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Frugal Sunday - Let's go to a Garage Sale and Make Money

I mentioned several weeks ago that garage sales are a booming thing in my area. They probably are pretty popular where you are as well. Have you ever thought about finding things at garage sales to sell on auction sites and/or flea markets? Take a look at the enclosed article and see if it might not work for you.


Let's go to a Garage Sale and Make Money
By: Chaele McMillan

You can go to a garage sale, buy something like a camera, cookie jars, children clothing, furniture and consign it to a second-hand store. The store might sell your $5.00 camera for $30.00. If they keep a $10.00 commission, You would still make $15.00.

Another way to make money off your items is to buy from thrift stores, Sales at retail stores and put your items on Ebay. It will cost you a few dollars to place your item but you can make money doing this. People have made thousands and thousands of dollars off of Ebay.

The key to making money by re-sell is to not invest much money in the item. Don’t make the price so low that the commission and fees make you lose money and learn how to wheel and deal at Garage Sales. Offer to buy 2 items and get a discount on the third.

You may not get rich but you might be surprised what you come across and it might pay your way to the movies!

Article by:

Chaele McMillan is a work at home mom. She owns Mom State University and is the Outreach Manager for Sunrise Retreats. Sign up for a free healing, inspirational Newsletter at www.SunriseRetreats.com


Article Source: www.ladypens.com

Frugal Sunday - How to Create a Frugal Budget

In searching for Frugal ideas and tips, I found this on About.com. What can be more frugal than learning to budget?

1. Assess your monthly expenses.
Make a list of all of your regular monthly expenses, including any money that you spend on fun things like eating out, entertainment and hobbies; and any minimum payments that you have to make towards your debts. You can use a budget form for this purpose if it makes the job easier.

2. Total your earnings.
Calculate how much you make per month, including any money that you receive from investments and other forms of residual income.

3. Subtract expenses from earnings.
Test out the effectiveness of your budget by subtracting your monthly expenses from your earnings. This will show you how much you can expect to have left at the end of the month.

4. Rework your budget.
If your budget comes out on the negative side, rework it until your numbers crunch. To do this, go back over each expense, and look for places to make cuts.

5. Build in money for debt reduction.
If you have debts, your budget should already include the minimum payments that you have to make each month. Now you need to find the money to pay down those debts. Look at your numbers again, and determine where you are willing to make sacrifices to get out of debt.

6. Build in your savings and investments.
Now it’s time to budget money for your financial goals. Do you want to have an emergency fund? Retirement investments? Vacation savings? Make a list of what you hope to achieve, and then survey your budget once more to find the money that you need to reach those goals. If you have a lot of debt, you may need to skip this step for a while, and that’s okay—debt reduction should be priority one.

7. Put your budget to work.
Once you’ve created a budget that covers all of your monthly expenses and financial goals, it’s time to put your budget to the test. Try to live within your budget, and see how it feels.

8. Assess your budget.
At the end of each month, look over your expenditures to see if they are matching up to your budget. If they aren’t, determine if you need to work harder to stick to your spending plan; or if you need to rework your budget to reflect your actual spending.

9. Assess and assess again.
A frugal budget is never finished. Continue to look over your budget every month to catch areas of overspending. Then, crunch the numbers again until you’ve made it right.

Tips:

1. Be honest about your spending habits, and you’ll end up with a much more realistic budget.
2. Don’t forget to budget for fun; budgeting isn’t about total deprivation.
3. Don’t be afraid to change your budget; a good budget is always evolving.

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalliving101/ht/Frugal_Budget.htm

Frugal Sunday - Handy Home Prepared Mixes

If your household is anything like mine, it seems like the grocery budget is growing out of control! Every time I go to the grocery store, I bring out fewer items for a larger amount of money!

This week I would like to share the following article - "Handy Home-Prepared Mixes".

If you have any tips that you would like to share, send them to me at MizMara@wittywahm.com along with a short text ad that I will publish in the next Witty Wahm Newletter.

Handy Home-Prepared Mixes
By Sara Noel

Pre-packaged store-bought box mixes are expensive. Have you considered homemade alternatives? Made-from-scratch mixes are healthy, cost beneficial, store well, and taste great. Often times, you’re paying for the packaging of commercial “convenience” foods and you don’t have any control over the additives and preservatives they contain. When making your own mixes, you tailor the ingredients, so have control over the quality and quantity.

Making your own bulk mixes is a great way to stock your pantry. Creative containers make homemade mixes a terrific frugal gift idea too. There’s something deeply satisfying when cooking from scratch. It takes some minimal preparation, but many of the ingredients are already a staple in your pantry. It’s not as time consuming as you may think.

Supplies

Plastic baggies
Glass containers with tight fitted lids
Prep area
Labels
Appropriate ingredients
Storage area
Basic kitchen tools
Plastic containers
Decorative items for gifts. (ribbons, printable recipe cards, labels)

Master Baking Mix

9 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
1 Tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk solids
2 cups shortening (which does not require refrigeration)

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar three times. Add dry milk. Mix well. Cut in shortening until mixture looks like cornmeal. Store in covered container at room temperature.

Biscuits
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Combine 1 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix and 1/3 cup milk in a bowl. Add milk and stir. Knead lightly on floured board. Roll 1/2-inch thick; cut and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Makes 8.
Options: Add grated cheese and chopped herbs. Increase milk to 1/2 cup for drop biscuits.

Muffins
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat together in a bowl 1 egg, 1 cup milk and 2 tablespoons sugar. Add 3 cups Master Baking Mix. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into greased muffin pans or into paper muffin cups and bake 20 minutes.
Options: Add drained fruit, chopped nuts or dried fruit. Replace 1/3 cup of Master Baking Mix called for with quick-cooking oatmeal or All-Bran® cereal. Add chopped dried fruit and nuts to recipe and bake as a fruit bread in a greased 8 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Pancakes or Waffles
Beat together 1 cup milk and 1 egg. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix. Bake on griddle or waffle iron.

Dumplings
Mix 1/3 cup water to 1 cup Master Baking Mix. Drop into hot stock and cook 10 minutes, uncovered, and 10 minutes, covered.

Yellow Cake
Sift together in a large bowl 3 cups Master Baking Mix and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Mix together in a small bowl 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add this to dry ingredients. Beat at high speed for 4 minutes. Grease a 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Frost or sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over the top. Options: For chocolate cake increase the sugar to 1 1/2 and add 1/2 cup of cococa powder.

Coffee Cake
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Beat together in a bowl 1/3 cup milk and 1 egg. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 2 1/4 cups Master Baking Mix. Stir until well blended, about one minute. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons margarine and 1/4 cup chopped nuts and sprinkle over the top. Bake 25 minutes.

Oatmeal Cookies
Place 2 1/4 cups Master Baking Mix in a bowl. Stir in 1 3/4 cups brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Combine 1/3 cup milk, 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 cup melted shortening. Stir into mix and blend well. Add 3 cups oatmeal and mix. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 12 minutes.

Banana Bread
Beat 2 eggs and 1/4 cup sugar together in a bowl until well blended. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1 1/4 cups (about 3) mashed bananas. Stir in 2 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix. Pour into a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 55 minutes or until brown.

Pizza Crust
Add 1/2 cup water to 2 cups Master Baking Mix and form into a ball. Knead and roll out 1/2-inch thick. Place in a 10-inch pan, leaving a rim around the edge. Brush the dough with oil, then spread with favorite toppings.

Basic Mixes

Chicken Coating Mix

1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons onion powder or dried minced onion
2 teaspoons dried minced celery
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
To use: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Gently beat 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg together in a bowl. Wash and pat dry chicken. Fill a bag with 1 cup of the coating mix. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk-egg mixture and then drop a piece of chicken into the bag and shake. Let pieces dry thoroughly before baking. Place chicken on a shallow, lightly greased baking dish and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.

Stuffing Mix

6 cups large bread cubes
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon leaf thyme, crumbled
1/2 cup dried minced celery
1/2 teaspoon leaf sage, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cubes chicken bouillon, crumbled, or 3 Tablespoons chicken bouillon powder

Bake bread cubes on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning a few times to brown evenly. Toss bread cubes with remaining ingredients until the cubes are evenly coated. Store in a tightly closed container on the shelf for 1 to 4 months, or freeze for 1 year. To use: Melt 3 tablespoons butter; stir into 2 cups Stuffing Mix in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chicken broth or water, stirring gently. Warm in a pan on top of the stove, in the oven, or in a microwave.

Condiments

Ranch Dressing Mix

15 saltine crackers
1 cup dry parsley
1/2 cup dry onions
2 Tablespoons thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Whirl in blender until crumbs are very small. Store in an airtight container. It will keep for 1 year.
To use: Whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup buttermilk and 1 Tablespoon Ranch Dressing Mix.

Italian Dressing Mix

2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons basil
2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
6 Tablespoons granulated sugar

Mix and store in an airtight container.
To make dressing: Use 3 Tablespoon mix with 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil and 1/2 cup wine vinegar.

Beverages

Cocoa Mix

8 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/2 cups non-dairy coffee creamer
3 cups instant chocolate drink mix for milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

In a large bowl, combine all and blend well. Store in an airtight container.
To serve: Combine 1/2 cup of mix with 9 ounces of boiling water. Stir well. Makes 16 cups of mix.

Cappuccino Mix

1 cup instant coffee creamer
1 cup instant chocolate drink mix
2/3 cup instant coffee crystals, regular or decaffeinated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine creamer, drink mix, coffee crystals, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and mix well. Store in airtight container. Makes 3 cups dry mix, 15 servings.
To prepare: Add 3 Tablespoons mix to 6 ounces of hot water and stir well.

Spice Blends

All Purpose Spice Mix

1/3 cup Grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Sesame seeds
2 Tablespoon Paprika
1 Tablespoon Poppy seeds
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 teaspoon Dried parsley
1 teaspoon Onion flakes
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Celery seed
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper

Crush bouillon cube into fine powder, put in screw-top jar. Add remaining ingredients and shake until well mixed. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 months. May be used on fish, meat, stews, casseroles, salads, vegetables.

Onion Soup Mix

2 cups powdered milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup beef bouillon crystals
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed

Mix and store in an airtight container in refrigerator.
To prepare: Mix 1/3 cup dry Onion Soup Mix with 1 1/2 cups water. Cook and stir until thickened.

Gift Ideas (Gifts In a Jar)

Dreamsicle Cookies

1/2 cup orange-flavored drink mix (Tang)
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups vanilla baking chips
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Combine the flour with baking soda and baking powder. Starting with the Tang, then sugar, chips and flour mix, layer the ingredients in a glass jar.
Attach Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F Empty contents into a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg and teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

Colorful Soup Mix in a Jar

1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried split peas
1/2 cup uncooked twist macaroni
1/4 cup barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/3 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup uncooked tri-color spiral pasta

Use a funnel. Layer ingredients in the following order: bouillon, onion flakes, split peas, small shape pasta, barley, lentils, rice, and enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill jar.
Attach Instructions: Brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef in a little olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the pan and add 12 cups water. Boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more.

Tips

Be sure to store your mixes in a cool, dark place. They hold a shelf life of approximately six months. You can also freeze flour for 24 hours prior to using in your mixes to prevent the possibility of bugs.

Gifts In a Jar Tips

When assembling gifts in a jar, you should use one quart, wide mouth canning jars;however, many containers will work such as mugs, baskets, gift bags, flower pots, bowls, and teapots. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next ingredient. You can decorate with fabric, floral and ribbon embellishments, or by drawing on jars with glass paint markers. You can consider attaching small gifts to the container such as ornaments, cookie cutters, measuring spoons, or a wooden spoon. Don’t forget to attach the recipe to your homemade gift.

If you enjoyed these mix recipes, you’ll love Just Recipes website with over 700 mix recipes at your fingertips.

You’re well on your way to creating great alternatives to store-bought convenience foods. Who thought it could be so simple and sensible? You’ll create something handy, frugal, healthy, and tasty. They’re wonderful for stocking up, camping trips, and emergencies too. You’ll even have wonderful kitchen gifts to share. Not bad for thinking “outside of the box".

Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of http://www.FrugalVillage.com and http://www.HomesteadGarden.com Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Noel

The lastest issue is online!

The latest issue of the Witty Work At Home Mom is now online - May 9, 2007.

It contains two articles:

• Direct Sales: You Joined! Now what?
  
• Keeping In Touch With Your Clients

It also contains an interview with Denise Willms, co-owner of WAHM-Articles.com.

Come on by and take a look. Subscribe and enter the contest for a free text, button, or banner ad.

Witty WAHM

Frugal Sunday

This week's Frugal Sunday is about Garage Sales! It's that time of year again! And, here where we live, Garage Sales are BIG business! There are always plenty to go to. In fact, there are so many, you can't make them all!

If this is the case in your area, perhaps the following article will be helpful.

Holding a Successful Garage Sale
By Sara Noel

Hosting a garage sale is a great solution for ridding yourself of clutter and making some extra money. To have an effective, efficient, and successful garage sale, it takes some preparation and basic know-how. Part of the apprehension in having a garage sale is the fear of a negative outcome. Let’s cover the basics to optimize the best results.

First Things First

Before you start planning, phone your local authorities to inquire about any permits you may need and any provisions or ordinances they may have. Some communities may prohibit the sale of food items or used bedding.

Plan ahead what you’d like to do with remaining leftovers that don’t sell. Donations are always welcome at thrift stores, some shelters, and even some nursing homes. Call ahead to these establishments and get information on any items they don’t accept or how and when they accept drop-offs.

Decide if you want to include others. Maybe you have friends or family that would like to add some items to your sale. You may want to consider an entire neighborhood or block sale. This can cut your advertising costs down considerably.

Safety Tips

Have a phone handy if possible.

Post a sign on any entrance doors that states “Off Limits". You don’t want anyone inside your home or wandering around the perimeter of your home. For safety reasons, consider sitting outside of your garage. Being inside the garage is often remote and not visible from roadside. Keep your cash box in a safe location.

Don’t permit any hanging sale items or tables to obstruct your view. Don’t place items right next to the road where they could be easily stolen. If you have a pet, please make sure it’s on a leash.

While making change, always keep the money handed to you in plain view. This prevents anyone from claiming they gave you an amount they didn’t. In many areas, it’s illegal to post signs on utility poles because it’s a potential hazard to workers. Check before placing your signs.

Be sure the items you’re selling have not been recalled or pose any potential hazards. You should avoid selling older cribs, strollers, helmets, playpens, carseats, and baby gates.

Consider not posting your full address in your ads. You can share main cross streets and let visitors follow your signs.

Gathering the Goods

You can start at anytime to declutter and organize items you don’t want to keep. You can start organizing your unwanted items into boxes. There are many practical items that are great sellers, so don’t overlook anything because you think it won’t sell. You never know who might purchase it. Every little sale adds up. You should try to have a wide variety of items. Many collectors and dealers frequent garage sales, so don’t be afraid to include one of a kind type items. (Ex: one single glass or one individual candlestick)

Items to consider selling

Baby items
Household items and kitchen appliances
Toys
Books or magazines
Craft supplies
Linens
Plants
Tools

Go room to room and start cleaning, purging, and placing all your unwanted “stuff” into your garage sale holding boxes. Don’t forget to go through closets, dressers, basement, attic, and even the garage to haul out your “junk”.

As you’re placing items into the designated sale boxes, note if anything is easily cleaned or repaired. It’s much easier to go through this process as you’re slowly accumulating and collecting, than to inspect everything all at once while you’re pricing items later.

Planning the Date

Your best day to host a sale is on Saturday because most people get paid toward the end of the week and are looking for sales on the weekend. The majority of garage sale days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You may want to consider hosting your sale more than one day, but you’ll want to have a lot of items if you opt for a multiple day sale.

All is not lost if you decide to have your garage sale on a weekday. The benefit of having it during the week is that the people attending won’t be garage sale hopping and holding out for better deals elsewhere.

Try to avoid a date that conflicts with any major holidays, as they may not be as profitable. Keep in mind that you can’t accommodate everyone.

Be prepared for early birds. Someone always comes early! Decide if you’re willing to accept people arriving any time prior to your advertised time of your sale. Don’t be afraid to turn folks away, if they come knocking too soon and you’ve decided not to permit early birds. You’re better off to be prepared than to have possible regrets later. If you do plan to permit early birds, be prepared the day before your sale or at the very least an hour before.

When planning the date, clear your family calendar for the entire day. You may want to recruit some help, so make sure others are available to assist. Give yourself at least a couple week’s notice to organize well.

Getting the Word Out

You need to advertise your sale. You can advertise your sale in community papers, signs, local newspaper, word of mouth, laundromats, and grocery stores.

Advertising tips

Displaying balloons at your house is an eye catching way to show where you’re located.

Your garage sale sign(s) should have arrows, be simple, readable, and bright.

If you live on a side street, a few signs leading to your house is a good idea.

If posting a printed ad, be sure it’s printed on a weekend and offers a couple days notice because most garage sale buyers check out the ads Friday thru Sunday.

It’s best if you can mention the best items in your ad to show that you have a good variety available and to attract the most people. Please remember to take your signs down after your sale too.

Pricing and Money Matters

Every item should be priced and easy to read. Label anything damaged or questionable “as is". I recommend using easy to remove price tags. Stickers and string hang tags work best. There is nothing more disappointing than finding an item at a sale and the seller has added the price directly on the item in black marker. Color coded stickers are great if you’re holding a group garage sale with others.

It is sometimes beneficial to have current prices of what your items cost new. This can serve as a comparison to how good your prices truly are. Pricing can be set at about 1/2 the retail cost to you.

Prep tips

Post a sign if you’re not accepting checks and that all sales are final. Don’t hold items without a deposit. Be sure to have lots of change for your sale, a calculator, paper or sale’s slips for receipts, bags, boxes, and newspaper to wrap things. If holding a group sale, plan with others the lowest price they’ll accept on their items.

Display Tips

Neat displays and groupings are recommended.

Long narrow portable tables work great.

Display large merchandise and some good items for both men and women visibly appealing from roadside. Items like tools, lawn equipment, weights, and electronics, furniture, baby gear, and bikes are good examples. If it looks like junk from roadside, people will drive right by and not bother to even stop.

Have an electrical source. This is for people to test any electrical items you have for sale. Maybe consider having these items plugged in already. Place breakables towards the back of tables or higher for protection against breakage.

Leave enough walking space for shoppers.

Clothing can be difficult to sell. You should arrange them neatly. Consider displaying them by color or size. Hanging clothes is best, but you can also fold items neatly or try a “filling a bag for $1.00? special. You can also try box lots. This box for $5.00 or everything on this table $1.00. Make sure that items that aren’t for sale are set aside, so buyers don’t try and buy them.

Smart Selling

Everyone loves a bargain. Be prepared to haggle and set your prices accordingly. Greet visitors and be friendly, but let them browse freely too. You don’t want to be a high pressure salesman, so I suggest you sit someplace out of the way, yet still accessible. You want to give your visitors some space to look items over, but be ready to answer questions, if they ask. You can share any information you have about items they are interested in.

Don’t allow anyone to intimidate you. Be firm and don’t reply in an uneasy or uncertain tone. If they offer you less than an item is worth, just nicely mention your price is firm on that item. If you’re flexible but hoping someone else will purchase it for your asking price, you can always ask them to swing by later and if it’s still not sold, you’ll accept their offer.

Boredom Busters

Plan some activities to keep yourself occupied, in case of slow times. Consider a good book, crossword puzzles, crochet, or cards to keep from being bored. You can play some music for yourself and the buyers.

You can also offer refreshments for a small fee too.

After The Sale

After your sale be sure to divide the money, if it’s a joint sale. Put your money in a safe place.

You can take down your signs and start packing up your items that didn’t sell. You can decide if you want to donate your items or keep them for your next sale.

It all makes “cents”. We’ve covered all the basics of running a successful garage sale. Hopefully, your sale will be profitable and it will encourage you to have more sales in the future. If nothing else, you’ll clear out some clutter , organize your home, and have some fun. You can then decide what you want to do with your cash from “trash”.

Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of http://www.FrugalVillage.com and http://www.HomesteadGarden.com Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Noel