ReStores: Recycling with Habitat for Humanity

I want to help spread the word that Habitat for Humanity has a (relatively) new recycling and reuse sideline going on now - the ReStores. The concept is that individuals, building supply businesses, demolition crews, and contractors donate materials they can't use, and Habitat sells them to the general public at a fraction of retail prices. The money they raise is used to fund (what else?) more Habitat for Humanity homes! Check out their web site for locations and specifics about what can be donated.

The net recycling and reuse value is high - donors recycle and get rid of old building materials, buyers reuse, and Habitat reduces the cost of buying another house.

And there's more - they will send their truck to pick up, and your donation is tax deductable! It doesn't get much easier or better than that!

Loving E-Bay!

What's not to like? Where else can you do all the things E-Bay offers - shop 24/7 with the absolute best selection on the planet, get the best market-driven price on your item, and have it delivered to your door within days? Because of E-Bay I have significantly upgraded my wardrobe at a fraction of what it would cost to buy new (which I couldn't afford anyway). A few examples:

--Full-sized, high quality leather couch, less than 6 months old, $300. Bought from a seller 10 miles away. My husband and I rented a truck, took cash, and didn't pay until we'd seen it. Money saved: about $1500.00 over new.

--Ferragamo pumps, black, perfect work shoe, $74.00. I already know what size I wear in Ferragamo (a key piece of info you should have before bidding) so no risk there. Money saved: about $200 over new.

--Ferragamo pumps, navy, identical to the black ones, $13.50 (that's correct, $13.50). These came up for auction about 6 months after the black ones.

--Geiger coat, purple. knee-length, $75.00. My mother had paid about $1000 for a similar coat a few years ago.

Set up your watch lists, know your sizes in the brand you're bidding on, and have a blast!