Big Angel's Attic sale benefits cancer charityTo raise money to help cancer patients and their families, the Angel Foundation (www.mnangel.org) is holding its second annual Angel's Attic sale Saturday ($3 admission) through Tuesday (half-price).

It's almost half the size of the World's Largest Garage sales, but the quality is a big step up. Items are collected year-round from estate sales and retailers. Many items are new, including jewelry, women's clothing and T-shirts and sweatshirts from the recently closed Hard Rock Cafe in Minneapolis.

Other items include antique furniture, more than 500 collectible plates, china, high-end art, electronics, books and clothing for men and kids. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (10801 Hampshire Av. S., Bloomington). For more information, call 612-385-4291.

Cancer patients and their families often are underemployed during cancer treatments. Many individuals and families end up needing financial help for nonmedical expenses such as food, gas, utilities and housing. The Angel Foundation helps adults with cancer and their families with day-to-day bills.

Easier leaf baggingVoluntarily or involuntarily, many homeowners are using compostable lawn and leaf bags made of paper or translucent plastic-like material. Most of them are a 33-gallon size, and because the material is pricier than plastic, few manufacturers are adding tabs or drawstrings for convenient closing.

But Home Depot is selling Eco Guard bags with four tabs on the top ($7.98 for 10 bags) to make closing easier. Wal-Mart is the only retailer that I've found selling compostable bags with drawstrings (Al-Pack, $5.36 for five bags). They're sturdy but pricey.

A cheaper option is to buy a 39- or 45-gallon bag, fill it three-quarters full and tie a knot with the excess. Plastic Bagmart (12201 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, 952-933-2366, www.pbmartmn.com) sells 20 39-gallon bags for $15 or 15 45-gallon bags, which are large enough to be used as garbage can liners, for $11.50. They can be picked up 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, or shipped for $6 a roll.

New carpet discountsJack Rubenstein Wholesalers (952-922-4781, www.jlr wholesale.com) offers additional discounts from manufacturers on more than 50 percent of its carpet selection and 30 percent of the hardwood, laminate, tile and vinyl flooring. The sale at three wholesale locations in Bloomington, Plymouth and Oakdale runs through Saturday. Free lunch is served each day of the sale.

Beat Costco's increaseCostco is raising the price of its memberships 10 percent on Nov. 1, but members can renew before the end of the month to save $5 or $10. Basic memberships will rise from $50 to $55, and executive memberships will go from $100 to $110. The savings are available to new members who join this month and to renewing members whose renewal date is within the next six months. The previous increase was five years ago. A Sam's Club basic membership is $40, and an Advantage Plus membership is $100.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt @startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/dealspotter.