Not Made Of Money

Is your husband a weekend handy-guy?  Maybe there’s a handy gal in your household.  Whoever the tool maven in your household is, there’s no doubt that buying the latest and coolest tools can get very expensive very quickly.  Since my husband loves getting a new toy (I mean tool) to tinker with, we’ve learned to get them much cheaper. 
 
One of my favorite places to by tools is our local Harbor Freight. Buying tools from Harbor Freight is basically like buying generic groceries from your grocery store. You get the same tools you would get at Home Depot or Lowe’s without the designer brand names. Harbor Freight has locations all across the country, so be sure to look for one close to your home.

Garage sales are another source for tools that won’t destroy your budget. Many times someone will decide that they are going to get into a hobby like woodworking. A few months pass, however, and the desire to work on this hobby wanes. Now these people are left with the tools or accessories that go with a hobby they no longer enjoy. So, the tools end up in a garage sale. You get to buy the tools that you want at a bargain price.

The internet version of garage sales, Craig’s List, offers plenty of opportunity to find tools at discounted prices. You can browse local ads to find the tools that you’re looking for. In addition, you won’t have to pay to have them shipped to you; you’ll probably be able to pick up your purchases and make payment in person.
 
Finally, tools can often be found at public auctions. If you enjoy shopping on eBay, you’ll love shopping at auctions. You get to enjoy the thrill of a live auction, complete with an auctioneer. Public auctions are typically advertised in the newspaper. The listings will often include a description of the types of items that will be sold during the auction. However, there are always hidden gems at auctions. You can find entire collections of tools at some auctions, so come prepared to shop.

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