A Swap Meet Christmas Story

Oh my gosh! I soooo wanted to get this lamp. I couldn't believe the seller was only asking $35. I bet I could of negotiated and got it for less too. As soon as I saw it and asked the selling price, I took a pic and sent it to Hubby. He thought it was really cool, but said it didn't really match our style. Oh Husband, you are no fun. Think of what a conversation piece it would have been. The talk of every gathering. Sometimes Hubby makes me want to shoot my eye out kid! Do you feel my pain? So sadly, this sexy leg lamp did not come home with me. Cry, cry, sniffle, snort. 

Speaking of my "wonderful husband". He started a new job recently and his office does not have a Keurig coffee maker. This does not sit well with hubby who is a HUGE coffee lover and HUGE Keurig K-Cup lover. So, when at the swap, I spotted this red Keurig being sold for $35. It was a bit dusty, but looked in great shape. The seller said they didn't use it much because k-cups are so expensive. Believe me lady, I hear you on that. Though, that doesn't seem to matter to my hubbylicious. He wants what he wants. And yes, he is a bit spoiled. Though, so am I.  This Keurig is priced normally in the store for $179.99. And I ended up buying it for $30! Not too shabby. I usually don't like to buy certain things like this used, but I made the exception this time and I am happy I did. 

We have the same model Keurig at home in black. Once I thoroughly washed and cleaned the red one, I decided that I liked the red one more. So our black Keurig went with hubby to work and the other is our new red hot beauty! And it works perfectly! Yay!

This picture frame jewelry box cost $0.50! Love the velvet lining. It is already being used to hold my watches. 

This pink silhouette jewelry display cost $2. It is already displaying my earrings nicely. 

This pretty in pink basket cost $1. 

This sunflower butterfly arrangement cost $1. It's now sitting lovely on our fireplace. 

This picture frame cost $1. I heart it. 

This candle cost $0.50. I bought two others for $0.50 each as well.  At this price, I can never feel guilty about lighting candles. Candles are meant to be lit, no matter how pretty they might be. Enjoy your candles and light one tonight. 

I just love this vintage emerald green candy dish. Cost $1!

This lamp shade was attached to another lamp and the total price was $2. I thought it would look great on my orange vintage genie lamp and I was right! The other lamp went into our selling pile. 

How adorable is this Raggedy Ann Doll? I didn't ask the price of her, but thought she was adorable and oh so large! 

That's going to be it on this Swap Meet Story. Till you grab a cup of joe, light a candle and visit me again! And stay away from bb guns! You might shoot your eye out kid! ;0)

        

         

How to Sell at a San Diego Swap Meet

Why are... there so many... songs... about rainbows? And what's on the oooother side? Rainbows... are visions... but only illusions. Rainbows have nothing... to hide.

Why are... there so many... deals... at the Swap Meet?  Let's look... what's on the oooother side?  

 

Do you like my rainbow colored shirt? Well, I do. It's kind of country, just like I am at heart. It's a cute working around the house shirt, paired with some denim shorts. 

 

Would you believe hubby told me I looked like Raggedy Ann and Andy when he saw me today in this shirt? Hello hubby? Raggedy Ann and Andy are not one in the same. Anyway, I think Raggedy Ann and Andy are adorable. So, I will take that as a compliment. Thank you very much.
 

Raggedy Ann (that would be me) is thinking of going to sell at the National City Swap Meet in San Diego,CA this weekend. Have you ever sold at the Swap Meet before? I have and I always have lots of fun doing so. Who wouldn't like decluttering their home of unwanted items and making money in the process? I know I do!

 

I am constantly putting items I no longer want or use in the garage to eventually sell at the Swap Meet. We have had yard sales at our house before, but do to us not being on a main street, the turn out of buyers isn't very great. Even with online advertising and signs posted.  I have thought about organizing a neighborhood yard sale on our street. Though, I have yet to do so. I will get into my ideas on that in a later post.

When going to sell at the Swap Meet the best day to do so is usually on Saturday. That way you will still have an extra day to rest before returning to work on Monday. The whole process can be a bit tiring. Though, if you have someone helping you, it really isn't hard at all. I also think there is a better turn out of people at the Swap Meet on Saturdays. That means more money in your pocket! 

 

You will need to load the goods in your vehicle the evening before. Hubby and I always do this together. I usually point out what items and boxes need to be loaded and he uses his big muscles to put them in the truck.  This is where the 3-4 times a week at the gym pay off for him. ;0) 

 

While he is loading, I am sweeping and organizing what is left in the garage. By the time he is done loading, I am usually done cleaning and organizing.  The garage always feels so much nicer and spacious afterwards. If only we could keep it that way. If only... 

Here is a list of items you will need to bring, just so your selling experience will be a pleasant one.  A small ice chest with water, drinks and snacks. Folding chairs for you to sit on. A large umbrella to block the sun.  A portable radio. A tarp, old sheet, or old blanket to lay your items on. If you have a folding table or clothing rack to display your items, that would be ideal. Plastic bags for the buyers of your items.  

Make sure to wear weather appropriate clothing and definitely wear comfortable shoes. Don't forget the sunscreen, hat or sunglasses. A fanny pack for your money or a wrap around purse with a zipper. Having some loose change and bills on hand in the beginning is a good idea.
 

 

The National City Swap Meet is only a 5 minute drive from our house. The Swap Meet starts letting the sellers in at 7am. We leave our house around 6:30am. The cost to sell is $7 per stall. We have a truck and usually buy two stalls. Just so we have more room and can spread out all our items nicely. Total cost for us to sell is $14. Make sure to have cash on hand. Only cash is accepted. I believe you are only allowed to sell twice a year.  If you want to sell more than that, you will have to get a business license with the City.

Once you arrive at the Swap Meet you will see a lot of Sellers with their vehicles lined up in the parking lot.  There will be employees there guiding you where to park. The employees will give you a form to fill out that asks what you are selling and how much for. As well as your name, address and such. Having a pen on hand  is a good idea. 

Once 7am comes around the line of cars starts moving. They have an employee that collects the form you filled out and the fee for the stall(s). The employee gives you a ticket with a number that states the stall you will be on. Match the number of the ticket to the stall number painted on the ground. Park in that stall and unload your goods. Time to make money honey!
 

 

I always recommend selling with someone. It is so much easier to unload your vehicle with the help of someone else, all while trying to sell at the same time. Also, when you need a restroom break you will have someone to watch over everything and continue selling. I also like to walk around for a bit and browse/buy once things have slowed down. And I usually have my fanny pack full of money to do so. Yippie! And the circle continues... 

The Swap Meet closes at 3:30pm. Though, you are free to leave whenever you are ready.

 

 

Hubby and I usually take the items we don't sell to a goodwill donation center that is a 5 minute drive away. Easy breezy. Always make sure to keep your donation receipts for tax purposes. Got to save money where it counts!
 

That's going to be it on this post! I hope Raggedy Ann (me) has assisted you some on how to sell at the Swap Meet! Till next time!


                                   

 

My Flea Market Flea Bag

Here is my most Favorite Flea Market Find of all Time!  Tabitha Marie!

This is my favorite girl. She is a wonderful cat that I love with all of my heart.  She is already 9 years old.

I got her for free at the Swap Meet 9 years ago. She was super tiny then. She was the runt of the litter and fit in the palm of my hand. There were a few other kittens being given away as well and she was not the cutest. She was the smallest and resembled a rat in a way. There was a white kitten with blue eyes and a orange kitten with green eyes.  And I figured those other kittens had a better chance of finding a home than she might have. So, I chose her. I have a knack for spotting diamonds in the rough. Have you seen my husband?

I actually got her to give to my boss at the time. My former boss was looking to get a kitten and I thought I would surprise her with one. Though, come Monday at work when I told my boss about her. She told me I should keep her for myself.  I had never had a cat my whole life. I grew up only having dogs. Big dogs. I definitely didn't know anything about taking care of a kitten.  But my boss told me all I needed to know.  And once I got home and spent more time with her, I really did want to keep her. And we have been together ever since. 

She's like me in more ways than one. She's very temperamental and moody. She likes lots of attention and enjoys eating and sleeping a lot. She's not very social and doesn't take a liking to strangers right away. She's even a little grumpy sometimes.  She loves her family very much and loves to shower them with love and affection. She has beautiful green eyes, big ears and the cutest nose. You see, told you, just like me. ;0)

She always likes to be well groomed and look her best. She is a super healthy cat. 

Tabitha is a bit of a daddy's girl as well. Though, she likes to be wherever mommy is. 

She even told us when she was ready for a new addition to our family. A kitty addition that is... (This is actually my sister's stroller.)

And here is the newest addition to the Fry household. Meet Charlie Angel. 

 

 

My mother in law actually found him under a car and asked if we would want him. I wasn't sure if Tabitha would take a liking to him. Though, Hubby and I loved him right away. It took Tabitha about a day to let us know she thought he was a keeper. 

 

 

Now they are the best of friends. 

 

Charlie loves to play catch and explore outside. He is a bit skittish around strangers. He has a girlfriend named Trouble. She is a black stray outdoor cat that lives in our backyard and comes to the door to visit him for dates. 

Kitties say "This ones occupied".

 

 

Charlie is growing more and more everyday. He is already two years old and very healthy.  Notice his big paws?  I think he might just grow into those.  He's already longer than Tabitha.  Though, she is heavier. 

 

Did I mention he is a daddy's boy? I mean, a real daddy's boy. His favorite place to be is daddy's lap. 

 

Such a handsome one. 

 

Our kitties enjoying their favorite past time being outdoors. 

 

You see, daddy's boy. 

 

Charlie loves to sleep on his back. As well as do yoga. 

 

 

The kitties trying to motivate me to workout. 

 

Charlie looking foxy. 

 

 

My two handsome boys looking bad to the bone. 

Here is one of our outdoor cats. His name is Shadow. He is a stray cat that decided to live in our backyard. Which is fine by us. Tabitha is in love with him.
 

The two love birds.  I mean, love cats.

Shadow really enjoys playing soccer. 

 

The black cat in the back is Trouble. She is Charlie's girlfriend. She is the other stray that lives in our backyard and I believe Shadow is her daddy. She just showed up one day. No other kittens, just her. We are unable to catch these two. Believe me, I've tried. We feed them and they are safe living in our backyard for as long as they want to. 

 

Well, that's going to be it on this post! I hope you enjoyed getting to know our feline family! 

 

Swap Meet Southern Hospitality

Well, pardon me. Where is my Southern Hospitality? Care for an iced cold glass of sweet tea from a lovely Southern Belle? 

How sweet is this baby? This Iced Tea Maker was brand new in the box for $3! Needless to say, it was my best Swap Meet buy of the day! 

It's already been put to good use. I recommend iced tea makers. Yummy! 

This vintage bowl cost $1. No lid, but I really like it. 

This bowl cost $0.50. It had a Pier1 sticker of $13.95. I seriously hope someone didn't actually pay that price for a bowl that was never used. Yikes! 

It matches perfectly with some red bowls that I already have. And who knows, maybe I will find another eventually. Crazier things have happened. 

This bottle opener cost $0.50. Never heard of the brand, but we were in need of one and the price was right. 

Our beautiful kitties are always on my mind. This bowl cost $1. I already have a blue one just like it. Now they are a perfect match. 

These garden gloves cost $1. Just so you know, I really do wear Garden Gloves and Rubber Boots. I will have to post a photo soon to prove it. 

Say what? Who you calling a ho?!? Oh, the Xmas sign? That cost $0.50. 

I'm always up for a little sparkle. These bottles of glitter were 2 for $0.25!

I couldn't pass up this burnt orange pillow. It's so interesting and in new condition. Cost $1. 

It matches our sofa set pretty nicely. 

This looks a little vintage. It has holes on the sides for incense. I think it is too cute. Cost $0.25. 

This candle cost $0.50. 

It's already sitting nicely on a stand I already have. One can never have too many candles. 

This wire mail slot cost $1. (I have yet to clean it.) Though, it has lots of storage space to get me more organized. Organization is key. 

This map paper tray cost $1. Goes perfect on our desk in the pirate theme (wo)man cave. 

So cute. 

This hydrangea bouquet cost $2. (Not including the green vase.) The bouquet was stuck in a sour cream container. I have yet to take it out. It's really stuck! If I didn't have a vase of any sort, the last thing to come to mind would be a sour cream container. But, that's just me. 

Here are the hydrangeas displayed on our dining table. I added some fake grass to the bouquet. If you look closely at the green vase, you might be able to read sour cream! I'm going to remove it. Just haven't done so yet. 

That's going to be it on this post my fellow Swap Meet Shoppers! Till next time. Save your money where it counts!