Saving Moo-La-La #2: 'Tis The Rummage Sale Season!

Well, folks, it's THAT season again.  Garage doors across America will be flung open as the warm weather descends and junk galore will be hauled out and sold to the highest bidder.

Welcome to Rummage Sale Season.

When one is seeking smart ways to save money, garage/rummage sales should be seriously considered!  If you are of the opinion that garage sales are not sexy enough for a savvy shopper like you, I'd love to encourage you to de-saddle off that high-horse of thought as we consider what people may REALLY be thinking about "Rummage-ers"...

* People may say you (gAsP!) WALK in other people's garages and yards!!!

*  They may say you...(drum-roll please!)...SAVE MONEY!

*  Tongues could wag over the fact that you are not willing to cash in your 401K to invest in wardrobes for your children that are outgrown (on average) in 

three to six months!

And, last but NOT least, people could say you...

*  Are willing to wear clothes that have been previously worn by other HUMAN BEINGS!

If this all seems a bit silly, it's because it is absurd to think garage sales are not sexy for savvy shoppers.  Being BROKE your whole life or wearing clothes that all belong to the VISA company ain't sexy, honey.  Having money in the bank is cool and this is just one more way we can do it!  That being said, here are some Rummage Sale Season tips that I have gleaned from fellow shopping friends and my own personal experience over the years...

1.  Prepare!  Bring cold, hard cash: money talks.  Carry a list of items (clothes, toys, books, a bike, specific household things) that you will be seeking so you have focus when you shop.  Find the sales: bookmark some local newspaper classifieds on your laptop and check on them every week or so.  When you find a listing nearby that offers some of the items you are looking for, load up the kids and head out!  It also helps to know what areas are nice neighborhoods as often (though not always) they offer items that are in good condition or have some of your favorite name-brands of clothing.

2.  Negotiate.  It's a garage sale, people!  If they don't want to take a buck off the asking price, I sometimes wonder why they don't have the item bronzed and displayed in their home instead of selling it at a garage sale!  Only in America do we tip-toe around bargaining, other countries expect it (and even enjoy the process).  Done politely and with a smile, it can be a win-win for the seller and the buyer.

3.  Involve the kiddos.  Invite your children along (what else could you do with them anyway?) and let them bring some money from their piggy-banks to pick out a toy at each stop.  You never know when a pirate sword or another fabulous Barbie may be discovered.

4.  Plan ahead.  If your child is like mine, it can be pretty much assumed that pants that fit just right this month will be looking like capris at the same time next year.  If you have the room in a storage area (attic, basement, dry garage, etc.), label some large totes for each child and fill them up this spring with clothing they could wear NEXT year too.  For example, my oldest is in 5T sizes right now, but when I'm out shopping, I'm on the look-out for 6 and 7 sized items to stash away because I know they will be needed soon.  Sometimes, I've gotten lucky and scored clothes with the tags from the store still on them for only $1-$2 a pop!  Also, if I am purchasing MANY items of clothes from one family's sale, I first mention I could be buying a lot if they'd consider giving me a 25% or 50% discount... I've never yet had someone say no! (:

5.  Frugal Friends.  Not only is it more fun to hit up a bunch of weekend sales with a friend, it's also what I like to call "shopping therapy".   Another creative way to help out a friend is to see if they are needing anything (a pack n' play, clothes for their baby girl, etc.) and keep an eye out for those things while you are garage-sale-ing to either purchase for them or let them know where you saw the item they are in need of.

6.  Reward yourself.  Now that you saved all that money, Rummage-Sale-Sista (or Brotha), take out your lucky spouse on a date (wearing those cool new heels you scored for $4 bucks!) and celebrate your savings together!

Saving Moo-La-La #1: Scoring Christmas Steals

Post-Christmas REDS!!

Redline clearance that is...

I know it's a bit late to catch any after-holiday deals, but it's never too late to plan ahead for next year (lifestyle adjustment!).  I make sure to stash some of our Christmas cash during the days of mistletoe and Santa-impersonating with the intent to hit up the deals AFTER the Christmas rush.

For example, I saw beautifully monogrammed stockings (similar to the ones pictured above) in a magazine last November and immediately was a pantin' after them!  The "see it/buy it/WANT IT NOW" (ie, my AMERICAN heritage!) urge in me was about to rationalize to my hubby the cost of $150 (for a fam of six, with monogramming and shipping cost) for this great NEED.  Thankfully, I put the brakes on my stinkin' thinking and decided to be patient and wait for the sales.

The candy-cane flavored hot chocolate was still cooling when I switched into full on Elmer-Fudd-Mode and was ready to go holiday sale hunting!  I grabbed my four wittle wabbits and off we went: Target, Wal-Mart, the local mall and even Menards (I know you must be SO jealous of my thrilling hometown where we have SUCH fantastic selection for shopping).

When "sale-shopping" is planned ahead and in the budget (and you bring cash to spend ONLY what you planned to), it's no longer impulse shopping!  

A bargain is something you can’t use at a price you can’t resist. 

— Franklin Jones

UNLESS you have planned ahead for it and need it!  We hit pay-dirt at Menards (of all places!) and I spotted these lovely, well-made knit stockings knocked down from their original price of $30 to...$6 bucks a pop!  Score one for a thrifty chic! 

Next, I brought the original magazine picture with their monogrammed names in a pretty font to show a seamstress at our local printing shop in town.  I  had them sew on each of our names for only...$5 bucks!  I LOVED the finished product:

That means had I pulled an All American Greed-Need purchase before Christmas, I would have spent $150 but by doing a little digging post Christmas, I spent only $66...that's a savings of $84 by simply waiting ONE month.  I can't wait until THIS Christmas when we can hang those babies by the fireplace with visions of sugarplums and extra dollars dancing in our head.

You may not have a craving for monogrammed Christmas stockings but the idea of this "Saving Moo-La-La" post is simply this: delayed gratifications is truly...GRATIFIYING!

Here's some fun thoughts about delayed gratification I recently stumbled upon:

This study has been replicated by David Walsh Check out this Youtube clip. There is a very strong link between delaying gratification and success in life, the earlier we learn this skill the better off we will be. However it is never too late to learn how to delay your immediate gratification; here are some tips that can help you along the way.

1. Make an Advance Decision and Know What You Want Get your decision in writing. Try to be as detailed as possible about your decision as well as the expected outcome. Sometimes it can be hard to say NO to things, you have to have a clear picture of what you want in order to resist the urge.

2. Know what is Important to You- Know Your Values. In order to be able to delay immediate gratification you need to know what is important to you, what do you value to most. Is it the satisfaction of owning a brand new car or that you own a pre-owned car debt free? Know your values.

3. Have a Plan I don’t think that every aspect of ones life should be planned out in detailed but in order to reach your goals, whatever they may be, you need to have a plan. You should have a financial plan to reach your financial goals, a career plan to reach your career goals etc. If you have a plan it becomes easier to resists the urge of immediate satisfaction, you maybe more conscious of your behavior and how they fit in your plan.

4. Prioritize Have clear priorities in life. This can be financial priorities or just general priorities, such as school comes before entertainment or family before friends. Having clear priorities will go a long way in delaying gratification.

5. Reward Yourself If you have long term goals, I highly recommend you set-up some short term goals and reward yourself for reaching them. Sometimes it can be very difficult to keep focus on long term goals if we don’t see some rewards, giving yourself small rewards can be very powerful.

More fun thought about Christmas deals: 

* I also use this sale-shopping time to update or add any new holiday decor to our home collection.

* Fun gift idea: if you have a wedding coming up, why not purchase a huge bright red or green tote and fill it with Christmas decor, wrapping paper, ornaments, etc. for the new bride and groom.  Everyone we have given this gift to LOVED it because (much like we were) it's something they don't often have or think of until the season arrives and (as most newlyweds are) the cost can be staggering to collect everything they want for their first home together.

* I have a tote in storage labeled "Anyone Gifts" that I fill with neat trinkets or pretty holiday dishes, etc. that would be lovely gifts the following year.  I have another one labeled "Specific Gifts" and fill this with special items for loved ones.  For example, a hand-sewn holiday sweatshirt my mother would love (at 50% or more off...I'm so busted now if you're reading this, Mom!) or some funky slippers for a niece.

Happy Hunting!