In teaching Couponing 101 I have shared the concept of using coupons to save on everyday items so that you can free up money to buy more whole foods.   So many people have shared that by the time they buy the basics, personal care items, that there is not alot of money left to buy good quality produce and better quality meat.   I have worked lately on finding ways to purchase all of these items and have developed some strategies that I will be sharing in future blog posts on the How-Tos!

Last night I was able to serve dinner for my family that included Organic Chicken, Fresh tomatoes, Onions,  Red Bell Pepper (all marinated in Ken’s Lemon Pepper Marinade) and Fresh Peas for about $10.00!  I purchased the marinade on a BOGO sale and purchased for less than $1.00 per bottle.  I could have added some Texas Toast to the mix (another steal from Publix) but we decided to limit carbs last night.  The meal was tasty, low in fat, and was gracious plenty.

Stay tuned for the How-To’s in serving healthier foods to your family in future blog posts!

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I am booking my Couponing 101 classes in people’s homes  in the NW Metro Atlanta area.   If you would like to have a class in your home you will need:

• 10 people ($15.00 per person)
• A flat screen TV
• Wireless internet access
• (If you live in another metro area we can talk about options!)

I have taught classes for many local schools, PTAs, churches, and organizations; and have been featured on 11Alives Ways to Save.

You can send me an email or call 770-882-5570 to get on the schedule!

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When my son’s were young I found out about Children’s Consignment Sales and I worked on the committee for one of the largest sales in the Atlanta area.  I was able to buy gently used and sometimes new clothes, toys, nursery items, books, and furniture for great prices.   By selling outgrown clothes and toys I got a check once the sale was complete.    Out with the old, in with the new, and money made off the old paid for the new!

Sales have grown in number since that time and what a tremendous way to support families in today’s economy, as well as promote recycling!  Here are some ways to score big savings at Children’s Consignment Sales.

Find a list of sales in your area:

Check websites like ConsignmentMommies.com and KidsConsignmentSales.com and mark your calendar for upcoming sales in your area.

Create a list of items you need

Go through your children’s clothing, toys, books, etc. and create a list of items that you need (to include sizes of clothes and shoes).  Carry the list with you when you go to the sales and focus on finding those items first.   Toys and baby gear can be the hot ticket items, so when you enter the sale go to those areas first for items on your list.

Work a shift – shop early/Saturday half-price day!

Many consignment sales have preview sales (day before the actual sale) for sellers and volunteers that work a shift so they can shop early.  By either being a seller or working a shift of a few hours you can access the sales floor and shop before the sale opens to the public.  By shopping early I was able to purchase many pristine big ticket items for very little money!

Many sales offer half price day on Saturday.   Check the tag of a item you want to purchase to make sure the seller will sale the item at half price.  Be sure to get to the sale early to snag those higher price items that were passed over the day before.

Shop with a buddy

It is a great plan to get a buddy or two and go to sales together or spread out and go to different sales.   Carry a copy of each of your buddies lists and look for items on their list.  By working together and use of cell phones, you can be in touch and make sure price is OK – even send a pic of the item to make sure they want it.

Shop ahead for the birthdays and holidays

I purchased many large ticket items for Christmas at consignment sales.  I remember picking up a Little Tikes Climbing Tower for under $10.00 and it was a huge hit that Christmas!  Be sure to look through the area with craft items, many times they are unopened and can be re-gifted!

Carry a large bag with you to the sale

As you find items place in your bag.  This is a much easier way to shop vs trying to hold a variety of clothes, shoes, and toys while you shop.

Dress your child in name brands for little money!

You can save an amazing amount of money by focusing on buying your children’s clothing at consignment sales.    Your list will help you find the items you need as well as the right sizes for each child.  Once you have those necessary items, you can focus on finding other cute outfits.

Baby gear and gadgets

Need a double stroller?  Looking for a baby monitor?  There are usually many to choose from and for a fraction of the cost.  I have seen high dollar strollers go for less than $50.00.  Be sure to check out the tires for wear, plug in the monitor and test at the sale, look at fabrics and check each item at all angles for wear.  (Fisher Price swing above was priced at $15.00!)

Toys galore – and more!

There are massive amounts of toys at consignment sales.  Be selective on the condition of the toy, look for all the pieces, and test to make sure it works.  I have been known to carry batteries and a small screwdriver with me to test toys out (though many sales require them to have batteries and test before they can go out on the floor).

Be sure to sign-up for emails

Make sure you signup for emails at each sale.  They will email information to you about the next sale and include information on dates, preview sale, volunteering, and rules for sellers to help you plan for next season!

(Thanks to Wildwood Baptist Kid-Sense Consignment Sale in Acworth, GA for allowing me to take pictures at your sale!)

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Last week many volunteers and businesses worked together to make 11Alive’s event for Poole Elementary a big success.  This morning I want to give a shout-out to a company that stepped up to the plate and served more on the sidelines than in the limelight during the event.

A great amount of donations came into West Ridge church to include food and clothing.  The challenge – how to get food  and inflatable jumpies to Poole Elementary for the event and clothing to a seperate location.   I had worked with Two Men and a Truck when I worked for the school system and they donated a truck and manpower to transport donated computer equipment.  I made a call to them once again and without hesitation they stepped up to the plate and provided a truck and 3 men to box up food and clothing along with the large inflatable jumpies from the West Ridge Campus and transported all so that everything could be setup and available for the event.

Hats off to a local company with a great heart and dedication to serve our community.   Two Men and a Truck of Dallas, GA – you did a awesome job!

Please remember them for your next move.  You can contact them:

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®
4075 Marrietta Highway, Suite 24
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-3332
Info0192@twomenandatruck.com

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On Saturday hundreds of volunteers met at Poole Elementary, checked in with workers from West Ridge Church,  were sent out in teams and rolled out to neighborhoods impacted by last weeks F3 tornado.  I had the privilege of talking with families that had storm damage and the main theme I heard from them all was how thankful they were to have gotten through the storms and how amazed they were at the outpouring of care, support, donations, and the workers that have come by daily to help.

People from everywhere showed up to help, I saw vehicles from all over GA and trucks from florida with trailers of equipment to get rid of debris.  As I walked from door to door I saw people drive up bringing food, asked if the family would like a Dominos pizza for lunch – handed it off and didn’t expect even a thanks.  Yet others brought their children and the family pitched in and picked up limbs and debris and put in dumpsters, which is vital to get neighborhoods cleaned up since they are not getting federal help.

Tornado’s are strange, you can drive by several houses that look picture perfect and then the next house have major damage almost as if a giant walked across the land stomping homes here and there.   People that I spoke with that have storm damage just seemed to be grateful.  No matter how bad the damage, they were grateful for the help, for being alive, and said they had a new perspective on things.

Nobody knows why bad things like tornadoes happen to people.  I went through one with my family back in the 90s.  It was one of the scariest moments of my life and it does change you.  But it also allows you to see some of the best in humanity, an opportunity you otherwise might not have a chance to see.  Seeing people come out in droves to help with no expectation from you, it is a mighty thing to witness.

There is still much to do, roofs to be replaced, cars with only liability coverage with damage that somehow have to be fixed to get people back to work, furniture replaced, homes rebuilt.   But the people said they are thankful – and I realize that is something I need to do no matter what type of  storm may brew up in life.  So today I am feeling mighty thankful and blessed – and will strive to give thanks no matter the storm.

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I was contacted by West Ridge Church to draft a Disaster Relief Action Plan for Paulding County Residents that were impacted by the storms March 2012.    These documents will be handed out to storm victims on Saturday, March 9, 2012 during a Workday effort by the Board of Commissioners and West Ridge Church.  I would like to thank contributors that helped me with research, drafts, calls, edits:

Gene Ragan of Ragan Insurance, Columbus, GA
http://www.raganinsurance.com/)
Rita Martin
Primis Buechler

The Action Plan and Resource List are below – please share with anyone impacted by the storms or those working to support storm victims.

Resource List

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