Hello Tag Poppers!
I have been hooked on thrift store shopping for a number of years. I believe it began when I drove past a garage sale and a cool lamp caught my eye. I stopped, which is something I had never done before, and bought the lamp - frazzled cord and all! I took the lamp to a small appliance repair shop where it was rewired and ready for my personal use. I love the lamp. Years later, I see it and still enjoy the aesthetics of it. It is truly a one-of-a-kind.
As the years passed and my pay increased incrementally, the frequency of my yard sale, thrift store shopping slowed. It was nothing personal. I was spending my 'down time' differently. But then, the economy turned. I had a child to raise and the need to protect my income, grew. I wanted to save some money and since I am interested in recycling and helping save the earth, thrift shopping was an easy way to keep to my belief systems. There are many items, however, that I would never buy second-hand. Mattresses come to mind. Furniture that is stained in ways that whisper ... mold, as well as undergarments and dishes.
But the reality of thrift shopping, or popping tags, is that people in America over-buy. They buy stuff they can't afford and/or will never use. I can not tell you how many estate sales and thrift stores I have been to, where there were many items with the price tags still on, in bags and apparently, never used. Such a waste. That is where we, the tag poppers, benefit! Their wasted purchases become our frugal finds.
A word of warning, regarding the potential for savings, however. You really need to know the prices for items bought new. I have been out popping tags and found items that could be bought brand new for cheaper than what the price was at the resale shop. The upside to buying new is that you can return or exchange a faulty item. Estate sale purchases, on the other hand, as well as most thrift shop purchases, can not be returned or exchanged. Keep this in mind.
It's Saturday morning. . . Let's go pop some tags!
Happy thrifting.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Potential purchase problems
Hello Taggers
I just wanted to touch on a subject regarding yard & estate sales, that you do not normally hear about. It is the subject of potential problems with resale purchases. For instance, if you are going to purchase an item such as an air purifier you need to know 1) that you can still purchase the filters for the purifier and 2) that there is nothing unclean lurking inside the purifier that could pollute your environment.
Making certain you can still purchase filters can be as easy as using your phone while on the sale site and researching on-line the product ands it's accessories.
With regard to potential polluters inside this type of purchase, one can never be sure 100%, but you may be able to spot check for some bugs and obvious dirts and molds. Smelling the product, (sounds silly, I know), may alert you to possible molds and or mildews, which you may not want to introduce into your living environment.
I recommend that you keep this information in the forefront of your mind on Tag day. It could save you time and money.
I just wanted to touch on a subject regarding yard & estate sales, that you do not normally hear about. It is the subject of potential problems with resale purchases. For instance, if you are going to purchase an item such as an air purifier you need to know 1) that you can still purchase the filters for the purifier and 2) that there is nothing unclean lurking inside the purifier that could pollute your environment.
Making certain you can still purchase filters can be as easy as using your phone while on the sale site and researching on-line the product ands it's accessories.
With regard to potential polluters inside this type of purchase, one can never be sure 100%, but you may be able to spot check for some bugs and obvious dirts and molds. Smelling the product, (sounds silly, I know), may alert you to possible molds and or mildews, which you may not want to introduce into your living environment.
I recommend that you keep this information in the forefront of your mind on Tag day. It could save you time and money.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Hello Taggers!
Yesterday was a busy day for me, but not in regards to estate sales. In fact, I went to 2 yard sales, but only because they were on my way dropping kids off, picking kids up... neither sale had anything of interest to me, so my $20.00 could be spent today at some resale venue, grow to $40.00 for next week or I can opt to remain at the original (unspent) but spendable $20.00. (Let's see what kind of bills come in this week) ...
Regarding my Asian art piece: In our Sunday's newspaper, there is a column where readers can submit questions about estate sale finds or antiques or other items of possible interest. This morning I emailed a picture of the Asian art, told him (the author) about my find and requested any possible information regarding my find. I will keep you updated if any information is found. Until then, it is another day of chaueffering and potential sales along the way.
Reminder: If you are finding any interesting pieces on your journeys, please post some pics for the readers to see. Your back stories are welcome as well.
Happy Tag Popping!
Yesterday was a busy day for me, but not in regards to estate sales. In fact, I went to 2 yard sales, but only because they were on my way dropping kids off, picking kids up... neither sale had anything of interest to me, so my $20.00 could be spent today at some resale venue, grow to $40.00 for next week or I can opt to remain at the original (unspent) but spendable $20.00. (Let's see what kind of bills come in this week) ...
Regarding my Asian art piece: In our Sunday's newspaper, there is a column where readers can submit questions about estate sale finds or antiques or other items of possible interest. This morning I emailed a picture of the Asian art, told him (the author) about my find and requested any possible information regarding my find. I will keep you updated if any information is found. Until then, it is another day of chaueffering and potential sales along the way.
Reminder: If you are finding any interesting pieces on your journeys, please post some pics for the readers to see. Your back stories are welcome as well.
Happy Tag Popping!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Prepping for the sales
Hello Tag Poppers
It is Friday and a great time to get the papers or go on-line to find the sales you want to go to on the week-end!
I like to get the newspaper and map out the areas I want to travel to only after I know what the options are. I rarely find more than two or three that I want to go to and have found, oddly enough, that if I find something to buy at the first sale, I might as well go home, because I have never bought anything at a sale I went to after I have made a purchase.
I know, it sounds weird, but it is true. I often joke that I might as well go home now that I bought (fill in the blank).
Oh yeah. if you are doing the $20.00 challenge, take the price of the paper out of the total amount spent.
Also, since I posted the picture of the Asian art work that I bought last week, I have had a few suggestions as to what it might be made of and all were saying wood, but I don't know what kind. Teak seems to be the most likely. Also, a guy that I work with told his friend's boss about the item and he thinks the boss might be interested in buying it. Everyone is fascinated by it because it is just that cool!
And one last thing about my Asian art piece, there is a number on the bottom border, but so far, my internet investigation has led me no-where, for now...
It is Friday and a great time to get the papers or go on-line to find the sales you want to go to on the week-end!
I like to get the newspaper and map out the areas I want to travel to only after I know what the options are. I rarely find more than two or three that I want to go to and have found, oddly enough, that if I find something to buy at the first sale, I might as well go home, because I have never bought anything at a sale I went to after I have made a purchase.
I know, it sounds weird, but it is true. I often joke that I might as well go home now that I bought (fill in the blank).
Oh yeah. if you are doing the $20.00 challenge, take the price of the paper out of the total amount spent.
Also, since I posted the picture of the Asian art work that I bought last week, I have had a few suggestions as to what it might be made of and all were saying wood, but I don't know what kind. Teak seems to be the most likely. Also, a guy that I work with told his friend's boss about the item and he thinks the boss might be interested in buying it. Everyone is fascinated by it because it is just that cool!
And one last thing about my Asian art piece, there is a number on the bottom border, but so far, my internet investigation has led me no-where, for now...
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Interesting find at estate sale
Hello Fellow Tag Poppers
Yesterday I went to an estate sale and found this little (1 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in) chinese artifact, (pic below). It was glued to a very tacky frame with a $10.00 sticker on it. I am unclear what it is and what the material is that the carving is made from, but I have a friend who is knowledgeable about this sort of stuff and I will be presenting it to her for help this coming week. I ended up paying $7.60 for it as there was a slight discount for Saturday shoppers. Had I waited until today, if it were still there it would have been $5.00 or maybe even less, depending on what the estate sale people would be willing to accept for it. It may be worth nothing more than $2.00 so may sure that when you spend your money, there is something you like about the piece. I haven't forgotten the challenge people, and now that I have figured out how to download pics from my camera, I will post more of what I find. Please feel free to send me pics to post of your interesting finds as well. Happy happy, tag popping!!! :)
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Challenge accepted
Hello Tag Poppers
I have accepted the challenge to take a $20.00 bill and get something that I can turnover and make some money. As many of my readers know, I like to refinish furniture and this weekend I found a new project to tackle. I bureau, probably from the 1940's and in need of some scraping, otherwise the piece is solid wood and quite handsome. It cost $5.00 and the folks at the garage sale actually transferred it to my home, four miles away!!! Bonus!
My plan is to scrap off the varnish/paint and sell it. I would normally not want to take the varnish off, but with this piece I think it is necessary. Also, as a fan of the Antiques Roadshow, I know that scraping the finish off will reduce the value. I think, in this case, scraping may actually increase the value. ; )
I spent $5.00 on the furniture, which means I have $15.00 to buy any supplies I may need for this specific project. I will need new handles and also some new supplies, as yet to be determined. I will subtract any money spent from the original $20.00 and put that into the next purchase...or the cost of advertising the finished project.
I will post a picture and you can track the progress.
Happy Tag Popping
I have accepted the challenge to take a $20.00 bill and get something that I can turnover and make some money. As many of my readers know, I like to refinish furniture and this weekend I found a new project to tackle. I bureau, probably from the 1940's and in need of some scraping, otherwise the piece is solid wood and quite handsome. It cost $5.00 and the folks at the garage sale actually transferred it to my home, four miles away!!! Bonus!
My plan is to scrap off the varnish/paint and sell it. I would normally not want to take the varnish off, but with this piece I think it is necessary. Also, as a fan of the Antiques Roadshow, I know that scraping the finish off will reduce the value. I think, in this case, scraping may actually increase the value. ; )
I spent $5.00 on the furniture, which means I have $15.00 to buy any supplies I may need for this specific project. I will need new handles and also some new supplies, as yet to be determined. I will subtract any money spent from the original $20.00 and put that into the next purchase...or the cost of advertising the finished project.
I will post a picture and you can track the progress.
Happy Tag Popping
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Happy Saturday Tag Poppers
First off, thanks to the readers who emailed me quick and non-toxic ways to remove old paint and varnish. I am happy to say, that the brillo pad worked quickest, however it required more sanding...
Ok so it is Sat and the challenge was on to take twenty dollars and go off and pop some tags with the goal of creating some extra money for bigger purchases.
What did you find? and... how will you promote and sell your findings??
First off, thanks to the readers who emailed me quick and non-toxic ways to remove old paint and varnish. I am happy to say, that the brillo pad worked quickest, however it required more sanding...
Ok so it is Sat and the challenge was on to take twenty dollars and go off and pop some tags with the goal of creating some extra money for bigger purchases.
What did you find? and... how will you promote and sell your findings??
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