Treasure Hunting

 Before, I've written about consignment and how I turn in cans for money. Well here's to taking it one step further. Grab your metal detector and a few helpers and get down to business. (pictured below--Helper #1 and Helper #2)

Today started out just like any other weekend day. Really nothing going on.  I finished one of my weekend projects: Cleaning out my car earlier this morning. (yay me and so proud!) While sitting around watching TV with my youngest sister, I had the sudden urge to search for scrap metal in our side yard (my dad had recently had some luck in finding copper wire--which values more than cans). Why? No idea. Maybe it was the prospect of making big bucks and feeling like I had found buried treasure...Anyone feeling like a pirate yet?

So off we (Carol, me, and our two doggie helpers) go, into the garage to find the said metal detector and a shovel (after finding we'd need something a bit more sturdy than a stick).  After walking through the yard finding nothing more than a few turtle friends, we just about gave up.

 And then we heard it...The BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP. We had found something! Oh the excitement! Was it a diamond ring or some ancient coins?! Whatever it was we had to get digging!

After struggling with the shovel (why is mud so hard?) and sifting through the mud that smelled like horse poop (I would know, read about my farm experience here) we finally found what had set the detector off! Oh HAPPY DAY!

Yep, that's it. That teeny tiny piece of metal! I'll put that in my box of scrap metal (and yes I have a box full) and hopefully make some good money off of it eventually!

Who knew walking around with a metal detector and digging in the dirt could be so rewarding and kind of fun?

Everybody's Workin' for the Weekend

Weekend's are pretty much glorified by everyone, and for good reason too.

No work and plenty of leisure time. What could be better?

For me, this weekend will be spent doing a whole lot of nothing--and I'm not sad about it. Not one bit. I have a few projects that I'd like to get done, but I will mostly be relaxing!

Weekend To Do

(I told you I loved to make lists--Read more about it here)

• Clean out my car. My dad recently told me "Why go shopping for new things, when you don't really take care of the things you already have?" Touché,  dad, touché. --But if anyone asks it was my idea not yours.  We will see how this turns out since my idea of getting my car clean is taking it to the detailer's and through the car wash.


• Wash clothes. Super fun I know. But I feel so accomplished when everything is clean and hanging up. (Shocking right mom?)


• Finish birthday shopping for the upcoming birthday boy! (who is the HARDEST person to shop for might I add) What do you buy the boy who doesn't want anything and without getting him the same thing over and over for every holiday??


• Sleep late--if Laney will let me (which is probably never going to happen--she always wants to play) One day down, one to go :)

What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is, HAVE FUN...because I said so!

It's a Rich Man's World

So you have a job (YAY!) and love getting those paychecks...who doesn't?

But you still want extra money to spend guilt-free or save.

(Keep in mind, this is for us folks who don't have a stock portfolio or anything financially fancy)

What to do, what to do?

You could :

a.  Sing about it like ABBA:

Money, money, money

Always sunny in the rich man's world

All the things I could do

If I had a little money,

It's a rich man's world

OR

b. FIX IT, DEAL WITH IT and BE CREATIVE DOING SO

Well I've been in your shoes and in fact I'm probably still there. And while singing ABBA and pretending you're in the musical Mamma Mia is fun, it doesn't help the present situation. When you're done singing and dancing, you still have no money. Been there. Done that.

So I'm here to share a few ways that work for me. I believe in them so much that I'm using all of these tips myself!

• Save that change. Paying in cash for things can help you rack up the spare change. Keep it in a big clear jar or jug so you can see your progress along the way!

 

• Pay in cash. Paying in cash not only helps with your new spare change stockpile, it also keeps your from touching your checking account. Thus, inadvertently saving money. (Makes sense in my brain)

Note:  By saving change and recycling, Josh and I were able to almost fund entirely a road trip to Pittsburgh--complete with Steeler's tickets and gas money. We are planning another one this year and hope to use mostly our saved change and money from cans!

• Recycle. Not only is it good for the environment, but you can also make money off of it! Check to see if any companies in your area will pay for aluminum and scrap metal. I have ALL of my family members and even people at work saving their cans for me~TOTALLY WORTH IT.

 

• Consign your clothes. Check out Just Call me the Consignment Queen for more about that.

 

• Save your $5 bills. So every time you get a $5 bill, put it away. The key here is to not touch it. Before long, you'll have a good amount of cash--if you can keep from spending it as soon as your put it away that is.

 

• Make a budget and stick with it! For me, I do it a little backwards. I plan to save a certain amount first and then whatever is left I can spend however I please. Whichever way you make a budget, most importantly, MAKE IT and STICK TO IT.

 

• Once it's in your SAVINGS account, DON'T touch it. (except in EXTREME emergencies --and no fro-yo and that new dress do not count). Your savings account will grow and you'll feel accomplished. WIN WIN. Plus you'll have something to fall back on if you have car trouble!

 

• Don't go out to eat as much (read don't go out for sushi 3x a week). Pick one day of the week to have your meal out and let that be that. You might be surprised how much you save! Sushi Tuesday is the new thing.

 

• If you have a pet, take them to the low cost vet clinic and groom them yourself. Fortunately, my pup Laney, doesn't need much grooming besides the occasional bath and nail trims. So I do it myself. Actually not true.  I get Josh to do it, but who's keeping track really. We also take Laney to the Humane Society and the prices there are considerably cheaper than any vet around.

These are all simple ways to help jump-start your savings or give you a bit more spending cash. Use one or use them all..

Because I said So!

 

Just Call Me the Consignment Queen

How long can you be considered a "poor college graduate?"  My guess is that my time is limited.

Is it time to put on my big girl panties and suck it up? Probably.

 How about instead of Poor College Graduate -- Frugal Young Professional? I'm liking it.

Since I'm saving for my "big girl apartment" and various other things,  I have a {very aggressive} savings plan. {Very aggressive} meaning I'm saving about 90% of my paychecks to get to my goal by the end of October. This savings plan leaves me little money for shopping and doing anything that costs more than $20.00.

That being said, I've turned to consignment as a way to make extra money in addition to my bi-monthly paychecks. Why?

1. Times have changed and "thrift" shopping isn't just for people who can't afford nice things, it's actually kind of cool and normal


2. Macklemore made it popular with his song


3. It's MY money we are talking about here and while I was OK with spending my parent's precious pennies, I'd prefer to hold on tightly to mine.


4. It makes you feel great knowing you saved so much money and still bought fabulous clothes


5. By saving money, you have more money to SAVE!

So... Plato's Closet, Lagniappe Consignment and Style Encore are my new best friends.

Plato's Closet and Style Encore are great because they give you cash on the spot. Plato's Closet is geared more towards pre-teens, teens, and early 20s (sometimes) and they carry boy's clothes (perfect for future Christmas presents!). Style Encore prides itself oncarrying mostly designer clothes --though to be honest, I hadn't heard of half of them when I walked in, and is geared more towards 30+ years olds.  Lagniappe Consignment, on the other hand, creates a contract and then pays you depending on what sells and donate what doesn't sell--saving you a trip (and money spent in gas) to Goodwill!

All are great ways to bring in a little extra cash with clothes that are just taking up space and that you haven't worn in a season or two. This past weekend,  I made a day of it and actually roped in a few helpers (read donors) my mom and youngest sister. I made a profit of about $160 on not only my clothes, but their's too!

In addition to making money, these places offer low prices on pretty cute clothes and accessories.

• Nike Shorts reg. about $26.00 -- Plato's Closet you can find them for $10 and Style Encore $13.50. For someone with a NORTS obsession this is perfect (NOTE: you do have to hunt  for them and act fast because they fly off the racks!)

• Guys Polo reg. at the outlet about $20? (I don't remember because I haven't shopped there in awhile) -- Plato's Closet $8.00-$10.00 WHAT A STEAL!


• Cute dresses that look like they came from a boutique (we all know what I'm talking about) reg. $20-30 or sometimes higher--Plato's Closet $10.00


• Lucky Brand Shoes (honestly idk how much they are in stores because I've only ever bought them from Plato's and TJ Maxx) Platos Closet $16.00 TJ Maxx $27.00

As you can see, these places will definitely save you money on all the brands you love! I was skeptical at first, but now I'm a believer and HAVE to tell everyone!!

Go check it out and see how much you can make/save...Because I Said So!