5 Tips for a Successful Yard Sale
Are you hoping to have a yard sale sometime this spring or summer? I love shopping yard sales and as I have discovered, I even love having yard sales! The last time I had a yard sale I cleared several hundred dollars. This was awesome because I had more money in my pocket and I had less stuff cluttering up my home!
There are many benefits to having a great yard sale, but they aren’t just naturally successful. You need to plan well in order to make it as successful as possible. Here are 5 tips for a successful yard sale that you should do before you put that yard sale sign up.
5 Tips for a Successful Yard Sale
Research and Set The Right Date
Make sure to check out the calendar before you decide on your date. Avoid holidays where people tend to be traveling, but do look for other events that may be bringing people into your community.
Also, I have found that in my area Fridays and Saturdays are the most successful yard sale days.
Research Yard Sale Rules for Your Community
I live in a small town that doesn’t require permits or notice to the city, however, the larger city next me requires a $25 deposit/permit process. It’s important that you know what to expect in your area so that you aren’t breaking any local laws.
Toss Out Any and All Trash First
We’ve talked about this before. I know it’s hard to get rid of stuff sometimes, but trash is trash. And yes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but again, trash is trash! You aren’t going to sell that old stained shirt that you won’t wear and you shouldn’t expect anyone to pay their hard earned money for it either. Make sure you are trying to sell good, quality stuff.
Price Everything Out Beforehand
I’ve been to A LOT of yard sales. I rarely buy stuff at yard sales where they don’t have the prices marked. I don’t like it, plus, oftentimes yard sales are busy and I don’t want to wait in line just to ask for prices.
I have seen yard sales with price stickers on the items themself and I have seen price per item signs up for everyone to see. This makes selling a lot easier.
Advertise Online
Facebook community pages are a great way to let people know that you will be having a yard sale! Seriously the best way to get your info out there these days. Make sure to research the group rules before posting as many have restrictions on when you can post yard sales, but this is a good way to get your yard sale ad viewed by hundreds or even thousands of people.
School Graduation Gift Ideas 2022
It’s that time of year when school graduations are in full swing. I keep getting graduation announcements and I love it. The hard thing is to know what to get these graduates. Here are a few ideas that vary in amounts. So if you have a little more money to spend, then choose one of those. But if you’re on a budget then choose a more affordable option.
- Money. This is something that every student would love to have. You could be creative and get a lot of dollar bits, roll them up and make a flower bouquet out of money. There are a lot of fun ways to give money here.
- Survival Kit for College. If your graduate is planning to go to college, then make a cute survival kit for college. This could me in a cute container filled with things like: pencils, paper, gift cards to fast food restaurants, hand sanitizer, cash, markers, Chapstick, lint roller, scissors, ear plugs, sleep mask, band aids and cup of noodles. You can find them all here.
- Gift Cards. If you know your graduates favorite place to eat then get a gift card there. If you don’t then check out the college town on google maps and see what fast food lactations are there. Grab a few gift cards they could use for meals.
- Books. You could give your graduate a book like “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” By Dr. Seuss. Be sure to leave a hand written note in the inside of the cover. There are a lot of these fun books here.
- Hand written note. If money is tight, then this is the perfect option for a graduation gift. Graduating is a BIG achievement. They put in a lot of work and it’s a great time to acknowledge that. Write them a note from your heart. It’s something that can mean the world to these graduates.
- Customized key chain. Most graduates are driving. So why not grab a customized key chain they could bring with them. It could be a funny one to make them laugh or a more sentimental one to help them through their next stage of life. You can find some cute ones here.
- Car wash gift card. Speaking of cars and graduates. I know a few that have saved up their money to buy a car. That car means a lot to them. Why not grab a gift card to a local car wash place. This may sound funny, but I know a lot of them would LOVE this.
5 Tips for Making Moving Easier
Are you planning a move soon? Moving can be just the worst, but honestly, it does have to! There are ways that we can make moving less of a pain! Check out these tips for making moving easier and let me know if you have any other great things to add to the list.
These tips will work for just about anyone as long as you have a few weeks before your move to prepare.
5 Tips for Making Moving Easier
Hold a Yard Sale
Having a yard sale is a great way to get rid of excess items that you really don’t need so that you don’t have to bring them along with you. Additionally, who couldn’t use some extra money? The last yard sale that I had made a couple hundred dollars so why not give it a shot?
Head to Your Local Charitable Shop
If you don’t want to hold a yard sale, or if you have good stuff that didn’t sell at your yard sale, head on over and donate them to your favorite charitable shop. Please don’t take junk there though, only good quality stuff that could help people.
Toss Out Any and All Trash
I know it’s hard to get rid of stuff sometimes, but if you don’t use it and it’s not nice enough to donate or sell, it’s time to trash it! Seriously. You don’t need to haul it to your new place with you.
Label All Your Boxes with a Permanent Marker
Don’t get lost in the maze of boxes. Once you start putting stuff in boxes, grab a permanent marker and label the box with what’s in it. This step will make unpacking so much easier.
Recruit Help
Now that we are grown adults with tired knees and backs, we can’t do it all ourselves. Don’t be afraid to recruit help. Hire help if needed! And whatever you do, do not lift with your back!
Tips for Going Back to College at 40+
Are you thinking about going back to college? Are you over 40 and worried that you are going to be completely out of place? First of all, don’t stress! Even though it may seem like it, you will not be the only one your age there.
If you are looking for some tips for going back to college at 40 or older, check out this list below and get yourself ready to learn and grow!
Tips for Going Back to College at 40+
Organize Your Time Wisely
The good news is, you have more life experience. The bad news is, you have a lot more going on than you probably did at your typical college age. Just realize that going back to college is going to add a lot to your plate and you need to be prepared to use your time wisely when trying to tackle everything.
Recognize That You Aren’t Alone
Again, you will not be the only one there in your age group. Sure, you’ll be in the minority age group for students, but you will most definitely not be the only one there that is doing this incredibly brave thing! That knowledge can help you tremendously when you start to second guess your decision to return to school.
Know Your Goals Before You Start
If you are going to go back to school, do it because you know exactly what you want to do. It’s always a bad idea to just go to college willy nilly without an idea of a degree/career plan. People end with thousands of dollars worth of student loans for absolutely no reason when they take classes that are unnecessary.
Must Haves for Your Outdoor Party
Are you planning to host any outdoor parties this summer? As we talked about yesterday, I have a child that is graduating this year so I will be planning an outdoor party for that. I also have a son with a summertime birthday so I will be planning an outdoor party for that as well. At this point, I’m getting pretty used to planning these things.
If you are wanting to play host for an outdoor party this year, make sure you are prepared. Here are some must haves for your outdoor party to be sure that your party is as successful as possible.
Must Haves for Your Outdoor Party
Here is my list of must haves for your outdoor party that will ensure that you and your guests will have a great time!
Coolers and Lots of Ice
If it is hot outside, you need to have lots of ice on hand and some good, insulated coolers to keep the ice frozen and keep your drinks cold. Let’s face it, an outdoor party is just not fun if all of your guests are hot and miserable.
Yard Torches
Yard torches or citronella candles are a must have for any summertime outdoor party, especially if your party will extend to the evening hours. No one wants to deal with the misery of mosquitos. Plus, they look cool.
String Lights
Lighting is a must have for any evening time party. You don’t want anyone to trip and fall in your yard, correct? Many string lights and garden lights just look good too so it’s a win win!
Bluetooth Outdoor Speaker
You need some nice, mood music right? Be sure to have a good, bluetooth speaker that is rated for the outdoors so you can listen to music outside.
What are your outdoor party must haves?
Budget Friendly Graduation Party Tips
It’s that time of year again. GRADUATION!!!!!!
So, of course I always know when graduation season happens, but this year is different. This year I have a daughter graduating from high school. I could get into all of the emotions, but as it turns out. I don’t want to cry today so today let’s just talk about throwing a great graduation party!
As it turns out, having a child graduating is expensive! Between the cost of the cap and gown graduation package, senior pictures, invites and announcements and all of the other costs that come along with this final year of school (trips, events, etc), it has added up quickly! That means that I need to plan a graduation party that is as cheap as possible!
Budget Friendly Graduation Party Tips
Search Online for FREE Printed Banners
No need to buy all of your decor at the party store because you can find some great, printable banners and other decor online for FREE.
Serve Just Snacks and Appetizers and Drinks
Don’t feel required to serve a meal at the party, but do feel free to serve snack foods and drinks.
Fill up some coolers with ice and dump some soda, juices, bottled water, etc in it. Doing this ensures that your drinks stay cold and your fridge stays clear for food and snacks.
Add Some Lighting
I love, love, love garden lights. They just add a touch of class and beauty to outdoor spaces. Garden lights will look so great if your party extends into the evening hours.
Add a Fire Pit
Fire pits offer a great opportunity for relaxing and chatting with friends and loved ones. Fire pits are a party must have for any type of outdoor gathering.
Buy Some Twine and Clothespins
Clothespins and twine are super cheap, but provide a great option for hanging photos of your cute graduate from childhood to adulthood! Plus, your sweet graduate will then have photos that they can take with them into adulthood!
Upgrade Your Bathroom On a Budget
Are you wanting to change the look of your bathroom? Are you on a budget and worried that you won’t be able to make any good changes with the amount of money you have to spend? Not to worry, my friends! You can almost completely change the look of your bathroom with a very limited budget.
These changes will allow you to upgrade your bathroom on a budget and give you a smile every time you see it!
Upgrade Your Bathroom On a Budget
All of the upgrades I have listed below are going to change the space for yourself to enjoy it more. It will also add value as it comes to selling or presenting your home to sellers.
Install new lighting fixtures
The other day I was at Walmart walking down the clearance aisle and spotted some really cute drop-down pendant lights on clearance for $14. My first thought was how cute they would look in my bathroom! They could seriously change the look of the entire space with just $14. It’s easy to find deals like this!
Add More Storage
If you are crafty with carpentry at all, adding more storage can be a huge plus in upgrading your bathroom. Adding some extra shelves or cabinets can be a huge selling point for buyers. Plus, who couldn’t use more storage in your home?
Grab a New Shower Curtain
Something as simple as a shower curtain can make a huge difference in the look of your bathroom and you can get one for really cheap! This is easily a $20 and under upgrade for your space.
Paint the Walls
Bathrooms are often relatively small. You can get away with painting the space with just one can of paint. Even high quality paint is affordable if you only need one can. This will make a huge difference in the look of this space!
5 Tips for Saving Time on Housework
Whether you are new to being at home during the day or you are well experienced in it, you are probably looking to find ways to save time on housework. Housework can easily overwhelm even the most organized person. This is especially true when you have kids at home. They are constantly making messes.
Between the sink full of dishes or the mountains of laundry, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. Luckily, there are some great tips for saving time on housework that will help you get your days in order.
5 Tips for Saving Time on Housework
Make Your Bed First Thing in the Morning
Start your morning each day by making your bed. You can do this right as you wake up or before you start your workday, but the point is to make this one of the very first things you do. Not only does it make your bedroom look cleaner and neater each day, but it also puts you in a better headspace for keeping the rest of the house that way as well.
Next Start Your Laundry
It’s now time to start your laundry! Laundry can be a pain, but it’s a great chore to do while you are working on something different. It’s the ultimate multi-tasking chore!
Choose Grocery Pickup
Grocery shopping takes a ridiculous amount of time. Time that could likely be better spent doing something else. By shopping online and choosing grocery pickup, you can easily save hours each week.
Do Weekly Meal Prep
By spending a little bit of time each week planning out and prepping your meals, you can save a massive amount of time every single day when it comes to making dinner. This frees up a lot of time each day to accomplish other necessary tasks.
Upgrade Your Yard On a Budget
Are you wanting to change the look of your outdoor space? I am so ready to spend time outdoors, but I desperately need to make some upgrades. I decided to do some research and find ways to upgrade my yard on a budget.
If you are also looking for ways to upgrade your yard on a budget before the warm days of summer hit, here are some ideas for you.
Upgrade Your Yard On a Budget
All of the upgrades I have listed below are going to change your outdoor space so that you can enjoy it to the best of your abilities as long as the weather allows for it! Enjoy yourself, my friends.
Plant Some Flowers
New flowers make everything better, don’t they? Flowers are pretty inexpensive and they are so much fun to be able to just look at an enjoy too. This alone can make a huge difference in your outdoor space and if you can do nothing else in your space, this is a great option.
Update Your Outdoor Furniture Game
Now is a great time to replace your outdoor furniture! Do you already have some outdoor furniture in your yard? You always have the option to just clean it up and maybe add a fresh coat of paint to the furniture you already have so you don’t have to spend the money on a new set.
Add Some Lighting
I love, love, love garden lights. They just add a touch of class and beauty to outdoor spaces. Find a great space in your yard where you have sitting options and string up some lights for ambiance. You won’t regret it.
Add a Fire Pit
There is just something so fun about sitting around a fire with those you love on warm evenings. Fire pits are easy to build, but if you don’t want to make any major lawn changes, you can easily buy an inexpensive fire pit (check FB marketplace and/or Craigslist). This is a great upgrade for looks but also a fun one for you and your family to enjoy.
5 Tips for Saving Money Quickly
Are you tired of feeling broke? I get it! Life is expensive. Kids are expensive. Housing is expensive. Heck, even driving to work each day is expensive. How on earth are we supposed to save money when we have so much to spend it all on?
Let’s talk about the various tips for saving money quickly and how we can put these tips to good use to change our life up! Let’s get to saving, friends.
5 Tips for Saving Money Quickly
Cancel Subscriptions
I bet you are paying money for subscriptions that you aren’t even using every single month. I know I am constantly finding random subscriptions that I don’t even remember signing up for. As a matter of fact, I was just charged $9.99 for a spotify membership that I meant to cancel after the free trial, so I had to call and cancel it.
Many people find themselves paying $50 to $100 each month on subscriptions that they aren’t using. Go on and cancel yours now.
Sell Your Unused Clothes/Items
Do you have clothes or household items that are just taking up space in your home? It’s time to sell them! You’d be surprised at how much money you have sitting in the closets of your home.
Autopay Your Bills
Set your bills up for autopay in order to avoid late fees. Also, many places (insurance, etc) offer discounts for those that have their bills set to autopay.
Switch Bank Accounts
Many banks are offering sign up bonuses for opening new accounts and having a specific amount of money deposited in the first XX amount of months. This is a great way to give yourself a boost in your savings account.
Avoid Using Credit Cards
When you are out buying things, be sure to use cash and not credit cards. No need to deal with interest charges!
5 Pantry Staples that Will Save Money
Are you trying to save money on your groceries? Me too! Seriously, I have two teenagers and a 5 year old and they seem to never stop eating. This mama needs to do something more about her grocery budget! I have decided to do a big restock of my pantry, making sure to stock up on pantry staples that will save money.
Of course, don’t forget to stock up on these staples when they are on sale so that you can save even more. All of these ingredients will help you make dinner planning easier and your budget better!
5 Pantry Staples that Will Save Money
Pasta
Not only does pasta go far at dinner time, but it is also cheap. Plus, it’s on sale often! You can turn pasta into an entire meal (spaghetti, lasagna, etc), use it as an ingredient or even or use it as a side dish, there are so many options!
Potatoes
Potatoes are a good filler food. Again, it’s another food that you can use for multiple things! Plus, in most places you can buy 10 pounds of potatoes for less than $5!
Broth
During the holidays, you’ll often see various broths (chicken, turkey, beef) on sale. When you see these sales, stock up! They are great for making soups or other meals with a burst of delicious flavors!
Flour
You never know when you’ll want to bake some goodies! You can’t bake many things without flour on hand. Flour is a must have for pancakes, cakes, cupcakes, breads and so many more things.
Spices
If you are going to be cooking the same types of things often, it’s best if you can make them as good as possible! That means you need to spice it up! No boring, bland food for you! Keep salt, pepper, garlic salt/powder, seasoning salts and more on hand for the best foods.
5 Reasons Camping is Awesome
Are you planning any camping trips this summer? Camping is such a fun way to spend your time (it’s one of our family’s favorite ways to vacation!). For those that are on the fence about scheduling a camping trip, check out these 5 reasons why camping is awesome and get to planning your first camping trip.
Even if you haven’t ever camped before, you might just find yourself out camping every weekend this summer!
5 Reasons Camping is Awesome
Many of us know exactly all of the reasons why camping is awesome, but in case you aren’t quite sure of it yet, here are 5 reasons camping is awesome:
You Get to Step Away from Technology
There are so many cool things about technology, but the reality is, almost every single one of us could use a break from it sometimes. That’s hands-down my favorite thing about camping. It’s so nice to step away from technology sometimes! Talk about peace of mind! You may be surprised to learn how nice it really is.
Camping is Great Exercise
While you don’t necessarily notice it, camping provides the opportunity to get great exercise! You are constantly moving, setting up camp, prepping meals, etc. It’s a fun way to get healthy.
Lots of Fresh Air
Is there anything better than good, fresh air? I didn’t think so. There is no better way to get some great fresh air than to live in the outdoors for a few days.
Camping Encourages Imagination and Exploration
If you want your kids to know more than TV and technology, take them camping. I have never seen my kids play or explore more than when we are camping. My 5 year old absolutely loves it. He becomes a little exploration ranger everytime we are camping.
Camping Teaches You New (Old Fashioned) Skills
Want to learn how to build a fire? How to cook over an open flame? How to gather supplies? Go camping! Seriously, camping is a great, fun opportunity to learn new things that can come in handy in case of emergency or necessity.
5 Meaningful Mother’s Day Gifts Your Mom is Sure to Love
Mother’s Day is approaching quickly. If you haven’t found the perfect gift idea, that’s okay. When I’m thinking of Mother’s Day gifts, I like to think what my mom does throughout the day and what I could get her to make life more fun and/or easier. My mom loves going on walks and looking at flowers. So most years we take the time to head to a local flower nursery, buy some plants or bushes and then we help her plant them.
Taking TIME to be with your mom is key. You could just buy here something, but the gift would be more meaningful if you actually did the next step too. So here are some thoughts to take that normal gift idea and make it more meaningful.
- Plant or Bush. Each year my mom asks for an annual or perennial or a bush that she can plant in her yard. We plan a date that we can go together to pick out which flower and plants she wants that year. We then take the next step and plant these in her yard. We get to spend time AND she get’s a beautiful yard.
- Gift Card to her favorite lunch or dinner spot. To make make this one more meaningful, after giving her the gift card, plan a date where you can go with them to lunch or dinner. Believe me, your mom would LOVE to have you go with her to her favorite eating spot.
- Make an outside space for your mom. This may seem daunting, but it can be super easy and fast. Think of a place your mom likes to sit outside, then make that space dreamy! Buy a rug and new outdoor pillows, or buy a planter with plants and an outdoor lantern. If your mom doesn’t have a place to be outside, then maybe start with an outdoor chair and a cute pillow. You can find them here at Home Depot. You can go over to your moms home and create this space as her gift. Being outside is so good for the body. It could also be a place where other’s can sit with her and have great conversations.
- Shopping Spree. Instead of just buying your mom a new shirt or blouse. Go shopping together! Take her to a fun store that has clothes she would love and help her find an outfit that she is comfortable in and looks great in. Sometimes moms need a little encouragement to buy a new outfit. This would be a fun time together!
- Updated pictures. This one might seem to simple, but believe me, mom’s LOVE seeing pictures of their family every day around their house. Most grandparents have lots of pictures of their family around their home. How about you help them update them! My mom was just talking about how she wanted an updated picture of all of her kids and their families. It’s so much more fun if you were to get those pictures printed out and then help your mom put them where she wants. That way everyday she can see new pictures of her family. While you’re putting up pictures stick in the oven some brownies or cookies. That is always fun too.
Close to Free Birthday Party Activities for Kids
Do you have any birthday parties to plan soon? I don’t know about you, but I don’t like how expensive birthday parties can be now. I am always looking for ways to save money on hosting birthday parties. I prefer for my budget to go toward the cost of the gifts instead of the party itself.
If you want to keep the kids having fun, these close to free birthday party activities for kids will be a hit!
Close to Free Birthday Party Activities for Kids
This list of activities will be so much fun for any kids party:
Board Games
As we get older we can easily forget how much fun board games can be. My 14 year old son absolutely loves Monopoly and every time he talks me into playing with him, I am taken back to how fun they can be. Break out the board games and let the kids play. Chances are, they will love it.
Backyard Camping
Is the party you are hosting going to be a sleepover? Why not set up a tent in the backyard and let the kids camp? This one is super fun and they will love it!
Head to the Beach
Do you have a public beach, river or lake nearby? If the weather is warm, why not pack up the kids and head there. Your work will be done for you, because who doesn’t love to play in the water in the hot summer sun?
Water Guns and/or Balloons
My son’s birthday is in late July. I once had a birthday party for him filled buckets up with water balloons. I don’t think they have ever had more fun than they did that day. I had 10+ kids screaming with laughter for hours and hours.
Kitchen Upgrades That will Increase Your Home’s Value
Are you looking to make some upgrades to your kitchen? Are you curious to learn which upgrades will give you the biggest bang for your buck? While I’m not planning to sell my home anytime soon, anytime I do any upgrades to my home or property I am always wanting to make sure that any upgrades that I invest in will add value to my home.
Here are some kitchen upgrades that will increase your home’s value that you can start working on now. Are you ready to make some high value changes to your home?
Kitchen Upgrades That will Increase Your Home’s Value
New Hardwood Floors
Hands down one of the best upgrades that you can make to your kitchen to improve its value is to put new floors in. Hardwood floors are always a hit for buyers. If you already have hardwood floors, now is a great time to give them some love and refinish them!
New Countertops
New countertops are a huge selling point when it comes to improving the look of your kitchen as well as increasing the value of your home. Before you buy new countertops, be sure to check out some local building supply bargain stores to see what you can find. Oftentimes you can find countertops for pennies on the dollar!
Where to Find Discounted Building Supplies
Here are some great places to find discounted deals on building supplies. Be sure to check these places before you buy any building supplies or products for your home.
- FB Marketplace – This is a great place to find people who have leftover supplies from recent remodels. I often find flooring deals for pennies on the dollar like this.
- Building Supply Bargain Stores (as mentioned earlier) – These types of stores are a great option for building supply savings.
- Home Depot/Lowe’s types of stores – Be sure and check the clearance aisle of these home improvement type stores. I have purchased some really great deals like this.
- Habitat for Humanity Restore – Definitely check out any Habitat for Humanity Restores near you. You’ll be shocked at the deals you can find at these stores.