Spooktacular $15 Craigslist Buys

     

Did I reel you in with our Spooktacular Photo? Happy Halloween 2013 Ghouls and Goblins! 

This is actually my hubbylicious and I on our Wonderful Wedding Day 1/11/11. Minus the scary faces of course. I used a free Halloween Photo App to make us so FRIGHTENING!!! You should try it. If YOU DARE!

Now for my Spooktacular $15 Craigslist Buys. 

Black Mirror cost $15. They initially wanted $20, but I negotiated. This mirror is much larger than it appears in this photo. I was pleasantly surprised when I went to pick it up. If you stare long enough you might just see the Evil Queen of Snow White! ;0)

Black Iron Sconces cost $15 for the pair. They were much larger in person as well. Score!  These might have been previously hung in Count Dracula's Castle! ;0)

      

 

That's going to be it for my Spooky Craigslist Buys! Happy Halloween 2013! 

          

Craigslist Cleaning Shark Vacuum

      

I'm swimming with the Sharks! Well, vacuuming with a Shark Navigator Swivel Deluxe Upright Bagless Vacuum UV410 to be exact. 

We have been in need of a good working vacuum for quite some time. We actually had two vacuums up until recently. I put a vacuum and a bunch of other items for free on the curb. Then I placed an ad with a picture on Craigslist in the free section.  Would you believe that EVERYTHING was picked up within 32 minutes of me placing the ad? It's true. I highly recommend it. 

The only reason we did not donate the items is because the mobile donation center near our home is very particular on what they accept and we didn't feel like going to the main facility, which is further away. Otherwise, donating and saving the receipts you are given is the smart thing to do come tax time. Donating can really benefit you and provide some tax relief. So, if you don't know, now you know. 

The reason we had two vacuums is that one worked really well in the upright position and the other vacuum had a hose that worked really well. However, trying to use two different vacuums at the same time can be a HUGE pain in the butt! It was super frustrating and I was always in a bad mood when vacuuming. I decided enough was enough! 

I didn't know what type of vacuum I wanted, so I decided to take a look on YouTube to watch some reviews. A good friend of mine mentioned The Shark was a good vacuum to get, so that's where my search started. 

After watching quite a few positive reviews on different Shark models I decided to see if there were any new Sharks being sold on Craigslist. There were lots of used ones being sold for around $60. That seems a bit high for a used vacuum to me. Especially because buying a used vacuum is very risky. I've never done it before. I wouldn't want to pay $60 for something that might not even work well. That would be such a waste of money.   

Then I came across an ad for a Shark Navigator Swivel Deluxe being sold in like new condition. It was in the box, with new attachments for $40.  It was also located in my City. I sent the seller a message to negotiate the price down to $30. They agreed. Woot!

 

I decided to do a quick search on how much this particular vacuum cost brand new and it is $149.99 at Costco.  It had fairly good reviews, which made me have more confidence in it. 

It's also being sold on Amazon with a new listing price of $248.50. Amazon had an average rating of 4 stars. Not too shabby. 

My $30 Craigslist find is looking more and more appealing. I can risk $30 if it is not all that I expect and then some. Life is a gamble after all isn't it? ;0) So, I made arrangements to pick it up and found out it was located only 2 blocks away! Woot! Woot!

Once I arrived, it really was in like new condition and needed to be assembled. Luckily, the seller assisted me with that. I also tested it and was pleased with the suction. 

Now to get it home and really test it out! I really couldn't start it up fast enough. Who gets excited about vacuuming? Apparently, I do. I know, I really should get out more. 

Let me tell you that I absolutely love this vacuum! I It has excellent suction!  It might just be the best vacuum I have ever owned. And I have owned quite a few. It comes with four or five attachments and I have only tried two so far. They both work great. I also like that it is extremely light weight and easy to maneuver. It can also be used on bare floor which I like. The only thing I wish it had is a retractable cord, but other than that I am super happy with it. Did I mention that it is not super loud either? Not loud at all and I like that. Who wants a vacuum that causes migraines? I know I don't. 

In all honesty, I must of picked up dirt and dust 3 inches high with this vacuum. That really disgusted me. If you know me, you know that I am a neat freak and a clean freak. To see that much dirt and dust picked up in our house that I thought was clean really surprised me. I highly recommend this vacuum.  I would definitely give it a high star rating.  I'm pretty sure the newer models might even work better. So, keep your options open and do a bit of research beforehand. 

Buying a used vacuum can be risky, but it worked out perfectly for me and saved us over $120.00! Till next time my fellow clean freaks! Vacuum on! 

           

Savvy Swap Meet Shopping

Don't even say we look alike! Witch cost $1 on a previous Swap Meet Haul. And as for me? Well, I'm Priceless! ;0)

I decided to head to the Swap Meet on an early Saturday Morning for a two hour tour. An hour and forty minute tour to be exact. 

Colorful Bead Clutch cost $2. I think it is Fantastic! The guy who sold it to me asked me "What are you?". I didn't know how to respond. Uh, a human being. I think he might have been flirting. I guess I still got it. Ssshh, don't tell my husband. ;0)

Blue Candle cost $0.25. I love to burn candles. So buying one for a quarter is ideal. 

Bird Picture cost $1. Birdie Baby you had me at hello! 

Basket cost $1. We are building a pantry and this will be great for storage on one of the shelves. Maybe mini bags of chips, taco seasoning packets, bags of nuts or something. I'm sure I will figure it out. 

Vintage Navy Blue Glasses cost 2 for $1. Isn't that color just gorgeous? I think they are great!

Mexican Ceramic Tissue Holder cost $1. I have a few others similar with a different design. I heart it. 

Crown cost $0.50. I have the perfect Queen Costume for this. Now I am torn on whether to be a Queen or Flapper for Halloween. Then again, I am the Queen in our household everyday. Flapper it is! 

Fur Leopard Print Apron cost $1. This will be great as part of a Halloween costume. I'm thinking with a black fitted dress, black tights, black heels, ears, tail and face paint. Cute right? Maybe next year... 

Red Purse cost $1. Would you believe I have a gray one just like it? Though, this one is red hot! 

Ginger Bread Spatula cost $0.50. How cute would it be to use when baking cookies? Now I want to bake some, just so I can use this spatula. What? You would too. 

Gold Picture Frame cost $0.50. Anyone know this lovely lady? Her name is Rosemary. I would be happy to mail the photo back to her or a family member. The photo was given to Joe, who did preserve it by putting it in a frame for so many years. 

Genuine Leather Purse cost $1.50. Ooh, how I love this purse! It will go great with my moccasin boots that have fringe. 

Now for my Necklace Haul all purchased by the same lady today. 

Green Bead Necklace cost $0.50. Love the color! 

Yellow Bead Necklace cost $0.50. 

Reddish Bead Necklace cost $0.50. 

Colorful Bead Necklace cost $0.50! I really like this one. 

Pastel Bead Necklace cost $0.50. 

Pink Bead Necklace cost $0.50. So Pretty. 

Now I want a Necklace Display for my postings. I think I might just make one. 

       

That's going to be it on this haul. You really can get so much more for your money when shopping second hand. You should try it some time. Happy Thrifting!

         

Leopard Print Swap Meet Haul

Oh how I have a love for Leopard Print! I might just do a clothing haul of all my leopard print outfits sometime soon. Here are a few of my most recent swap meet finds. 

Calvin Klein Heels cost $1! They are adorable. 

Black Purse cost $1. I like that it has a long strap attached. 

Leopard Print Bracelet cost $0.50. Too cute. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Caps cost 2 for $1. They were in like new condition. My Grandmother had breast cancer and I fully support the cause. 

Bead Necklaces cost $1 each. A necklace can really dress up any outfit. 

Spice Rack cost $1. Have I mentioned that we are building a pantry? I am so excited and I just can't hide it! I will be sure to blog about it. 

Bird Picture cost $2. This matches our bedroom perfectly. I really like how it says love on the side. 

Lampshade cost $1. It was still wrapped in plastic! I have the perfect lamp for it too. 

Angel Night Light cost $0.50. It will be great for our bedroom. 

Picture Frame cost $1. I already have a family photo in it. 

That's going to be it on this haul! Spend wisely my budget minded visitors!