Sometimes, buying an item at full price is a better option than getting it cheaply. Here are some examples of why it may be best to skip the bargain and buy something new.
1)It's a discontinued item: If you want that discontinued article of clothing or appliance, then go for it. You'll save enough money in the long run if you need to replace it that your savings will more than cover the cost in comparison to buying a cheap one on sale. It may not always be worth the hassle and trouble of finding out how something works as well as possibly being less reliable or needing repair by a knowledgeable person who might charge you dearly for his services.
2)The item will be cheaper in the long run: Think of it as an investment. If you're going to spend hundreds on a piece of furniture or equipment, then go for the best there is. You'll save money in the long run by not having to buy another later on, or worse yet, repair one that could break easily. That so-called good deal you're getting now will cost you more later on.
3)You can't transport it yourself: If you can't transport an item home by yourself and have no way of getting it delivered, then skip it even if the price is right. Think of that money you will spend on delivery fee and then find someone to do the job for you.
4)You don't need it yet: There's no point in buying something that you won't use for awhile. If you're going to buy a new product, think about when you will really need it, because it could be more expensive than if you bought a different item which would get used much sooner.
5)You can do without it: No one needs anything in this day and age unless they are rich, so if you've decided not to buy something, don't stress about feeling like you "should" get it because everyone else seems to be doing so. You are not obligated to go along with the crowd.
The bottom line is that you need to make a list of things you really need and stick to it like glue. You can probably continue without another chair, table, or computer, so leave that money where it belongs – in your pocket.
What are some other items that you would never buy at an auction? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
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The best way to clean a stove It's the time of year where we spend more time inside – what better way is there to start the New Year off than with a brand new sparkling kitchen? If you don't have time for the whole house, here are some tips for cleaning a stove.
Make sure you turn off all gas or electric to the kitchen. Take out every single drawer if they aren't hardwired and place them on the ground or counter away from where you'll be doing your cleaning. Locate any cords that have plugs that might have to be pulled out. Open all of the cabinets. Pull out any drawers. Using a bucket for hot water, remove all of the grime and grease with a scrub brush. For appliances, unplug them and fill your tub with white vinegar. Use your scrub brush again to remove dirt and grease from stove top and burners. Once your stove is clean, you can use dry cloths to dry or wet with soap or detergent to wipe down the walls and appliances as needed. If you have a microwave that's built in, remove and clean it with soap and water while the stove is clean. Monitor and be careful of any sparks or gas that might be on the stove, unplug anything else and turn off all of the burners. Vacuum all along the edges of your appliances and wipe down counters. Put everything back together.
The best way to clean cabinets The kitchen isn't complete without a sparkling set of cabinets. Here are some tips for keeping them clean throughout the year:
Wipe down with soap and water once a month to get rid of any food or grime buildup on the shelves. Remove contents if cabinets are very full. Wipe down shelves with soap and water so they are clean and shiny. Clean inside drawers and wipe down the outside as well. Take out any items that can be washed in hot water and dry them on the counter or in a warm place so they're ready to go when you put them back into the cabinets. Wipe down all of the doors with a cloth, making sure you get into all of the grooves for those hard-to-reach areas. Wipe the handles of your cabinets and the sink. Organize, rinse out any soap or grime by running water through and then dry everything off. Wipe down the inside of your drawers with soap and water, making sure to clean all the little crevices. Clean any encasements (like glass on the top of a cabinet) with lukewarm, soapy water and let dry. Wipe down any shelves that haven't been used for awhile with a cloth and hot, soapy water. Use vinegar on all wooden surfaces for a deeper shine than rubbing alcohol will provide.
The best way to clean a toilet The toilet can get dirty quick, but it doesn't have to stay that way – here's how you can keep it clean as possible:
Clean out or remove any items that don't need to be in your toilet.
Conclusion
There you have it – some of the most effective ways to keep your house in tip-top shape. Of course, if you're a do-it-yourself kind of person, you might have figured out all of these on your own. However, I wanted to list some of the
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Tips For Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
Tips For Cleaning A Stove
Tips For Decorating Your Home On A Budget
Preparing Your Home For The Holidays On A Budget
Tips To Get Rid Of Pests At Home Cheaply And Fast
The best way to clean a microwave oven. Posted by Cheaper Is NOT Better at 10:09 AM No comments:
How to buy furniture on the cheap Good furniture pieces can make all the difference in your living space. They can be expensive, though, especially if you're just starting out and you don't have a lot of money. So how can you get the best of both worlds? You could buy a couch on Craigslist and refur, or you could shop online. If that all makes your head spin, don't worry. Here are some tips on how to buy furniture on the cheap.
These tips will help keep you from getting ripped off when shopping for furniture: 1)Take it all out of the house: When you go looking for a couch, look around your living room first to see what looks good and what doesn't. If you have other pieces of furniture in there that wouldn't work with this one, take those out and keep them so they don't clutter up your living space any more than they already do. When you actually go to pick out your sofas, buy them in the room where you want them to go.
2) Check out the legs: There's nothing more annoying than a wobbly table or chair, especially one that you have to pay a lot for. If the item is wobbly, it's probably made of cheap wood and will just fall apart sooner rather than later. If it's going to be your primary piece of furniture, get a solid one and not a trendy one that will last maybe six months before anything happens.
3) Find something that lasts: Don't go with trends when buying furniture; if you do, you'll be replacing them every couple of years. Instead, look for something timeless – it doesn't have to be built like a tank, but it should be made of quality wood. You shouldn't have to replace anything in a couple of years.
4) Hit the stores: Don't think you're going to get a good deal buying furniture online. The shipping and delivery costs will take up a lot of the savings you would get from buying furniture online. Shop in person at local furniture stores and you'll get great deals without all the hassles.
5) Check out floor plans: When you're looking for an item of furniture that's not too big or too small, make sure there's space between the beds and doors so your kids can move around easily when they sleep. There should be at least eighteen inches of space between any piece of furniture, especially if you have kids.
6) Choose your fabric/leather/linen wisely: If you're buying a sofa or an upholstered chair, it's not a good idea to go with something that can be stained easily – don't get anything with high-end fabrics unless you can afford to pay for professional cleaning. Stick with fabrics that are easier to clean, like microfiber or leather that's easy to wipe down, or go with super-washable linen (or natural linen).
7) Make sure everything works: There's no such thing as a cheap bed or nice set of sheets if they're covered in bedbugs. If you find a great deal on an entire bedroom set, but the mattress has stains on it or the sheets are tearing, don't buy them. Check for quality in all areas and you'll avoid getting ripped off.
8) Get advice: Don't go shopping for furniture alone – take a friend with you who can give you unbiased opinions when it comes to what's trendy and what's timeless. They may be able to point out things that you didn't notice before and help you to figure out where the best places are to go shopping at.
9) Know the lingo: Just because something is fancy and expensive doesn't mean you should buy it. If the salesman talks a lot, don't trust everything he says. If you find really great deals on furniture, it may be because they have no quality control – they're just trying to sell as much stuff as possible so that they'll make as much profit off of you. If a place has no quality control and you buy something that doesn't work or breaks down after a few months, all your hard work will be for nothing, and there's no telling how many other people got ripped off at that store.
10) Don't pay for shipping: If you buy furniture online, make sure it's free shipping, because you'll end up paying a lot more as soon as you factor in the cost of the delivery person and their gas. Don't have your furniture shipped – go pick it up yourself or arrange to have it delivered by a third party.
11) Take care of your furniture: To get the most out of your expensive piece of furniture, make sure that you take good care of it. This means cleaning regularly and keeping everything clean between your kids and pets. Don't leave stains for too long if you can help it; if something does get stained, use a natural cleaner (like vinegar) to get rid of them.
12) Buy something classic: Instead of going for something contemporary that will look tacky in a couple of years, go for something that's timeless – think Louis XIII or Victorian. You could still buy a funky-looking bed or chair, but if you buy several different pieces that are stylish and made from quality wood, you won't have to worry about replacing them soon.
13) Shop at thrift shops: If you're willing to pick through some other people's trash, you'll find some great deals on furniture. Thrift shops don't just have old furniture for sale; they also have new stuff that people no longer want or need. You can find some really great treasures there.
14) Don't take it too seriously: Don't let yourself get wrapped up in the idea that you're saving a lot of money if you buy online. If you think about it, even if you bought everything new, you'd still have to pay for delivery and assembly, so the real savings will be in the things you already have, not in the new stuff.
15) Think about your budget: Negotiate! If you find something on sale at a store and the store has more money than it should have left over, don't be afraid to ask for a price break – most furniture stores will be happy to give one.
16) Don't be afraid to return it: If something doesn't work for you and you don't want it, don't hesitate to return it! Not every item of furniture will work for every home; some pieces won't fit in with your décor, you'll need more chairs or tables than you expected, and some just won't work out. Just tell the salespeople that you're going to return it and they'll help you take it back to the store.
17) Ask questions: If the salesperson isn't giving you all the information he should be giving, or doesn't seem very trustworthy or knowledgeable, don't buy from him.
Conclusion:
These are some tips to keep in mind if you're looking for furniture on a budget. Some people end up spending more money than they need to because they aren't familiar with how to shop, but if you do your research, you can get exactly what you want at a price that's comfortable for your wallet. Keep these things in mind and never settle – the right piece of furniture will make all the difference in your home!
18) Consider Design: It's not just about buying something that looks nice – it's important to consider the design. For example, if you want a wooden table, go with something grand and round that will keep your family together during dinner instead of buying a small table that won't accommodate everyone. tips that will help make sure that your home stays clean and in order long after New Year's Day is over.