Budgeting

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 16 Recap

Hello again, savvy savers! So today’s challenge was to tackle selling on local Facebook groups.

So, why Facebook? Well, it’s super simple to sell your unwanted stuff on Facebook local Buy, Sell, or Trade groups. So, today I am challenging you to look for Facebook sale groups in your area to post, sell, and profit from your household items, clothing, sporting goods, and baby items. So, how did you all do?

Here are today’s details:

Overall, I set a goal to sell $100.00 on Facebook.
I listed ten clothing items, several new with tags (NWT).
I have also already made arrangement for pick-up, and so my items are now listed as pending pick-up (PPU).
I made sure to set my Facebook setting to notify me of all new messages, so that I can quickly check messages on my pc, laptop, iPad, and iPhone quickly. I am a third done selling, and have thus far potentially earned $78.00!
I feel that I am quickly going to make my selling goal!
I also cross listed items into several other local groups, and a local vintage group, too!

As well yesterday I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I waked two miles.

Yesterday I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
I cooked three meals from my home pantry, saving $6.81 in the process.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!
I earned a $200.00 tax receipt from donating goods to local charities.

Total amount I saved my family: $21.38

This months savings goal remaining: $123.48

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

6 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 15 Recap & Day 16 ( Selling Your Stuff, Part 1: Facebook Local Groups)

Good morning, savvy savers! Yesterday we focused on one of the most neglected areas in my home, and perhaps yours, my couponed stockpile. I challenge you all to clean up your stockpile! So, how did you all do? I fared well; cleaning, dusting, sorting, organizing, donating!

This project took three hours, I was able to clean out three shelves of goods, and the best part… I assembled sixteen boxes worth of goods which are being donated today to a local women’s shelter and homeless pantry! Woohoo!

As well yesterday I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner, before heading out this morning.
Read my daily devotional.

Yesterday I saved:

I received a $200.00 tax receipt for donating goods to charity.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
Ate from my weekly menu, three times, and saved $8.91.

Total amount I saved my family: $212.59

This months savings goal remaining: $0.00! ($1,079.75 saved thus far)

Now onto today’s challenge:

So this past week you’ve shown you know to kick your clutter habit, but now what can you do with all your discarded, yet viable items? Sell them of course! And this is what this weeks challegnes will be focused on. So, for today we will tackle Facebook.

Here are a few tips:

Search for your state or region and the word “sell” or “buy” to find local buy/sell/trade groups.
If there are none, you can always start one and get the word out in your community!
Many of the groups are closed, so you’ll have to ask permission to join, and others only accept certain types of listings.
Many have strict listing requirements and limits on how many items you can try to sell per day in order to stave off spammers and scam artists.
From there you can shop from people in your area, list your own items for sale, and set your own prices.
Be sure to check out each group/administration rules prior to joining.
Be sure to note whether you’re willing to ship something, or—in the case of furniture or large electronics or appliances—whether you’d rather the buyer come pick it up.
Be specific in your pricing and listings; do not use vague terminology, such as “make me an offer.”
Be prompt in answering questions, commenting on posts, as well as taking down notices for sold items.
Always check your “other” folder in Facebook messenger; those whom you are not friends with, will have messages posted to this folder, so be sure to check it often to not miss out on any awesome offers of sale!
Each 24 hours you can “bump” a listing, an action which will automatically move a listing to the top of the groups wall by typing “bump” in the comment section under your listing; this can be done once per item, per group, per 24-hour period.
Be courteous. Allow users to ask questions, and then try and sell to the first inquiry before continuing down your list.
Don’t be afraid of offers or hagglers. Know your items worth, not it’s sentimental value, it’s actual worth. In order to make a sale, you must be willing to negotiate on price; this doesn’t mean accepting insulting, low-ball offers, but reasonable offers.
When scheduling a pick-up time, schedule your drop offs in a well lit, public place, and bring a friend or family member with you. Also, if selling multiple items, have your buyers come in 15 minute increments to avoid wasting gas and time waiting on buyers who may be no-shows!
Have fun! This goes without saying you should have fun, even when selling goods!

Beyond the above listed basics, there are great benefits to selling locally on Facebook:

The big benefit of using Facebook like this is that you set your price and there’s no one taking a cut of your sale price or charging you to host your listing.
You can set your own preferred method of payment.
You also have the opportunity to become part of a community where people are looking for bargains as much as others are looking to declutter their homes.

So today, I challenge you to start selling your items on Facebook!

Here’s what to do today:

Set a small goal, say $100.00 in value, or ten items to sell.
Find a local Facebook Group.
Join your group.
Prep your items for sale; make sure items are clean, ready for pick-up, sorted, and photographed.
Be patient! Sales take time.
Get ready to sell!

So stop checking your Facebook wall, and start raking in that cash today! Good luck! Be sure to check back tomorrow morning to see today’s recap, and for tomorrow’s challenge, too!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

6 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 15 ( Cleaning Out Your Stockpile)

Good morning, savvy savers! Can you believe we are almost half-way finished with this No-Spend Month! WooHoo! So, today will be the final day of this months No-Spend Challenge Cleaning projects!

Today I want to focus on one of the most neglected areas in my home, and perhaps yours, my couponed stockpile. Yes, the cave of Frugal Wonders! My stockpile, housed in my homes basement, though it’s well lit, houses many built-in shelving features, the area still seems to always be in need of rearranging, sorting, and cleaning! The one saving grace of this area, the exhilarating feeling I get each time I am able to gaze over my shelves, from the shampoo to the paper products, and then proceed to “shop from my home!”

My stockpile, though hard earned, is an immense blessing to my home. And as they say, to whom much is given, much is asked, and this rule equally applies to my stockpile! My stockpile saves my family thousands of dollars a year, but I must honestly admit is the most neglected area in my home. But no more! So today, I challenge you all to clean up your stockpile!

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Rotate your stockpile. “Rotating your stockpile” means rotating your stockpile per season. You will need to place goods in order of expiration date, my seasonal usage, as well as keeping climate into consideration; you may need to start storing it in one location for summer and another location for winter, in terms of baking tools, cans, chemicals, etc..
Long Term Storage: If you plan to store any item for longer than a week or two, you need to know its long-term storage requirements. Some items will only last months or longer if stored in a cool, dry place. Some items must be stored in a refrigerated or frozen environment in order to last longer. Make lists, and create sub-areas in your stockpile; examples are canned goods, cosmetics, paper products, etc.
Take Note of Patterns: Start a list of your product usage, this will allow you to see what you need, will use in a years time, and what should be donated accordingly. Unused goods are cash wasted.
Last Forever Items: Nothing lasts forever. Even goods such as bottled water, start to have an altered taste after a decade, so keep this in mind.
Canned and Preserved Goods: Keep inventory and note the dates of home-preserved items; a rule of thumbs is to only keep items no longer than two years.
Pests: Pests love your stockpile, almost as much as you do! Be sure to check goods monthly, especially in Summer, and any goods that look altered, chuck immediately!
Dehumidifier: Humidity can alter and mold many goods, so consider running a dehumidifier twice weekly.

So, today I challenge you to check your shelves, inventory your goods, and make a point of donating all goods that you will not be able to consume, as a family, within one year! For as any couponer knows, cyclical sales, like the tides of the shore, just keep on a comin’!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for today’s recap, and tomorrow’s new challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

0 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 13 Recap & Day 14 Challenge (No-Spend Valentine’s Day Ideas)

Good morning, savvy savers! Can you believe we are almost half-way finished with this month! So, yesterday was another organization day, focused on our home offices, bookshelves, craft areas, and/or home libraries. This was a very important challenge for me as I work from home, and so I spend an inordinate amount of time at my desk. You would think that would mean I automatically have the motivation to keep that area neat and tidy at all times. And while generally speaking my desk is clutter-free, my drawers, rolling cabinets, and shelves are not! My inbox/outbox too, was a mess, and my vertical files were full of unneeded papers, review guides, and coupons I hadn’t looked in several months. I firmly believe that home are our most important investments, and therefore our most important business. Keeping this space organized is essential to keeping our homes running more smoothly.

I’m really excited about yesterday’s progress.

So, I was able to:

I cleared off my desk.
I organized my dining room bookshelves, putting like groups together, and placing non re-reads to a bin for a later book swap weekend.
I took the binders and manuals I previously housed in on my dining room shelves, and placed them on an upcycled shelf in my office.
I turned my former dining room buffet station into an office credenza to hold my craft room staples.
I sorted through my personal files, and established a personal box for my husband and I both, as well as created a new lock box system for credit cards, cash, gift cards, etc.
I cleaned out my coupon binder.

I felt completely overwhelmed when I started, and utterly victorious when I stopped! Woohoo!

As well yesterday I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I waked two miles.

Yesterday I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!

Total amount I saved my family: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $344.86

Now for today’s challenge:

So, with Valentine’s Day in mind, I challenge you to all find ways to make the most of your Valentine’s Day, without having to spend a dime!

A few ideas:

Tour a local brewery or winery–most breweries and wineries offer free tours and tastings!
Have a picnic in the park–Pack a few treats, a bottle of wine, a blanket, and your love to keep you warm!
Cook or bake together–What’s more romantic than preparing a meal together, in-kitchen… matching aprons anyone?
Attend a book reading– Check your bookseller or commerce to see what is going on.
Attend a free art show–As it’s President’s Day Weekend, many public museums will be open this weekend, and offer free admission!
Play a game–Board games can be easily made into a couples activity.
Have a movie night at home–Check your mobile phones as Redbox will be texting all subscribers with free Valentine’s Day codes!
Stroll the beach–What’s more romantic than a shoreline stroll, while holding hands, while watching the waves crash onto shore. I’m a Jersey Shore Girl at heart, so this rocks to me!
Visit a farmer’s market–-Spend a morning checking out the work of local artisans, many of whom offer free samples and will barter! Sing for your supper, if you will.
Go for a drive–Take a ride along a historic parkway, take the scenic mountain pass trail, or follow a Native American path. The options are endless.
Have a spa day–Enjoy a romantic candlelit bath together, make DIY, organic products at home, give one another foot rubs or back massages.
Explore a nearby tourist attraction– Stop by the visitor’s bureau or chamber of commerce in your own backyard, and see the local sights in a new, romantic light!
Paint– Draw a portrait of your loved on, no experience necessary. Sometimes seeing yourself, through someone that loves you, is all the perspective you need to value today!

So, savvy savers, I challenge you today to plan a No-Spend Day with the one you love today! If your life doesn’t include a significant other, no problem! Plan a day with your family, your parents, your friends, or for yourself! Be creative. Be spontaneous! Be inspired!

Be sure to check back tonight for today’s recap!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

3 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 12 Recap

Good evening, savvy savers! Today I challenged you all to tackle cleaning out your little caves of wonder, your bedroom closets! If you are anything like me, your closet was nothing short of a time capsule of the last decade of your life, and probably need a cleaning overhaul today.

You were allotted: 40 hangers, a skinny bin, and that’s it! So, how did you all do today? For me, I was able to clean out my closet and had eight hangers left over, woohoo! As well, all of my purged clothes will be used next week during our “selling week;” all of the clothes being purged can be donated, sold, or upcycled, too! My closet, which was already small, went from having the rod bowing in the center, to being freed up! I can now see all of the pieces I love! I forgot I still had my Burberry wrap! How awesome is that!

Now, before anyone asks, my boxes shoes are located above my closet, and I have an awesome, huge set of built-in drawers which house my house clothes, pajamas, scarves, and more. But my closet, long the place where garments were pressed together so tightly they could not move, is now free-flowing, organized by fabric, and I now feel that despite losing a few dozen items, I have more options, as every item I kept I can fit, and just love!

As I organized my closet I kept three piles: A pile of wearable outfits, a pile of donations, and a pile of clothes which can be sold. And when I was finished I tried on each and every outfit in the keep pile, and guess what? Three outfits were too large for me currently, which was an awesome affirming moment for me! All-in-all, this was painless, and left me feeling elated!

The 40 hanger system is a keeper for me!

So, here’s the before and after:

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I waked two miles.

Today I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!

So, overall today my family saved: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $359.43

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Day 13 challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

7 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 12 (Clean Out Your Closet)

Good morning, savvy savers! I hope you are all well rested, and in the mindset to save this morning! Things are a little amiss at my home this morning, as two of my three fuzzy little girls are at the vet this morning, one with an ear infection, and the second getting her final round of puppy vaccinations; when all of my family isn’t home, human and fuzzy alike, this seems a little sadder, you know? So today, in keeping with this weeks cleaning trend, I want to focus on another problem area in many homes, our personal closets. Yes, our little caves of wonder. If you are anything like me, your closet is nothing short of a time capsule of the last decade of your life, and probably in need of an overhaul today!

So today, I challenge you to purge your closet. But there is a catch to today’s challenge, you can only keep 40 items. Now before anyone gasps in horror, this is a purposed experiment. I am challenging you to limit your closets to 40 hangers, 40 items so that your closet only contains clothes you can currently fit, look great in, and simply love! All of the clothes being purged can be donated, sold, or upcycled, too!

So here are a few tips to help you purge your closet:

Purge veraciously. Keep only the items that you absolutely love, can comfortably fit, and wear on a regular basis.
If something doesn’t fit “just right,” has holes, stains, is out of season, or you haven’t worn in one year, toss it!
Skinny Bin. For clothes that you are five pounds from fitting, create a bin or basket which can be placed in the top of your closet; no more than ten pieces.
Think Fabric. Torn or stained items, made of interested fabrics, can be reprieved from the donation bin, and instead may be cut into strips or squares for crafting; think pillo cases, framed vintage tees, tee-shirt rugs, and more!
Invest in great hangers. Think smaller, huggable hangers for clothing, and bendable hangers for swearers; plastic hangers can be re-purposed to hang fabric in your craft room, and wire hangers can be stored for wreath forms.
Maximize your losses. Purged items can be sold via Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, consignment shops, Threadup, or garage sales.

Don’t think of this as a chore, but a life lesson. By purging the things we don’t need, want, or use, we are making room for all of the clothing and accessories that make our bodies look and feel better. Today we are freeing ourselves for the bigger, better deals. So today, let’s see how we can change our perspectives, one closet at a time! Be sure to mosey on back her tonight to see my daily recap!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

8 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 11 Recap

Hello again, savvy savers! So for the Day 11 challenge, I challenged everyone to clean off your homes most prized real estate, your counter-tops. So, today as my counter-tops were already cleaned off, but I thought I would share some of the ways I keep them cleared off!

A few ways I keep my counter-tops clear:

I keep my toaster oven, microwave, tool crock trio, and produce baskets on a small bakers rack.
All paper products, wraps, and lunch items are stored in in-cabinet wicker baskets.
Snacks are stored vertically in hanging baskets.
I keep a rack above my sink for washing accouterments and my favorite e-Pantry candles!
I keep my small appliances in a bottom cabinet; grill and baking appliances on one shelf, and all others on the bottom shelf.
I place my cutting boards in an upcycled magazine holder, on the side of my pantry.
All spices, food, and pantry items stay in the pantry!
Extra tools belong on my pullman cart beside my fridge!

I also created a coffee and tea station on top of my antique buffet table in my dining room. The station holds all of my mugs, cups, and baskets holding my k-cup products in cabinet, to maximize space. I find that having all of my Keurig, tea station, electric kettle in one area not only cuts down on kitchen clutter, but forces my family to better utilize out dining room space; being able to sit and drink tea coffee, and cocoa in a designated area promoted quality family time for us all!

And before anyone asks, are my cabinets cleared out? You betcha! I just love how much more efficient my home has become in the few weeks my counter tops have been cleared off. Every projects, from pantry cooking, prepping blanching projects, to folding laundry now has an area! And at the end of the day, when I wipe my counter tops off I feel a true sense of relief, not seeing clutter in every direction I turn! I highly recommend clearing of your counters, as it truly is a game changing experience!

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I waked two miles.

Today I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!

So, overall today my family saved: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $374.60

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Day 12 challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

8 Comments

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