Hello Tag Poppers
It is springtime and the yard sales are popping up all over! What does this mean for you?
Well first of all, it means that there are many more opportunities to get some bargains. But there will be more competition because more people go to estate sales and yard sales in the warmer months.
What I recommend is that you go to the estate sales prepared to pay the first days rate unless you are willing to miss out on the item that you want.
This is a good time to get winter seasonal/holiday items. Ironically, it is not a good time to sell seasonal/holiday items. I have a co-worker who collects Santa Clause items (but only those with happy eyes!!!) and she finds many to add to her collection during the warm months. She also saves a lot of money because there are so many pieces to choose from, I always look for gardening pieces during the winter and others have gotten wise to my ways as just within the last two years the availability of great bargains has fallen. Perhaps it is because more people are willing to buy used garden equipment or maybe more people are getting back into gardening, but whatever the reason, it is harder to find good buys. I keep looking and I encourage you to get out there and have fun treasure hunting.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Some awesome thrift store finds
Hello Tag Poppers
This is spring break week in our home town and we returned home from vacation a few days early as we have things to do to get ready for the last part of the school year.
Coming home early was such a great idea. It allowed for a sleep-in for me which I never get a chance to do and I actually did sleep in until 8:30 (I can not recall the last time I slept in), but I still awoke and got ready for my day in time to complete some chores, check my emails in a leisurely fashion and put away our travel accoutrements.
Before it was 10:00 am, I was ready to hit some sales. Unfortunately, there were no estate sales today!!!, so I did the next best thing . . . Popping some tags at the Thrift Stores!!!
With mocha lattes in hand, my tag popper partner and I were off. We began at the thrift stores that were the farthest from our starting point so we could swing around at the end of the day, conveniently close to home, (with all our treasures!)
Store # 1 held many treasures. My first find was a Vera Bradley handbag for $4.00. It is a small handbag and I plan to sell it for $25.00. I was going for $10.00 but my treasure hunting partner suggested $25.00. She had gone online to see what the going rate is and some are selling for over $40.00. Since I plan to sell mine at a school supported yard sale I think $40.00 will be over pricing for the patrons of this particular school. I hope to make a profit of at least $10.00.
The next treasure was a Justin Beiber tee shirt. I paid $3.99 for this shirt and it may be a gamble since Justin Beiber is 'so 2012', but I will offer the shirt for $15.00. I want to make at least $10.00 on this shirt.
Both of these items were at the same store. I also found a great table for $69.00 which the store manager was going to make me a deal, but I was not prepared to get a table home (I still have my vacation rental car) so I passed. I will go back in two weeks and if the table is still there it should be cheaper and I will definitely consider it then.
The second store we went to is where I found my best deal. I paid $8.99 for a Tadashi (Shoji) long gown. It is a (steal) deal because my daughter wants it for her prom. Yeah!!!
We will sell it after prom and hope to make some money on it as I will try to sell it for $75.00. It may be a stretch, but Imma try!!!
Tomorrow is Friday and the estate sales will be going on and that is how I will spend my last week day of vacation. Is this pitiful. Actually, not for me. I enjoy this immensely!!!
I will let you know in future blog posts whether or not I have made any money.
Did I tell you that I am saving for a trip to Scandinavia with my daughter. It is years away, but it is fun making some money to add to our savings. I recommend you find a goal that you want to achieve with all your new 'fun' money.
Happy Tag Popping Peeps...
This is spring break week in our home town and we returned home from vacation a few days early as we have things to do to get ready for the last part of the school year.
Coming home early was such a great idea. It allowed for a sleep-in for me which I never get a chance to do and I actually did sleep in until 8:30 (I can not recall the last time I slept in), but I still awoke and got ready for my day in time to complete some chores, check my emails in a leisurely fashion and put away our travel accoutrements.
Before it was 10:00 am, I was ready to hit some sales. Unfortunately, there were no estate sales today!!!, so I did the next best thing . . . Popping some tags at the Thrift Stores!!!
With mocha lattes in hand, my tag popper partner and I were off. We began at the thrift stores that were the farthest from our starting point so we could swing around at the end of the day, conveniently close to home, (with all our treasures!)
Store # 1 held many treasures. My first find was a Vera Bradley handbag for $4.00. It is a small handbag and I plan to sell it for $25.00. I was going for $10.00 but my treasure hunting partner suggested $25.00. She had gone online to see what the going rate is and some are selling for over $40.00. Since I plan to sell mine at a school supported yard sale I think $40.00 will be over pricing for the patrons of this particular school. I hope to make a profit of at least $10.00.
The next treasure was a Justin Beiber tee shirt. I paid $3.99 for this shirt and it may be a gamble since Justin Beiber is 'so 2012', but I will offer the shirt for $15.00. I want to make at least $10.00 on this shirt.
Both of these items were at the same store. I also found a great table for $69.00 which the store manager was going to make me a deal, but I was not prepared to get a table home (I still have my vacation rental car) so I passed. I will go back in two weeks and if the table is still there it should be cheaper and I will definitely consider it then.
The second store we went to is where I found my best deal. I paid $8.99 for a Tadashi (Shoji) long gown. It is a (steal) deal because my daughter wants it for her prom. Yeah!!!
We will sell it after prom and hope to make some money on it as I will try to sell it for $75.00. It may be a stretch, but Imma try!!!
Tomorrow is Friday and the estate sales will be going on and that is how I will spend my last week day of vacation. Is this pitiful. Actually, not for me. I enjoy this immensely!!!
I will let you know in future blog posts whether or not I have made any money.
Did I tell you that I am saving for a trip to Scandinavia with my daughter. It is years away, but it is fun making some money to add to our savings. I recommend you find a goal that you want to achieve with all your new 'fun' money.
Happy Tag Popping Peeps...
Sunday, April 6, 2014
To buy or not to buy
Hi Tag Poppers
Are you still out there? I know it has been a few weeks since I last posted. I have been to some sales and one sale item last week is still on my mind.
It was a rainy Sunday and my daughter and I were returning from church. We had the iphone so we looked up some estate sales and ended up in a part of the city we don't often get to. It was a little farther out than I want to go in my car, but since we were already somewhat close we decided to go. Our city is rather hilly and like I said it was rainy. So when we pulled up to the house which was at the top of a hill I parked as close as I could which, by luck, was really very close. Anyway, as we walked up to the house, a treasure hunter passed us saying that, 'this is a great sale, the prices are unbelievable and there is a lot of stuff in there'.
Well, he was right. There was a lot of stuff priced very reasonably. I found a vintage radio (needed a new cord) and a vintage chest for blankets, (you know the kind that is moth proof). I have wanted one for a while and there it was. Since this was the last day of the sale everything was 50% off. The radio would be $ 5.00 and the chest was priced at $55.00 so today it would be $27.50. I did not buy either BECAUSE it was rainy and hilly and I was not sure I wanted to mess with the chest in the rain on the hill, I walked away from both. This is my confession.
Of course - I had non-buyers remorse and contemplated driving over to the house from work a couple of days later just to see if the chest was still there. Crazy huh? I never did go back, but there were so many things I could have used that for.
So what is the point of the blog? It is this...when you know what you want and you come across it and you do not buy it, try to think about why you are not buying it while you are still in the moment. This is pivotal. This is a great challenge for you not so much in regard to the purchase, but instead about how you spend your money and what your motivation is at that moment.
Hope this story helps you when you are caught on guard and aware.
Are you still out there? I know it has been a few weeks since I last posted. I have been to some sales and one sale item last week is still on my mind.
It was a rainy Sunday and my daughter and I were returning from church. We had the iphone so we looked up some estate sales and ended up in a part of the city we don't often get to. It was a little farther out than I want to go in my car, but since we were already somewhat close we decided to go. Our city is rather hilly and like I said it was rainy. So when we pulled up to the house which was at the top of a hill I parked as close as I could which, by luck, was really very close. Anyway, as we walked up to the house, a treasure hunter passed us saying that, 'this is a great sale, the prices are unbelievable and there is a lot of stuff in there'.
Well, he was right. There was a lot of stuff priced very reasonably. I found a vintage radio (needed a new cord) and a vintage chest for blankets, (you know the kind that is moth proof). I have wanted one for a while and there it was. Since this was the last day of the sale everything was 50% off. The radio would be $ 5.00 and the chest was priced at $55.00 so today it would be $27.50. I did not buy either BECAUSE it was rainy and hilly and I was not sure I wanted to mess with the chest in the rain on the hill, I walked away from both. This is my confession.
Of course - I had non-buyers remorse and contemplated driving over to the house from work a couple of days later just to see if the chest was still there. Crazy huh? I never did go back, but there were so many things I could have used that for.
So what is the point of the blog? It is this...when you know what you want and you come across it and you do not buy it, try to think about why you are not buying it while you are still in the moment. This is pivotal. This is a great challenge for you not so much in regard to the purchase, but instead about how you spend your money and what your motivation is at that moment.
Hope this story helps you when you are caught on guard and aware.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Popping to resell
Yesterday I went estate sale shopping and found this platter. It is an Oneida and it was very dirty. I paid $8.00 and may have overpaid, but I cleaned it up and will post it on ebay as well as a local free classified ad through the city newspaper.
I am going to ask $25.00 which would be the first piece that I will try to sell to begin the process of taking $20.00 a week to buy/resell something I found and like and using the 'profit' to add to my 'allowance' for future processes. Does this sound like a challenge to you? It is! Go get em Tag Poppers!!!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Winter tag popping
Hello Tag Poppers!
Today is Saturday and because we are still in winter, estate sales are few and far between. I have written in the past about hitting up the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores for your treasures.
I want to know...have you found anything that you would like to share?
I have.
I have found that a quick and inexpensive way to brighten up your living space can be found at these resale stores. And they make it so dang easy.
If you notice when you go into these stores, they often have household items grouped together by color schemes. If you walk down one aisle you will find all the blues and greens grouped together. If you try another aisle it might be the yellow and reds. In any case, this way of grouping colors will help you if you know the colors you like to use to enhance your space.
In my dining and living areas I have terra cotta walls so I use dark wood and teal colors as accent colors. These colors work well together and create a warm and inviting mood. So what can help me when I am shopping is to head to the blue aisle and check out what they might have in teal. If I see anything close I will check to see if I like the piece (I am the type of shopper that I really have to love the piece before I will buy it), I make decisions based on interest in the piece and if it will go with my style and color scheme.
Having said that...If I fall in love with a piece that is unique that can often seal the deal as in the case of my 'mom' chair. It is a gold lamme fan chair with claw feet. I found it at an estate sale and bought it for $12.00 dollars. I have made these piece work because I really love the chair. It became an accent piece.
So to conclude this blog note; buy what you love and make it work.
Today is Saturday and because we are still in winter, estate sales are few and far between. I have written in the past about hitting up the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores for your treasures.
I want to know...have you found anything that you would like to share?
I have.
I have found that a quick and inexpensive way to brighten up your living space can be found at these resale stores. And they make it so dang easy.
If you notice when you go into these stores, they often have household items grouped together by color schemes. If you walk down one aisle you will find all the blues and greens grouped together. If you try another aisle it might be the yellow and reds. In any case, this way of grouping colors will help you if you know the colors you like to use to enhance your space.
In my dining and living areas I have terra cotta walls so I use dark wood and teal colors as accent colors. These colors work well together and create a warm and inviting mood. So what can help me when I am shopping is to head to the blue aisle and check out what they might have in teal. If I see anything close I will check to see if I like the piece (I am the type of shopper that I really have to love the piece before I will buy it), I make decisions based on interest in the piece and if it will go with my style and color scheme.
Having said that...If I fall in love with a piece that is unique that can often seal the deal as in the case of my 'mom' chair. It is a gold lamme fan chair with claw feet. I found it at an estate sale and bought it for $12.00 dollars. I have made these piece work because I really love the chair. It became an accent piece.
So to conclude this blog note; buy what you love and make it work.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Winter blahs = Bargain store visits
Greetings Tag Poppers
Today as the days begin to grow longer but the estate sales and garage sales are few and far between we can focus on getting our bargain hunting fix on.
I began my morning at the Goodwill store closest to my home. It was almost 11 am and the place was hopping. People buying and people donating. I found one piece of interest and did not buy it, but if it is there tomorrow when I go back I will get it.
It was a Reed and Barton tray. Small - about 6 inches by 8 inches. It had scratches on it and that was why I did not buy it. I have friends in the business of selling such pieces (new) and I will make contact with them about the value. From what I remember Reed and Barton frames are sold at high end retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. It can be a pricey purchase when new.
This piece was cheap, 4 dollars and 25 cents, but the the scratches are on top on display. They may be too deep to rub out so I want to save my money (yes, even four dollars) for something else if this piece can not be rubbed to enhance the pantina.
As I made my way around the Goodwill store today I noticed there was a cart that was housing merchandise that was to go onto the shelves as they became bare. I went through it and then noticed the pile of new DVD's unwrapped, never viewed. For the price (3.25 per or 2/5.00) this was a price that I could make some money at a garage sale. Or better yet, my daughter has wanted one of the videos for a while and it may be a nice after Valentines day surprise.
So think about making your way to other bargain centers to get your fix and remember there are only a few more months until spring breaks. Yeah!!!
Today as the days begin to grow longer but the estate sales and garage sales are few and far between we can focus on getting our bargain hunting fix on.
I began my morning at the Goodwill store closest to my home. It was almost 11 am and the place was hopping. People buying and people donating. I found one piece of interest and did not buy it, but if it is there tomorrow when I go back I will get it.
It was a Reed and Barton tray. Small - about 6 inches by 8 inches. It had scratches on it and that was why I did not buy it. I have friends in the business of selling such pieces (new) and I will make contact with them about the value. From what I remember Reed and Barton frames are sold at high end retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. It can be a pricey purchase when new.
This piece was cheap, 4 dollars and 25 cents, but the the scratches are on top on display. They may be too deep to rub out so I want to save my money (yes, even four dollars) for something else if this piece can not be rubbed to enhance the pantina.
As I made my way around the Goodwill store today I noticed there was a cart that was housing merchandise that was to go onto the shelves as they became bare. I went through it and then noticed the pile of new DVD's unwrapped, never viewed. For the price (3.25 per or 2/5.00) this was a price that I could make some money at a garage sale. Or better yet, my daughter has wanted one of the videos for a while and it may be a nice after Valentines day surprise.
So think about making your way to other bargain centers to get your fix and remember there are only a few more months until spring breaks. Yeah!!!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Learn new information about your favorites
Hi Tag Poppers
Today. The middle of winter. It's cold outside. Not too many sales going on.
Instead. Think about ways to improve your shopping savvy.
I have mentioned in a previous post that it is to the shopper's benefit to be educated in the products you purchase. If you know what type of merchandise you are attracted to make it a point to learn about the items. For instance, I love the antiques roadshow. Today while going through files to purge I had the tv on and the Antiques Roadshow was on. I love furniture. I learned that when you pull a drawer out and examine the way it is put together, you can determine a rough age of the piece. You can also get an idea as to the type of wood used and if it was re-painted or re-varnished (which greatly reduces the value).
I will continue to purchase wood furniture with the intention of refinishing it, but my plan is to approach the piece as if it is in the best possible condition and then evaluate the possibilities. I'm going to put this new information to use as the weather begins to warm and the sales get hot!!!
Today. The middle of winter. It's cold outside. Not too many sales going on.
Instead. Think about ways to improve your shopping savvy.
I have mentioned in a previous post that it is to the shopper's benefit to be educated in the products you purchase. If you know what type of merchandise you are attracted to make it a point to learn about the items. For instance, I love the antiques roadshow. Today while going through files to purge I had the tv on and the Antiques Roadshow was on. I love furniture. I learned that when you pull a drawer out and examine the way it is put together, you can determine a rough age of the piece. You can also get an idea as to the type of wood used and if it was re-painted or re-varnished (which greatly reduces the value).
I will continue to purchase wood furniture with the intention of refinishing it, but my plan is to approach the piece as if it is in the best possible condition and then evaluate the possibilities. I'm going to put this new information to use as the weather begins to warm and the sales get hot!!!
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