Home & Garden Headlines
The SunnySaves! $100 Summer Sweepstakes!
May 19, 2010 | 7:26 am
How would you spend $100? A hundred cups of coffee, a new dress + shoes, donate it to your favorite charity, go to a fancy pants dinner, save it for a rainy day…Contest Rules:It’s easy – just enter the contest for your chance to win. Share it with friends for good karma to come! For extra entries you can:...
Recession Revamp
Apr 26, 2010 | 6:58 pm
Short on cash? Follow Charleston Home editor Ellen McGauley's 7 budget-friendly tips for resuscitating your rooms in an ailing economy. ...
Save Money, Time & the Planet - Purchase Native Plants
Mar 15, 2010 | 1:41 am
When I was planning my wedding, I made a list of my favorite flowers – sweet peas, peonies, ranunculus’ – and took that to my florist. Of course, she could order any of those things for my October wedding, but at almost double the cost of say dahlias. Because those flowers weren’t grown locally and weren't in season, they just cost more. ...
How to Save Water & Money with Rain Barrels
Feb 18, 2010 | 1:36 pm
With the torrents of rain over the past month, owning a rain barrel would result in a lot of water saved and stored for your flora without costing a cent (after the purchase of the barrels, of course). It’s not too late to get started though. Place the barrels at the corners of your home and they collect the rain run-off from your gutters, holding roughly 50 gallons. They have a spigot to drain your loot into a watering can, and some versions you can attach a garden hose and go....
4 Ways to Stop Junk Mail
Feb 18, 2010 | 1:13 pm
I feel like I recycle 2/3 of my mail before opening because I know that I don't want another credit card, that certain catalogs don't suit my style or budget, or because I don't need a new home mortgage or car. I can add my number to the national "do not call" list stopping those telemarketers dead in their tracks, but what about a "do not mail" list?...
How to Pay Bills & Save Money
Feb 18, 2010 | 10:26 am
Paying your monthly bills online, and forgoing the paper statement, saves money, time and the planet. Avoid late fees, which will improve your credit card score and mental health; save on postage; save some trees. According to PayItGreen, 1.8 million trees could be saved if just 20% of US households switched to electronic bills, statements and payments. Want to figure out your financial paper footprint?...
Save Money on Storage
Feb 18, 2010 | 10:23 am
I love to see what I have - glass containers in the fridge so that last night's dinner doesn't become next week's science project, clear containers for shoes, see-through jars of macaroni, penne and rigatoni - but, I don't like spending a bunch of money on all of those containers! So, I started re-using things that I already had. Instead of throwing away the spaghetti jars, I wash them and re-fill with noodles or rice. Old baby food jars store tacks, buttons and paper clips. Jam jars make great pencil/crayon holders. If you want to get fancy, you can cover the lids in fabric. ...
Save Paper with an Online To-Do List
Jan 12, 2010 | 11:29 am
Scraps of paper with scribbled lists and lone sticky notes start to get me down instead of organized. You can save money, wasted time and a bit of sanity when you get in the habit of making your to-do-list online. I've been testing out new organizational methods and came across a couple of stand outs....
Save Money, Time & Your Waistline
Dec 29, 2009 | 5:00 am
Oh, the New Year lurks right around the corner with all of its hope for reform. You vow to go on a fiscal and physical diet, you will play with your kids more, you will lighten up. But how? Broad "I'm gonna's" rarely stick.One reader wrote in with a great idea that saves money and time, increases her exercise quotient and allows for more quality time with her children. What is the magic bullet? Yard work....
Charleston-Themed Gift Ideas
Dec 21, 2009 | 1:00 pm
Some friends who are traveling this holiday season and want to give a taste of Charleston to the hostesses, asked for advice on inexpensive, but outstanding gift ideas. Here are a few suggestions with the help of my friends M & K....
SS! Holiday Savings Blitz: Amazon.com Savings!
Dec 7, 2009 | 10:50 am
It's Day 9 of the SunnySaves! Holiday Savings Blitz - bringing you special offers every weekday until December 23. Missed a day? Check it out below! DAY 9: AMAZON Of course, Amazon has gazillions of deals and shipping is often free. If you still have some shopping to do, take a peek at some of the biggest holiday savings right now....
Cyber Monday Savings
Nov 30, 2009 | 9:30 am
If you survived Black Friday or simply waited until Cyber Monday (the first Monday after Thanksgiving), then get your shopping done before midnight to score great deals! 90% of online retailers are offering substantial discounts today. Obviously, start with the sites that you already know and love. But, if you want to expand your shopping view, check out these sites for ideas and guidance....
Secret Santa Savings
Nov 24, 2009 | 12:32 pm
Shopping for a dozen or more people drains your wallet and your sanity. And, if you have a large extended family, gift giving can be downright daunting. Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to suggest a Secret Santa exchange instead of the usual overabundance of wrapped items. Everyone will save money and time, and those unwanted nick knacks gathering dust will become a distant memory. How To: 1. Write down everyone’s name on a slip of paper. You can leave the children out; grandparents want to give gifts to the little ones!...
Host a Holiday Clothing Swap
Nov 9, 2009 | 12:15 pm
I've been cleaning out my closets, swapping summer for fall, over the past couple of weeks. The exercise in organization has caused a couple of problems: insane sneezing, a need to purge and of course, the desire to buy new clothes!...
Save Time - Don't Rush
Nov 3, 2009 | 11:05 am
I ignore the alarm clock a few times – I’m not sure that it’s natural to get up in the dark – and head for the coffee pot, then jump into high gear. Need to get the kids and husband up, pack lunches and book bags, start a load of laundry, shower, check email, get the kids off to school, get to work…and, that’s around all of the mundane things to do like brush my teeth. ...
3 Savings Tips - Winterize Your Home
Oct 19, 2009 | 11:47 am
I'm sitting in my home office wearing socks, fuzzy slippers, pants, an ugly, long-sleeved t-shirt and a mismatched cardigan (all of my other sweaters gave me a terrible allergy attack - the hazards of closet swapping). Why? Because I'm cold! I've been accused of having "thin blood," even cold-blooded in the best possible way. Well, I can't do anything about the state of my blood, but I can fix the state of my heat- (and money-) leaking home!...
Plan a Potluck Party
Oct 9, 2009 | 10:52 am
I have a vision of myself as an effotless entertainer, always having tasty appetizers on hand for drop-ins, able to pull together a menu for a party of twelve without sweating, but in reality, I'm not so suave! But, there's no need to stress over party planning this fall, and it doesn't have to cost you a car payment either. Plan a potluck! You will save money & time all while having a blast with friends....
Save Money When You Shop at Habitat for Humanity
Oct 6, 2009 | 7:00 am
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Plant a Fall Garden
Oct 2, 2009 | 10:10 am
It's not too late to plant a fall garden, as long as you plant your veggies before the ground gets cold. I keep saying that I'm going plant a garden - save money at the grocery, feel good about growing my own - but I admit, to date, I've proven to garden with a brown thumb. I've yet to grow tomatoes successfully when everyone else has bushels to show for their efforts!...
Plan to Save
Sep 14, 2009 | 11:11 am
In the quest to spend my dollars wisely, I print and clip coupons, buy my produce as locally as possible and carry a stack of reusable bags in my car for grocery shopping. But, sometimes the best laid plans just don't work out! We planned to have guests over this weekend and spent all day Saturday cleaning, strai...
Etsy.com BOGO
Aug 28, 2009 | 9:25 am
Hey, all you Etsy fans, did you know they have a weekend deals section featuring lots of great BOGO offers from artisans? If you're not familiar with the site, it's "Your place to buy & sell all things handmade™." If you like one-of-kind pieces (everything from accessories to geekery to woodworking), bookmark this site! These deals only last through the weekend, so don't wai...
Castle Keepers Free House Cleaning
Aug 26, 2009 | 11:05 am
You only have to admit it to yourself and to Castle Keepers if you happen to live in a pig sty. It's okay; not everyone enjoys housekeeping. But wouldn't it be nice to have someone else do the cleaning? Enter the Clean My House! contest by uploading a picture of the dirtiest room in your home, and if Castle Keepers deems yours the dirtiest o...
50% off Patagonia, Teva, etc.
Jul 21, 2009 | 8:32 am
If you live outside, like many of us do on the coast, then you need quality outdoor clothing. I know my Patagonia jacket lasted a lot longer than the knock-off version. But, sometimes quality costs more. Now you can take advantage of two great summer sales: up to 50% off apparel at The Charleston Angler and up to 50% off brands like Patagonia and Teva at Half-Moon Outfitters. ...
Cooking Demo to Benefit Louie's Kids
Jul 7, 2009 | 9:19 am
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Baby Gear Giveaway
Jul 2, 2009 | 9:20 am
Holy smokes! If you have small children and you drool over all of the fancy gear available, but can't bear to spend $1000 on a stroller, then log on to Magic Beans today and every day for the rest of July. They are celebrating their five-year anniversary with a 31-day giveaway - each day a different high-end item like the Bugaboo Cameleon stroller ($979) or the Monte Luca Glider ($945). DailyCandy Kids f...
Aster Hall Preview
Jul 1, 2009 | 10:06 am
Definitely add this event to your calendar. I love Angela Hall's handmade jewelry - I'm wearing a pair of her earrings now; actually, the only two pairs of earrings that I ever wear, Angela crafted! Thursday, July 26 - 8 pm481 King Street...
Dorothea Benton Frank Book Signing Today
Jun 30, 2009 | 9:19 am
The College of Charleston Bookstore launches Dorothea Benton Frank's book tour in support of her new novel, Return to Sullivans Island (William Morrow), today. This follow up to Sullivan's Island (Berkley Trade) tells the sto...
Five Ways to Save on Your Energy Bill
Jun 29, 2009 | 9:29 am
With temperatures in the upper 90’s this week, I know I want to turn down the AC. My husband and I have tried to find a happy medium, but lately, I like it a bit chillier. Of course, we know that nudging the thermometer up just 2 degrees can save money (SCE&G recommends 78 degrees and above). Here are 5 more ways to save....
SunnySaves SCIWAY Site of the Day!
Jun 26, 2009 | 9:36 am
SCIWAY (SC Information Highway) provides fantastic information about SC. From arts & entertainment to job openings to state history, you can find it all here! And, a big thanks to SCIWAY for choosing SunnySaves.com as their website of the day - check it out!...
Three Father's Day Experience Gifts
Jun 19, 2009 | 10:42 am
Holidays often equal spending a chunk of change. When I asked my husband what he wanted for Father’s Day this year, he replied, “to spend time with my family.” I love that answer! However, that doesn’t mean we completely ignore Dad’s big day, instead, we make cards and plan an adventure!1. The Active Adventure...
Ride CARTA Free on June 18
Jun 17, 2009 | 9:21 am
As part of the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority's (CARTA) effort to get people to use public transportation, you can ride for free this Thursday, June 18. As gas prices slowly climb, the fourth annual "Dump the Pump" campaign is timely. By taking public transit, you conserve fuel and benefit the environment, while saving money. Check out what those savings can add up to when you use the calculator on the American Public Transportatio...
Shop at Home
Jun 15, 2009 | 1:55 pm
Sometimes when I really feel the itch to go shopping, which I have to admit happens a lot, I look through my closets and around my house and find something "new." Just this morning, my daughter exclaimed, "where did you get those fancy rocks, mommy" when I pulled out an old vase filled with aquamarine pebbles to bring out the magenta of the orchids I found lying on the ground yesterday. I feel cheerful when I glance at the arrangement on my desk, and I didn't spend a dime....
Free Magazine for You
Jun 15, 2009 | 10:34 am
If you like to read a variety of magazines, this free service is for you! Mine magazine (online only) lets you customize the content based on your interests. You answer a few questions about yourself like which do you crave more - sushi or pizza?...
Free Hydrangea Festival
Jun 12, 2009 | 11:06 am
Rosebank Farms hosts the annual Hydrangea Festival this Saturday and Sunday (June 13 & 14). They have over 3200 hydrangeas! From 10 am – 4 pm you can take a self-guided tour among the several acres of beautiful blooms. Owner, Sidi Limehouse, and a local horticulturist can answer any questions. ...
Chaleston Book & DVD Sale
Jun 11, 2009 | 11:06 am
It's that time again - the Charleston Friends of the Library Book and DVD sale! Restock your library for a tiny fraction of the cost of new - prices start at 50 cents. We took home two boxes of books last time - I found some of my upcoming book club reads, tons of kids books (and when you read 15 a day, you can use some new stock!), as well as business books and a few that looked interesting but I never would have paid full price for. Long story short, head to the Charleston County Main Libary at 68 Calho...
Free Knife Sharpening Event & Cutlery Sale
Jun 10, 2009 | 10:16 am
If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, then you know the importance of a sharp knife. I think our most-used wedding gift is our set of Henckels knives. I love them! I love them so much that I use them every single day, but I don't feel entirely secure in my knife sharpening skills. I plan to take advantage of the ...
Spoleto Festival USA Special Finale Offer!
Jun 4, 2009 | 11:20 am
Today through Saturday, you can buy two Spoleto Festival Finale tickets for the price of one*. Pack a picnic and plan to arrive early to take advantage of the Middleton Place Gardens on the Ashley River....
The Gift Closet
Jun 1, 2009 | 12:20 pm
Failing to plan often means a hit to the wallet. For example, you forget to buy a birthday present for your daughter's best friend and now you have 2 hours to find something meaningful. So, you stop by the nearest boutique and buy something full-price. Although it looked great wrapped in fancy paper with a bow that the child immediately ripped to shreds, you didn't really mean to spend $30 on a toy....
Yard Sale Savings
May 29, 2009 | 10:00 am
Saturday morning dawns – and I mean dawns – at 6:30 am. If my kids are “sleeping in” at this point, I hurriedly throw on yesterday’s clothes, brush over my teeth just enough to clear the fuzz, grab a cup of coffee and run out the door to hit the best yard sales in town. More often than not, they aren’t sleeping in. ...
Buy Books, Be Good
May 19, 2009 | 3:04 pm
When you save money, you often have the added benefit of saving time and saving the earth. Do all three this weekend when you buy used books at the Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale (10 Storehouse Row, Navy Yard at Noisette, North Charleston). Prices start at 50 cents for books, DVDs, books on CD and tape, LPs, maps and sheet music; you can buy a year's worth of reading materials in a couple of hours and you're saving a few trees by picking up someone else's hand-me-downs. ...
Tip No. 79: Weekly Meal Planning
Jul 17, 2008 | 4:37 pm
Spend a little time over the weekend creating a menu for the week - check your pantry and crisper for items that you already have in stock. Then, plan your weekly grocery shopping trips with shopping list in hand. ...
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