10 Shopping Tips to Save Money at Outlet Malls & Factory Stores

When it comes to shopping, is there anything better than an outlet mall? Amazing sales, deep discounts, and significant savings abound, all in one place. However, the problem is that what seems like an amazing place to score great deals can actually end up being a spending trap – especially if those so-called “deals” aren’t all that great.

A savvy outlet mall shopper knows that just because something has a sale tag on it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a worthy discount. In fact, some of the secrets behind how outlet malls actually operate could surprise you – and make you think twice before pulling out your wallet the next time you visit one.

Savvy Shopping at the Outlets

You can find amazing deals on clothes, home goods, sporting goods, and everything else at the outlets, as long as you spend carefully and do your homework. Understand how they work, and use a discerning eye when it comes to that giant “SALE!” sign on the front door of your favorite store.

1. Understand the Difference Between Types of Outlet Stores

Not all outlet stores are created equal, and discounts vary between them. There are generally four types you should know about: outlet, factory, retail, or refurbished. When in doubt, ask a store employee what type of products are sold there to know what kind of deals to expect.

True Outlet Stores
True outlets carry merchandise that was originally stocked in regular retail stores and has been discontinued or phased out due to the shopping season, resulting in steep discounts. These stores also often carry damaged goods, so always check items carefully for irregularities before you buy anything. Examples of stores in this category include the following:

• Lands’ End
• REI
• Old Navy
• Levi’s
• Lululemon
• Champion
• Eddie Bauer
• Nine West
• Children’s Place
• Chico’s
• Motherhood Maternity

Factory Stores
Factory stores sell goods that were specifically produced for outlet malls. While these items may look like those in regular retail stores and bear the same name, they’re usually made with cheaper fabrics or fewer features than their full-price counterparts. For example, a dress carried in a J. Crew retail store might be designed without the expensive lining and fabrics and then sold through the J. Crew outlet. Stores that sell outlet goods specifically include:

• Nike
• J. Crew
• Crewcuts
• Polo Ralph Lauren
• GUESS
• Calvin Klein
• Gymboree
• Loft
• Coach
• Banana Republic
• Coldwater Creek
• Oakley
• Ann Taylor

Retail Stores
Retailers that want to take advantage of the foot traffic in outlet malls sometimes purchase store space there without actually offering outlet products. Designated “outlet” stores, on the other hand, should notify buyers somewhere on the store sign so you don’t get caught paying retail price unknowingly. Some retail stores that simply operate space in outlet malls include:

• Famous Footwear
• American Eagle
• Maurice’s
• Charlotte Russe
• Columbia Sportswear
• Sunglass Hut
• Zumiez
• PacSun
• Aeropostale

Refurbished Electronics Stores
Many electronics manufacturers sell refurbished goods such as computers, TVs, and stereo systems at outlet malls. They are less common than clothing or sporting goods stores, but if you happen upon one, you might be able to snag a deal on refurbished goods classified as “like new.” Just make sure that whatever you buy comes with a warranty, which is standard among refurbished retailers.

Some electronics companies that have brick-and-mortar refurbished outlet stores include the following:

• Bose
• Nikon
• Dell
• Toshiba
• KitchenAid

Obviously, deals vary based on your location and which stores are available to you.

2. Get the Inside Scoop

Before I visit an outlet mall, I always view its website. By doing so, you can see which stores have promotions and sales, and even download online coupons. If there is no website for the outlet mall you plan to visit, or you don’t find any coupons online, stop first at customer service, where you may find coupon books and information sheets. You can also join outlet mall loyalty programs to receive things like points for purchases, exclusive coupons, and notifications of sale dates.

3. Set a Shopping Budget

If you go shopping without a budget, you’re bound to spend more than you’d like as you’re lured into store after store. Because outlet malls usually have plenty to choose from, I rarely set a store-to-store budget. However, before you head out for the day, make sure you have a “cap” on how much you plan to spend.

A surefire way to stay within your limits is to withdraw the amount you plan to spend in cash, and when it’s gone, stop shopping and go home. If you’re nervous about carrying that much cash with you, you can load up a prepaid debit card with the same amount and still stay within your budget for the day.

4. Check Prices Online

The folks who operate outlet stores are masters of enticing customers to spend. They know that outlet mall shoppers are looking for good deals and are more likely to buy something if it’s marked down – so they often proclaim sales, even when prices aren’t deeply discounted.

Before you snatch up that scarf or purse, try scanning the bar code with a smartphone shopping app such as ShopSavvy or RedLaser. Both check prices for the store you’re in, nearby brick-and-mortar stores, and online retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal – with or without the giant sales tag.

5. Shop Close to Home

There’s a reason outlet stores are usually found off the beaten path and away from metropolitan areas: They need a lot of space, and land is cheaper in the boonies. However, there’s also another reason that outlet mall owners don’t mind building away from large cities: Shoppers are more inclined to “make a day of it” when the stores are an hour or so away. When you shop farther away from your home or hotel, you may feel more pressure to get your money’s worth and spend a lot on deals you feel you can’t get anywhere else.

I was surprised to see how much my shopping habits changed when a new outlet mall opened closer to my home. Previously, when the closest one was 90 miles away, I’d stay all day and spend like crazy to make it worth my while. This year a new outlet mall opened just 30 miles from my home, and I feel much less pressure to spend because I can go back anytime I want. Therefore, I don’t blow my entire budget in one trip. The moral of the story is, when it comes to outlet shopping, the closer to home, the better.

6. Go for Major Sale Weekends

One way to make sure you get the most out of your outlet mall experience is to plan your shopping trips around popular holiday sales, such as Black Friday. Because of stiff competition against regular malls and other stores within the outlet mall for your foot traffic, they’re prone to give steep discounts, release coupons, and bring in new stock for the masses.

Some of the best weekends to shop include the following:

• Memorial Day weekend
• The Fourth of July
• Labor Day weekend (especially for back-to-school specials)
• The weekend after Thanksgiving

You’re likely to see busy crowds around holiday weekends, but that’s easily compensated for by the discounts.

7. Use Coupons With Caution

There’s nothing like getting an additional price reduction on an item that’s already on sale. Just use coupons carefully when at the outlet mall. Sometimes, what you think is a coupon to Gap Outlet is actually a coupon to Gap, an entirely different store.

Usually, if the brand has both outlet and regular stores, the coupon must say “outlet” or “factory” somewhere to be eligible for use at the outlet mall. Still, it never hurts to ask whether or not a coupon is valid, especially if there’s potential for added savings.

If you’re a member of an outlet mall loyalty program, you can receive coupons via email or home postal mail. Just be sure to check the dates so you only shop when they’re valid.

8. Dig for Clearance Deals

Like their regular retail counterparts, outlet stores are laid out for maximum customer spending. That means more expensive and full-priced goods are at the front, while clearance and more heavily discounted deals are in the back.

Plan enough time to really dig through the merchandise and you can score the best bargains. Don’t be afraid to make a beeline for the clearance racks, and check for additional discounts on top of closeout products. Of course, it never hurts to ask a sales associate about current deals – they’re usually happy to point the way to any promotions.

9. Check the Return Policy

While you’re hemming and hawing over that sweater, it’s a good time to ask a sales associate about the store’s return policy. Outlet stores often have limited return policies, and some items may actually be final sale – which might affect your decision whether to make certain purchases.

Proximity of the outlet mall to your home is another factor to consider when contemplating returning items. If you’re traveling or visiting from another city, the chances of you actually getting back there before the return policy window is up are pretty slim. Don’t buy anything unless you’re sure you want it, since there’s a good chance it’s yours for good.

10. Don’t Assume the Outlet Is Cheaper

Never assume something is a good deal just because you found it at an outlet mall. Sometimes, regular malls offer the same discounts without all the digging – and they’ve got better return policies. Check your shopping app to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

Big sale weekends and sidewalk sales in regular malls could net you higher-quality items for comparable prices, so it’s worth the extra look before you splurge on something at the outlet mall. This is definitely a benefit if you’re searching for quality over quantity. And, if you’re savvy on a sale weekend, heading to the retail mall for great deals on good-quality stuff may save you money over paying for a lower-quality item at the outlet.

Of course, when it comes to stuff like kids’ clothes, seasonal shoes, and trendy items, you shouldn’t mind lower quality. If you’re looking for something that you want to last forever, though – a leather jacket or little black dress, for example – it’s probably best to head to the retail store.

'Buy less and wear clothing more' - style expert

Material possessions, such as cars and clothing decrease in value soon after buying them, but as first impressions count, it can be important to invest in looking good.

Living in New Zealand no longer limits access to fashion as online shopping options continue to increase. High competition allows people to shop around - and that includes looking at second-hand clothing to help both the environment and the back pocket.

Newshub spoke to a style consultant and the manager of Recycle Boutique for tips on how to look good for less.

For people wanting to curb their spending on clothes, Jackie O'Fee, owner of Signature Style, said there's never been a better time.

"My top tip for looking stylish on a budget is to buy less and wear clothing more.   

"Shops such as BooHoo, ASOS, BNKR and Topshop have current season looks at great prices."

Although the challenge is finding quality clothing at good prices, many online retailers have upped their game on returns.

O'Fee says that people should head straight to the 'sale' tab on designer websites - or pound the pavement and visit sale racks for bargains.

"The Global Financial Crisis changed the way we shop and the way retail works, as retail chains [usually] have some form of offer.

"Garments on sale racks are often unsold as they have no 'hanger appeal', but as clothes are made for bodies - they come to life when worn.

"Try them on," O'Fee urges.

Buying in second-hand stores

As a society, we're slowly coming around to supporting the environment and local second hand clothing stores are an ideal place to go.

"[From second-hand stores], people can create a unique look that's carefully curated, rather than purchased in stores the same as their peers," O'Fee said.

Mark Cowie, general manager at the Recycle Boutique, said that now, people are much more in tune with sustainable fashion, which is fuelling demand for second-hand items and causing people to re-evaluate how they buy.  

"Statistics show that second-hand clothing will be larger than fast fashion within ten years," Cowie said.

"[Within the Recycle Boutique], American vintage is a popular section  and we [regularly stock labels such as] Karen Walker, Ruby, Ralph Lauren, Moochi, Sass and Bide and Tommy Hilfiger," Cowie added. 

In addition to helping the environment by reducing landfill, the draw-card to buying second-hand are the huge savings on retail costs.

"At Recycle, [clothing is] generally a third of the retail price. 

"It's better for the environment and [shoppers are] supporting the local community of recyclers. 

"We encourage a circular fashion economy: if [people] buy something, [we suggest they] make way for it in their wardrobe by selling something else," Cowie suggested.

Figure-flattering style tips

As every piece of clothing is unique and doesn't suit every body, O'Fee suggests that people dress with this in mind.

"Print [styles] hide figure challenges, [the material] stays cleaner longer and is more interesting.

"Wear a print that suits you: if you're petite, wear a smaller print or curvy figures can go larger," O'Fee advised.

Another style tip when adding colour is to go lighter or place prints to draw the eye to certain areas. 

"[To balance] larger thighs [for example], wear print on top and keep the bottom half simple."

People who lack in waist definition should avoid large tight belts and choose clothing that creates shape through the torso.

"Tailored blazers, fit and flare dresses are examples of [good choices]," O'Fee added.

The modern workplace is ditching the suit and tie in favour of 'smart casual' - however, there's a subtle difference to the type of clothing people typically wear out with friends.

"Choose work clothes with a degree of formality," O'Fee suggests.

"[Choose] more formal jackets, tailored trousers and slightly longer skirts."

When putting the total look together, the small things shouldn't be forgotten.

"Don't forget the finishing touches, such as jewellery and the right shoe: don't undermine a great outfit by neglecting these," O'Fee advised.

Environmentally-conscious people having a wardrobe cleanout ahead of summer are advised to mend, upcycle, give clothing away - or use the material to make something new.

As online shopping and second-hand clothing provide the option to try out different looks, whilst comparing prices and spending less, for people wanting to look stylish for less, there's never been a better time.

Give Your Old Clothes a Refreshing New Look!

Trends keep changing with seasons, but the purse hardly fills up in concert. However, the clichéd question of “What to wear” keeps puzzling you daily. In an age ruled by frequent clicks and posts, repeating the same old clothes can seem like a tragedy. No matter how many stacks of clothes there are around the home, nothing can match the novelty of a fresh dress. Sadly, too many adult necessities of more pressing importance like the electric bill, food, rent, and such are there as well. The conscience is also overactive in reminding one that not much is getting saved for the dreary days of old age. Prospects of being the trendsetter might look gloomy, but there is still hope. The good news is that you can reinvent or refashion your boring old garbs into the latest in women’s fashion trends with some easy to perform DIY tricks. Trust us! The clothes you have been planning to throw out as trash will be well beyond recognizable—even for you. Following are the top 10 simple ways to show you how to give your old clothes a refreshing new look:

1.Embellish the Drab Denim

Tired of wearing the same old jeans? But, you purchased it for a steep price, and giving up on it is like incurring a loss. One idea that can work like magic is an embellishment. Any pair of denim can look like new if they are adorned with cleverly selected add-ons. Studs are your best friend in this. Get a strip of studs, cut, and attach to the folded edge of your denim and voila it's trendier and helps you look more stylish. Beads, metal stars, coins, and pearls can also be chosen adornments for your favorite old jeans. Pom-pom ribbons are quite hip these days and give your denim a care-free Boho look. If you are good at sewing then why not give a unique touch to everyday jeans with fine embroidery work? Pair of lovebirds, roses, or cute black cats are just a few ideas that may work.

2. Let Lace Spell Some Magic

Probably from the time, it was invented, lace has been in demand for its allure. Give your feminine charm a dose of intrigue by adding lace to your old clothing. That black mid-length skirt will enjoy a new lease of life with black lace trimmings. Add red or white lace at the cuffs and neckline of your blouse for adding that Tagorian charm to your look. Cut the edge of jeans and sew in white lace for a feminine yet classy appearance.

3. Save the Dreary Dress with Some Polka Dots

Gone are the days when LBD aka little black dresses was all the rage. Do you have one in stock that you do not feel like wearing much? Give it a quick face-lift with the help of polka dots. All you will need is fabric color. For tiny polka dots, you can use a pencil eraser. Dip it in the color and print dots on the dress. This trick also works well on tops and shirts. The back of the bottle lids is perfect for bigger polkas.

4.Transform Dresses into Skirts

Several times we buy a dress on a whim. We go with it to the trial room, and the fit is just about perfect. You know at that point in time that if you put on a few kilos of weight, the dress will no more fit you. You wear it once and years pass before you get it out again. It is now too small for you. But it looks just like new. Throwing it away or handing it to a thinner cousin hurts. Don’t ache. Turn the dress into a skirt by chopping off the upper half. If it is a maxi dress, then transform it into a wraparound skirt. Shorter dresses can be used for making pencil skirts or miniskirts depending on the amount of fabric and hem style.

5. Do Some Net Practice

Nothing is swifter in giving old dresses and tops a makeover than a net. Is there a cut out at the back of your red dress? Give it a trendy new look by covering with a black net. Get some net fabric, cut it in the required shape, and sew it on the inside of the dress for this. Net sleeves can make your sleeveless tops a charmingly demure look.

6.Revamp with Tie-and-Dye and Bleaching Methods

A burst of fresh pop colors might be the kind of makeover your old clothes need. Bored of solids and neutrals? Try tie-and-dye techniques for giving the clothing a touch of a rainbow. You can easily find a cost-effective tie-and-dye kit online. Place the tee-shirt, shirt or jeans on a table. Fold it to form a swirl like a shape. Next, tie it with threads, so the swirl is divided into many triangles. Mix the dyes with water to dissolve them. Pour different colored dyes on each triangular section. Keep it wrapped in plastic for few hours before rinsing well under a running tap. Air dry or use a dryer, and your brand new piece of clothing is ready to be worn.

7.Upgrade Your Dresses with Peppy Pockets

Almost everyone loves pockets, and they are trending too! Sewing some pockets on the dull denim dress will reincarnate it in style. Even denim look swankier with some kitschy pockets sewed on. Let your imagination soar high and pick fabric pieces that are out of the ordinary. Quirky prints and patterns will look great picks as pocket fabrics.

8. Do a Little Pasting a Day to Keep Spending at Bay

Have a sweatshirt that is two seasons old yet quite sturdy? Get some floral fabric, cut it in an unusual shape, and paste it on the sweatshirt. Anything from cartoon figures to logos can renew your worn clothes. When recycling old clothes one thing that is highly useful is hot glue. You can use this to attach sequins to your mundane striped tee shirt. What’s more—you can write something quirky using sequins on your dresses.

9. Turn Your Sari into a Glam Dress

Dying to wear a princess-like gown? Yet, have little spare money to buy one? You can turn your sari into a dress and no one will be able to guess. All you need to learn is a few draping tricks. Any old chiffon sari is your perfect dress material. Make pleats in the middle and tie the ends to make sleeves. Use a thin belt to hold the sari together so that it gives good coverage to the upper part of your body.

10.Slit Old Kurta for a Chic Shrug

Dozens of kurtas gather dust in our wardrobes for years. They are either too old-fashioned or too tight on the bosom to be worn. Cut the front of the pitiful kurta open in a straight line. You can add some wooden buttons for that extra glamour boost. And, your new Desi shrug is perfect to be paired with jeans and tee shirts.

Top 10 foods to try in Sweden!

Swedish food is about more than just meatballs. Read our insider tips on what star dishes to try when visiting this stunning Scandinavian destination...

The world has embraced all things Swedish, from furniture and crime fiction to cars and pop music. And in recent years, as several restaurants affiliated with the New Nordic Cuisine movement have gained wider recognition, food has also joined the list. With a diet high in whole grains, protein, and omega-3, the Swedish diet has been hailed for its health benefits. But for those who want to experience Swedish cuisine without the eye-watering prices of a Michelin-starred restaurant or the restrictions of a low GI diet, here’s a round-up of the most essential foods to try when visiting the heart of Scandinavia... 

Don’t leave Sweden without trying…

1. Kanelbulle 

If Sweden had a national food, it would, without doubt, be the cinnamon bun. It’s hard to avoid these delicious spiced rolls, which can be found in every café, bakery and food shop around the country –simply follow the scent of them baking. Made from lightly sweetened, leavened bread dough known as vetebröd (wheat bread), they can also be flavored with cardamom, saffron, and vanilla. These spices are a common feature in Swedish baking and are said to have been brought back when Vikings first traded in Istanbul. A kanelbulle is best served for a fika – the daily practice of sitting down with a coffee and something sweet.

2. Filmjölk

Navigating Swedish dairy products can be confusing to visitors, with a baffling array of similar-looking cartons on offer at breakfast. There’s minimjölk, which has almost no fat content; old-fashioned gammaldags mjölk, which is creamy and unhomogenized; and latte art milk, which as the name suggests is specifically for hot, frothy drinks. But the product that causes the most contention is undoubtedly filmjölk. This 'love it or hate it' fermented dairy product has a slightly acidic, yogurty taste, and is made from soured milk, a bit like buttermilk or kefir. It’s packed full of healthy bacteria and is perfect with cereal, sweetened with a little sugar or even as an ingredient in pieces of bread and cakes.

3. Oat milk latte

Many Swedes are extremely health-conscious. Should you strike up a conversation with a local, it probably won’t be long before they're regaling you with tales of their latest fitness or outdoor pursuits. In terms of nutrition, Paleo, 5:2 and LCHF (low carb, high fat) diets are popular. This, combined with the increase of food intolerances and allergies, has seen many restaurants offer alternatives and substitutes to cater to the country’s increasingly health-aware and lactose- and gluten-intolerant population. Why not try a latte made with oat milk, which has a slightly sweet, nutty taste. Discover which milk is right for you with our guide to lactose substitutes. 

4. Toast Skagen 

Sweden’s more luxurious version of a prawn cocktail is made from peeled prawns mixed with mayonnaise, dill, and lemon, topped with fish roe and served on crisp, sautéed bread. Despite slightly retro connotations, the dish has retained popularity at dinner parties and on restaurant menus. Skagen is a fishing port in northern Denmark, although the dish isn't a Danish creation. It was invented by chef Tore Wretman, who ran some of Stockholm’s top restaurants. The story goes that Wretman was sailing in 1956 when he created this classic starter from leftovers in a bid to cheer up the crew during a windless strait. When asked what the dish was called, Tore is said to have looked out of the window at the distant Danish coast and exclaimed, "it’s a classic Toast Skagen!" Try more sensational seafood recipes with our ultimate prawn collection. 

5. Foraged berries

Swedes love spending time in the wild and, thanks to allemänsrätten (the right to roam), they can wander freely through the country’s vast forests and planes and along coastlines. Extreme poverty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries turned Swedes into thrifty foragers, making the most of the abundant free produce when it was available. These days, picking berries, mushrooms and herbs is a rite of passage for every Swedish child and a favorite way to spend a family day out. Cutting-edge restaurants like Fäviken in Åre and Frantzén in Stockholm have now got in on the act, but it’s also easy to find foraged loot in shops, markets and even on stalls along country roads. Try delicate wild strawberries, earthy chanterelle mushrooms or bright purple bilberries.   

6. Herring

The Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Ocean are awash with shoals of herring, and Swedes are pros at cooking, pickling and smoking these small, flavorsome fish. There are two names for the fish in Swedish: sill, for the slightly larger fish, found off the west coast, and strömming, for Baltic herring. Strömming is often enjoyed breaded and fried, while sil is frequently pickled in a variety of marinades and sauces. Matjes (soused herring) is popular but sour cream, mustard, and even curry are also popular marinades. Or why not try an SOS? Smör, Ost och Sill (‘butter, cheese and herring’) is best served with crisp bread and washed down with a glass of aquavit, a traditional Scandinavian spirit.  

7. Godis (pick 'n' mix)

Go into any supermarket, corner shop or newsagent in Sweden and you’ll see a whole aisle devoted to picking 'n' mix. Sweets are a national obsession for young and old, and Saturdays are a dedicated day for indulging thanks to the tradition of lördagsgodis (‘Saturday sweets’), which is derived from a 1950s dental health campaign aimed at helping curb the nation’s sweet tooth. Favorites to try include bilar (pastel-colored cars), dumle (gooey chocolate-covered caramels) and saltlakrits (salty liquorice). 

8. Husmanskost

Husmanskost is a style of cooking, roughly translated as 'house owner’s fare', comprising the peasant-style cooking that was meant to sustain you through a long day of manual labour. These days, the food is made up of many of the dishes Sweden is most famous for, including meatballs, Jansson's temptation (a potato gratin with cream and sprats) and gravadlax. Every Swede will swear that their granny makes the best meatballs or Jansson's, but this comfort food can also be found as daily lunch specials at local restaurants. Two of the most famous places to try husmanskost include Kometen in Gothenburg and Den Gyldene Freden in Stockholm. 

9. Prinsesstårta

This bright green cake has become a lot more familiar in the UK after playing a starring role in The Great British Bake Off. Prinsesstårta is a domed, layered sponge cake covered in near-fluorescent marzipan and is usually the cake of choice at celebrations such as graduations, retirements and birthdays. You could also try a slice of the rich treat at most Swedish konditori (bakeries). The cake was first created in the 1920s by Jenny Åkerström, who taught three of the Swedish princesses to cook. The cake was apparently so loved by the young royals that it was named in their honor.  

10. Lingonberries

These tart berries look a little bit like red blueberries and, due to their high acid content, are great for using in preserves like jam or cordial. The Swedes love them in a rårörda or raw-blended jam, simply mixed with sugar before pouring into jars. The berries are most famously served as a condiment with meatballs but are also a traditional accompaniment to raggmunk (fried potato pancakes). You can also find lingonberries served with game, liver and blood pudding, but they really come into their own in desserts like cheesecake, ice cream, and mousse. Try our lingonberry & ginger cheesecake pots for a zesty Swedish dessert. 

Denmark tip shop

The Denmark Tip Shop and Re-Use Centre is committed to diverting the maximum quantity of materials from landfill as possible.

The Tip Shop achieves this by a variety of means.

• Collection and resale of usable items including furniture, bike parts, linen, fabric, clothes, building materials, kitchenware, outdoors goods and electrical household goods
• Degassing of fridges and air conditioners
• Non ferrous metal salvage
• Found object art workshops
• Innovative clothing restoration and sewing with scraps workshops
• Worm farms and composting
• Junk music, junk workshop re-imagining, junk art
• Repair and restoration of broken items
• Used battery drop-off
• Waste education
• Not Waste Festival and Waste throw-away separation management at festivals with the help of community Waste Faeries
• and those unexpected home maintenance items that you need at low cost or simply cant buy anymore!
• 
• Green Skills believes that reducing (and ultimately eliminating) waste provides a tremendous benefit in terms of energy saving and efficiency; the Denmark Tip Shop has gone from strength to strength. In 2014 a formal lease was signed with the Shire of Denmark Council and this now guides the operations of the Tip Shop.  Green Skills strives to develop this vibrant community hub in a way that strengthens its community services, financial viability, safety standards, policies and operating systems, and capacity to expand its sustainability and social function.
  GOAL:
  Green Skills strives to demonstrate best practice waste minimisation and sustainable living through excellence in re-use, recycling, community education and behavioural change.
  The Denmark Tip Shop is more than just a place to bring unwanted goods – it’s about a sustainable future.  Our goal is to give waste a new life through re-use and repair. With the help of our education centre we will guide the Denmark and South Coast community towards more informed, sustainable choices and behaviour.
  AIMS:
  Continue to develop and implement waste avoidance and minimisation solutions for drop-off waste
  • Continue to provide a best practice reuse facility/Tip Shop
  • Continue to expand recycling activities for drop-off waste that can be sold at the Tip Shop, thereby providing a local solution for local problems (e.g. Tagged/checked electrical items, sorted salvage materials)
  • Continue to expand recycling activities for drop-off waste that is forwarded externally/sold (e.g. non-ferrous scrap metal)
  • Implement a process of continuous improvement for all current operations
  • Investigate opportunities for Construction and Demolition recycling
  Continue to develop and implement waste avoidance and minimisation solutions for Green Waste
  • Continue to encourage community involvement including worm farms, home composting and source separation
  • Investigate opportunities and potential for Green Waste recycling (e.g. organics processing/composting, energy generation)
  Continue to develop and deliver education in sustainability and waste minimisation
  • Continue to run in-house workshops and linkages to community arts and school programs
  • Develop and maintain an onsite educational facility and resources
  • Continue to ensure that The Denmark Tip Shop and Recycling Education Centre delivers community and social benefits as components of its waste minimisation and sustainable living programs

8 Tips for Buying Furniture

Buying furniture for your log home should be fun and exciting, not a task you consider one step above a visit to the dentist. But for too many homeowners, that's exactly what happens as they face the prospect of buying sofas, chairs, tables and accent pieces.

I'm here to tell you what you want to hear: It doesn't have to be that way. With a little planning and forethought ? plus some research and soul-searching ? you can enjoy the furniture buying process as much as you enjoy snuggling up on that new sofa. Follow these 8 easy steps and your search for furniture will have a happy, stress-free ending.

What you can afford is the bottom line for any decorating project, and buying furniture is no exception. Budgeting becomes even more important during the furniture buying experience since large pieces--sofas, couches, chairs and tables--are often the most expensive part of any decorating project.

Obviously, setting a budget early in the process will help you focus on what you can afford. But once you learn how to judge quality (see #6 on page 59), it will also help you find the best values within your price range.

According to Gefen Productions, which monitors the action in High Point, North Carolina, home to the world's largest annual home furnishings market, the factors that affect cost include:

--Design: Original, reproduction or adaptation?
--Materials: Real wood, veneer or simulation?
--Manufacturing: Handcrafted or mass produced?
-- Detailing: Hand-carved or plastic-molded?
--Shipping & Storage: Pre-assembled or ready to be assembled at home?

After you have a budget, determine what you want to spend your money on. Odds are, your "wants" list will be pretty long. Pare it down by comparing it to a "needs" list. Replacing a broken chair is probably a need; buying that beautiful dining room set you saw in the sales flyer is probably a want.

The key to prioritizing is realizing you don't have to have it all at once. Think long and hard while making your list of priorities. Can you live with your old kitchen furniture while you give your great room a facelift? Would you rather turn your bedroom into an oasis before concentrating on public areas like the kitchen and dining room? Or are the rec room and other highly-used spaces more important?

Whatever you decide, just remember that furniture with classic lines and simple fabrics will never go out of style, and that means you'll be able to piece together your new room over the course of many months or even several years.


How you use your furniture is one of the most important considerations. If you have children or pets, you need sturdy construction and easy-to-clean fabrics. If you're furnishing a room used sparingly, such as a library or den, you can focus more on aesthetics.

Your lifestyle will also affect the colors you choose. The guidelines are pretty common sense: White is a no-no for kids and pets; mid- to dark-toned prints will hide a multitude of sins. Remember, however, that even the most durable furniture will wear out if it's abused.

You can only have so much furniture in a room before it starts to feel cramped and awkward. On the other hand, you want to be sure you have sufficient seating and table surfaces.

To ensure your new furniture fits your space, needs and personality, take the time to carefully plan (if you're still in that stage) or measure (if you're already building or living in your log home) each room in your house. Then sketch your room to scale on graph paper. Include doorways, windows, heating and cooling vents and other permanent features your furniture will have to "live" with.

This exercise may sound archaic in the days of computers and scanners, but it can really be helpful. Even more helpful is measuring your existing furniture, sizing it on graph paper at the same scale as your room drawing, and placing it on the sketch. This will allow you to envision furniture placement and see how all your space is being used.
With the current trend toward big, overstuffed furniture, this sketching exercise will also help you choose pieces that fit the scale of your room. The soaring ceilings, open lofts and spacious floor plans found in many log homes require special attention in this area.

Before you can buy anything, you have to figure out what you like. Just keep one thing in mind: A room full of carefully-combined furniture styles is much more interesting than a room full of matching, same-scale pieces. Don't be afraid to mix n' match styles to achieve the look you want. The five major furniture styles include:

Traditional. Features antiques and reproductions of antique styles, damask upholstery, cherry and mahogany.

Contemporary. Features bold colors, sharp lines, metal and/or glass accents.

Casual. Features earthy colors, overstuffed sofas/couches, wood accents in oak, pine, maple.

Country. Features soft cushions, floral prints, painted wood.
Eclectic. Features a mix of styles and periods.

The hard thing about choosing a style is that what we like is often out of our price range or isn't practical. When that's the case, you have to make a personal choice ? Which is more important: style or practicality--and then live with your decision.

If money is the issue, you have to be a little more patient about how quickly you can buy your new furniture. If durability is the issue, be realistic; you may love that white silk sofa, but if you have young children or pets, it doesn't make sense to buy it.

Whether you spend $100 or $1,000 on a piece of furniture, you want to know it will last. To make sure you don't get a lemon, educate yourself on quality standards before you head to the stores. There are plenty of books, Web sites and organizations that offer advice on furniture construction.

Once you're in the store, don't be bashful; open those dresser drawers, pull the dining table apart, tip over the reclining chair. No one will do it for you, and you may be surprised at what you see.

If you're shopping online, check with the manufacturer to find out if they have a retailer in your area that carries the piece or line you're interested in.

No matter how you're shopping, here's what you need to consider:
Materials. Is it solid wood, veneer or a simulated product? Does hardware match the piece and is it rust-proof and concealed?
Construction. Is the frame solid, the support adequate? Does it feature solid joinery (mortise and tenon, double dowel or tongue and groove) and dovetailed corners? Are screws tight, springs concealed and covered?

Finish: Should be even, rich and deep (unless it's purposefully aged or weathered, in which case it will exhibit the intended inconsistencies). Watch for bubbling, brush strokes and
splinters.

Cushions: Are the corners and curves well-defined? Are details (welt, buttons, etc.) attached securely? Check the plumpness; sagging probably indicates insufficient stuffing.
When buying wood furniture, you have to make some special considerations. Check the following:

--Doors and drawers are carefully aligned and fit tight
--Drawers have glides and stops, plus dust panels (dust-proofing) between them
--Joinery at the drawer corners is secure
--Drawer interiors are smooth to prevent clothing snags
--The use of center supports for long shelves
--Doors do not squeak or rub
?--Hinges and other hardware are sturdy and sufficient for the size and weight of the door or drawer
--Table leaves match the finish and grain of the table and fit properly

 
Don't be afraid to try out the furniture samples you see on the showroom floor. Nothing is worse than investing a lot of money in a piece of furniture, only to discover it's hard as a rock, sags like a wet blanket or sits too high or low.

In the end, your opinion is what matters most. Don't let a salesperson or even a friend talk you into buying something you don't like.

Choosing Fabrics We are all driven by aesthetics. We don't just want a comfortable chair; we want it to be attractive as well. Still, there's no denying the durability factor. When choosing fabric for upholstered furniture, remember that you will get the best wear from tightly-woven fabrics. A common misconception is that the thickness of the yarn used determines durability; in truth, the number of threads per square inch will have a greater affect on the longevity of your upholstered furniture. The most common types of natural-fiber upholstery fabrics include: Cotton. Takes color well, is soft and pliable, blends with other fibers, is durable. May disintegrate in continuous exposure to sunlight. May mildew in damp climates. Flax/Linen. Strong, cool, crisp. One of the most durable fibers, though it has a tendency to resist color. Reflects heat better than cotton, but is still subject to disintegration in intense sunlight. Wool. Springy, resilient and extremely durable. Takes color softly. Offers good resistance to wear. Must be moth-proofed before using. Silk. Beautiful but fragile. Soft and lustrous, but strong light tends to discolor and disintegrate the fabric. Difficult to clean. Tends to mildew in damp climates. Rayon/Acetate. Made of processed cellulose. Can be woven to emulate silk or linen. Blends well with more expensive fibers. Reasonably colorfast and resistant to wear, but tends to rot under long exposure to sunlight. The most common types of synthetic-fiber upholstery fabrics include: Polyester. Takes colors well. Strong and durable; stands up under direct sunlight. Flame and wear resistant. Often blended with natural fibers. Olefin. Strong, with natural stain resistance. Bulky, coarse, does not hold up well in direct sunlight. Often used to create heavily-textured casual fabrics. Nylon. The strongest and most dirt resistant fiber. Often used in commercial applications. Typically high- luster; now available with a wool look and feel. Sensitive to sunlight.