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Sharing what I've learned that makes "Cents"

Life is challenging as we all know. These days, it's harder than ever to make ends meet and to let go of stress. So, I find good ways to stretch a dollar, as well as, enjoy life! I find daily ways to live happier and to thrive in a world that can often be challenging. Its always been very important to me that I help others along the way. After all, isn't that what life is about?

Keeping tabs on ways to afford the things that you need, and have a little left for those things you simply "want", is my mission. At the same time, I still leave room for spending quality time with the people and things I love, plus spreading joy when possible.

Hope I can help you in some way, as many others have done for me! Remember...try to always "pay it forward"!

Kathleen
Showing posts with label From My House to Yours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From My House to Yours. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Design on a Dime!



Well, it is now less than 2 months until I move into my dream house! It's still a bit of a blur, and truly won't feel real until months after I am actually living in it I am sure! Right now, I am just counting the days, and organizing my move.

I have planned to take lots of pictures of each decorated room once I am settled in. It will be my gift to all of you who are inspired by my ability to stretch a dollar more than most :-)! I can actually say that I have nearly found everything I will need to complete my "Pottery Barn" look, but for thousands of dollars less! "How did I do it" you ask? Well, about 9 months ago, a friend turned me onto a group on Facebook called "My Own Repeats". She raved about the amazing deals on there, and persuaded me to join. Well, I sure did join and it made a huge difference! It is a closed group by invitation only and many cities have them, or something similar. It is like Craigslist, but much safer, items are priced much cheaper, and you avoid all of the spammers! The group that was built off that group is called "From My House to Yours" and that is where you can buy/sell anything related to your house (furniture, decor, appliances, housewares, linens, etc). You would be amazed at what you find! I have gotten a Pottery Barn Console Table for $85, a Pottery Barn style full bed with a mattress & boxspring for $75, a Pier 1 Couch that is to die for in brand new condition for $250, and the list goes on and on.

Besides buying items on these sites, I have sold literally thousands and thousands of dollars worth of my own things on there. You just post a pic, and sometimes within a few minutes someone comments "I will take it"! You both then arrange to meet at a good time and finalize things. I have sold so much that I even keep an Excel spreadsheet of my monthly earnings. I like to keep 2 columns on there to show what I have earned, as well as, what I have spent. If possible, I try only to spend what I have made, or even less. It's awesome!! Plus, it couldn't be easier. And, you would be amazed at the friends you will make and the people you will run into!

Since I LOVE Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Ballard Design, etc., I do get their catalogs (not so I can spend money, but so that I can copy some of the great design looks that I see). Believe me, my house looks amazing with what I have done!!! I can't wait to move into my new house! Oh, and the reason I can even move into my dream house, is because of my ability to stretch a dollar! It has paid off big time!!

So, if you use Facebook, do yourself a favor and see if you can find one of these groups close to you. If not, you can just start one yourself. It's easy! I even started one just for the current residential community I live in. I've sold a ton on that one too. There is another called Varagesale.com that is also a mobile app and houses all kinds of fantastic deals. Look these up!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for my "Design on a Dime" Lookbook that will be here in the near future!