeler – My peeler is an ergonomic palm peeler. I think this little number is my favorite kitchen helper.
11. Small electric chopper - Use for chopping onions tear-free.
12. Garlic press – Way easier than trying to mince with a knife.
13. Blendtec blender – Used daily for making green drinks, blended soups and nut flours. I’ve used it to make homemade ice cream.
14. Pot holders – Can’t do without these handy-dandy hand savers.
15. Strainers (large and small) – Large for pasta and small for washing berries
16. Salt grinder – I only use Himalayan salt that I grind myself. Salt is essential to life, but you have to eat the right salt.
17. Slotted spoon – For stirring and poaching.
    
18. Spatula – For flipping pancakes, eggs and the like.
19. Cutting board - I have wooden and plastic.
20. Manual juicer (for lemons and oranges) – Fresh lemon on salad is the best.
21. Kitchen scissors – Use daily for everything from cutting string to chicken bones.
22. Toaster oven – I don’t use a microwave, so we warm up individual casseroles in the toaster oven.
23. Cookie sheet - Get the kind that don’t burn your cookies.
24. Casserole dish – Another Pyrex wonder.
25. Pot with handle & lid – Boil eggs in 20 minutes or boil a pound of noodles.
26. Cheese slicer - I got this from Harmony Farms almost 20 years ago and it’s still perfect. What a great tool for thin slicing hard cheese.
27. Grater – There is nothing better for making egg salad.
28. Egg slicer – OK, we are a big egg family. Hard boiled eggs are just more fun when they are sliced.
29. Tin foil – Line the broiler, cover the dish, clean the dirty casserole dish. A great invention.
30. Sponge, towels & soap – Gotta clean up all the mess I made using the above items.

Do you have unnecessary items in your kitchen?

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

Jasonwoodhead23/flickr

By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.

Per Southern California Gas Company, home heating is 65% of a residential gas bill during the winter months. (That’s what it said in my bill insert this month.) Wow! If that is true in Southern California, what is it in actual cold parts of the country?

With so much of your utility budget going toward keeping your home warm, anything that you can do to retain heat in your home or keep the heat from leaving is a money saver. Here are 5 tips that will help you to lower your heating bill:

1. Open your drapes when the sun is shining into the window. This allows the sun to heat your home. Close your drapes (the heavier the better) when the sun is not shining in the window. This will help to hold the heat in the space and keep it from literally going out the window. Follow the tips in the winterize your home video to keep those windows from being drafty.
2. Clean or replace the filters in your heating system. Ensure you do not have furniture or storage in front of your heating vents, especially if you have floor vents. Remember heat rises and it can’t rise if it is covered by your sofa.
3. Get an annual inspection for your furnace.  Yes, heating systems need to be maintained just like your air conditioner. An annual servicing of your furnace can not only save you money but it can also prevent a fire by cleaning out lint build-up and ensuring that your system is operating properly and efficiently. Per the Chicago Tribune, if your system is only 60% efficient, then that means that you are loosing 40 cents on every dollar!
4. If your health will allow, wear more clothes and lower the temperature a few degrees. Place lap rugs around your house so that you can place one over your legs or over your shoulders to keep you warm. If you are in Southern California… it’s time to take off the flip-flops and put on socks and shoes.
5. Wear a hat.  Remember how Scrooge had on a sleeping cap when he went to bed in every version of Charles Dicken’s Christmas classic? Scrooge was saving money by not heating his house. So, he wore a hat to keep him warm. You don’t have to be Scrooge to wear a comfy sleeping night cap. They really do keep you warm.

Hummm. All this writing about the cold is making me want a nice mug of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. Another great way to keep warm.

ekkmanz/flickr

Some of the most expensive items that anyone buys in their lifetime besides a house or a car are kitchen appliances. Repairing that new washer, dryer or refrigerator is a hidden cost that you can drastically reduce by making the fixes yourself.

The best refrigerator I ever had was at least 20 years old when I paid $25 for it. Nothing ever broke on that beast. I had to leave it on one of my moves and I replaced it with a younger, more breakable, model, which quickly taught me about repairs.

The first thing that broke was

the ice maker. I LOVED my ice maker. When I contacted the manufacturer about the cost, it was more than I paid for the fridge in the first place. I then went on eBay and found the exact replacement – brand new – for 50% of what the manufacture was charging.

Next, the little plastic piece broke off the water dispenser in the door. Getting cold filtered water out of my fridge is soooo great! A liquid luxury. Again, I checked with the manufacturer and they wouldn’t even quote me a price. Just said to contact a repair person. Even with a home warranty, it is going to cost $55 to have a repair person come to the house.

That is when I discovered my new favorite money saving website: Part Select.

This site is FABULOUS! I mean it. If one of your major appliances breaks, you put in the make and model number and all the possible parts come up with pictures and diagrams. They have installation instructions and online help.  You can even find the part based on the size and shape of it. The Bargain Babe herself found Fixya and ReliableParts helpful, too.

Instead of just getting rid of your appliance because it doesn’t work and buying an overpriced new one, you can just fix the old one. Most repairs only require a screw driver and some common sense.

Just in case my enthusiasm for my new HUGE savings strategy isn’t enough to turn you into your own handyman, then check out these average repair charges for fixing a washing machine as listed by the Major Appliance Service National Price Guide. $121 to replace a fabric softener dispenser cap??!!

Disclosure: my husband is very handy. He helps me with these repairs – ok, he does the repairs. But, I find the parts at deep discount. Even if I didn’t have a handy hubby, I could probably learn to do these repairs by watching YouTube videos or setting up some sort of barter with someone else’s handy hubby.

I hope I have inspired you to save money on fixing your own appliances. Of course, if the problem involves electrical, make sure you follow all the safety cautions. I’m expecting you to be frugal AND smart.

Have you fixed your own appliances? What happened?

Flowers that trail down from the basket give the effect that they’re just growing in the air as they swamp the basket and hide it. These include fuchsia, pelargoniums (ivy-leaved), trailing lobelia, campanula ‘bellflower’ and verbena. Tall flowers that grow upright can add height to a garden by drawing the eye upwards and include geraniums, pelargoniums (dwarf zone), petunias, begonia and upright varieties of verbena. ‘Ball effect’ flowers grow in a bushy style and include impatiens ‘busy lizzies’, bushy varieties of lobelia and clematis.

Not all hanging baskets need simply be a mass-produced pot you affix to your wall, however. With a bit of imagination and a lick of paint you can transform objects you find in second hand stores into stunning centerpieces for your garden. How about removing the seat from old chairs and letting blooms drape down it?

First browse local flea markets for chairs with wicker seats or those whose seat is easily removed. Paint the chair and remove the seat or cut a hole in it.

Next take some chicken wire and make a wire frame in the shape of a bowl to fit the seat. Attach this to the chair – use a nail gun to tack the wire to the wood, or get out your trusty Bosch drill to screw the wire against the wood.

Next line the frame with coconut fiber and fill this with a potting mix. Now you are ready to plant a very unique hanging basket. You can use this simple DIY hanging basket effect on any items you wish – so get creative and enjoy your garden.

This is paid content. Interested in a sponsored post? See Bargain Babe’s blog advertising page.

Arty Smokes / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Weeds can ruin a garden, but buying weed control formulas to kill them adds up when one application is not enough. They’re called weeds for a reason. Plus, think of all the toxins you’ll be adding to your garden. Here are five suggestions to keeping your garden weed free while avoiding toxins and high costs.

1. Grubbing - This is the best know method for removing weeds in the garden. It doesn’t cost much, but requires a lot of elbow grease. Break up

   ground by using a hand rake and pulling out weeds. Make sure to dig for the roots or else they will grow back. (Cost: Price of rake that will be reused, about $15.)

2. Use vinegar – There are many uses for vinegar and killing weeds is one of them. Vinegar is inexpensive and can be bought at dollar stores. (A gallon costs $2-3 at grocery stores). Keep in mind that adding vinegar to your garden will make your soil more acidic, which is fine for plants like blueberries that prefer that kind of soil. For plants that don’t, you’ll need to balance the soil by adding wood ashes. (Cost: $1 – $3 for large bottle of vinegar)
3. Use boiling water – A new use for leftover pasta water! You can kill weeds by boiling water and pouring it directly on them. No harsh chemicals and weeds will seldom come back, though you’ll need to pour a lot of boiling water on them to make it stick. Make sure no other vegetation is nearby or you’ll end up killing it as well. (Cost: Depends on water and gas usage.)
4. Use mulch and newspaper – Not only is newspaper good for your compost, but you can also use it to kill the weeds. Take the newspaper and spread it over the weedy area. With a hose, wet the paper and then cover with mulch. This will smother the weeds and free space to plant whatever you like. No need to buy mulch as many cities give it out for free. Check with your Department of Public Works. For best results, try doing this during a hot day. (Cost: Newspaper subscription)
5. Use black plastic bags and cardboard -If you have black trash bags sitting around at home, use them to smother weeds. No need to get the bags wet like with newspaper so you’ll be able to reuse them later. Place cardboard on top of the bags to cut light and air from reaching the weeds. Get cardboard for free by asking a clerk at your grocery store if they have extra boxes in back. This is a great way to get moving boxes for free, too. (Cost: Price of bags that can be reused, about $5.)

I prefer grubbing as I like to get in there and tear up my garden until it’s clear of weeds. It’s also a good stress reliever. How do you prefer to weed?

Soil in the making!

We picked up a huge composter for $45 this past weekend at a recycling event after outgrowing our $4 homemade composters. What excites me – other than rotting food waste in my kitchen – is the tip booklet that came with it. A complete guide to composting!

Making rich soil saves me a ton of money on dirt and shortens my grocery list – I’m growing my food! So don’t pay attention to compost rumors.

Convenience is the number one factor in locating your composter. If it’s too far away, you won’t use it, especially if you get nasty winter weather. One solution is to keep a smaller homemade composter near your kitchen door. When it fills up, make one big trip to your main composter.

A kitchen pail with lid is crucial. Fill it up with food waste during the day, then dump it into your composter as part of dinner cleanup. A lid keeps fruit flies away. We got bugs last summer so I’m dumping it after lunch, too.

Hair, dryer lint, and paper napkins

CAN be composted. Who knew? Other items perfect for compost are coffee filters, stale bread, towels, leaves, straw, hay, twigs, small wood chips, and dried grass. These items are considered “brown” and need to be balanced with “green” items, including fruit and vegetable scraps, houseplant cuttings, coffee grounds, rice, pasta, egg shells broken into very small pieces, tea bags, flowers, vegetables, plant trimmings, hedge clippings, small amounts of grass.

Meat, fish, and bones CANNOT be composted. Other no-nos include dairy, oils, fats, sauces, ashes, pet waste, diseased plants, and mature weeds with seeds, which will grow *very* well in your fertile compost.

A moist sponge that has been rung out. That’s about how moist you want to keep the contents of your composter. If your soil-in-the-making looks dry, add water or coffee. If it’s too wet, add dry leaves or leave the lid off on sunny days.

Speed up the composting process by chopping larger items like watermelon rings, corn cobs, and large vegetable pieces. Break egg shells into as many pieces as you can. One friend of mine pulverizes them! After dumping your kitchen pail into your composter, stir the new arrivals into the mix and cover with soil, yard waste, or old leaves to reduce odor and flies. I need a stirring stick for my composter, pictured above.

Heat helps the composting process along, so sunshine is good for your composter. Expect things to slow down in winter. Snuggle your composter with bags of leaves in the winter to keep the process going.

Dig compost leftovers into your garden in the fall. Clean your soil machine and set aside leaves or yard waste to add during spring and summer.

How soon is your compost ready? Anywhere from six weeks to three months. Take out a few shovels full or empty the entire mess of dirt. Toss back items that are not fully composted.

Use it in your flower or vegetable garden, spread a thin layer over grass, and unload it at the base of trees and shrubs. Plants love the nutrients in compost.

If my compster smells or gets bugs, what should I do? Stir it well and add more “browns.” Avoid adding a lot of grass clippings all at once or you will get an ammonia-like smell. Meat and dairy will stink up your composter in no time.

Eeek, animals! If your composter attracts rats, dogs, racoons, and squirrels, you can add dog hair to the compost, line the bottom with chicken wire, fasten your compost door with a stick, or line the base with stones or brick. Remember to cover “greens” with “browns.”

Too many scraps! If you have too many “greens,” consider getting a second composter or save money by making your own composter.

We bought an Earth Machine composter, which sells their machines through retailers across the country.

jspatchwork / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

With the weather getting warmer, gardening season has officially begun. You may already have seedlings growing in containers that are ready to be transplanted, but before you do that here are four things you need to accomplish to reap the benefits.

1. Remove weeds - These little suckers will sprout anywhere, even from cement and they will suck the life out of your plans by feeding off of the soil’s nutrients. Spending a good amount of time removing weeds will pay off. Make sure to get to the root of the problem by digging them out and not just pulling them.
2. Take a Soil Test – Check soil

   pH with a home soil test kit that you can buy at your local gardening store. Make sure to take several samples from different planting areas for an accurate reading. Some plants like the soil to be more acidic, like my blueberry bush. If necessary enrich the soil. To make it more acidic add diluted vinegar, coffee or pine needles. To make it less acidic and raise the pH, add wood ashes.

3. Feed your soil – Do this after you remove all weeds. To help your fruits and veggies grow strong, add fertilizer or compost to your soil. At my community garden, we continue to make our own compost and have started adding bunny droppings. Chicken droppings will also work, but not all animal droppings are suitable.
4. Find a home – Finding the right spot for your plants will keep them happy and help with pest control. Before you begin transplanting your seedlings, have a plan. Think of what you will be planting and make sure plants that like each other are near one another. Think of it as planning a reception. You want to be aware of who gets along with whom so they can sit together and separate those that don’t to avoid an awkward moment, or poor growth. If you are growing tomatoes make sure to plant some basil and parsley near them as they like to sit next to each other. Try to avoid having veggies from the cabbage family (broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts) sit next to each other as it will just turn into an aphid breeding ground.

Bargain alert! Yardsellr is a great resource for selling items online without having to deal with the strict policies or fees of other sites. (It’s completely free to list). Yardsellr  is also an easy site to search for interesting collectibles, home décor, or clothing, jewelry, and designer handbag listings that aren’t over-priced or sold on a limited time or auction system. Check out toys, books, and sports memorabilia too… there’s 2000+ categories, even one devoted to Hello Kitty!

So how does it work? Yardsellr operates both as a website and directly within Facebook with over 2 million people buying, selling, and commenting on stuff. Items are categorized in specific bins or blocks, similar to the setup of an actual yard or garage sale. By “liking” a Yard Sale block or bin, buyers and sellers get updates of recently posted items in their Facebook newsfeed in real time. Or you could just visit Yardsell.com and enter in what you’re looking for.

Yardsellr is having a new user giveaway right now using their Photon$* point system. People who register receive 1 million Photon$, or $10 for FREE to instantly to spend on the site. Click here to sign up and check it out.

* Up to $10, or 1 million Photon$ points can be earned every day by interacting on the site. Just look for the $ sign on Yardsellr.com to see how you can earn free money!

By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.

nicolas.boullosa/Flickr

Big News! I just bought a house. Did you know that buying a house has been noted as one of the most stressful experiences in life? Now that I have done it, I totally agree.

I am so very, very grateful to my fabulous Realtor, Rachel Baroth, without whom, this sale would not have happened. Until this purchase, I had no idea how important it was to choose a really great Realtor. I thought I could do it myself. After all, I have found and rented several houses and procured several loans with no difficulty.

So, how hard could it be to buy a house? Oh my dear! Buying a house has gotten so complicated, the rules of the game so changeable, and the amount of paperwork so overwhelming; I can’t imagine going not having a trusted and knowledgeable expert by my side. Finding the house you want to buy is, in fact, the easy part.

Therefore, I wanted to share the top five things to look for when choosing a Real Estate Agent:

1. Choose someone who you really trust and whose knowledge of the industry you respect. You will be turning to that person to explain tons of paperwork and options. It is vital that you feel that the information you get from your real estate agent is accurate and trustworthy. If you don’t already know someone, then survey your friends and coworkers. Then go and interview each Realtor. Ask how long have they been in the business? How many sales have they made? What is their experience with the type of sale you are looking to do? If they are good at what they do, then they will be willing to share this information.
2. Experience in the field of real estate is a big plus. There are times that I will go with someone new to their field, but not in real estate. There are so many changes to the rules of the game that you want someone that has already done lots of deals and understands the possible problems that will come up. Also someone with experience will have lots of contacts for the various workers you will need – inspectors, contractors, repairmen, movers, etc.
3. Look for a Realtor who has lots of vendors that they are happy with.  You are going to need a mortgage broker, a title company, an insurance company, an inspection company, an escrow company, and more. Although you do not need to use the mortgage broker or other vendors that your Realtor uses, it does make things easier if you do. Several times during negotiations on my sale, we ran into obstacles. Because my Realtor worked well with the mortgage broker, it made it much easier to come up with workable and fast solutions.
4. Find a Realtor with a strong intention to close your sale. You want someone who is going to have lots of “umph” to get over the rough spots. It is important that when you start to get burned out or when you can’t see how to overcome some barrier, your real estate agent is there to move forward and handle the complexities.
5. Most importantly, make sure that you can communicate easily with your Realtor. You will be talking a lot and spending much time with this person. It is important that you feel that they understand what your priorities are and can really get what it is that you are looking for (even if you aren’t quite clear on this point yourself.) I think is vital to have someone that you don’t feel intimated by. Will you be able to express your true feelings to this person? You don’t want someone that pushes you into something that you don’t want. Buying a house can be scary. You don’t need your Realtor to be scary on top of that.

For most people, buying a house is the biggest financial decision they will ever make. It is essential that you have a seasoned guide at your side.

Have you bought a house? How did you find a good real estate agent?

By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.

Muffet/Flickr

One of my greatest pleasures is working in my garden. Not only do I get Vitamin D from the sun, but I also get exercise, fresh air and the occasional fresh fruit or veggie. Although each individual seed packet or plant doesn’t cost a lot of money, the expenses DO add up.

Here are five of my favorite sites to help you with your garden schedule and budget:

1. KinderGARDEN is a wonderful site chock full of links to help you garden with kids. I had a great time gardening with my kids when they were little. The most important thing with kids is to buy hardy and cheap plants. They tend to “plant” and “unplant” them multiple times. The joy is in the mud. Don’t expect lots of the plants to survive.
2. The Garden Helper is an extensive site with information regarding what to do in your garden during each month based on your location. As I discovered when moving from New England to Southern California; planting times differ with the region.
3. Northern and Southern planting schedules can be found on this Love to Know page. In the North, it is time to sow seeds indoors. In the South, it is time to actively plant outdoors.
4. The National Garden Association Seed Swap. One of the best ways to save on gardening is to join a seed swap. You may find a local group or a national group. (I’m uncertain if seeds can cross borders.) You can also look for neighbors who have great gardens and ask for some of their cuttings. Most gardeners love to share their knowledge and their plants. A nice batch of cookies or some homemade soup is a wonderful way to thank your helpful horticulturalist.
5. Once you have your garden growing, you can make some great homemade gifts of plants and seeds for your friends. A unique gift is a painted clay pot with one of the cuttings from your garden. If this is for a memorial event like an anniversary or wedding shower, you can personalize with name and date.

I love my garden and the beauty that it gives me. What’s your favorite garden site?

When my kids were little, I got almost all of their toys and clothes at yard sales. They didn’t even know that toys came in packaging until they were six years old. After all, why pay 90% more to have the toy come encased in unnecessary, resource-depleting material? A 4-year-old really doesn’t care. They only want the toy.

Since my family was used to receiving presents that were pre-owned, it was no big deal to keep doing it at Christmas time. It’s not like I’m giving them dirty, ripped and broken items. At a yard or estate sale, I find gently used or never used items that are financially out of reach if they were brand new. Just this weekend, I purchased a hip like-new soft leather jacket for my daughter. Retail price new: $200. Yard sale price: $5. It’s a no-brainer. Wrap it up in a pretty re-usable holiday bag with tissue paper and it’s a WOW present.

I do realize that in some circles giving used items as gifts is considered gauche. I read on MSN Money that are used aren’t “real” gifts. What does THAT mean? Because I didn’t go to a retail store and hand over way too much money for pristine packaging that my gift isn’t real?

The truth is that I only give used items to my family and my very best friends who understand and appreciate my shopping philosophy. I follow basic regifting rules and find my friends thoroughly enjoy the gorgeous cashmere sweater or music CD that I give them after a day of yard sale hunting.

Personally, my very favorite gifts are items that have been handmade for me. It doesn’t matter if it is a cookie, a picture, a handmade scarf or a poem. It is all in the presentation and the thought that went into the gift. It is NOT about the money or the packaging.

Here are my five rules for gifting from yard sales:

• Ensure the item is totally clean and in good working order. If it needs batteries, buy and install them so that it works immediately.
• Present the present nicely. I really like using gift bags with tissue paper. The bags can be reused and the tissue makes it look festive.
• Make a handmade gift tag. They are easy and fun to make. Put a little extra love and attention into the tag. Attach to the hang tag a picture of you and the gift receiver when you were in kindergarten together, lyrics from a meaningful song or just a pretty holiday sticker.
• If the item does not have the manual, find it online, print it out, and include it with the gift.
• Do not apologize for your gift. You went shopping for it, paid good money for it, wrapped and delivered it. This takes far more effort and is more meaningful than just ordering a gift card from Amazon.

So readers, what do you think? Gifting from yard sales or not? Let me hear from you.