I'm renting a flat and it's cold, and it's going to get colder (I'm on a 1 year contract in the alps). Is there anything noninvasive (preferably cheap, but I'm ok to spend if it's really going to work) that I can do to warm the place up? What sort of portable space heaters give the best performance for electricity/gas? Are there any decent renter-based guides to improving insulation? [more inside]
posted by handee on Oct 14, 2009 - 26 answers

Where can I find a relatively inexpensive venue to have a party (with alcohol) in Brooklyn, NY? [more inside]
posted by CharlesV42 on Oct 5, 2009 - 6 answers

How many ties should I own? [more inside]
posted by zardoz on May 20, 2009 - 26 answers

Is there such a thing as a decent rice cooker for $50-75? Where should I get it? Do cookers with "brown rice" settings work any better for brown rice? Anything else I should know? [more inside]
posted by piedmont on Oct 14, 2008 - 16 answers

How can I have a nice house when I have such a hard time paying money for furniture? [more inside]
posted by libraryhead on Jul 30, 2008 - 22 answers

So I am starting to notice that the computer I built on the cheap back in 2003 is no longer cutting the mustard in the fun department and I want to build a new one. Problem is that from looking at Tom's hardware and my own past experiences I am completely over my head when it comes to whats good and what will work well together. (Bonus question of no consequence included) [more inside]
posted by BobbyDigital on Jun 10, 2008 - 15 answers

I need a costume idea, theme "Myths & Legends". Help me, please! [more inside]
posted by arha on Sep 19, 2007 - 27 answers

I'm on a (self-imposed) tight budget, but I don't want to compromise my quality of life. So I'm looking for the best strategies to get great deals on everything from computers to clothing to books. What are your recommendations? [more inside]
posted by scottreynen on Sep 7, 2007 - 43 answers

Hotel/Hostel/Motel needed THIS WEEKEND, money sort of an issue, Berkeley or San Francisco. [more inside]
posted by Slarty Bartfast on Jul 16, 2007 - 8 answers

I"ve been using the basement under my apartment as shared storage space with other tenants since I moved in over 3 years ago. The property management now wants to charge me for this. Should I fight this or just start paying? [more inside]
posted by de void on Jul 2, 2007 - 6 answers

Help me help my dad. One of those cheapest-best-multimedia-experience questions. Details inside. (Oh, btw, kinda long.) [more inside]
posted by TomMelee on Jun 14, 2007 - 6 answers

Seeking safety data for old used cars. [more inside]
posted by phoenixy on May 28, 2007 - 6 answers

Shopping for a cheap used laptop: What are the minimum specs I should be looking for with respect to CPU, RAM, HD? I'm planning to use WinXP (maybe I'll settle for 2K), Open Office, and FireFox (including some AJAX-heavy web sites such as gmail, Google Docs, del.icio.us), with a wifi card. And not much else. I want to avoid "I'm always waiting for this stupid slow computer!" but not spend much more than the minimum needed to avoid that.
posted by Leonard of Vince on Dec 18, 2006 - 24 answers

Can we get into other amusement parks for free*? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by i8ny3x on Sep 24, 2006 - 9 answers

Please help me pick out a reasonably good, yet cheap digital camera for my teenager's school program. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher on Sep 22, 2006 - 9 answers

Cheapskatefilter: If I'm traveling out of town (1500 miles) to a wedding for people who live in town, do I have to get them a gift? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 18, 2006 - 47 answers

I know about MythTV and Freevo. My question to the hive mind is [more inside]
posted by evariste on Jun 19, 2006 - 30 answers

Current best offerings for pre-paid, no contract cell phones? Best per-minute price, best features, least daily/monthly fees, longest airtime credit lifetime? [more inside]
posted by loquacious on Jun 3, 2006 - 15 answers

Microwave oven: Is 800 watts enough? [more inside]
posted by sveskemus on Apr 11, 2006 - 21 answers