Guest post from Jennifer of The Intentional Mom
I love the change of seasons because it provides me with the opportunity to dress up my home in a whole new way as I accessorize with the colors and themes that each new season brings.
This past year, I found myself getting bored with the same accessories, but with a tight budget, there was just no wiggle room to allow for anything new, no matter what kind of deal I could find.
Determined to still make this happen, I decided to weed out decorations that I was tired of in hopes of selling them to earn the extra money that would allow me to turn around and buy some new and "new to me" things, too.
My plan worked like a charm!
I went to town weeding out things that I didn't love, and if I hadn't displayed it during the prior season, it went, too. At first it was hard, but as I got going, it was rather freeing to clear things out. I got rid of some cool wall sconces and a Pottery Barn wrought iron wall decoration in addition to candles, flowers, tablecloths, and pictures.
I sold some of these things in my garage sale, others I sold on Craigslist, but the bulk of what I sold was done on Facebook garage sale pages.
It took some time, but over a few months I had sold it all, leaving me with a little cash to play around with. Altogether, I had $174 to spend on new treasures!
In looking for new decorations, I knew the kinds of items and colors that I was looking for. With this in mind, I just waited patiently until I found things on Craigslist, the Facebook garage sale sites, and in stores that I got on sale and combined with a coupon.
I scored some amazing deals. I got a huge amount of “bang for my buck” when I bought someone's former bridesmaids bouquets of artificial green and pink hydrangeas, orchids, and some greenery along with a bunch of tulle. I paid just $20 for over 75 stems altogether plus the tulle! I used what I needed in three different arrangements and then turned around and sold the extras I had left.
Among my other treasures were some handmade rustic items like a dining room table decoration with jugs, a large FAITH sign, and a fun hanging picture frame for a grand total of $40. I bought a new picture for my bathroom and some other hip vases and things, but the most amazing purchase was two brand new chevron chairs from Kohl's for $25 each on clearance with a sale and Kohl's cash during the holiday season!
Over the course of about six weeks, I had everything I needed and wanted. With all of my selling and buying done for now, I still have about $32 left over to spend on some new things for this upcoming summer or fall.
Had I never purged my home of the old things, I wouldn't have had the resources to give my home a whole new look. The old saying, "out with the old and in with the new," paid off for this frugal girl in a major way!
Jennifer is a busy, homeschooling mom of seven who enjoys keeping a home, living a frugal and active lifestyle, and loving the little and not so little people in my life. My mission is helping other moms find contentment in living intentionally every day over at her blog, The Intentional Mom.
Good morning! I hope your day is off to a great start!
After a full and wonderful weekend, my cleaning project for today is to just get our house back in order and to get back on top of our laundry. I let both slide in favor of time with friends, family time, memory-making, celebrating Jesus at church, and taking time to just rest.
Here's my plan for this morning:
- Bible reading/journaling
- Blogging/Business work
- Breakfast/Morning Time — start a load of laundry
- School with Silas
- Morning chores/pick up the whole house — switch the laundry
- Get girls started on their independent work
- Fold & put away the laundry — wash bedding
- Run/shower
- Ready to go — lunch made — head to work at our office space
- Tonight: finish all laundry, remake beds, & go to bed with a clean house!
This evening, I'll share a post about how our day went and give you an update (with pictures) on my progress on our house and the laundry pile.
Need some motivation? Check out my post on 10 Ways to Make Cleaning More Fun.
Want to join me? Leave a comment to let us know you're participating! If you have time, tell us what your morning plan is, too.
