Remodel on a Shoestring Budget

Image by Nemo's great uncle via Flickr

     Do you need to make repairs on your home that you simply cannot afford?  I remember as a single mother so many things that I left in disrepair due to the fact that I simply could not afford to fix them.  There are two great places you can turn to right now to get you on your way to inexpensively remodeling, repairing, and redecorating your abode.  The first place I would venture to is http://www.craigslist.com/.  If you have not been to this site you have truly missed out.  Not only can you get items that you want and need deeply discounted, you can also find amazing things for free.  Just last week I was showing a young man this site, and low and behold someone was giving away a entire double-wide for free.  The kitchen had fire damage, but other than that this was a pretty decent looking home.  The recipient had to remove it from the site within seven days.  This was well worth it for someone who needed a home.  That is not the first time that I have seen a home on there for free.  You will find junk on there too, but alot of people want to keep things out of the landfill and will post items for that purpose.  I have found another place in the last 2 weeks that I have fell in love with, the Habitat Restore.  Habitat ReStores accepts donated building materials, appliances, and furniture and resales them for a fraction of the cost.  Some Metro ReStores offer coupons and some have pickup services for donated goods.  You can go to www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx to find a location near you.  There are approximately 600 stores located throughout the US and Canada.  Go check one out today and check back often to find what you are looking for.  All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.

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If You Need Help Now Dial 211

     Yes if you have a crisis and need help fast, then pick up the phone and dial 211.  211 is a national collaborative of the United Way World and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. 211 is a number that you can call that connects you with your local chapter.  They can provide critical information about services that are available to you in your community. Your chapter can provide you with information about services that are available to assist you with housing. food, clothing, employment, counseling, health-care,senior and childcare services.  They can also assist you with services that are available form teen pregnancy to alcohol and drug intervention and rehabilitation and much, much more.  They have an exhaustive list of referral information for all most any critical health or human service issue you might encounter.  As of November 2009 211 serves over 241 million Americans in 47 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.  The remaining states are in various stages of planning for implementation of the 211 system with new services been update weekly.  Furthermore,as of September 2008 the 211 system has expanded its services to Canada.  You can find out more about this expansion at http://www.211canada.ca/ .
As for the expansion in the remaining states in American, you can join in their efforts by contacting your representative in congress  and urge them in co-sponsoring the Calling for 211 Act by signing the United Way petition (S.211/H.R.211).  If you have had or know of someone that has utilized the 211 calling system, could you shared with our readers if you or their needs where met?

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