Category Archives: shopping

Day 15: Buy it Used

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I buy what I can used. I don’t usually buy used shoes. I never buy used socks or underwear. I seldom buy used computers. Other than that, it’s all fair game.

I have a good relationship with a little children’s consignment shop down the street—a great source for kids’ clothes/toys.

My all-time favorite sources are Craigs’ List and Freecycle (freecycle is an online group—find one in your local area—which allows people to post items available or items wanted/needed).

I keep a running list of items wanted/needed and then I just watch for things to come up. Here’s an example of what’s on my list right now.

Girl’s play shoes, women’s size 7
Girl’s t-shirts size 4T and 5T
Rubber rain boots (both kids)
Canning equipment
Dutch oven or similar large heavy, lidded-pan
Bread pans
Legal paper (I often see this come up via Craigs’ List and Freecycle)
Quilting Fabric
Piano music

This post is part of a series I’ve entitled “Frugal August” and is inspired by (though not copied from) the book The Complete Tightwad Gazetteby Amy Dacyczyn. My tips are meant to build on hers, but generally are not duplications.

Saving/Creating Money While Reducing E-Waste

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I don’t know if you’ve seen the art exhibit about e-waste recently, but it’s shocking how many electronic gadgets we “consume” worldwide in the form of mobile phones, batteries, cameras, etc. Some of these have lived beyond their usefulness. I have on my desk, and old mobile phone/PDA and a digital camera that no longer works, and I went looking for a savvy way to recycle them.

I found Gazelle, which will PAY ME for the gadgets, and also, they’ll manage the shipping, and even send me a box. (So I do NOTHING, Literally).

Oh, and I get $53 (varies depending on the make/model of your equipment. Give it a try–the link is below.


Get Cash For Your Gadgets at gazelle.com!

Saving on Ink and Toner

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You’ve likely noticed that I run ads here on Pennywise Family. It’s how I keep my blog free (ofsetting server, time, etc.)

My committment to you is taht I only run ads for companies that *I* use adn taht I think are a good value.

I’ve recently found Inksmile.com and added their ads. In my small home Business (I have a mobile business services company), toner is my single greatest annual budget item.

A refill for my four-color lazer printer runs about $600 at Office Depot. Since I need a refill every six weeks, as you can imagine, things in the toner department get out of hand quickly!

I’ve started using Inksmile.com myself, and their HP lazer toners run about 30% less than the store. They provide free shipping and often have promo codes (if you’re thinking of placing an order, let me know and I can check cj.com for the latest promo codes to see if there’s a better deal). I used 5OFFSMILE on my $170 order yesterday (two black toners)but then saw them on Twitter promoting a one-day-only 15% off code. I emailed about it and they credited me back the $17.97 (how’s that for customer service?)

The toners always come within a day or two, so yesterday when I was printing 300 pages of legal documents and the printer flashed “order supplies” I was able to place my order and know it will be here in time for the end of the week rush.

I hope you’ll give them a try!

Innovative Cost-Savings-Clothing Swap

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First off, my profound apologies for falling behind on my 31 days of financial literacy. I have some posts in the works to finish out the month, but I’ve been battling an illness this week, so once I’m fully back on my feet, I’ll finish those and post them.

Also, I’m contemplating a redesign for Pennywise Family. If you think it needs a fresh face, would you email or comment with your ideas for improvement? A wish-list will be created and prioritized.

OK, now on to the main event for today. I recieved an email this week about this clothing swap site, for “occasions” clothing. Think Easter dresses, Prom, and holiday duds. This would be great for those families with multiple kids especially. If you’ve got a teenage daughter with a prom dress, but then four little boys not needing the hand-me-down, what about swapping the prom dress for a few pairs of slacks? I’ve seen similar swaps elsewhere, but I thought this was really innovative, especially since if your kids are like mine, they have already grown out of their Easter outfits.

This also works great for moms and dads for that Company party formalwear you don’t need hanging around. I’ve got a few things I was thinking about consigning, but may swap for kids Xmas dresses.

Here’s the site: www.PriorAttire.com

Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

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I posted a few weeks ago about making your own laundry detergent. Now I’ve been after dishwasher detergent. There’s a great web site called “Dollar Stretcher” and they have some recipes for home-made dishwasher detergent.

You just put one tablespoon Borax and one tablespoon baking soda in the detergent compartment. For “add rinse agent” put in white vinegar.

Similarly, you can “stretch” your existing dishwasher detergent with the 1/2 borax, 1/2 soda mixture if you really like something about your detergent.

Let me know what you think if you try this out. I haven’t yet, but will be trying it as soon as I run out of my Cascade.