let me upgrade ya', you may not be a model but I can front page ya'

from here

Upgrades. We love them and we hate them. S@#$ can get cray cray real fast unless you have someone there to reel you in. It is very easy to go over budget in minutes seconds. We managed to use some restraint and contained our upgrade costs to just under $80,000. My stomach just dropped typing that. Fortunately for us, DR Horton was running an AH-MAZING deal when we signed our contract and we were able to get all the upgrades for 50% off-  so technically we only paid $40,000. I pride myself in being a bargain shopper so although 40K still gives me butterflies it mostly just makes me proud.

So what did we upgrade...

Basement Level:

• Finished bathroom
• Finished rec room
• Espresso cabinets in bathroom
• Thicker carpet padding in rec room and on stairs
• 12x12 tiled foyer
• Walkout to exterior (already zoned for this... so not much of a choice but we were happy with it)
• Garage door opener, additional remote, and keypad
• Electrical outlet in unfinished den

Main Level:

• Gourmet kitchen layout
• Gourmet kitchen appliances (Gas cook top, double wall ovens, microwave, dishwasher, and french door refrigerator) 
• 42"white kitchen stepped height cabinets with brushed nickel knobs and crown molding
• A different color granite kitchen counter (granite comes standard but it was yellowish/tan)
• Undermount double bowl kitchen sink
• Fireplace with slate surround and mantle
• Extra electrical outlet and HDMI wiring for above fireplace to mount the TV
• Wooden stairs in entry and to second floor stained to match hardwoods with carpet runner
• Hardwood floors throughout (kitchen, breakfast area, dining room, living room, library, family room, hall, foyer, and powder room)
• Trim package (crown molding in formal living and dining room and chair rail molding in dining room)
• CAT5/telephone and cable outlet in library
• Overhead light rough in for family room

Second Level:

• Espresso cabinets in master bathroom and hall bathroom
• Thicker carpet padding throughout
• 12x12 tiled floors in master bathroom
• Level 2 tile for tube and shower surrounds
• Overhead light rough in for master bedroom
• Double vanity hall bath with linen closet access from the hall (not really an upgrade... they have made it a standard feature since printing the floorplans)

What we opted out of...

• Wet bar in basement
• Second fireplace in basement
• Tray ceiling in master bedroom
• Columns between hallway and family room
• Finishing the den

Although I am pleased with the value and volume of upgrades we got for the price I still think my ultimate bargain deal is a pair of vintage leather miss capezio boots that I bought for $5 in college. What is your best bargain deal find?