We're in the money ...

Wait, rephrase that. We're outta money ....

I consider ourselves a single-family-stimulus package for this corner of Johnson County. I think we have made remarkable changes to our house, yet that comes at a cost. I was watching "Sarah's House" on HGTV (love that show!) and she said, after a mistake, "Oh well. It's only time and money." Yep, Sarah, that is EXACTLY how I feel.

We had a list of "known" expenses upon taking possession of this house. Slowly, but surely, our list of unknown expenses has also grown. I pride myself on bargain shopping (hear that, Erik?) and I think I have done a really good job, but none the less ... it's still time and money.

Some of my hints and tips if you find yourself with a new house:
- Move during the summer. We were able to take advantage of great sales for July 4th and Labor Day. I really won't pay full price for much of anything these days, and big holiday sales really helped. For example, we waited to buy our appliances until the July 4th holiday when we could get 32 months free financing instead of 18 months the week prior. Yes, thank you, I'll keep my money and use your appliances.

- Shop online and use free shipping almost exclusively. Even better if you can find yourself a retailer that doesn't operate in your state so you don't have to pay tax. I mean, ahem, of course you'll claim that on your yearly filing?

- Use a price tracker system, such as Camel Camel Camel (for Amazon). I honestly haven't used this, but if you find a specific item you really want, you'll know that you are getting a good price.

- On a related note, I will Google things until my eyes bleed to make sure I am getting the absolute best price I can find online. I always look for discount/promotional codes at places like Retail Me Not before I check out, just in case.

- Flood your inbox with daily emails. I get so much junk email, but now is the time it comes in handy. Make sure you are signed up for emails from your favorite retailers so you don't miss out on sales of furniture, rugs, etc. I also get a lot of those daily deal emails (One Kings Lane, Gilt, Joss and Main, The Foundary) and have scored a few great things for the new house. I also have to resist temptation to buy other non-house-related things. Don't forget to get emails from craft stores, like Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics and Calico Corners. These stores have some typical hardware store items you might need and you can use a coupon. It may also help you to get the Lowe's and Home Depot ads in your inbox, too, to plan your shopping excursions. Yes, you'll know their employees by name.

- Save ALL your receipts. I never was a receipt saver, but you better believe I will be deducting as much as possible as house-related expense. Plus, helps to stay on a budget. Wah wah. I set up a spread sheet to track expenses, which is just miserable to look at.

- Change your address with the post office and online whenever you can. We got lots of "welcome to your new house" deals from big retailers. Anymore, 10% off isn't a big deal, but you might be able to package it with a better deal if you are strategic.

- Set up a little notebook that you can leave in your car with paint swatches, fabric samples and measurements of anything you can think of in your house. I scribble things on scraps of paper and throw them in a basket of "house-related" items, but it never failed that I didn't have the measurements of the bedroom when looking for a desk, for example.

- Call and ask local shops about sales. I was looking for some rugs and just happened to call the local retailer and lucked into an August rug sale they run every year (31% off - whoo hooo!). I was happy to make it just in time, but would have waited until next summer if I had to.

Some of my favorite online retailers:
- Faucet Direct (great customer services, great prices, free shipping, no tax)
- Bellacor (lighting)
- Shades of Light
- Home Depot (ended up with lots of lights from here, after scouring the internets)
- Chic Canvas (not such a deal, but a girl needs art, right? I used a deal I got on One Kings Lane)
- Home Decorators (waited for free shipping - huge savings)

And, locally:
- Craigslist (I have had great success on Craigslist this year, buying and selling. You have to look hard, but there are deals to be had!)
- Habitat ReStore (one of my favorite places! Especially for an older house, this is a must.)
- Stuff in Brookside (the rug place! and much else ...)
- Hancock fabrics (believe it or not, I have had the best luck here with affordable, family-friendly fabrics that are good looking)

We also have a LONG list of contractors if you are in need of names or quotes. Like I said, single-family-stimulus-program. You're welcome, Gov. Brownback.