Tip of the Day: A shopping strategy for tough times

Not to long ago you might have wondered how to spend your federal economic-stimulus payments. And recently you might have seen your retirement, college fund, or other investment money seemingly shrink before your eyes.

But there are some ways you can stretch the money you'll spend on your home this holiday season and afterward. Here's how:

Make the most of ConsumerReports.org. If you subscribe to ConsumerReports.org, you can access our ratings and reviews of hundreds of products and our survey-based brand repair history. The ratings include a shop-online feature, powered by PriceGrabber, that lets you compare prices for a selected product in an ad-free, unbiased way. We also offer plenty of free buying advice for appliances and home and garden products.

Time your purchases. You might have missed clearance sales for some seasonal products, such as lawn gear, but many other items tend to drop in price late in the year, including gas grills. Soon after the holidays, bedding, cookware, linens, and other products tend to go on sale.

Don't pass on rebates and other incentives. You likely wouldn't turn your back on a no-strings-attached gift of cash. So don't ignore the rebates and other incentives granted to encourage investment in energy-efficient products and home improvements, rewards you can research in only a few minutes online. We recently detailed the rebates and tax incentives available through the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. Also check the Web site of your state government and electrical utility. It's not uncommon for them to offer rebates or incentives for replacing an air conditioner, dishwasher, or other appliance with a new model that qualifies for Energy Star, and many communities sponsor events for swapping a gas lawn mower for an electric model.

Also visit the Web site of the manufacturer of a product you're considering or of the store where you'll shop. As early as possible before you'll actually shop, sign up on the site to get e-mails with coupons and similar promotional offers. Such pitches include rebates, free shipping, and notification of VIP or friends-and-family sales. Combine the offers from manufacturers and retailers whenever you can.

When considering a product with a rebate, before you buy, read and understand requirements, including deadlines. After you carefully fill out and submit the rebate form online or through the mail, make an electronic or hard copy of those materials and keep them in a safe place. This backup will come in handy if the company rejects your claim or loses your submission. Also record the date you expect the rebate so that you know to look for it in the mail—some rebate checks look like junk mail. Should have trouble redeeming a rebate, file a complaint with your state attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission.

Do your own repairs—when you can. Before resigning yourself to buying a new appliance or other home product, if you're handy you can get some problem appliances back in working order without too much fuss. Refer to your owner's manual for some relatively easy chores. But for more complicated tasks, say cleaning your dryer ductwork, you might not find the procedure in the back of the manual.

Manufacturer Web sites and places like RepairClinic.com, Easy Appliance Parts, and AP Wagner offer brand-specific troubleshooting guidance with DIY advice. RepairClinic.com and AP Wagner also sell repair manuals geared to a specific brand and product class, and RepairClinic features a list of error codes displayed on appliances with electronic control panels.—Ed Perratore

Essential Information: Read Tightwad Tod on our Money blog for the latest information on holiday shopping and tips for getting the best deals. And visit our Home Improvement Guide interactive for advice on appliances, tools, and building materials.