Yard Sale at end of April

So last weekend I was supposed to be hitting the free Church yard sales to look just for some things for our family but due to being out late the night before I had to skip the free sales (note, I do not resell things I find at a free sale)! Instead I prepared for a Norwex party I was giving later in the day and on our way to the party we just happened to pass a Church yard sale that had been pretty good the year before so we stopped. I was not disappointed. I found a train table with wooden tracks and a Cars activity rug for $10! I was able to sell the table and rug for $25...then I gave the tracks to someone...I also found some shoes for $.25 a pair and some baskets for my Norwex parties for $.50. Also some really nice snow boots for $1 a piece. It was quite the success...

Yard Sale almost Bombing...

So I totally picked bad yard sale on Saturday...I wanted to go to a different side of town but we decided to go in a direction towards a kite festival so I picked ones around there. So out of the three we stopped at I got nothing...then on the way home Joshua followed yard sale signs on his own--he's such a good man!--and then we stumbled upon a great yard sale! They had all sorts of outside toys for $5 a piece...sadly our van could barely get the three I bought as there just isn't enough space with our three little ones. But we squished those in and made do...I paid $12 for all 3 and have already sold 2 for $30, the other is the bouncy/jump horse that retails for $125 on amazon...hope to make a bit on that...everything needed to be cleaned up--buy my enviro cloths made that easy!!!

How to plan a Successful Yard Sale: Fifty Cent Yard Sale

My sister Beth and I had a yard sale last weekend and it was very successful! We advertised it as a Fifty Cent Yard Sale and sold everything that was worth more on craigslist and swap sites so everything else we were eager just to get out of our houses for whatever we could. Here are some tips for a successful yard sale:
#1 Have Yard Sale Prices: We were eager to get rid of our stuff and we had a nice variety of things from cloth diapers and dvds to clothes, shoes and baby stuff. But having everything for sale for $.50 (except a couple strollers and a piece of furniture that we sold for under $10) made it easier to not have to price each item and people were eager for a bargain so they bought several things. Don't forget it's a yard sale--don't have extravagent prices like a consignment store, if you have something you want to see for a higher price use a different method than a yard sale.

#2 Have Good Signs and Advertise Advertising as a Fifty Cent yard sale sure brought in a lot of people but we also made bright signs and had them pointing the way. We also advertised on craigslist and facebook. We had many people showing up before the yard sale was to start and before we had even pulled everything out. We sold a bunch before the start time. Make sure you take down your signs as well!

#3 Host with a Friend: Having the yard sale with Beth and her mother-in-law was so much more fun as we had someone to talk to during down times. We were able to take turns talking to people...and we had a better variety of things to sell!

#4 Have Reasonable Expectations: We were just so ready to get rid of stuff so we were happy to make $20 a piece so we would have money to do yard sale shopping ourselves so imagine our happiness when we made over $50 a piece! And we sold things for other people as well. We also had very little left over and were able to take it to the goodwill on the way home and have it all gone!
#5 Have Yard Sale at Beginning of Season: For us it was also very profitable to have the yard sale at the beginning of the season when people are dying to get out and yard sale! Also there aren't as many people to compete with! It was the perfect timing!

Yard Sale Season 2014 Week 1

Oh yes!!! It is that time of year again! Yard sale season! Besides having so much snow off and on the last two Saturdays have been fairly pretty! So last week Joshua and the kidos and I set off on a short yard sale trip where we went to one Church yard sale and one moving sale. I picked up a few great bargains. I picked up the bouncy chair and swing for $5 total. Now I did have to clean them up (my enviro cloth from Norwex was AMAZING, it cleans fabric stains and such just using water!) and both had corroded batteries. In fact the swing was almost pouring battery juice and took quite a bit of time to clean up...but got that cleaned up and then bought some dollar tree batteries for both and good as new! So I sold them for $30 total...making $25! I also found some great Happy Hollister hard backs with dust jackets for $1 a piece which I will be passing on to my brother...also found a Little People set that come to find out is really popular, rare and I guess worth more than I thought. I bought it for $2 and sold is easily for $10 with a line of people wanting it. I also got my kids some new fridge learning magnets. And I picked up a beautiful baby boy outfit that still has tags for $1. So I spent about $22 last Saturday and already I have made $45 plus I am getting my $8 back for the books...so not so bad for the first Saturday and a little cleaning up!!

Church Yard Sale in October

Hit a great Church yard sale a couple Saturdays ago. The kids and I spent an hour having so much fun looking through all the toys. There are a couple not even in the pictures. But everything was $.50 or $1. We got some books, shoes, costumes and toys. The ride on toys are going to make some wonderful gifts.

October Yard Sale Shopping

I've actually been quite successful the past couple weeks at yard sales. I only hit one or two good ones but sometimes that is all you need. This was a few weeks ago when I stopped at two yard sales. I got a exersaucer for $5 and sold it for $20. I also got a ride on car that Chloe loves, a potty, princess dresser, learning table for $3 and sold it for $10. So fun yard sales that I took the girls to with me.

Yard Sale Disappointments!

So I was super excited to take the kids and hit some yard sales last Saturday and Gideon was excited because he had some money. Well, the yard sales were terrible! Pretty much there was only one I got out at and bought a little fireman costume and a toy organizer.

  I debated getting the toy organizer because one of the shelves was a bit beat up and taped and it was missing a bin. However I have seen several people looking for these recently on my swap group. They were asking $10 so I asked if I bought it would they throw in the fireman outfit? They said yes (it was only $1). So I got it. I didn't know how much the storage shelves go for but I put it out there for $18 and got many bites...and then sold the fireman outfit for $5.

So all in all it wasn't a total lose day but so disappointing for myself and the kids. I also picked up a car seat that was a mistake. I bought it for $10 and realized it was a booster not a strap carseat. Also the lady didn't tell me it was close to expiring. So I'm selling that for the $10 I paid for it, still on the look out for a cheap carseat...

A yard Sale Update

So I'm still hitting the yard sales these days, just so busy with everything else I don't have time to blog! But I'll share about the last two Saturdays that I've yard sale shopped. Last week I only was able to pop into one sale but it was a good one! I found all the costumes below for $10, this is the prime time to stock up on costumes because everyone is looking for them for halloween and Christmas. The even better part of these costumes is three of them were Disney store which sell for a good amount. I have already sold the Incredibles and Batman for $10 a piece. I almost made back everything I spent at the whole sale in two costumes. That includes paying for the adorable Dora kitchen I picked up below for $10, it talks in english and spanish and has some cute kitchen items with it. They gave it to me for $10 because I was getting so much other stuff. I also picked up that really nice alphabet train puzzle for the kids.

The week before we hit a really fun church yard sale and got a bunch of things. Joshua picked up a backpacking backpack. I picked up a stool, potty, train, lots of toys, books, etc. The potty, cookie jar and stool I got for $1 and can resell for $5 a piece.  The kids picked up some new toys and really enjoyed this yard sale.

Yard Sale Week 9

So I was able to squeeze in some yard sale shopping this past weekend. Just stopped by when we saw some signs when we were out doing errands. Here is what we picked up...

Love this kitchen set--had two bags of play food and dishes with it $20 has an oven that sizzles...so cute. Right now it is in our kitchen so that the kids can play with it.

Cinderella play set $3

Lamp for guest room and crocs for Chloe to fit into hopefully soon. $3

Driving Like Mommy and Daddy

A man at our Church was having a yard sale recently and allowed us to come by early and "shop", I saw this little pick up truck to play in and fell in love...isn't it so cute? The kids can play in it for the longest time...they say they are playing "mommy and daddy"--notice Tirzah drinking tea while driving? Brett gave us quite a gift in this truck and we truly appreciate it.

Yard Sale Update-"-How to do it" article published

So for those of you wondering if I gave up on yard sale shopping the answer is no. I have been busy recently however helping a man at our Church who was in need of his house being cleaned out of kids toys and clothes. So I went through everything and put aside quite a bit that could be sold and have been working on that. It was quite a bit and so it has taken up a lot of my time and space. I don't really have any things left to sell except a couple items. We also have been busy the past few weekends so I have let yard sale shopping go...

However for those of you interested in how I do my yard sale shopping for free I wrote an article and got it published on moneysavingmom.  It has the details and if you have questions feel free to ask them and I'll try to get back to you.

These are some of the things I got to sell for the man at my Church...the Little People items sold crazy easy and I have sold about 3/4 of the rest of the things. 

This colored sand is a special item we were able to buy with our yard sale money...so glad we have some extra money to do fun things for the kids!

Yard Sale Week 8

Well this week I was able to hit some good yard sales, I took all three children with me by myself as Joshua went to a work day and Grandma was out of town. So I braved the shopping alone and it was fun. I got them all out at three sales and two of them were a great success and the kids had a lot of fun looking at all the toys and playing with things.

At the first sale we went to it was right down the road from us and we got some great deals. I got a deluxe umbrella stroller that has a sun visor and pockets for $5. I got a bunch of good books for $.25 a piece. I also found a nice stool/chair for our computer as we just moved it into our dining room I got it for $5! I also picked up a couple cute singing toys and a puzzle and some clothes for Tirzah for $.10 a piece.

I also picked up at a second sale a train table with trains and wooden tracks for $20. I was really just intested in the box with tracks and trains but she wanted to sell them together for $30 so I offered $20 and my offer was received. I also picked up the cutest little weed eater and chain saw that make nosie and pretend work for $2.

Also I should start keeping track of everything people give us free at yard sales. As I was leaving the first one the lady asked if my kids would like this little guitar that plays music (like Wild Thing, Rockstar, etc.). I told her they would play with it so she just gave it to me...maybe so she wouldn't be annoyed by the constant music?? :-)

So I spent $40.50 this Saturday...most of the things I have just listed so I haven't actually sold them yet but this is what I am going for, I might lower a bit seeing how things go.
                                                                                        Paid                       Listed/Sold for

• Train table and trains and tracks            $20                             $40-50
• Tea Pot                                                $1                               $5 
• Cookie Jar                                           $1                               $5
• Umbrella Stroller (traded mine out)        $5                              $6
• Puzzles                                                $.10                            $3

Update:

•  Breast Pump                                       $5                                 $20
• Booster Seats (sold 2)                           $1.75                           $13

Dress Up Time

I have been picking up some dress up clothes at different yard sale and the other day the kids wanted to play with them. I was so excited I had three animal costumes. One even fit Chloe...it is definitely worth it to pick up costumes for $1 or less than to buy them brand new even on clearance...

 A giraffe that can climb????

 Dragon, Lion and a Giraffe

 Baby Chloe all dressed up, boy did she try to get the hood off...

 Roarrrrrr

 Gideon put this ensemble together himself, isn't he darling?

Yard Sale Resell Tip

I didn't go yard sale shopping this past weekend so instead I have a little tip. Sometimes I buy things that just need a little cleaning up or new batteries that I know I can sell for a lot more. I don’t spend much on these items but it’s worth it to spend a few extra minutes cleaning something up to make a few extra dollars. My sister got a great breast pump for $5, cleaned it up and sold it for $45. I bought a couple pink booster seats that were just a little dirty and had straps that were dirty. So I cleaned the seats down with some all purpose cleaner and then set the straps in a bowl of bleach water till they were sparkly white! Good as new. I paid between $.75-$1 for them and made at least $5 on them. I bought a learning table a while back for $1 and sold it for $7 and it just needed to be cleaned up.

Yard Sale Week 7

This week I did not actually go to yard sales but instead wound up going to a big sale that lasted three days and was benefiting poverty. I was unsure how busy the sale was going to be and what all was going to be there but on the website i had seen a picture of a disney princess fold up couch I really wanted to get for Tirzah. So I decided to get there the first day when the doors opened. Joshua was home but I wound up taking Tirzah (who wanted to "shop") and Chloe who is quite the Mama's girl right now. So I got there about ten minutes early and was surprised to see quite the line waiting for the doors to open. When I entered the building I was overwhelmed by how huge the sale was (it was everything except clothes so a lot of things) and the prices were crazy cheap! I got the princess couch for $.75 and I would have been happy if it was under $8! The Lord is so good! So I came away with a TON of things for us and to resell.

So Gideon and Tirzah are sitting on the fold up couch I got...I also got these amazing outside trucks for $1 or less a piece...Gideon was ecstatic and has no more wish list. This also has given me the opportunity to take a bulldozer I spent $3 on at a yard sale (a bit high and I really questioned spending that) but it is remote control but Gideon has given me permission to sell that one since I got him so many other ones--so he won't ruin it outside some how. I have already gotten a buyer for $5 so in the long run I will have at least gotten my money back and almost paid for the trucks I bought as well. I also got a  Leap Frog refrigerator magnet set for $.25--my kids are enjoying that. I also got some dress up clothes, a little doctor kit for $.25, some blocks, some Cars for Gideon's birthday, a girl's lawn mower and a purse.

Notice her high heels that she wears like a pro??? My little girl!

 I also bought a chest freezer in the hopes that Joshua will get a deer that was $15...and it works! I also bought two dvd players for the van on long trips for $30...the nice thing is if I decided I didn't want the freezer or dvd players I could always get at least what I paid for them in reselling them.

Items I got to resell:                                                     What I paid                       What I sold it for

• 3 booster seats                                                       $2.75
• Dress up Clothes                                                    $10.00                                $10.00
• Bath Seat                                                               $2.00                                  $10.00
• Breast Pump                                                          $5.00
• Pack n Play Co sleeper                                           $10.00                                $10.00
• Cars                                                                      $4.00                                   $7.00
• Bulldozer                                                               previous week                      $5.00

I spent a total of $39.00 (excluding dvd players and freezer) on items to resell and keep. So in keeping with my yard sale rule (I must be able to resell enough to cover at least what I spent) I have to at least get back the $39. In the second  column is listed what I have either sold it for or have it pending for sale. Keep in mind that some of these things I have taken items out of so I might not be making a lot but I got free items out of the group--like the dress up clothes I took what I wanted out of it and kept some to sell separately...the cars I took out a bunch to give to Gideon...and the co-sleeper I am selling at cost to my sister. So pretty much I'm doing great and I still have some things to sell...which will all be profit!

Yard Sale Week 6

So this past Saturday was an annual 24 block yardsale that I went to with my mother-in-law and the kids. We also went to a yard sale to help a family raise money for their adoption. We came away with quite a few good things...and below you can see pictures of the kids playing with their favorite things.

So I got a bag of clothes for $2 that had some items for Chloe I really needed but I also stuffed in the bag some costumes to see in October and some 2T clothes that I added to some that Gideon has out grown to make a lot to see together. I also got a kitchen set for $5 it's old but the kids have loved playing with it outside and I got more dishes to go with it for $2. I picked up two little play vacuums for $5 and the elmo/cookie monster one is adorable they both talk and make sounds ( I already have them sold for $5 and $10). I got a brand new umbrella stroller for $5 for a friend. I picked up some shoes for Tirzah for $.50 a piece. I also got another learning table for $3 that I've cleaned up and got ready to sell. Joshua's Mom bought a pack n play and decided she didn't want it so I am selling that for her, it came with a mattress and changing table and so far looks like it will be sold easily for a $15 profit. Also those Laniloh milk storage bags are brand new I got for $.50 and easily will sell for $5. So that is how it's going right now...had a lot of fun and got some cute books for the kids. I plan on writing up a post on how to make money yard sale shopping soon. So be on the look out.

Yard Sale Week 5

So last week we went to a neighborhood sale on our way to Richmond. We found some good deals. I got a learning table for $1 which works fine and I will resell once Chloe grows out of it. I got a carseat for $5 which I have already resold for $13. I got a potty chair for $2 which I hope to get $5 for. I also picked up a camp chair, some princesses and a few items of clothing including that adorable frufru bathing suit for Tirzah--which is perfect because I was needing one for her.

Update on last week I sold the portable bed for $15 (bought for $3) and sold the booster high chair I got for $2 for $5. I also have someone interested in the phone I bought for $.25 for $2. Starting small but getting better at bargaining and getting what I want.

Yard Sale Week 4

So this past week we all went out yard sale shopping again. I love having Joshua come with me...he's such a good sport. So I found for ourselves a great children's fold out couch that looks like a little chair. It will be great to travel with so that the kids have something to sleep on. Tirzah is in love with it!

As far as things to resell. I found that tool bench for $5 and have already sold it for $15. The two booster seats I am keeping one and selling the other. I got them each for $2. I also found that cute little phone that works for $.25. I also found the little portable bed for $3.I also picked up a beautiful girl pack n play bassinet for $20 which is a steal. I gave it to my in-laws but may still sell it for a lot more if they don't need it.

Update from last week. I did sell the shopping cart and food for $10 making $6. I also sold a little leap frog leapster I got for $1 last year for $4 yesterday.

Yard Sale Week 3

Last week we had the youth conference so we were only able to stop at a couple yard sales and I picked up a pair of Cars shoes for Gideon for $.50 and a play vacuum for the kids for $.50. This week we went as a family and hit a few yard sales and it was quite fun! Tirzah found a princess chair for $1! My favorite find for the day is the bath seat as I've looked for one and they don't sell them in most stores because parents leave their children in the bathtub and they drown...so parents that have three children and could use a little help balancing baby are made to suffer! So I found one for $2 and am so happy!!!!! It's wonderful! I also found a shopping cart for $1.50 to resell and a play food mixer for $3 for resell. The kids are also very happy with the Little People Car Garage for $1.50. That is a good find!!!

Update for the first week. I was able to sell the Leap Frog table I bought for $.25 for $5...and I sold the carseat I bought for $8 at cost to my sister in law. I was able to cover pretty much all I bought with what I sold. That's always nice!

Yard Sale Finds...

So my first day of yard sale shopping went well! I hit two yard sales and maxed out the van!!! I found some little things like trainer underwear and costumes that aren't shown...

Bouncy chair $.25; Carseat $8; Carseat $.25; Leap Frog table $.25 and umbrella stoller $2

Disney Dragon costume $2

Games make great gifts...$.50 a piece

Adorable boots...Gideon was already wearing the frog boots and Tirzah was off wearing another pair. $1 a pair