Living stylishly on a budget

Because few things impress us like nifty kitchen gadgets, we were intrigued by some of the kitchenware on sale through Williams-Sonoma.com. We liked the looks of the classic round waffler ($99.95, down from $129.95), but it was the hot chocolate pots that stoked our imagination: the Bialetti hot chocolate pot, now $79.99 (originally $99.95), and a lower-tech offering from Bonjour for $19.99 (down from $39.95). Quantities are limited, the site warns.

Speaking of kitchen goods: If you need a skillet or some coffee mugs, or perhaps a fondue set, head to the Cambridge location of City Housewares (1764 Massachusetts Ave., 617-871-2124), which is closing in a couple of weeks and offering generous markdowns as a result. Items are 20-50 percent off this week, and will likely be discounted more steeply as the end draws nearer. (The City Housewares store at 434 Harvard St. in Brookline will remain open.)

There's still time to catch the jewelry sale at Matsu (259 Newbury St., Boston, 617-266-9707), which ends on Sunday. All pieces are 20-50 percent off, including Jeanine Payer (limited edition pieces 20 percent off, others 30 percent off) and Ten Thousand Things (20 percent off pieces under $300; 30 percent off pieces over $300). If you're fond of amber, you'll be pleased to find it amply represented in the shop's elegant, earthy selection.

We recently heard about some interesting finds at the fairly new (opened last month) Second Chances store (6 West Central St., Natick Center, 508-435-5969) run by Greyhound Friends Inc. Much of the low-priced secondhand stock - antique dishes, brandy snifters, costume jewelry, leather boots - comes from a single estate (a volunteer's relative and avid shopper), and has never been used. Proceeds benefit Greyhound Friends.

Just in time for the holidays, Bargain Bin caught up with Boston Wine School founder Jonathon Alsop, who teaches a popular Fine Wine on a Tight Budget class. A few of the top values on his list: a Valdiguié from J. Lohr, recommended for Pinot Noir-philes and available at most big wine shops for around $7.50 or $8; a Monastrell from Bodegas Castaño, seen at Trader Joe's for $4.99 (look for the white, red, and black label); and sparkling wine from the Albuquerque winery Gruet, which sells for around $12 or $13 during the holidays. Good for gifts or for serving.