Garage Sales

It's garage sale season again.  Every year, the city holds a Garage Sale Day, in which all households in the city are encouraged to hold a sale, or go shopping at the many houses in the various neighbourhoods.  Since moving to this city, we've gone shopping on Garage Sale Day every year.  We choose our neighbourhoods, make a list of the houses we will be visiting, pack the car with the kids and various snacks and drinks, and make a full morning/afternoon out of it.  We've developed our own strategies and methods for this annual event!

In most of our previous years, we've purchased kid books and games, toys, kid clothes, CD's, DVD's, a shelf, etc..  Since starting a family of our own, we've realized how quickly babies and toddlers grow out of their toys and clothes.  Buying new at full retail prices is a waste of well-earned money, and so long as the used item can be washed or cleaned, Husband and I are in complete agreement that buying used is the way to go.

I know there are some people who get icked-out from buying used, but there really should be no problem in buying used if the item can be cleaned or washed.  I also see it as a boost to healthy environmental practices.  If more people purchased used, then it would be less of a toll on our landfills - something that our city recognizes.

I'm sure I've posted about this many times before, so to re-iterate the "fun" of garage sale shopping, I'll list a few items that we've purchased in the past:

• Record player
• Shelf (for storage under our stairs)
• Toddler slide
• Peg Perego stroller
• Play-pen
• Kiddie Pool
• Toddler chalkboard
• Outdoor play-kitchen
• Numerous Kid DVD's, and books

We've also contemplated on used chairs/couches, barbecues, camping gear, exercise equipment, bags/purses, kitchen items, etc..  I always feel like a Prospector, when shopping on Garage Sale Day.  :D

My Black Friday Finds

I was debating about whether I would shop the Canadian Black Friday deals today.  I started "shopping" last night for the best deals, by sleuthing online and comparison shopping.

This morning, I began with some online shopping, and realized that I was "late" to the game, and that the sizes and selection online was limited, due to all those bargain hunters whom started shopping at 12:01 am, Eastern time.  I began shopping at 9am Pacific time, after my breakfast.  Yep, I was definitely late to the game.

I quit my online shoppping (made no purchases) and decided to head to the mall.  I'm glad I did, because shopping in-store is just so much easier than shopping online.  I went to Children's Place, and Old Navy.  Old Navy had the best deals.  50% off everything.  If you are reading this now, and want to do some shopping, log-off your computer and run to Old Navy.  The deals are worth it!  I bought a few things that I normally would have overlooked, due to the price, but when it's 50% off, it's worth the purchase!

In any case, it is now 4pm Pacific time.  There are still several hours left for shopping (in-store).  I have not ruled out some post-dinner shopping for tonight.  I've forgotten that I should have picked up toddler shoes this afternoon.  That's what I get for shopping without a list!

Bargain Bins

Bargain shopping is one of my favourite things to do.

Last weekend, I spent only $23 and purchased for my little girl a boardgame, 3 sets of flash cards, 2 dresses, 2 shirts, 2 books, and a camp chair.  The only thing I was really hoping to find, which I couldn't, were size 7 toddler shoes - not that she really needs them now, though.  But it would have been nice to find some toddler shoes for her next size up.

I love bargains, especially for baby/toddler/kids things.  Babies grow up so quickly, and you could easily be saving hundreds of dollars each year if you buy used, or take hand-me-downs.

My city holds a city-wide garage-day sale, where residents can register their home with the city and hold a sale on a specified day/weekend.  This is to help celebrate Earth Day, to promote the three R's - Reduce, Re-Use, and Recycle.  I love this day, and I'm looking forward to more bargains.  Like they say, one person's garbage is another person's treasure!  And who doesn't like to go treasure hunting??  :)

the Coupon Roundup

I don't have cable, but how can you not know about Extreme Couponers (or is it Couponing??).  Anyway, so I've heard of the stories of how people can spend $30 on $200+ worth of groceries, so I've decided to become an ardent couponer.

Firstly, I've always loved a good deal or sale.  The cheaper I can get it, the better.  I've always read every flyer and ad that came my way, for the occasional 2 for 1 item or service.  In-store coupons are awesome, better yet, are manufacturers coupons that you can use at almost any store.  Deals are awesome because that means I can save more, or spend more when I want.

This weekend I Googled and bookmarked several "reputable" coupon sites and blogs, and printed and sent-off for coupons.  I found coupons mostly for free cereal - some cereal that I probably wouldn't even buy or eat if I didn't have the "get free" coupons.  But hey, it's free, and its food, so why not?  I even went on some websites to sign up for their email lists.  Some places offer perks when you sign up for their lists, such as free recipes (Kraft), or special promotions or coupons (Quiznos).  If you can think of a restaurant or company that you regularly make purchases, try visiting their website to see if being on their email list will give you perks?  I created a "junk-mail" email account for all these sign-ups.

As for the junk email account... this is just so that I can keep my personal emails, and my coupon emails from being mixed up and forgotten.  I don't consider any of my coupon emails junk, especially since some of it is quite informative (recipes, info on nutrition, and products that I like).

In any case, I have probably printed 20 coupons or so, and a dozen or so more are on their way by mail.  I'm starting a nice collection.  Hubby says we need to start organizing it in a binder.  Hopefully we will get a chance to use most of those coupons.  If not, I'll make sure to pass them on to some friends and family.  And why not?  Everybody loves a good deal!!  :D