Consignment Sale Tips

I love consignment shopping! And for a little one who is constantly growing and never wears something out it can be a wallet saver.  Here are a few tips I've learned over the years.  I hope they help.  Some of these apply for the big consignment state-to-state sales, but others go for the small shops.

1. Make A Researched List
Who doesn't love saving money? Purchasing something used saves you money every time, right? Wrong. I've gotten caught in this trap before.  I've gone consignment shopping and ended up buying the item close to new or at new price.  Make a list of items you are looking for and find the new prices they run at.  That $5 used toy might only be $6 brand new.  Some things might just be worth a wait. If I am going with someone I like to have pictures on my list so it is easy to explain to the other person.

2. Bring Large Totes or Bags
You've found a ton a baby clothes perfect for your little one, you start loading them on your arms, shoulder and even used your arm as a hanger.  This works well for a while but buy the time you've gotten up to the line I'm sure you've dropped a couple items without even knowing it.

3. If Shopping Big: Bring Something With Wheels
This tip applies to the large consignment sales such as KidsConsignment. This could be a stroller or even a cart.  I lucked out that a stroller was the first thing I bought during my big haul.  Usually sales like this have some carts available but they are in high demand.  Bring your own stroller or cart to load up.  No one want to be waiting in line hauling everything weighed down like a pack mule.

4. Do you really need that?
So you found this awesome jumper that sells new for $100 for only $10, buy it right?  When I find these amazing deals it is so difficult not to buy.  I've given into this so many times. Just because it is on sale doesn't mean you need it.  As they say: "A penny saved is a penny earned."

5. Check the Duplicates
Last consignment sale I saw two identical Jenny Jumpers.  One had about 40 lbs of toys attached, whereas the other was cleared off.  I went straight for the $8 clearned one thinking I could always add the toys I wanted. Fortunately my Mother-in-law saw the other's price at only $1. Best $1 I ever spent.

6. Its Okay Not To Buy
Just because you found an item you were looking for doesn't mean you have to buy it.  It might not be in the condition you want, or maybe not the price point you want.  Don't feel pressured to buy to just because you found it.  There will be another sale.  If you aren't able to make it out, tell others you are on the look out and they might be able to help out.

(Copied from 2/14/2015) Defining myself and starting motherhood

There were a lot of things I thought I was prepared for in having a baby. Four months before my due date I already had the nursery all set up, diapers purchased, much of the clothing, and even a plan for what to do in every situation. I might have gone a little overboard. I was going to be a first-time mom and I wanted to be as prepared as I possibly could. Growing up, I was always considered the babysitter. I love kids. I love spending time with them during their good times and the bad times. When I was 10 years old I even babysat for infant triplets, I was ready for anything.

But when I had my little girl Evelyn, it wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. Physically I had everything ready. I had read about all the items that were the necessary things for baby, and a few things that were just helpful things to have. But what I wasn't ready for was the emotional strain having a baby would put on me. During the first month my milk went from so much I had to store it in the freezer, to practically nothing. I felt miserable I could not take care of my own child. I felt like I was ill-equipped. I had a bad case of the baby blues, most of my friends had abandoned me when I told them I was pregnant, and not to mention the little sleep and motional drain after having a baby. My milk production still sways back-and-forth, but I have learned how to manage it better. With only having a six week old baby, I feel like I have learned a tremendous amount. I have learned that breast-feeding does not come natural like I expected it to. I have learned that it is okay to feel sad when you feel like you should be happy for all the wonderful things you have. But above all I have learned more about myself than anything else. Before now,I didn't know how much of a not to stay at home person I was. I realized that staying inside and taking care of my baby that I love so very much, wasn't enough for me. I felt guilty for this realization. How could my new baby girl not be enough for me? At first I related it to losing my identity. I no longer had my rabbit, I no longer had my red hair, nor did I have the time to do my art. And being on maternity leave the last defining factor of myself that I related to was teaching art, I wasn't able to do that either. All the things that I felt to find me we're gone. Being a mom had not become something that defined me yet, it's still hasn't. I know one day it will, I won't be able to force it sooner.

Over the next few weeks, I plan to talk about how I am dealing with finding myself, defining who I am, and managing mother. I know I won't be perfect at it, and I don't expect this blog to be an advice blog. But I hope that this will become an avenue in which I can share, open up, and find who I am again.

Realism Hits

Baby on a budget doesn't mean you can theme things just the way you planned.  This seems so obvious now, but it is just dawning on me.  I recently heard about The Kids Exchange and couldn't wait to go!  The Kids Exchange comes twice a year to multiple states providing a space where you can sell and purchase pre used child items.

My giant haul

We find out the sex of the baby on thursday (yay!) so everything I picked up had to be gender neutral.  Completely by accident EVERYTHING I purchased was green & brown jungle theme.  Guess we're going with jungle nursery.  As you can see everything just got thrown into the room, I've slowly been getting around to washing everything. The nursery recently was just a storage room, one of my paintings was still in there (the giraffe in the background). It matches so we're keeping it in there.


Not only is the realism of budget friendly hitting but also that I'm growing.  Cut down from my 15 pairs of pants/shorts (too many!) to now 3.  Looks like maternity clothes shopping is in my near future.

As all moms, I love a deal.  Let me share with you some of the amazing items I picked up at the sale!  Once I get the nursery up I'll show you how it is all coming together.

$5 Lampshade

Pack-N-Play ($45) Carrier ($20) Diaper Genie ($10) Bath ($4)

Carseat/Stroller ($65)

Hamper/Crib Set ($50)

Part of crib set

Lots of blankets, onesies, bibs, etc ($1-2 each)

Lot-O-baby clothes ($1-3 each)

Week 8: My Morning Sickness Cure

Why in the world do they call it morning sickness? It should be called 24/7 sickness! It has been the biggest hurdle so far. I find myself wanting to spend more time in the bathroom than doing most anything else.  I am so jealous of any woman who doesn't have it 24/7.  I started loosing weight because of how much I was throwing up, knowing this wasn't good for me or the baby I searched for a solution.


Everyone will tell you crackers are the key, but they didn't help me. my new love: SEA BANDS!  Originally for sea sickness these are the most wonderful nausea relieving items I've ever come across.  I'd do a commercial if they'd let me.  

How it works: Using acupressure bands that fit around the patient’s wrist just like a sweat band-with a pressure stud sewn inside. No medicine to worry about completely natural.  They are my new best friends.


Goals for this week:

- Find a doctor
- Find a new place to live
- Start taking baby bump pictures
- Make more door silencers and list them
- 



Project of the week: 

Cute DIY Baby Bibs

I have a lot of extra fabric sitting around and this might be a good investment considering a number might get stained.

Nursery Plans

We've picked a theme!

SPACE... the final frontier!

It seems mainly boy rooms are spaced themed, though I don't know the sex of my baby I believe space is wonderful for either gender.  It encourages curiosity, science, and exploration.  Who doesn't want those traits in a girl or a boy?

Space Themed Pinterest Board

Garnet Hill  - Though no longer available
I absolutely love this quilt, though I still would include pluto in my own design.  

Love this!  This is handmade from Lovefelt Creations Etsy shop.
But I'm thinking of taking my own inspiration and changing it up.  

Mark Montano has a great dye DIY job.  This would be wonderful as a rocking chair upgrade.
YouTube Video

This adorable pillow can be found over at Button Owl Boutique on Etsy

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.  I need to find a place to live first.  We should be moving within a month.  then I can start setting everything up! 2014 is going to be a big year.  

Week 7: The Beginning

Personal Update:

It is official!  I'm pregnant! I've known for 3 weeks now but it is finally sinking in, but maybe it is the morning sickness that reminds me of it constantly.  This will be my first child and in some ways I feel overwhelmed. It is almost like I don't know where to start.

If my middle name could be frugal it would be.  If I can save by making it myself I will.  I've always worked with my hands.  I am a high school art teacher and feel this will probably help me in the journey. We'll see!

Goals this week:

 - Find a doctor

 - Get what I have of baby items organized.

 - Finding a new place to live. 

 - Start taking baby bump pictures.
 - Find cure to morning sickness.

Project of the week: Door Silencer

Each week of my pregnancy I plan to give myself a project to prepare for the baby.

I've seen a ton of door silencer's out there and I'm planning of recreating this one.  I'll update with how it goes.  I found it on Makes website but the original post can be found on Practically Functional. Next post I'll include what worked and what didn't.