| Love Where You Live! |
Three Tricks to Decorating on a Budget
by Dani Jacobs
by Dani Jacobs
How many times have you said, “I want my house to be decorated, but I just don’t have the money to do it” ?
Well, say it no more, my friends, because here are a few tricks of the trade to save you money and, at the same time, impress your friends
and family with your amazing deal-getting, shopping prowess.
1. Use coupons
These aren’t just for groceries anymore! Certain stores place 20-40% coupons in the paper weekly, and many stores send out coupons to
those on their mailing list on a regular basis. They can save you anywhere from 20-50%. Also, some stores will take their competitors
coupons, others will accept more than one coupon at a time, and some will even disregard the expiration date! I have actually gotten to a
point where I won’t even buy from some stores unless I have a coupon, or two!
2. Shop sale racks
Every store has a sale corner, aisle, or end cap with older or slightly damaged merchandise. My advice to you is, FIND IT! I have saved
literally hundreds of dollars shopping on these racks and have bought everything from blankets, to picture frames, to curtains, to anything you
can dream of! Almost everything goes on sale eventually! Remember that adage, and shop the sales!
3. Negotiate
If you have the guts, barter for better prices. Yes, I do realize that most of us shop in stores in America, not on the streets, so bartering may
seem a bit absurd. But, if the truth be told, you can often save 15-20% just by asking. If an item is slightly damaged, the store will generally
give you a discount. I recently purchased a beautiful leather chair at a discount store, and the feet were slightly scuffed. I asked, and they
gave me an additional 20% off! Now, if the leather was damaged or the legs had big chunks out of them, I would have passed on it. But,
there are pens specifically made to fix mars on furniture. I used these on my chair, and it was as good as new, at a fraction of the price I
would have paid at a furniture store! Frames are also notorious for being scuffed. Ask for 20% off, and use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and
all scuff marks will be gone in a heartbeat!
Another trick with bartering is to ask for the floor model. Some stores will give you up to 40% off because the item has been used in the
showroom, and, let’s be honest, very few of us keep everything we buy in pristine condition for very long, so check it closely and if it has
minor wear and tear, buy it, fix it up, and tell all your friends about the great deal you just got!
So, don’t let limited funds stop you from having a beautiful home! A gazillion other little tricks like this exist which I will be sharing March
14th at our upcoming class, “Love Where You Live on a Budget.” Come join us, and you, too, will be able to create the beautiful room you
want, even with limited financial resources!
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com
Well, say it no more, my friends, because here are a few tricks of the trade to save you money and, at the same time, impress your friends
and family with your amazing deal-getting, shopping prowess.
1. Use coupons
These aren’t just for groceries anymore! Certain stores place 20-40% coupons in the paper weekly, and many stores send out coupons to
those on their mailing list on a regular basis. They can save you anywhere from 20-50%. Also, some stores will take their competitors
coupons, others will accept more than one coupon at a time, and some will even disregard the expiration date! I have actually gotten to a
point where I won’t even buy from some stores unless I have a coupon, or two!
2. Shop sale racks
Every store has a sale corner, aisle, or end cap with older or slightly damaged merchandise. My advice to you is, FIND IT! I have saved
literally hundreds of dollars shopping on these racks and have bought everything from blankets, to picture frames, to curtains, to anything you
can dream of! Almost everything goes on sale eventually! Remember that adage, and shop the sales!
3. Negotiate
If you have the guts, barter for better prices. Yes, I do realize that most of us shop in stores in America, not on the streets, so bartering may
seem a bit absurd. But, if the truth be told, you can often save 15-20% just by asking. If an item is slightly damaged, the store will generally
give you a discount. I recently purchased a beautiful leather chair at a discount store, and the feet were slightly scuffed. I asked, and they
gave me an additional 20% off! Now, if the leather was damaged or the legs had big chunks out of them, I would have passed on it. But,
there are pens specifically made to fix mars on furniture. I used these on my chair, and it was as good as new, at a fraction of the price I
would have paid at a furniture store! Frames are also notorious for being scuffed. Ask for 20% off, and use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and
all scuff marks will be gone in a heartbeat!
Another trick with bartering is to ask for the floor model. Some stores will give you up to 40% off because the item has been used in the
showroom, and, let’s be honest, very few of us keep everything we buy in pristine condition for very long, so check it closely and if it has
minor wear and tear, buy it, fix it up, and tell all your friends about the great deal you just got!
So, don’t let limited funds stop you from having a beautiful home! A gazillion other little tricks like this exist which I will be sharing March
14th at our upcoming class, “Love Where You Live on a Budget.” Come join us, and you, too, will be able to create the beautiful room you
want, even with limited financial resources!
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com
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