Art Supplies and Craft Supplies for Little or Nothing

Are you an artist or crafter on a budget?  Do high costs in art supply stores make you cringe?  If so, there are some ways to save money you may not have thought of.

Crafting supplies can make a big hole in your budget.  Having to keep lots of materials on hand can be expensive.  Art supplies like paint and brushes are sometimes not only be hard to find but costly.  Here are a few places you may not have thought to find bargains on the materials needed to make craft items or paintings.

Look for bargains here:

• Second hand store
• Thrift shop
• Yard sales, garage sales, rummage sales
• Yard sales online
• Church rummage sales
• Online Auctions (such as eBay)

Often people purchase new supplies to make craft items and for one reason or another decide not to engage in the art.  The materials sit in a closet until spring, when the owner decides to host a rummage sale.  Many times these things are brand new and sell for pennies.  The thrifty shopper can find many of the items they need this way.

Materials to create with are often spur of the moment buys.  Things like oil paints and canvases, brushes and frames sit unused because the user has lost interest.  These materials can sometimes be picked up for low cost from the seller.  Artists often are able to find great deals on picture frames in this manner. 

Always know what your crafting supplies cost at retail so you know whether or not you are getting a good deal at the used price.  Don’t end up being upset because you thought you were getting a deal when you could have bought the same thing new with a coupon or at a storewide sale.  It pays to know retail cost for your craft supplies.

Be Careful to Check the Shelf Life:

A lot of items keep forever, but a few do have a shelf life.  Be careful buying things that may age quickly, such as basket weaving reed and dyes, oil and acrylic paints, yarn and thread and anything else that could age.  Even if you buy these things, check them carefully for expiration date, if there is one.  Basket reed can be brittle and dry, thread can break, paints bleed and dyes often lose their color value.  Being aware of these facts can save you money in the long run.  At times it’s possible to buy these items for a low cost at a sale in a commercial store.

Know your value, set a limit, and shop wisely.  You can purchase a lot of supplies for your art by being a savvy shopper.

Furniture Bargains for the Savvy Shopper

There is a new way to shop for home furniture these days.  No longer are high-priced decorating shops the only way to buy.  Many cost-conscious shoppers are turning to other ways to furnish their homes for less.  The trend is catching on but there are a few tips to keep from making a bad decision when buying bargain furniture.

6 Tips to Help You Save Money on Furniture:

1. Tip # 1:  Where will you use furniture?  What room in your home is it for?  If, for instance, you are looking for sofas do some research on new couches for the home.  Be savvy when shopping to make the best of second hand buys.
2. Tip #2:  Affordable furniture can be found many places.  Try your local second hand shop, yard sales, garage sales, church rummage sales, and the bargain basement at your local thrift shop.
3.  Tip #3:  Check the item carefully for scratches, tears, stains and the like.  While you might be able to use furniture that has some defects, it may give you a bargaining tool to lower the price.
4.  Tip #4:  Don’t be afraid to haggle.  Rarely is the price set.  Sometimes a thrift shop will even lower a price if you speak to the manager.
5.  Tip #5:  Most home furniture stores will deliver.  Try asking thrift store owners and people hosting garage sales if they can bring the item to you.  Often they are able and don’t charge any more.  It doesn’t hurt to ask.
6. Tip #6:  Beware of easy credit.  It's a lot more frugal to save the cash and buy used.  If you look at total cost when using a credit card you end up paying a lot more for the piece.

Bargains on home furniture and decorations are everywhere if you learn where to look.  Never rule out overstock stores or online auctions.  Going out of business sales are also a good way to look for things you need but beware of cost, as these stores often raise prices on other items and if you're an impulse shopper this could use a lot more cash.

Set a budget for yourself and stick to it.  Don’t let the thrill of the hunt let you get carried away.  Take a set amount of money along and don’t go over.  You can even purchase many vintage items at a low cost by doing your research and sticking to a plan.

Buy Clothes for Kids Cheap With 10 Easy Tips!

The time of year has come when you need to purchase clothes for back to school.  Don’t worry, you can find many bargains by following a few tips.  The vintage look is in and thrift stores are meccas for this type of thing.

10 Tips To Find Bargain Clothing for Children:

1. Inexpensive kids wear can be found at yard sales, garage sales, church rummage sales and used clothing stores.  There are many places today to buy used clothes; the choices are endless. 
2.  Be an informed shopper.  Know the price of regular clothing and don’t be fooled by look-alikes.  It’s possible to find secondhand clothes that are new or as good as new at flea markets and online auctions like E-Bay. 
3.  Know your size (or your children’s size, husband’s size, etc.).  Some used clothing stores don’t hang like sizes together and it can get confusing.  If you know what you’re looking for it’s easier to skim through the racks.
4.  Keep a sharp eye out for rips, stains, seams that have come undone and sagging.  Discard those items immediately unless there is a better than average chance that you can fix the problem easily and the item is really inexpensive.  Remember, it's not always cheaper to buy used clothes.
5.  Know what the fashion is.  Don’t pull out a 70’s jacket unless it’s in style.
6.  Check your local thrift shop for bag sales (you fill a bag for a certain amount).  Great way to get basic items.
7.  Know the markdown days at your local used clothing store.  Check out the sale racks first.  Shop then for deep discounts.
8.  Grab a skirt or pants and match it to several blouses or shirts.  That way, when you get into a changing room it’s easier to see how the items look together on you or your child.
9.  Shoes can be a real bargain at thrift stores, but look carefully.  Many name brands can be had for only a few dollars, but in the shoe department you need to be sure the fit is good and the shoes are not worn.  Even a little wear on the heel can cause you problems. 
10.  Think about mixing and matching colors and patterns to make your own statement.  Unique is in.

Another way to dress your child is to have a community trade program.  It's like dress-up!  Each person brings gently worn clothing to the event and attendees alternate picking out items they like and taking them home.  Add some snacks and you'll have a party.

  

These tips are good to begin dressing your children affordably.  Have fun with it!  

Save Money on Children's Toys and Games

Have you been to a toy shop lately?  If so, you are aware of the high cost of keeping kids occupied.  Not many fathers whittle things out of wood for their children to play with any more and television commercials and word of mouth have caused toy prices to skyrocket. 

For instance, toy story toys are now collectible and highly sought after.  Many enterprising people sell them at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets and fetch good money.  Others sell them at toy consignment shops and online venues like eBay where the whole world can find them at a glance.

There are many places you can find things for your children at a discount.  If the item is not collectible you can often find bargains at a garage sale if you are patient.  Often, high-priced baby toys go for less than $5 at these sales.  Children outgrow the item or lose interest and parents are glad to get rid of it to make room for more.

Consider These 6 Rules When Buying Used:

1. Count all pieces to be sure the item is intact.
2. Plastic is good because it can be disinfected, but you might want to think about other things that a child might put in his/her mouth if you can’t clean it well.
3. Don’t be afraid to haggle over the price if you think it’s too high.
4. It’s not always a good idea to take your youngster along as sometimes he or she may take a liking to something and cause a ruckus if you decide not to buy it.
5. Try to stay with a durable used toy that will last for a few years.  You’ll get more value out of it.
6. Know the current retail price of the toy you are seeking.  If not, you could actually pay more for the item used than on sale at a department store.

Good Places to Shop for Playthings for Children:

• Toy consignment shops
• Yard sales, garage sales and rummage sales
• Church rummage sales
• Second hand stores
• Yard sales online
• Friends and family
• Department store sales
• Online auctions such as eBay

Your child can have the latest in technology in toys and games if you follow this advice and spend a little time researching before you shop.  Good luck! 

  

THRIFT STORE SHOPPING ADVICE

Thrift store shoppers have changed tremendously over the years.  Once it was only the destitute or the very poor that shopped at these places, and bargains were looked at as a form of charity.  Not so today.  Most thrift store shoppers are dying to exclaim “I bought it at Goodwill,” when something they own is complimented.   It is a badge of honor (even in some of the most hip crowds) to find a deal at these stores.  This leads to the buyer giving thrift store shopping advice to all of their friends.


An example of a thrift store would be Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul.  There are many other thrift store names, but these are well known.  These facilities are not-for-profit.  They take donations of unwanted items from people and resell them, using the money earned to work with the handicapped, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and so forth. 




• Thrift Store Shopping Advice #1:  Research prices.  Being a smart shopper at a thrift store takes a little preparation.  If you stay current on fashion trends, designer labels, and pricing, your thrift store experience can be gratifying.  Imagine picking up a designer dress or small appliance for a few dollars.   If you know your brands it’s very easy to do. 

• Thrift Store Shopping Advice #2:  Watch for tag specials at these stores.  One of them has a different color tag on sale every week.  So, when you enter the store look for the signs telling what’s on sale and quickly flip through items with that color tag and nothing more.  If you are a senior or a student, inquire about discount days.  Our local Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift shops have Senior discounts every Tuesday.  It’s a nice perk, as one is able to save not only the price on the colored tag but an additional 15 percent.  At Salvation Army in a town nearby there is a student discount on another day (valid id must be shown). 

• Thrift Store Shopping Advice #3: Consignment shops are for-profit and accept gently used items of clothing and furniture.  The seller is paid when the item actually sells.  One word of caution here – be prepared to show id (i.e. driver’s license or student id) if asked.  And be wary – some thrift shop prices can be as high as a department store.  For instance, our local shop priced $12.99 for a pair of used jeans.  I was able to get the same pair of jeans at Wal-Mart on the clearance rack for $7.99.  This is where the thrift store shopping advice comes in very handy.  An added plus is that consignment stores generally have only items in excellent condition, washed, ironed and dry-cleaned, electronics tested, etc.  And you are able to return items that do not fit or have stains.        

YARD SALE FUN TIPS

A garage sale is a good way to find bargains on almost everything.  In some areas known as rummage sales, yard sales or tag sales, a garage sale often yields special finds for the thrifty, smart shopper.  Bargains can range from designer clothing, furniture and tools, to children’s clothes and knickknacks.  Often, antiques can be found at a garage sale for very little money.  The savvy shopper has done his or her homework and knows when a collectible is a bargain.  Whether looking for personal items or things to resell, it is wise to plan a strategy wen heading to a garage sale.  This plan should include:

• Newspaper and shopper’s guides ads with sale areas highlighted and grouped together by region
• Addresses in order (I use MapQuest)
• Plenty of gas in your vehicle
• Small cooler with water and snacks (trail mix, cheese sticks, granola bars and nuts are good examples)
• Antibacterial wipes for your hands
• List of items you need/want
• Cell phone (if there is Wi-Fi available you can use it to research your item’s value before you buy
• List of clothing sizes
• Cash (set a limit of $100 and carry it in small bills and change along with my checkbook in case of a special “find”)

Also, be spontaneous.  If you see a YARD sale sign posted that you didn’t have on your list, check it out as long as it doesn’t take you much out of your way.  You might find just what you’ve been looking for!

GARAGE SALE HOW TO

A garage sale is a good way to find bargains on almost everything.  In some areas known as rummage sales, yard sales or tag sales, a garage sale often yields special finds for the thrifty, smart shopper.  Bargains can range from designer clothing, furniture and tools, to children’s clothes and knickknacks.  Often, antiques can be found at a garage sale for very little money.  The savvy shopper has done his or her homework and knows when a collectible is a bargain.  Whether looking for personal items or things to resell, it is wise to plan a strategy when heading to a garage sale.  This plan should include:

• Newspaper and shopper’s guides ads with sale areas highlighted and grouped together by region
• Addresses in order (Try MapQuest)
• Plenty of gas in your vehicle
• Small cooler with water and snacks (trail mix, cheese sticks, granola bars and nuts are good examples)
• Antibacterial wipes for your hands
• List of items you need/want
• Cell phone (if there is Wi-Fi available you can use it to research your item’s value before you buy)
• List of clothing sizes
• Cash (I set a limit of $100 and carry it in small bills and change along with my checkbook in case of a special “find”)

Also, be spontaneous.  If you see a garage sale sign posted that you don't have on your list, check it out as long as it doesn’t take you much out of your way.  You might find just what you’ve been looking for!