It never fails. Every time I take my 4-year-old daughter shoe shopping, she always makes a beeline for the sandals covered in pictures of Disney princesses or Dora the Explorer. I don't have anything against Cinderella and her crew but those shoes never look very durable to me. I guess it's too many tiaras on a leather strap for my taste. So I tapped the expertise of Jackie (she wanted her last name withheld), who owns Bradshaw's Children's Shoes, an Arlington establishment that's been around since 1834. She had a few tips for buying shoes for children:

Tip #1: Don't even think about buying your child a pair of shoes until they've taken some steps on their own. Yes, it's so tempting to buy that teeny tiny pair of Mary Janes for your infant but they'll only serve as decoration. They're not even necessary for babies who are attempting to walk. Wait until they've taken a few steps on their own.

Tip #2: The first pair of shoes should be flexible, stable and fit perfectly, Jackie says. And that first pair of shoes doesn't have to be the classic white baby shoe that eventually gets turned into a brass bookend in the family library. Just try to stay away from sneakers with thick soles. They won't be flexible enough for new walking feet. And the popular soft-soled shoes that look like leather socks lack the stability that new walkers need. "Good shoes have nice bottoms that help them balance," Jackie says.

Tip #3: Expect your child to go up a half-size every three months for the first two and a half years of their life. After that they'll be going up a half size every four to six months. That pace may not even slow down until they're about age 6.

Tip #4: Getting the right shoe for your child is based on both a professional shoe measurement that can be done at a shoe store and a lot of parental intuition. "Not every shoe goes well with every child," Jackie says. Have the child do a few laps around the store. You'll be able to gauge in a few minutes whether the shoe will work for your child's foot. The child's big toe should be an adult's thumb-width away from the front of the shoe.

Tip #5: Consider shelling out the money for a pair of nice kid's shoes if you know your child will be wearing them nearly everyday. They'll last longer and may even hold up enough for younger siblings. You can turn to cheaper sources for secondary shoes that they're not going to wear as much.

Tip #5: Even if you buy all of your child's shoes from Target, visit a shoe store every few months to get the child's foot measured. That way you at least know the correct size to buy.

Tip #7: If you find a pair or brand of shoes that has worked well for your child, stick with it and buy larger sizes as your child grows. But shop around, even on the Internet, to find the best deals.

Where do you buy your kid's shoes? Have you ever bought them online? What are some other tips for buying children's shoes? Post a comment below.

Also, I'm looking for some stories about renting unusual items. We all know you can rent movies and cars but some companies are offering handbags and jewelry for rent as well. Have you done this? If so, please e-mail me about your experience at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

Psst! Mother's Day is Sunday. Stop hyperventilating. The holiday sneaks up on all of us, even us mothers. While flowers seem like a safe bet, you might want to put a little more creativity into honoring the woman who raised you or your children. Here are a few ideas for us last-minute shoppers:

It's all about the experience. At least that's according to Excitations, a local company that sells experience packages such as hot air balloon rides, whitewater rafting trips and forest treks on a llama. The Website has tons of options from hot stone massages for $135 or working as a sous chef at a luxury resort for the day for $625. The site even has some packages for under $100, including a tennis lesson from a pro for $50 or a picnic lunch for two at a local vineyard for $100. Some of the most popular packages this Mother's Day season have included a sailboat ride around D.C. and then a Nationals baseball game for $90, a half-day spa rejuvenation for $245 and the glass art experience for $295. Whatever package is chosen, mom will receive a keepsake box in the mail with details of the experience and contact information for how to set up the adventure. Or, if you're not sure whether to choose from the Segway tour of D.C. or the schooner sailing adventure, you can buy a gift card in your choice of amounts.

One massage is great but why not three or six or better yet, 12? Get mom a membership to Massage Envy, a franchise of massage clinics that has opened up nearly 10 shops in the Washington region. A Massage Envy membership allows you a certain number of massages in a certain period of time. Any extra massages in your membership period cost a mere $49. The company has a Mother's Day package for $177, which includes a three-month membership of three massages. If mom decides that she needs a few extra massages in that three-month period, she can shell out $49 for any extras. You won't get the frills of a day spa but you can get in and out in an hour and feel a little less stressed.

And if you're really a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants offspring, then give Mom a fun day out on Sunday. The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage is having a free high-energy performance by Anja Bukovec, a Slovenian classical violinist. No tickets are required for the 6 p.m. performance on Sunday. And there's still time to book an early morning cruise and brunch or a dinner ride on the Odyssey, which takes you around the sights of D.C. I've done the Odyssey trip at least once, and aside from a little cheesiness -- like getting your picture taken as you walk in, the experience was a lot of fun.

And finally, if you're a mom reading this and you have little confidence that your crew will plan anything to celebrate your selfless work, you can swing by Let's Dish, a company that prepares full meals, for a free dish that serves four to six people. The company is handing out complete meals between now and May 11 to women who have given birth in 2008. Stop by one of the seven local shops participating in the promotion with some proof of your child's birth, like a birth announcement or a birth certificate. I've never had one of these meals but a friend told me they're pretty good. How can you beat not having to cook?

So how are you honoring the mothers in your life? Have any other last-minute ideas? Post a comment below.

On another note, where do you buy your meat and fish? If you dare not touch the steaks and salmon fillets at your local grocer, where do you go? Some people swear by the local butcher or the fish market. Are you one of them? I'd love to hear about your meat and fish buying experiences. Please e-mail me at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

The basement. Once a dark dungeon where you were convinced Freddy Krueger lived when you were a kid. Or was that just me? Today, the basement can be a family gathering place, a home office, an exercise room, you name it. So in my quest to offer tips for renovating your home, here are suggestions for re-doing the basement. I tapped the expertise of Bud Wilson, a former manager at Hechinger's (the old hardware store that no big box hardware store has managed to duplicate) who opened Installation Services LLC, his own general contracting firm in 2000. He's done dozens of basement renovations and had some tips for shopping for the right person to do the job and what you should be doing throughout the process:

Tip #1: Figure out what you want to do with the space. Basements usually have multiple rooms for storage, sleeping, playing, working, exercising and relaxing. So a single basement can be used for multiple purposes. Pick, at most, two functions for your basement. You do need to come upstairs eventually.

Tip #2: Get ideas from neighbors, especially those who have similar sizes and layouts as yours. Ask to see the basements that have been re-done to get an idea of the potential.

Tip #3: You can save about 15 percent of the cost of a basement renovation by being your own project manager rather than hiring a general contractor who does everything. That means hiring your own electrician, carpenter, dry wall expert and whoever else you would need for the job. The drawback is you'll have to educate yourself on all the county permits and inspections required for the work. You'll also need to make sure each of the workers' tasks stays in sequence.

Tip #4: If you decide to hire a general contractor for the job, get at least three estimates. Check with your state to make sure they're licensed to do the type of work you want to hire them for. In Virginia, you can check the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. In Maryland, check with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. And in the District, it's Consumer & Regulatory Affairs. Also ask if they have insurance. The company should have general liability insurance, as well as workers compensation insurance. Ask to see the documentation.

Tip #5: If you're considering at least one of the contractors you've received bids from but they're not the lowest price, ask if they can match the competitor's price. In a rough economy, such as ours these days, general contractors become more competitive for work and will try hard for your business by knocking off some dollars and throwing in a few extra amenities. Expect to pay an average of $25 to $28 per square foot, but prices are negotiable, so it doesn't hurt to ask. "It's a good time for homeowners to get this work done," Wilson says. "You can get the most value for your dollar right now."

Tip #6: Don't expect contractors to let you buy your own fixtures to save money. Many have a policy against installing fixtures they don't know. "If I'm not familiar with it and I install it and there's a problem, I'm responsible for the problems associated with it," Wilson says.

Tip #7: Make sure any changes made throughout the process are documented. The contractor should write up a form that shows the change and how much it will affect the final price and schedule.

Tip #8: One way to save money is to pull out your own paint brush or your wallpaper hanger and do it yourself rather than having the contractor do it.

Tip #9: Try to avoid contractors who want 50 percent of the money up front. A 15-20 percent down payment is reasonable to cover initial costs. "A contractor isn't doing 50 percent of the work upfront, so they shouldn't need that much of a down payment," Wilson explains.

Tip #10: Ask about the workers that they'll be bringing in. How long have they worked for the contractor and will they be using day laborers? You want the contractor to be using workers or subcontractors that they know well and trust. Wilson recommends staying away from contractors that use day laborers since the contractor will have little knowledge of the person's background.

What are your tips for re-doing the basement? Which rooms are you thinking about re-doing in your house? E-mail me at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com if you need tips for a home project.

And while we're talking about home stuff, have you replaced your old appliances with eco-friendly appliances? If so, where did you find the best deals? Have you saved any money on your utility bill? E-mail me at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com and tell me about your experience.

Usually the word "gallery" brings up images of a small, quiet storefront with lots of space, high-priced art on the wall and a not-so-friendly gallery staff. But Oerth, a gallery in Old Town Alexandria, is so different. Painted on the outside in wild colors of yellow, blue and pink, the gallery features very affordable original art, mostly by local artists, as well as cool, funky gifts, many of them handmade.

The gallery was opened last July 4 by sisters Lorraine and Linda Oerth. The idea was mostly the brainchild of Lorraine, who was a Torpedo Factory artist, focused on ceramics. But feeling trapped in that medium by the rules of the art center, Oerth thought she would be able to explore other types of art by opening her own gallery. She spent two years looking for the space at 420 S. Washington St.

"I really felt the clock ticking and I needed to spread my wings," says Lorraine. "I also wanted to create the type of store where I wanted to shop."

The inventory comes from artists from all over the country through shopping expeditions taken by the two sisters. Many of the items are under $100 and include everything from clocks and wind chimes to decorative plates and jewelry.

The bottom floor of the gallery, which stretches across three small rooms, had rock soap made by a geologist -- that truly looked like pieces of polished rocks -- for $10, wind chimes made from colored glass and drift wood found on the coastline of Washington State for $24, hand-blown glass goblets made by a West Virginia artist for $30 and handmade pottery from an artist in Westchester, Penn., for $35 on up. You can also find clocks ranging from $35 to $100, Adajio jewelry made by Colorado artists for $16 to $18, solar-powered indoor wind chimes for $53 and all-natural candles for $25.

"We pay a tremendous amount for freight but it's worth it because the items are unique," Lorraine says. "Staying away from 'Made in China' was a decision that we stick to."

The top floor of the gallery features more art, mostly from local talents like Sheep Jones and Marsha Staiger. Paintings, sculptures and collages range in price from $200 to $800 with the exception of a large Staiger canvas for $3,800. Lorraine, who teaches classes at the Art League, has brought in student artwork to put on display. She's also made a few creative discoveries like the work of Carlos Beltran Baldiviezo, a former Art League student who creates ceramic sculptures. He's now a resident artist at the league. Oerth also offers short "get in, get out" classes every Saturday at the gallery on painting, watercolor and collage.

Lorraine even has her own work on display in the form of decorative ceramics, as well as a floor mosaic covering one of the rooms of the gallery. Even if you're not in a buying mood, the floor in the back room of the gallery is worth a visit.

Have you been to Oerth Gallery? If so, what did you think? Do you know any other cool local stores? Where else can you get the work of local artists? Post a comment below.

Now looking to the future, has anyone ever rented something unusual? I've heard of people renting expensive handbags and jewelry. What else can you rent besides the latest DVD? Please let me know by writing to me at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

Yes, I know. It seems crazy to be talking about expensive jewelry in the middle of a potential recession. But I'm hoping for a nice Mother's Day gift here. So here are 10 tips for my husband... I mean you, the Shop To It readers, on how to shop for high-end jewelry, which I consider anything more than $1,000:

Tip #1: Feel good about the jewelry store you're giving your hard-earned money to. It should be a place where you feel comfortable asking the dumbest of questions and where you are treated with respect. You also want it to have a good reputation for variety and style. WeddingWire.com offers reviews of different wedding vendors, including jewelers. And don't look to the store's Web site to get a sense of the their selection. "Most jewelers aren't in the tech business so items on their Web site are old, and the new and exciting pieces are not up on their Web site because they don't have the resources to update it everyday," says Ronnie Mervis, owner of Mervis Diamond Importers in Tysons Corner, Chevy Chase, Rockville and Washington.

Tip #2: Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about the recipient of the jewelry, whether it be your fiancé or your mom. High-end jewelers are trained to ask probing questions to be able to fit the jewelry to the person. They'll ask about everything from the person's lifestyle to their occupation.

Tip #3: You'll also want to think about the recipient's body type and hand size. A piece of jewelry could look great in the bright lights of the store but then look like a piece of tinfoil on the person's neck or wrist. "Not every ring is right for every person," says Mervis.

Tip #4: Know the store's return and repair policies. You'll want to make sure you can return or exchange the piece if your honey doesn't like it. Also make sure the store can fix the piece of jewelry if something becomes unhinged.

Tip #5: Ask a couple of questions about the piece of jewelry, like who designed it and where it came from. A special piece needs to have a story behind it, especially if you're thinking of it as something to be passed down to other generations in your family.

Tip #6: Consider some alternative metals to expensive gold and platinum. Some jewelry designers are starting to work with stainless steel, which has a white metal look, according to Nicole Gorman, co-owner of I. Gorman Jewelers in Washington. A simple men's wedding band in stainless steel can go for about $200 while one in platinum can run you up to $4,000. Palladium is another alternative metal that designers are working with. It used to be more common in jewelry but then platinum took over in popularity, Gorman says. It looks very similar to platinum but is cheaper than gold. Also consider a brown diamond, which has less value but an impressive look, according to Gorman. "They're also doing some great rings with smaller diamonds but have that great look," says Gorman.

Tip #7: If you're on a budget but love can't wait, look into financing plans. Most retailers these days have them. And some, like Mervis, are offering zero interest deals to lure customers.

Tip #8: If you can rent a movie, you can rent a piece of high-end jewelry. Say you have a black-tie event to go to but you only have the funds for a nice dress. Some stores offer a rental program where you pay a fee to borrow expensive pieces for a few days. Mervis started one about a year ago where you can borrow a piece of jewelry worth at least $10,000 for five days.

Tip #9: Get an independent certificate from a major gem lab to verify that the stone you're buying is exactly what the store is promising. The three most prominent labs are the Gemological Institute of America, the American Gem Society and the European Gemological Laboratory.

Tip #10: If you're buying an engagement ring, make sure that 90 percent of what you're spending is on the diamond and 10 percent is on the ring. And quality is more important than price. You want a diamond that has the right cut and proportion to allow for the most light to reflect from it, Mervis says. "We're all about the return of light," he adds.

So what are your tips for buying high-end jewelry? Who has the best deals? Post a comment below. And if you'd like some Tuesday Tips on one of your shopping dilemmas, please send me an e-mail at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

Ever tried going to the mall with two kids under 5? I don't recommend it. The process often involves a little bribing and a lot of negotiation and leaves you feeling like you ran a marathon by the time you get home.

But malls have gotten pretty smart over the last few years. Who primarily goes to a mall? Women. And many of us women have kids. So in order to keep those shopping mamas at the mall spending money, you gotta make it fun for the kids. That's where the bribing comes in: "We're going to the mall to buy some new shoes and while we're there we'll catch a puppet show." Fight avoided.

Several local shopping malls and the stores inside them have caught on, offering a bunch of kid-friendly activities like live musical performances, indoor playgrounds and play areas, trains and story times.

Here are some of the best kid-friendly malls in the area:

Tysons Corner Center, McLean: Like many malls these days, Tysons Corner put in a kids play area (Third Floor), complete with things to climb, bounce on and hang from. The mall will be adding a track-less train on May 2 where kids can take a 5-minute ride around the food court for $2. Tysons is also starting a birthday club where kids can have their birthday parties in the food court and incorporate the play area and train rides in their party entertainment. Fun is not only found in the open areas of the mall but in the stores as well. My daughter and I have always been fans of Pottery Barn Kids (First Level). The store has many of its high-priced toys on the floor, ready for small (and adult) hands to play with. Shop To It reader Chris from McLean also told me about the LEGO store (First Level), which has stations set up for kids to build and create. "Also a great 'sharing with complete strangers' test," he wrote. Chris' 2-year-old also fancies the Apple store (Level 2), which has computers set up on low tables for munchkins, and L.L. Bean (Level 1), which has a large aquarium with real fish -- think catfish, bass and trout -- inside. The display is at the perfect height for kids to peer in and watch the fish. The mall also features the musical talents of Mr. Knick Knack several times per month. (Check out the mall's event page for Mr. Knick Knack's schedule.)

Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax: If you go to Fair Oaks once in your life, make it in January when the mall holds its annual Diaper Derby. Diaper-clad babies race across a mat for the chance to win a major prize like this year's trip for four to Cancun. This year the event drew 170 racing cherubs. The mall is also known for its annual Halloween celebration, which draws about 8,000 kids and their parents. This year will mark the 21st annual Malloween where children come dressed in their costumes, seeking treats from stores. The mall also featured a weeklong schedule of music and magic shows and reading events during Fairfax County's spring break this year. Any other day of the week kids can blow off steam in the mall's new play area (First Floor), which is decorated with Looney Tunes characters and sponsored by Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

White Flint Mall, North Bethesda: Like many shopping malls, White Flint started a kid's club where parents sign up for e-mail updates on kid events like the monthly music shows by Mr. Knick Knack (the same guy who performs at Tysons). So far 1,100 families have signed up. Along with the club, the mall brought in a ride-on train for kids that's currently out of commission for repairs. White Flint also hosts Stroller Strides and Baby Boot Camp, two exercise programs for moms and their tots. Pottery Barn Kids, on the mall's second floor, and Borders, on the second and third floors, both have story time every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

So what did we miss? Where do you take your kids when you venture out to the mall? Which shopping venues offer the best distractions for kids? Post a comment below.

I had an unwelcome visitor to my home the other day. And he brought 20 of his closest friends. Yes, I'm talking bugs. It's that time of year when they and their rodent friends start coming out of hibernation, looking for food and warmth on cool spring days. And you are the unsuspecting party host. It gives me the shivers just thinking about it. So I talked to a couple of professionals to get some tips on how to hire a pest control company:

Tip #1: Ever wake up with a mysterious bug bite and you can't figure out how you got it? Or have you ever wondered what walks across your kitchen floor when the lights go out? Use double-sided tape or glue boards around windows, doors, headboards and kitchen countertops to see what sticks. Then you can decide if you have a problem that needs a professional. These strategies will also help a pest control company figure out what kind of bug is coming into your home.

Tip #2: Knowing when to hire a pest control company is all about tolerance. Can you stand the occasional fly making its way through your house? Or is it too much to imagine that it's landing on food preparation areas and toothbrushes? The professionals say to call them if you can't stand a single bug in the house. If you don't mind the random march of ants through your living room, then don't bother. But if you have termites or bed bugs, better call a professional.

Tip #3: What if you find a mysterious bug in your house and you don't have an entomologist in your circle of friends? Put that bad boy in a small jar of alcohol and take it to your local cooperative extension office. This is a university-based service that offers research-based programs, including experts that can answer questions like "what kind of bug is this?" (Virginia, Maryland and the District have cooperative extension services.)

Tip #4: Professional pest control can be a considerable investment so it pays to ask the right questions when hiring a company. Ask to see their license, how their technicians are trained and screened and how long they've been in the community. "You really want honesty and trust, like choosing a physician or dentist," said Ron Harrison, director of training at Orkin and head of the Orkin Training Center in Atlanta. "These people are coming in your home, looking in your drawers, checking under your bed, looking to find pests."

Tip #5: Ask about their overall approach to ridding your home of pests. You want them to be using integrated pest management or IPM. This is a relatively new approach to dealing with bugs and pests that minimizes the use of pesticides and uses a more analytical approach to figuring out why a home has pests. For example, a technician using IPM may seal up cracks and holes in the house rather than immediately turning to chemicals.

Tip #6: Many pest control companies offer a one-time fix or a quarterly service where they'll come out every three months to treat general pest problems. How do you know which service you need? Again, it's all about tolerance. You could just have them take care of pests as they come or you have them come every three months so the pests never or rarely make an appearance. Just make sure that a quarterly service will take care of pest problems free of charge if you have an unwelcome visitor between scheduled visits. "Some people can put up with a few [pests], others say no," Harrison says. "That's how you can make your decision."

Tip #7: Termites can be a very serious issue to homeowners. These bugs are often hard to see but they'll munch through wood aggressively, enough to cause structural damage to your home. Scary, huh? Don't panic, says Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. You have time to get a few estimates before your house comes crashing down. "Don't let somebody scare you into having to do this today," she says. "If you wait two or three weeks, it's not going to matter."

Tip #8: Most pest control companies offer two types of contracts, according to Mannes. In one type of contract, the company will re-treat a problem for no extra charge if they've already treated it once and the pest has returned. In another kind of contract, the company will not only re-treat a pest problem they've already treated but they'll also take care of any structural damage in the home because of that returning critter.

Tip #9: Get at least three estimates when choosing a company to tackle your pest problem. And don't automatically jump at the lowest price, especially if it's dramatically lower than the other estimates. "Go by value and not price because you get what you pay for," Mannes says.

So, have you ever had a pest problem? How have you handled it? What lessons have you learned when shopping for a pest control company? Post a comment below.

Also, what are your shopping conundrums? If you have any ideas for what you'd like to see in Tuesday Tips please send me an e-mail at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

I'm always in search of the ultimate grocery shopping experience. I find myself food shopping so many times a week, so why not make it pleasant? Which is why the television ads for Bloom, a food store owned by Food Lion that promises to be a "different kind of grocery store," caught my attention.

The ads show happy employees talking about all the store's features that will rid customers of their daily problems. In one ad, a woman depressed about the fact that she used to babysit her new boss is instantly comforted when she finds out that seafood is delivered to the store six days a week.

Food Lion used American and European studies to design the look and feel of Bloom, resulting in a store that intends to attract people who like gourmet and exotic foods, Bloom spokeswoman Karen Peterson told me. Food Lion, on the other hand, is designed to attract a more traditional grocery shopper. A typical Food Lion has about 28,000 products and Bloom has about 35,000.

"The market is changing significantly," said Peterson. "We have done a lot of segmentation work to identify who are our customers. Some people find the Bloom experience is more to what they're looking for."

Food Lion saw an eager shopper in the Washington area. Of the 61 Bloom stores, at least 40 of them are based in Maryland and Virginia, from Frederick to Fredericksburg.

The first thing I noticed about Bloom's Fairfax store was the short shelves. Peterson says they intentionally made all the shelves with the average shopper in mind, who is 5 foot 4 inches tall. I must admit, it's nice not to have to scale up rows of cereal or soup to reach that much-needed item.

The prices weren't bad either. In the prepared foods section, the store had packaged a roast beef and cheddar wrap with two chocolate chip cookies and a side of cole slaw for $5. There were store-made items like Italian-style wedding soup and "ragin' Cajun" gumbo that ranged from $3.49 to $5.99. You could also get a 12-ounce serving of baked ziti or chicken alfredo for $3.99, or mac and cheese for $2.99.

The rest of the store had some pretty good deals as well, such as Angus sirloin filets for $7.99 a pound or Angus top sirloin steak for $6.99 a pound. My daughter's favorite juice was a whole dollar less than what I pay at Giant and a fruit snack I get her was 40 cents cheaper.

It's not as though the store offers a dramatically different shopping experience from say a Giant or Safeway. But there are some subtle touches -- like the soothing sound of running water heard in the produce section -- that make it slightly unusual. I digged the kiosks dispersed through the store that will do price checks, help you track down an item or print out 2,000 different recipes with directions for finding the ingredients in the store. You can also send your grocery list through Bloom's Web site to a store kiosk, where it can be printed out when you or your errand boy arrive. I liked the fact that the prepared foods are located next to desserts and wine, making it possible to stick to one corner of the store when picking up tonight's dinner.

Have you ever shopped at Bloom? What has been your experience been? Did the store fulfill its promise of offering a different shopping experience? Did it have better deals than other grocery stores?

And while we're talking shopping experiences... I'm still looking for insight on the best kid-friendly shopping malls in the area. Several readers told me about all the fun things for kids to do at Tysons Corner. Where else can you go if you must do mall shopping with kids in tow? Send me an e-mail at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

They're telling us to spend, spend, spend. The government -- and of course retailers -- want us to blow any tax refund and economic stimulus checks we get. Hey, you don't have to tell me twice. My favorite verb is "spend."

But as much as I would love to run to the mall and go wild with the extra cash, my wise husband is making us save the money. Booorrrring! What I'd really like to do is follow the advice of Fortune magazine's Stanley Bing, who in March told his blog readers to "go down to your local retail store and pump some cash back into our mutual economic system." He tells us to buy our mulch at the local mom and pop even though it may be less convenient and more expensive than the big box stores. I fully agree. I'm so there Bing. But oh... I forgot. I'm saving the money. Sorry, Bing. You go on without me.

Bing is not the only one calling out to me. Have you seen how many sales are going on? Seems like every day I get at least five e-mails from retailers talking about discounts and free shipping and such. Old Navy sent me a medium-sized plastic bag in the mail and told me I could stuff it with as much of their merchandise as I wanted and they'd give me 20 percent off. Of course, I have to use my Old Navy card but that's still a good deal. I can stuff with the best of them. Oh yeah... I'm saving the money. Sorry, Old Navy. I'll be using your bag for my recycling instead.

Even Don Shula wants us to spend our checks. How can you argue with Don Shula? Shula's, his steakhouse in Tysons Corner, is offering drink and food specials starting today and for the next month when economic stimulus checks start to hit the mail. You can celebrate with the More For Me Mojito or brood over owing money with the Death & Taxes Martini. Both drinks are going for $7. I'm on my way, Don. Save me a seat at the... oops. Nevermind. I'm actually heading to the bank to deposit my checks. Maybe another time.

What's that, Home Depot? You have the refrigerator I've coveted for the last two years on sale? The stainless steel one with french doors and a freezer drawer down below? Finally I'll be able to fit a week's worth of groceries in my fridge. I'm on my way. Just let me find my checkbo... oops. I spoke too soon. Maybe next year. Apparently I'm saving my money these days.

Can you tell I'm not happy about saving my economic stimulus check? I love to spend, hence the shopping blog. So what are you doing with your refund and economic stimulus check, assuming you're getting them? If you're spending the money, what will you buy? If you're saving it, why? Post a comment below.

On a different note, here's a question for those you who venture out to malls with children. What are the best kid-friendly malls in the area? Some offer entertainment for the kids and others set up fun play areas. Where do you go when you have to shop with kids in tow? Let me know at shoptoit@washingtonpost.com.

There's nothing worse than shelling out big bucks for something that just didn't work the way you wanted it to. This has happened to me with a couple of cordless phones and even my current mattress. Where do you, dear readers, get advice on important purchases? There are sources -- some free, some for a fee -- that review products and stores. You can even get reviews of service companies. But who do you trust? Do you believe companies that say they offer unbiased reviews? How much weight does a comment posted on Amazon.com affect your buying decisions? I know I won't buy a product that has two or three bad reviews. Do you trust that researchers were completely thorough in their analysis of a certain product? Or does the advice from a friend or neighbor hold the most weight?

I have often found myself following in the footsteps of my father who rarely makes a big purchase without consulting Consumer Reports, the product review magazine owned by the Consumers Union. The monthly magazine, which charges $26 for a one-year subscription, reviews and ranks all kinds of products, from cars to diet plans. They ban advertising in the magazine as a way to remain unbiased. But the magazine's research was questioned in January 2007 when it had to withdraw its findings on child safety seats. It has since updated its report based on more accurate testing.

ConsumerSearch, a company owned by About.com since 2007, provides ratings of reviews done by companies like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power & Associates, as well as recommendations on the best products based on all available research. The site covers everything from bathroom scales to tax preparation software. So, say you're in the market for a clothes dryer. ConsumerSearch will give you a ranking and description of reviews done on clothes dryers. Then the site will give you a list of recommended models based on these outside reviews. You'll also have access to their own report on dryers, as well as a list of price comparisons and where to buy. By the way, it's all free. For that you'll have to deal with some advertising on the site.

And then there's Checkbook, another magazine that offers reviews of everything from local plumbers to doctors. The reviews are compiled from questionnaires on consumer experiences with local businesses. The magazine, which charges $34 for a two-year subscription, also offers in-depth advice on how to make decisions on big purchases like a mattress or a lawn-care service.

You can also check the Better Business Bureau for complaints about local companies. The free service works as a neutral third party in disputes between a business and an unhappy customer even though businesses can be paying members of the bureau. As a consumer you can request a report on a business that will show if it's ever received a complaint, a one-word description of the complaint such as "service issues" or "product quality," and whether it was resolved. The report I recently looked up for a plumbing company I plan to use lacked any details about a "service" complaint it received in the last year. It only showed that the dispute had been resolved.

Angie's List is another service that provides input on local home service companies like landscapers and handymen. An $82 one-year subscription gets you detailed reports on other people's experiences with those companies.

So, where do you seek advice on purchases big and small? Who does the best research out there? How important are reviews in your purchasing decisions? Post a comment below.