Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
Today’s 52 Ways to Save post is inspired by this amazing community garage sale that I hit up with some friends over the weekend. It was great! There were at least 40 garage sales in this one community. They even provided a map of all the sales!
And with that, learn to save big at garage sales with these tips:
Find the Sales
Before you jump in the car to find garage sales, you might be wise to do a little research beforehand. The night before you head out, be sure to take a look at the sales in your area. When you look at the garage sales in your area, you can plan to hit the sales closest to you so you’re not driving all over the place. Plus, having a clear plan of action in place will help you save big because you’re not going from one end of the city to the other then back again. Here’s where you can look for garage sales in your area:
Your local newspapers
Craigslist/Kijiji
Facebook Buy & Sell groups (I find people often post about their upcoming garage sales)
Write a List
Making a list of items you’re looking for can also be a money saver. Garage sales can be really exciting with all.the.neat.things that you must have for so cheap. All those neat things can add up to a lot of clutter and wasted money. So grab a pen and paper and start listing the items you hope to find that you will actually need. Get specific, especially when it comes to kids clothes. Over the weekend, I was on the hunt for 2 pairs of pants, 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of summer PJ’s and a great pair of sandals for my daughter. I managed to keep most of my money because I could overlook all the cute things she didn’t need (dresses! skirts! sweaters!).
Be prepared
Now, it’s garage sale day. But before you jump in the car, make sure you’re stocked up on snacks and your beverages of choice. A day of garage saleing can be long and you don’t want to spend more at the drive-thru then you did on your garage sale treasures.
Bring cash
Make sure to have cash on you when you start. If you come across something that you must have, you don’t want to run to the bank and risk that item being sold to someone else! Having smaller bills and change is ideal.
Get ready to bargain
I’ll admit that bargaining isn’t my forte, but I did however, manage to do a tiny bit of bargaining over the weekend! I think most people expect you to offer a different price actually. So, just ask! The worst they can say No and the best they can say is Yes! Just make sure you offer something reasonable. Sort of lame, but one person said I could have my purchase for $8, but I countered with $7 (because I had a $5 and a toonie). He accepted and I’m pleased with the deal I got on two jeans in brand-new condition and a t-shirt!
Another trick I learned is to see if they’ll let you fill a bag for a fixed price. As I was digging through the kids clothes at one home, I was offered a plastic shopping bag that I could fill for $5. I would have jumped on this but I couldn’t find anything in the right size for my daughter.
Buy these items
I find that buying these types of items at garage sales will save you a load of cash in the long run:
Wedding supplies: Once our wedding was over, I sold all the candle holders and table runners that we had purchased. You might find similar items yourself!
Craft supplies: I’ve also sold a ton of fabric and card making supplies in garage sales over the years.
Collector items: If you’re a collector of a particular item, garage sales could be a gold mine for you!
Kid clothes: Can’t go wrong with buying kids clothes. Most of them will be in excellent shape since kids usually outgrow them before they get too worn.
Large baby/kid items: While I am quite hesitant to buy used car seats, I don’t think you can go wrong buying things like excersaucers, baby swings, high chairs and outdoor toys.
Since I didn’t find everything on my list at the community garage sale this past weekend, I plan on hitting up more future sales armed with the tips I listed.
What are your tips for saving at garage sales? What are some of your must-buy items?
Did you know you could be throwing away money each month, right into your own trash can? There are many items tossed into trash cans each month that are worth cash and can help put a little extra change into your pocket. Take a look below at 6 ways to turn your trash into cash and make a little money off of items you would normally throw away or recycle.
6 Ways to Turn Your Trash into Cash
1. Wine corks.
Wine corks have become quite popular with crafters lately. If you drink wine, set your wine corks aside. You can sell them on eBay or Etsy, where crafters are paying around .25 and up per cork. If you host a party or have been collecting corks over time, you could enjoy a real pay day!
2. Aluminum.
Don’t pitch aluminum cans. They’re worth cash! Take it to your nearest recycling center where they will count your cans and pay you the going rate. It is a quick way to get rid of the aluminum and make some cash in the process. With the money I get from bringing in our old cans, I like to put the balance into my daughter’s piggy bank.
3. Magazines.
Back issues of magazines are quite popular on eBay. If you have magazine subscriptions, sell your back issues on eBay to buyers in need. Niche topics are especially hot (crafting, hobby, fashion) and bring in a great price. So don’t toss those old magazines, sell them.
Don’t toss those old newspapers before checking them for coupons. When you toss coupons, it is like tossing money. Instead, check each page one more time and make sure there aren’t any savings you want to clip and take advantage of.
5. Glass bottles.
Glass bottles are another hot item with crafters. If you have glass bottles, especially colored glass, wine bottles, or decorative bottles, see about selling them first. Etsy or the hobby section on Craigslist or Facebook Buy & Sell groups are perfect for getting a few bucks per bottle. At-home wine makers are also always looking for wine bottles!
6. Scrap metal.
Most things that are metal (including cars, bikes, appliances, cans, file cabinets, BBQ grills, etc.) can be recycled for cash. To find out how much you can make, google “Scrap Metal Pickup” for your local city to find someone that will pick up your scraps.
See how easy it can be to turn your own trash into cash? Keep these tips in mind and you can make a little money off of the items you normally just toss away or recycle. So, how much cash is lurking in your trash? Take a peek and see which items you can weed out and get a few dollars for.
Do you have any “trash” items that you regularly like to turn into cash?
Are you looking to make some money from home? If so, you might be cautious about all of the work from home opportunities out there for fear they may be scams. And while plenty of those do exist, you will find that there are a lot of legitimate ways to make money at home as well. Take a look below at 5 legitimate ways to make money at home so you can have extra cash on hand, pay down debt, or save up for that special purchase you have been eyeing.
5 Legitimate Ways to Make Money at Home
1. Write and publish eBooks.
Do you like to write and have knowledge on a certain subject? If so, write an ebook! You can use easy to use and navigate programs such as Kindle Direct Publishing (an Amazon company) to publish your books in just minutes. This is a great way to bring in a little extra cash flow each month. To get started, use a word processing program to type up, edit, and format the text, then transfer the text using the tools Kindle Direct Publishing provides.
2. Become a tutor.
Do you have a background in teaching? Or, perhaps you are just skilled at reading, writing, and math? Then advertise your skills as a tutor among friends and through social media. Tutors can make upwards of $20 an hour, more if you are skilled in junior high and high school skills. Set aside a space in your house for tutoring, or offer to tutor the child in their own home. You will need very little in the way of supplies (usually pencils, paper, will do the trick) and the child is sure to appreciate your help and support!
3. Become a pet or child sitter.
If you love children or animals, why not become a sitter? You can offer to provide services in your own home or the clients. Sitters for children can make upwards of $10 per hour, while the amount you can make as a pet sitter varies. Either way, you can make cash for doing what you already love. Advertise among friends, family, and social media to let others know you are looking to take on clients in these areas. Provide excellent care, and you are sure to have customers flocking to you.
4. Sell from home.
Direct sales are a great way to make money from home without a great deal of overhead involved. Some examples of items you can sell from home would include essential oils, candles, cosmetics, and jewelry. Visit the websites of Scentsy, Young Living, DoTerra, Avon, and other direct sale companies to see what opportunities may be available to you. You will find that these companies offer excellent commission, bonus opportunities, and even trips for your dedication to them.
5. Sell your stuff.
Use eBay, Etsy, Facebook, Kijiji, Craigslist or even Amazonto sell your gently used items. You can sell movies, music, furniture, clothing, accessories, even electronics and plants. If you are getting rid of it, chances are there is a market for it. Check out the sites mentioned to set up a seller account, take some great pics, write a thorough description, and in no time you will be selling your stuff online and making some real cash.
Get paid for reviewing websites or apps with UserTesting! They pay their testers $10 for every 15 minute website or app review you complete. Easy money!
Making money from home is possible. Give these legitimate ways to make money at home a try and see what you can achieve!
Do you have any other ideas for making money from home?
Spring cleaning is in full swing so retailers are helping you out by putting cleaning supplies on sale!
Vacuums
Along the same lines as cleaning supplies, you will also find vacuums at a discount. So now is the time to buy if you need a new one.
Paint
Once the warmer weather hits, retailers know that home improvement projects begin. So if fresh paint is what’s on your mind, keep your eyes open for a deal in April.
Winter clothes
Retailers are wanting to make room for the new Spring apparel so you can expect to find some deep discounts on winter clothing!
Easter items
Before Easter, you will see ham and turkeys on sale. As soon as Easter is over, stock up on candy, decorations and more. Those items will be drastically reduced to make room for the next holiday items.
Tulips/Daffodils
Once tulips and daffodils are in season this month, I often see them on sale. Cut daffodils are often cheaper than cut tulips.
Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
For today’s 52 Ways to Save post, we’ll be talking about buying items in bulk!
I find that buying items I use often end up being cheaper in the long run when I purchase them in large quantities. Most grocery stores sell items in bulk which can result in a lower price. (When you’re comparing the cost per weight between a small package and a large package). For example, purchasing a 10kg bag of flour is cheaper (according to weight) than a 5kg bag.
However, it’s not always good to buy everything in bulk. Take the example of a 10 pound bag of potatoes For our family specifically, since it’s just my husband and I and our daughter (who doesn’t eat much), buying the big 10 lb bag of potatoes is not a good use of money for us. If I purchased the large bag there would be guaranteed waste. Which is essentially like throwing money down the drain!
What to Buy in Bulk
What you should buy in bulk will depend on your own family. Take a look at the items you regularly buy a lot of that have a long shelf life or will keep well in the freezer.
For our family, I buy flour, tomato soup, rice, meat and beans in large quantities. Up until recently, I was also buying large boxes of diapers and baby wipes.
What not to Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk can often save you a lot of money in the long run, however there are times when it’s wise to skip the large quantities.
1. Don’t buy things you won’t use up in time
Going back to my example of the 10 pound bags of potatoes. As I mentioned, this would not be a smart purchase for our family because I know all the potatoes won’t be used up in time.
2. Don’t buy things if you’re not sure you’re going to love them
Sure, that big bag of dried beans may be a great deal, but if your family doesn’t love beans then that bag is just going to sit around collecting dust. You may have good intentions in wanting your family to eat more beans, but you are better off getting them used to the taste of beans with smaller bags or cans.
3. Don’t store your bulk items carelessly
Make sure to store your bulk items properly and check them often. the last thing you want to do is find your grains bug infested! Many bulk items can be frozen to extend their life. Here are some things that freeze well:
Meat (either cooked or uncooked)
Flour
Fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches, cherries)
Vegetables (beans, corn, tomatoes…etc)
Butter
Breads, pastries and baked goods (cookies, muffins)
Cooked rice
Another option for bulk purchases is splitting a large purchase with friends or family members. You’ll all reap the savings while reducing the possibility of waste because you have a quantity that is more manageable for each family.
So tell me, do you buy in bulk? Have you ever made a bulk purchase mistake?
It is no secret that our parents and grandparents knew what it meant to stretch and save a buck. They had a motto that went something like use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. And that is exactly what they did. They didn’t toss anything until it was used up all of the way, and if they couldn’t afford something, they did without. You can use these lost money saving tricks of older generations in your own life, which will greatly improve your financial health. Take a look below at some lost money saving tricks of older generations that still apply to life today and can really make a difference in your budget.
Lost Money Saving Tricks of Older Generations
1. Use it up.
Make sure you are making the most of your resources. Don’t toss that toothpaste tube before it is empty. Eat food before it goes bad to avoid the need to throw it out. When you make your resources go the extra mile, you are saving money by not buying new. You are also getting the most bang for your buck, using every bit of what you paid hard earned money for.
2. Wear it out.
Wear clothing for as long as it lasts, and try to do the same with shoes. Take care of socks, belts, purses, and other accessories as well so you get a good amount of wear out of them. When one of these items gets a hole, run, or stain, try to repair it yourself before calling it a loss. This is also a way to get more bang for your buck and avoid buying new.
3. Make it do.
Avoid buying new items if you have something that will make do instead. For example, don’t buy a new formal dress for an evening event; make do with one you already own or borrow from a friend. Don’t buy the new coffee maker you wanted, make do with the one you have even though it is a little slow and not very stylish. When you make do, you are saving money by using what you already have on hand.
4. Do without.
Sacrificing was something our grandparents knew a lot about. If you can’t afford something, don’t buy it. It is a simple concept, but for some reason one of the hardest ones to master. Try to pay cash for everything, and only buy new when your budget truly allows for it.
So, do you think you are ready to use it up, wear it out, make it do and do without? Our grandparents did, and they had financial freedom and responsibility that so many of us dream about. Give these tips a try and see how well they fit into your modern life!
