30 Down-and-Dirty Tricks for Big DIY Savings

Refresh the look of your range with new cooktop parts that'll also extend the life of the appliance and make it work better.

Cost: About $39 each for new burners and $7 for chrome drip bowls on a typical GE electric range. Get parts directly from the manufacturer or online dealers, such as RepairClinic.com.

Savings: about $215, based on $400 for a new GE 30-inch freestanding electric range in black at Sears, minus the cost of the replacement parts.

Bonus: For $5 more, you can hide scratches in the porcelain finish with heat-resistant Epoxy Touch-Up enamel; Rust-Oleum.