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October 2005 ETC Corner
Saturday Morning Shoppers
Tips for making your yard sale trip a success
By Jennifer E. Valent
Successfully navigating a bargain hunter's paradise is no easy feat. It requires an eagle eye and the ability to careen into a subdivision after seeing a piece of poster board bobbing about on a street sign. It calls for the reflexes of a bobcat as you wait for the chance to pounce upon that gorgeous pair of candlesticks, if only that lady holding them would just put them down… come on, put them down!
So, let's talk strategy. Here are a few tips that can help bring positive results to those sunny Saturday mornings.
Know the market.
With experience, you'll become a seasoned shopper who knows where the best stuff is. In a somewhat mysterious turn of events, it does seem to hold true that certain neighborhoods have the most sought after goods, and it doesn't necessarily have to be the most expensive neighborhoods. In fact, it is often the normal middle class areas that have the perfect combination of usable items at good prices. A prudent idea for starting out is to keep note of where you have the most success, so as to prioritize in the future.
Prioritize.
If the paper has a million listings, avoid those which hold the least promise. Moving sales seem to have fewer desirable items. Multiple family sales have more choices. And, the jackpot of all jackpots, the neighborhood yard sale, should have top priority. You can shop more with less mileage. Also, remember that you find more variety early on, but more bargains late, as people begin to tire and start slashing prices. Keep that in mind when you plan your schedule.
Make lists.
Very often, you can find unused, unopened gift items that would make excellent presents for friends and family. Making a list of birthdays and holidays to keep with you can help you shop for gift-giving events throughout the year. Also prudent is the practice of collecting miscellaneous items such as greeting cards and baby or wedding gifts.
Always be prepared.
Take along a sweater if there's a chill in the air, wear comfortable shoes, apply sunscreen, and always have water and a snack to keep your energy up.
Bring backup.
Taking along a friend can help tremendously, as long as you can avoid arguments about where to go next and how long to stay at each sale. My sister and I have a finely tuned partnership that allows us to accommodate one another's shopping styles. This chemistry helps greatly in the actual buying process, as we can get second opinions before buying, as well as advice on how much to bargain down.
Be prepared to negotiate.
This is a highly sensitive topic… the bargaining strategy. Many people, particularly beginners, are quite shy about this tactic. They pay sticker price without the blink of an eye. However, my theory is that I will only pay sticker price on an item without attempting to bargain if I believe that it is already significantly below market price. My only suggestions are to make sure you are seeking a fair price and to know the maximum you are willing to pay before going into negotiations. If you have a significant armload full of items, keep in mind that most people will agree to give you a lower price for the lot.
Don't overbuy.
Decide ahead of time how much you want to spend and carry only that much cash. It can be very tempting to purchase anything that catches your eye. After all, it's only fifty cents, right? But, after a while, you can clutter your house and end up spending a good deal of money on things that are simply unnecessary. Yard sales can be addictive. Spend wisely. Just because a purple lawn gnome only costs a quarter, doesn't mean you need to buy it.
Outfit your children.
Kids grow fast. Buying second-hand clothes is a great way to avoid wasting money on an outfit that junior will only wear three times. Plus, you can often find belts, shoes and jackets that can help keep your clothing budget down.
With the cost of living increasing daily, and stay-at-home moms trying desperately to balance the family budget, yard sales can be a saving grace. Using these few tips can increase your productivity and make your experience more enjoyable. Happy shopping!
S.T.O.P. Bullies in their tracks!
Stand up to the bully.
Take appropriate action.
Open up to a trusted adult
Protect yourself from bullies.
If your child, or someone you know is being harassed by a bully, here are some excellent resources with more information on how to deal with the issue:
www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's web site.
www.safechild.org/bullies.htm - The Safe Child Program is a comprehensive curriculum on preventing bullying.
www.bullying.org - This award-winning, non-profit, Internet resource was created to help prevent bullying. It is the number one bullying-referenced web site in the world.
www.drphil.com - This site has a link to printable anti-bullying pledges for schools, students, parents, and teachers.
What Will Your Family Do on Halloween?
Halloween- it's one holiday that many Christian parents dread. For kids, it seems like harmless fun- dressing in costumes and eating candy. But, there is a darker side to the pagan celebration. This year, prayerfully consider how your family will deal with Halloween.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16 NIV)
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
We recognize that this can be a very controversial topic. Some Christians view Halloween simply as a day to dress up in a costume and have fun. Other Christians regard Halloween as a satanic holiday designed to worship evil spirits and promote darkness and wickedness. So, who is right? Is it possible for a Christian to participate in Halloween without compromising their faith?
Read the rest of this article - http://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-celebrate-Halloween.html
Used with permission from www.gotquestions.org
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