Guest post from Kim of Thrifty Little Mom
Do you love kid's consignment sales as much as I do? They give me a bigger shopping adrenaline rush than I get on Black Friday.
In the last 5 years I've learned a thing or two about scoring amazing deals at kid's consignment sales and today I want to pass that wisdom on to you:
1. Get Into the Pre-sale
A pre-sale is when the sale organizers open the doors for a select few before they open them to the general public. The crowd is smaller, the environment is more relaxed and you get a choice of the best priced items in the best condition.
Typically, to get into a pre-sale you have to: be a seller, donate money, or volunteer for a shift.
2. Shop Prepared
Build your shopping list throughout the year. I keep a handy electronic list going at all times, and when I see or think of an item I'd really like my kid to have, I add it to the list on my phone. That way when the next sale comes around I know that I'm looking for.
Whatever the item, I can usually track it down between one or two of these sales and get an incredible deal on it. It's kind of fun — like a scavenger hunt!
3. Compare Prices
Don't just buy the first toy you see. More than likely there will be about 10 duplicates of the same toy all marked at different prices. When you find several of one item, compare the prices and condition and take the one marked at the best price.
4. Bring Cash
Often these sales are small businesses or non-profits who get hit with heavy fees for processing credit or debit cards. I always bring cash to avoid having a $1-$2 charge added to my bill.
This also keeps me from overspending. I give myself a cash only budget in order to make sure that I don't spend more than that at the sale. It's easy to get carried away!
5. Shop the Half Price Day
At most consignment sales, the last day is also ½ price day. You just look at the tag and if it's marked "Yes" under "½ price" you know that it will be 50% at check-out. This is typically when I rack up on clothing, yet it often includes toys, shoes and other items at the sale.
Not all sellers participate in the half-price sale but there are enough who do that makes it worth it to head to the event on the last day.
As you begin your bargain hunting this Kid's Consignment sale season I hope you will find these tips helpful and that you save yourself some big bucks!
Kim Anderson is a house spouse, mom, and blogger at Thrifty Little Mom. Her blog focuses on inspiring others to pursue financial freedom while finding joy in frugal living. She lives in Atlanta, GA with her electrical engineer husband, 3-year-old son and a Beagle named Bit.
photo source
Dillons
1.08 lbs Tomatoes – $1.39
1 Green Leaf Lettuce – $0.99
1 Moms Best Cereal – $1.50
1 Mountain Dew KickStart – $1, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
3 Totinos Frozen Pizzas – $1.33 each (Requested by my husband) 
4 Ramen Noodles – $0.20 each (Another request by my husband)
2 gallons Dillons Milk – $1.99 each (I was so excited about this price!), used $0.25 rebate from Ibotta – 2/$3.73 after rebate
2 Kroger Peanut Butter – $1.49 each, used $0.25 rebate from Ibotta – 2/$2.73 after rebate
1 Kroger Frozen Orange Juice – $1.59
1 Kroger Spaghetti Sauce – $1
Total with tax ($1.39) after coupons and rebate: $19.12
Walmart
1 Mahatma Brown Rice – $1.16
1.80 lbs Bananas – $0.99, Received $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $0.74 after rebate
1 pkg Celery – $0.89 (Price matched to Save A Lot’s ad)
1 (3 lbs) bag Gala Apples – $1.89 (Price matched to Aldi’s ad), Received $0.25 back from Ibotta AND received $0.25 back from Snap – $1.49 after rebates
2 pkgs Strawberries – $1.29 each (Price matched to Aldi’s ad)
1 Cantaloupe – $1.29 (Price matched to Aldi’s ad)
Total with tax after rebates: $7.65
Homeland
1 Bounty Basic Paper Towels – $1.25, used $0.50/1 coupon from the 3/1 P&G insert (doubled) AND received $0.25 back from Ibotta – Free after coupon and rebate
2 Grapefruit – $0.38 each
2 Cucumbers – $0.69 each
0.92 lbs Asparagus – $1.73, Received $0.25 back from Snap – $1.48 after rebate
1 Angel Soft Toilet Paper – $1, used $0.40/1 coupon from the 3/1 P&G insert (doubled) – $0.20 after coupon
1 pkg Hinode Brown Rice – $2.39, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.39 after coupon
1 Hiland Cottage Cheese – $1.88, used $0.50/1 coupon from the 2/22 SmartSource insert – $0.88 after coupon
Items a part of the Buy 10, Get $10 off instantly:
2 Jell-O Pudding – $0.99 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – Free after coupon
2 Cool Whip – $0.79 each, used $0.50/2 printable (doubled) – $0.29 each after coupon
3 Kraft Shredded Cheese – $1.99, used $1.50/3 mailer coupon – $1.49 each after coupon
2 Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese – $1.49 each, used $1/2 printable (no longer available; doubled) – $0.49 after coupon
1 Kraft Marshmallows – $0.69
Total with tax ($1.52) after coupons, rebates and sales: $13.21
Total for all grocery items: $39.48
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Cereal x 3
Scrambled Eggs & Toast x 4
Lunches
Fruit/Veggies/Cheese/Crackers x 3
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches/Veggies x 2
Macaroni and Cheese/Fruit
Leftovers
Tossed Salad/Smoothies x 5 (for me)
Dinners
Bean Burritos (from the freezer), Chips
Chicken and Noodles, Steamed Asparagus, Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Hamburgers, Fruit Salad, Chips
Chicken & Rice Casserole, Steamed Broccoli, Tossed Salad
Homemade Cheese Pizza, Breadsticks, Tossed Salad
Venison Meatloaf, Baked Potatoes, Steamed Asparagus
3 Bean Soup (from a mix-in-a-jar that was a gift), Homemade Bread, Grapefruit
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