FB Marketplace

I have tried many methods in the past ten years or so to sell belongings online, mostly unsuccessfully. First, it was eBay. Then, it was Craig's List. But right now, the hot place to try is the FaceBook Marketplace.

If you have a FB profile already, then you have access to the marketplace. The link to it is on your wall. Easy, peasy. You can list items which are seen by anyone searching for items, not just FB friends. It shows the town you're in, but does not give specifics or any additional information. It is perfect for local selling, with people coming to you (or you can choose to meet them somewhere if it's something small); however, it is not limited just to local people. We have had people make over a two hour drive to pick something up from us. You also have the opportunity to see their profile so you know who you're meeting.

I always ask for cash. Or I've had people pay me through PayPal if they couldn't come right away and wanted me to hold an item for them. In the past month, we've sold tables, chairs, lamps, a desk, a dog house and several other items which we're heavy and we did not want to have to move. So it definitely seems to be what is working right now.

Of course, be wary of strangers coming to your home and take precautions. But if you have things to sell, you don't have to wait for a garage sale. Try the FB Marketplace. 

Man Shoes

I hate to make another post about shoes, but at least this time they aren't for me. We just happened to find some shoes in the hubby's size on clearance, and they were marked WAY down. I asked the shoe department man about the price, and he said to take them to the register and they should honor that price. Looking at it later, it still didn't look right, but I DID ask about it.
When we got to the register, I asked about it again and said what the shoe department man had said. With no question, the manager came and authorized the price. So Kevin got a brand new pair of $75.00 Converse high-tops which were on sale for $15 for $2.99.
Even if they're ugly, we couldn't leave them behind!

Speaking of Shoes

You most likely know that I love to shop at thrift stores to see what kind of bargains I can find. But I am not one to buy clothes there very often, as I feel odd about wearing other people's things. But occasionally, if I find something like new and it's a deal, I consider an item.
Well, again, I needed a dressy type shoe, and just happened to find a pair at the local thrift store that looked brand new for just a few dollars. They were my size, so I bought them. They're just what I wanted...something to go with skirts or dresses, without too tall of a heel, and they look nice.
You never know what you're going to find. Plus, this particular store uses the proceeds to help victims of domestic violence. Win-Win!

Ladies Love Shoes

Ladies love shoes, right? I know I do, and I definitely have plenty..actually, way too many. But when a store is practically giving them away, I am happy to take them. Wouldn't you be too?
I was at (you guessed it!) Kohl's, my favorite store to find bargains. Because of a previous shopping trip, I had $10 in free money to spend plus a 20% discount. I found two pairs of shoes, and they were a kind that I really like. No matter how inexpensive, I won't buy things if I won't use them. The shoes were on sale for only $6.99 a pair. 
So with the free money and the discount, I got BOTH pair for $3.43!!! That made each pair only $1.59. :))

Love My Coffee

There are two kinds of people in the world. One who loves coffee and one who doesn't. Plain and simple. I am the first kind of person beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have enjoyed coffee all of my life, as far back as in my baby bottle. Now before you get all upset at my parents for that, it was probably a teaspoon in an entire bottle of milk, just for flavor.

That continues to be why I drink coffee today. I don't drink it for the caffeine. In fact, I drink it for the taste and the warm, soothing feeling it gives me. I even try to drink decaf more than regular coffee, although the taste often leaves something to be desired, which is why most people can't be bothered.

But I have found a delicious AND inexpensive decaf at Trader Joe's. It is their house brand simple decaf, and maybe it tastes great because it comes in whole bean form which you have to grind yourself. A 14 oz. can is only $5.99. So it tastes fresh, rich and delicious. I highly recommend it. But save some for me.

Dress for Less

I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before how much I love Kohl's. :))


I had to go back today because I had $10 Kohl's cash to spend. So I scoured the store to see what bargains I could find. I found several, but I decided on a beautiful little $58 dress that I will be able to wear all year. It was on sale, so with my Kohl's cash and tax, my whopping total was $1.74!
I enjoy thrift stores too, but why wear someone else's clothes when I can get them new for cheaper? 

Love my ZEROS

Holidays are a good time to shop, and this Memorial Day weekend is no exception. I had $20 Kohl's cash to spend, PLUS they are giving $10 off for spending $25. So I bought a $29 purse, a $22 hat and an $8 pair of bandanas, which were all on sale. All together, my order came out to $0.00!!! 

Sundress

Today I found a cute little $40.00 (retail) lined sundress which wasn't marked down, even though it was on the clearance rack. Of course, I went to check the price, and it was indeed marked down to $8.00. I had a $5.00 reward waiting for me to use, plus I had a 20% off coupon. So my cute little dress with tax was only $2.60!!! Perfect for this time of year!

Birthday Dress

I received a $10 Rewards coupon for my birthday from JCPenneys. So I went to see what I could find. I tried on several things but finally decided on a cute little long sleeve dress. It originally was $60, on sale for (I thought) $23.99. I took it to the cashier, presented my coupon plus an additional coupon for 25% off. The dress was actually less than on the tag, so with the discounts, it was only $7.99. I was told that it looks "hippie modal." :)

Homemade No-Bake Oat Bars

Do you like granola type bars for snacks? I do. I found a great recipe on Facebook (but I can't remember whose it was...sorry! There are many.). These yummy bars are all natural and have less processed ingredients. Not sure if there is less sugar, but they're easy to make and a lot cheaper than a box of store bought bars.

They only have 5 ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats (plain or can be toasted)
1 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey OR maple syrup
1 cup of chopped dates

You mix the oats, almonds and dates together.
Then you melt together on a low heat, the peanut butter and honey (or syrup) and mix it with the dry ingredients.
Then you spoon the mixture into a paper-lined pan and press it down.
Then refrigerate for two hours or more.
Then cut into pieces.

I like the maple syrup better, but you may like honey. I also use natural peanut butter. But they are so easy to make, and quick. They may be crumbly when you try to cut them, but that just makes for good granola to munch or to put on cereal. ;-) You can also add other ingredients you like, such as chocolate chips or raisins, etc. It wasn't my recipe but I make them a lot now! You might want to try them.