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Aug
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Posted by singlemom
August 28, 2008 |
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I have a process that I use to get what we need for our family, our home and things to use as gifts. (This last is going to be another post.) I begin this process just before yard sale season begins.
- We go through all of our clothes, selling, giving away or donating all autumn/winter and spring/summer clothes that no longer fit us. Some items may be saved for rug making/quilt making in the future. (When my daughters were younger, Skye’s outgrown items would be put away for Zowie to grow into.)
- We list what we will need for an entire year. (I would do this a few years ahead when my girls were younger.) This includes clothing, coats, shoes/boots and accessories.
- We take inventory in each room of our home, to see what we need or would like to have.
- We also take inventory outside and in the shed.
- We consider any home improvement and craft projects that we would like to do.
- We list school and office supplies that we can always stock up on.
After this, I list the needed and wanted items on pages listed as follows:
- Mom’s Room
- Mom’s Clothes
- Skye’s Room
- Skye’s Clothes
- Zowie’s Room
- Zowie’s Clothes
- Bathroom
- Laundry Area/Hall
- Kitchen
- Livingroom
- Outside
- Shed
- Craft Projects
- Home Improvement Projects
- School/Office Needs
- Gifts - usually a list of what each person likes, favorite colors, sizes and ideas. Now we are doing family gifts instead of individual gifts.
I then decide on what I am willing to pay, putting that price next to each item. This is not what I will necessarily pay, as I will try to get it cheaper.
I keep these lists in a notebook, which I try to keep with me at all times. This helps me to keep my priorities straight. I also try to stick to the list, but I do sometimes pick up something that I know will be useful.
Here are a few examples of what I have picked up recently:
- I have been looking for a particular kind of phone for a couple of years now. It is a cordless with answering machine, that comes with two extra phones and bases. The good thing about this particular phone is that it does not need three phone jacks in three different rooms. Just one, and an outlet for the two other phone bases. These are expensive to purchase at a store, but I got the whole set for $5.00 at a yard sale.
- I have spent the last few years searching out attractive, well-made fencing sections (the short ones) for outlining the flower gardens. I can usually find these for $15.00 or more per section, but I need a lot of sections. While at a yard sale this past weekend, I noticed a lot of attractive, sturdy plastic fence sections. All matching. I asked the lady selling them how much she wanted for the whole bunch, and she told me that I could have them all for $1.00!!!! I was so excited over this.
- I keep picking up books for .10-.50 each at yard sales. This is my cheap entertainment for the coming winter.
I hope that this is helpful for everyone.
Shannon
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