Posted on 7/29/2009 9:48 EST
It's your turn to be a designer for a day. MSNBC lets you into the secret world of do-it-yourselfers who customize basic IKEA furniture designs and components for their own unique -- and astoudingly cheap -- look.
"Home decorators who once would have dropped thousands of dollars on designer furniture are now, in a down economy, looking at inexpensive, self-assembly pieces from big-box stores as a jumping-off point for more custom designs.
It's part of a do-it-yourself craze that has many people in the age of computers feeling like they are "losing touch with how to build things," said Eric Wilhelm, founder and CEO of the Web site Instructables.com..."
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Posted on 7/24/2009 20:19 EST
You've spent how much for that cool iPhone? Now you need some kind of stand to hold it. You've got your $40 option and then you've got your super cheap options. Read all about it on Cnet.
"Whether you're watching a movie on an airplane or interacting with your iPhone while it's charging on your desk, some kind of stand is essential. That's why I read David's Mobile Xtand review with great interest.
Pretty cool product--but $40? That's way too rich for my Cheapskate blood. Fortunately, there are iPhone stands that cost significantly less--and some that cost nothing at all. Here's a look at three way-cheaper alternatives..."
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Posted on 7/22/2009 11:22 EST
Don't leave home without them! These 10 really cool and inexpensive gadgets are bound to make your next trip hassle-free, says The New York Times.
"In my romantic travel daydreams, I imagine myself marching off into the hills of Patagonia with nothing in my backpack but a change of underwear and a piece of flint. In reality, however, I -- and most travelers today -- bring gadgets. Lots of gadgets.
From iPods to noise-canceling headphones, from digital cameras to GPS trackers, they take up space, can consume electricity and distract us from actually enjoying the trip. Gadgets also tend to be expensive, small and easy-to-lose. But gadgets can be both useful and cheap -- they can help even budget travelers make the most of their adventures. Here is a list of the 10 gadgets, all under $50, that I either own or have been lusting after..."
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on The New York Times
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Posted on 7/21/2009 7:01 EST
Pets have it pretty easy these days--many get to travel with their masters. But another member of the party can add to the cost, so follow these budget-minded tips from CBS News and see how much you can save.
"Traveling with your favorite canine or feline can be an expensive, but there are some ways you can save some cash. Kelli Grant, Sr. Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com, discusses making traveling with pets more economical.
First, remember that the early bird - or dog, cat or ferret - gets the worm. Book your flight as soon as you know you'll be traveling with your pet. "For your pet's comfort - and for cost effectiveness - you really want to book a direct, non-stop flight," says Grant. "But, most airlines are going to limit the number of pets they have on a plane, which is why you want to book in advance..."
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Posted on 7/20/2009 21:09 EST
Here's a chance to feel good about sending a child off to college this fall: save lots of money and be kind to the environment. Fast Company reports on a new business that pulls together everything (??) a student needs in that all important first year of college and delivers it right to the dorm. No shopping, no hassle, no busted budget.
"Getting a kid off to college later this summer? You could schlep around to Bed Bath & Beyond and Target, or try a new startup called Dorm-In-A-Box that's taken aim at that ad nauseam shopping for what is, let's face it, a pretty predictable set of goods. This offshoot of a private-label product design company--that is, they're the type of company that designs the cheap, in-house brands that you'd find at places such as Target and K-Mart--leverages its deep expertise when it comes to bringing goods to market for cheap. And proverbially passes on the savings to you..."
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on Fast Company
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