avvy shopping means getting the most for your money. Sometimes that means searching for sales. Other times, it means paying full price for something that’s exactly what you need. And sometimes, it means getting creative and trading treasures with friends or giving castoffs new life. There are deals and steals to be had, if you know where to look. Start with 70% store-bought (or found), add 30% of your own tasteful touches and end up with something that’s 100% sensational, 100% special and 100% Semi-Homemade®. Best of all, you get to take all the credit.

Discount Stores. Paying full price has become almost passé. Keep an eye out for designer knockoffs, irregulars and scratch ‘n dent sales. A lot of times, you can’t even tell the difference, and a few Semi-Homemade® tricks makes slightly damaged items look as good as new. Steel wool buffs out scratches in metal, a stain marker touches up wood, a dab of fabric glue mends rips, crystals can be replaced and a coat of paint can fix almost anything.

The Internet. This is my new best secret. E-stores save you time, money and gas, they have larger selections and they ship right to your door. Start with a search portal, like Shopzilla.com, PriceGrabber.com or NexTag.com, that shops the entire Web to find the best price. To compare prices in your area, check ShopLocal.com. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind item, try an online auction.

Secondhand Stores. Flea markets are fun and antique malls are timesavers, but I have the best luck at thrift stores. I found one of my best “scores” ever at a Salvation Army store – an odd lot of glass candlesticks for fifty cents apiece. I scooped up every one, unified them with creamy white candles and set them on my coffee table to make a dazzling display.

Fabric Stores. You’ll find buys galore on the remnant table. Look for end-of-the-bolt sales, discontinued patterns and seconds. You can cut around the flaws to make pillows, basket liners and valances, and if you’re going to use it as a toss-it-on-unhemmed tablecovering – one of my signature tricks – who cares if the pattern is discontinued. You’ll just have something special that no one else will.

Craft Stores. Today’s crafts stores are really department stores, filled with hundreds of unique items. For ceramics and serving pieces – like dishes, bowls and vases – this is where I head. I also stock up on silk flowers, greenery, glassware, frames and outdoor accessories.

Stuff Swap. Forget Grandma’s attic – you’d be amazed at what your friends have in theirs. Every Christmas, my friend Hilary has a White Elephant party. All the guests bring a household item they don’t want, to trade for one they do. Make a list, tell your friends and swap till you drop.

Specialty Shops. As much as I love a bargain, sometimes it’s more economical to pay full price. If you’re trying to match an exact color or you’re looking for something that’s hard to find and you see it, buy it! Splurge on things you can multitask – beautiful bowls, serving trays and tables – and things you can build a room around, like chandeliers and art.

Sidewalks. Sometimes you buy them; sometimes, they’re up for grabs. I once passed a sunworn Adirondack chair sitting on the sidewalk. I pulled over, picked it up and spray-painted it a warm terra cotta. I added cushy pillows and a wooly throw and enjoyed it for years on my back patio.

Wherever you shop, shop smart. Discount, fabric, craft and specialty stores often have frequent buyer programs that reward repeat purchases. Join retailer mailing lists for special discounts, sales and promotions and check online coupon sites, like CouponCabin.com or AlexsCoupons.com, before you shop. Use Google’s Froogle to find deals, then make every dollar go even further with a cash-back credit card. And always judge a prospect by its potential, as well as its price tag.

Few things in life are perfect. If you can put it to use, the bones are good and it’s a good buy, go for it. Repair it, repaint it, recover it or repurpose it to fit your needs. That makes it truly yours – and truly special.