TG'S LAWS OF THRIFT

If you really love it, buy it: I'm feeling a lot of love for this black column lamp but can't figure out where I can use it at home. Hard as it is to do, I'll pass. ... Later: ZAP! That lamp would have been perfect as a man-tastic accent on our family room end table. Remember: If something is right-priced and you love it, you could always re-purpose it as a gift. Focus on shape and form: This white table lamp would look great in my living room — minus that tacky oversize base and plus a great shade. Uh oh! There's a little crack on one side! It's hardly visible, though, and I'm planning to place it against a wall. KACHING! The crack means I get the lamp for next to nothing.

Start a collection (or fill one out): I love little creamer/sugar sets. Hmm ... this one is a little pricey for my taste ($20), but it's hard to find sets with the lids still attached. Little finds that strike your fancy are easy to thrift and a quick and low-cash way to build a collection.

Thou shalt bargain: Hmm ... time to size up the folks behind the register. Will I get my thrifty finds for EVEN LESS THAN THE MARKED PRICE? (The answer is usually yes if you're friendly and polite.)

Speech bubbles here: "Can you give me a price for all three?" Clerk speech bubble: "$10."

KAZOW! The stool alone was marked at $8. Never forget to ask (politely) for a deal — sometimes all it takes is standing around and chatting about something you'd like to buy.

Count the cost: These bookends would give my bookshelves an instant injection of woodsy glam. But ... $30 for one item? This tests TG's cheapskate credo. I can't chat my way into a bargain here, but my junk love is off the charts. Rule of thumb: Imagine paying retail — stylish new bookends I've been lusting for in catalogs go for $100 a set. Suddenly, $30 doesn't seem too much to pay. SHAZAM! They even wrap them up for me!

Gift-wrapped thrift? It's just too fantastic, even for Thrift Girl.