Deals folks!

I was talking to a college friend by phone the other day and explaining to her how we have afforded all the crazy renovations. I told her I ALWAYS turn to Craigslist before I head to the store! Just a few months ago I scored this vanity with a granite top for just $250. The granite top itself would have been over $500 at my "cheap" granite place. Gotta love Craigslist.

If I can't find what I'm looking for on Craigslist, I pout. After a sufficient amount of pouting and praying, I turn to my list of less than reliable sources. I go to Bargain Outlet and Harbor Freight as well as the local Habitat for Humanity store. They take donations of sinks, vanities, doors, windows...really anything you can think of. Then they sell it to the community to raise money for their housing projects. The money goes to a great thing AND you just might score yourself a deal.

Sometimes I check out local stores such as my granite and cabinet place that ships from China. In fact, rarely to you find a fluent English speaker working there but we got a sweet deal on a new kitchen from them.

Finally, when all else fails, I head to Lowe's and then the Home Depot. Since I'm in there often enough, I'm able to watch for deals. We found a travertine stone tile for $2 a square foot one day. It's now in our kitchen. That's a crazy good deal for travertine which usually runs for over $5 a square foot.

There's my 2 cents on home remodeling. The only thing I might add is try to do it yourself. Tasks seem overwhelming but most things can be done yourself. When we lived in Dallas, we needed to do some tiling. There was CARPET in our BATHROOM...who the heck does that? A builder.

We were way too chicken to try tiling then and finally after a long while, we were able to sell that house with carpet in the bathroom. After getting tutored by a friend, we now tile all over creation. We've currently tiled 3 entry ways, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a laundry room. It's not my fave way to spend the weekend but we're saving MONEY!!!

If you've made it to the bottom of this post, you are rewarded with a great deal. Ben & Jerry's (store locations) is giving away free ice cream cones tomorrow, April 21st. Oh, how I wish I could partake. Unfortunately or fortunately, this town is swamped with the likes of Graeter's, Jeni's and Handel's. Not a lot of room in the market for Ben & Jerry's but oh, how I'd love a free ice cream cone tomorrow. Check their site for locations! Happy Monday!