I bought a mini 2 cycle mantis for my wife for our downsized garden about a year ago (2011). Big mistake. She won't use it. It is less than one year old, and even I have trouble starting it. You shouldn't have to drain the gas after every use, clean the carburetor constantly, replace the spark plug after a few months of light use because it is fowled. Never had these problems with other 2-cycle engines. Took it to a small engine shop who gave it a tune up ((after one year of minimal use?!?!?)) and it still is hard to start. Dies when you get to the end of the row. Bucks and twists if soil is compacted, and look out if you hit a root or rock! The lack of depth control results in it sitting in one place and spinning, lift it up and it bounces ahead. I have, and have used over the years, many 2 cycle pieces of equipment even though I prefer 4 cycle engines. I regret I ever bought this and won't buy another Mantis. My old tiller was bigger and heavier, but 1000 times better....even in a small garden.

I recommend checking the Laundry Forum. Here is a link that might be useful: Laundry Forum

First off, I'm sorry that you and your family got hit by Sandy. Yes, others perhaps had it worse, but that doesn't negate the loss you are dealing with. I wish you good luck and courage as you pick up the pieces and move forward. Perhaps an idea would be to deal with one store, go to the manager and say: I have to replace all my major (and minor) appliances. I'm also representing several other families. This will add up to dozens of appliances. What kind of a package can you put together for us that is of decent quality at a great price? I don't know if you'll have better luck at a big box versus a regional chain but I'd use the power of volume buying to try to negotiate prices. I got to wondering what kind of help is available specifically for what you're looking for. So I googled and found a few interesting items. http://www.ctmirror.org/blogs/energy-efficiency-deals-available-sandy-victims (this is for CT, I think you inferred you're in NJ?) I would call your local Sears store too: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/appliance-deals-rebuilding-plans-ny-211741139.html This company is selling washer/dryers at cost to Sandy victims: www.drimmers.com Beyond that Sears has "scratch and dent" stores, and a lot of the other chains have great deals on slightly damaged, returned or obsolete model goods. Good luck to you, your family and friends.

For me, the goal is always a space that feels spacious and airy and light and calm. What I need to achieve that is: 1) a good floor plan 2) lots of natural light Flood a smart, easy layout with natural light, and I'm a happy camper. I am really frustrated by thoughtless architectural design where there is: random dead space things that don't line up when they totally should creative architectural flourishes that impede actual function bad flow (rooms/doors positioned badly relative to other rooms) no closets rooms that are too big or too small or too narrow or too whatever to allow for a comfortable furniture placement a lack of comfortable walkways in and around the furniture and the walls rooms with focal points (fireplace, TV, view, etc.) that the furniture cannot face anything that is the evident result of poor planning So I would pay a lot to move walls to where they really should be or to shorten/lengthen them or move doors or windows as needed to achieve an efficient, neat layout with ample space where it should be, every inch used well, and not one inch more anywhere else. To me, a good floor plan like that makes the home feel neat and tidy, and that makes me feel more organized and calm when I'm at home. Like the visual hum of a well-oiled machine, I suppose. It's just so satisfying and contributes so much to the atmosphere of a home and my mood in it. This is part of having a good floor plan, but in addition to good wall/door/window placement, I highly value leaving ample space for human activity. People seem to forget or de-prioritize the empty space that humans will be occupying or using for activities. But I notice and appreciate when walkways are especially wide, when counters and other work tops (tables, desks) are especially wide and empty, when there is 30-36" allotted per seated person at a table/counter vs. the minimum 24", when the sink is spacious, etc. Being able to move easily through the space or use the space and never feel cramped or bang into anything makes all my time at home feel more relaxed and pleasant. I am clumsy, so having extra room to move around literally means fewer injuries. And big stretches of counter and big tables/desks are just so inviting. They call out to me, like, "Come do something! Look how clean and spacious I am. You'd have so much room to spread out!" This all doesn't require having a giant house -- it's more about not stuffing too much into your house (rooms or belongings) and using the space you have well. I also find natural light to be beautiful and cheery and calming, so I'll pay extra for bigger windows, more windows, glass doors, skylights, moving things so light can penetrate better, and/or reflective surfaces that take better advantage of light. When we were house-hunting, there were a few places that I walked in the front door and turned around and walked right back out. They were like caves! Unless my only other option was homelessness, there is nothing that would induce me to live in a dark home. Maybe if the place came with a free personal masseuse and chef and several million dollars under the floor boards. Also, this is not quite a top priority as a good floor plan and natural light are to me, but I am also willing to invest in preserving or adding architectural interest/personality so everything is not all boring squares and rectangles and basic moldings. High ceilings, interestingly-shaped windows, interestingly-shaped doorways, non-90-degree angles, curves, cool molding, etc. -- all the stuff that real estate agents call "character." (As long as the character doesn't impede function.) In a kitchen, this overall philosophy of what I want from my home means that I prioritize (and will spend a lot of time and/or money to get): 1) good layout, which may mean moving walls, doors, windows, cabinets, or sometimes whole rooms within the house 2) good natural light, which may mean adding or enlarging windows or skylights or pass bars/doorways or glass doors that let in more light or reflective surfaces that bounce light large, uninterrupted stretches of counter (ample space to work) a big, undivided sink (ample space to work) 5) wide walkways (ample space to move) 6) nothing on the counter (to leave ample space to work and also for easy cleaning) 7) having either a window or empty space in front of your face when you are using the prep counter(s) or the sink (as opposed to having cabinets or a wall directly in your face while you work -- that is so dark and crowded) 8) recessing the fridge or getting a counter depth one (or both) so it doesn't crowd the space And for function: proper electrical 10) proper plumbing 11) proper range hood venting 12) finishes/appliances/faucet/cabinets that are durable, functional, and easy-to-clean 13) lighting that is placed well and bright enough I do try to get good deals on everything and am creative about how to achieve the above for the least money, but I am definitely willing to spend on these things when necessary. I de-prioritize: a) the aesthetics of finishes and appliances. (I'm not going to buy anything so ugly or cheap and junky that would detract from the space, but you really don't have to spend a lot to get things in colors that go together well and are pleasant and inoffensive.) b) having tons of cabinets. Lots of base cabinets is fine because it means more counter and drawers are the best storage, but giant bulky pantry cabinets, a million upper cabinets, etc. just crowds the space and runs up the bill. Also I think the look of a million matching cabinets is pretty boring. I'd rather more windows or art on my walls. c) hutches that sit on the counter (and their associated storage/aesthetic) because they take away counter space and also cost a bundle d) having a kitchen island in many cases because it crowds the space, constrains natural walking patterns, and narrows walkways. e) expensive finishes f) expensive appliances g) expensive light fixtures h) wall ovens (these crowd the space and eat counter space -- unless your kitchen is enormous or you currently have a physical impediment, not worth it) i) separate cooktop and oven -- a range is half the price, does all the same stuff, is easier to switch out, and often means avoiding seams in the counter altogether This turned out really long, but it was an interesting exercise to parse my priorities! Having done this, I think I will be more aware and mindful of what really matters and what really doesn't.