This morning I took a trip to my favorite neighborhood in Seattle. I had three items of clothing to bring to a consignment store, to see if I could sell them there. I've been doing this for about two years, so I was warmly greeted by the shop owner, who informed me that I had $67 on credit , and I could take it in cash or opt to leave it on credit. I decided that I would leave it in credit for the next few months. Next, I browsed at a thrift store I particularly like that benefits the American Cancer Association. It has exceptional deals for the last four days of the month. In the "free books" section in the back I found a copy of a Ray Bradbury novel I haven't read. So I took it with me. If I weren't doing a buy nothing month, I could get an overlooked piece of clothing or house item for a dollar. I do this from time to time: the clothing items I select specifically for taking to the consignment store. I take them home, wash, de-pill, and iron them, and sometimes my share from when they are sold adds up to $4 - 7 per item. It's labor intensive, and no one is going to make a living doing this, but I have the time and I love clothes. This is an easy way to build credit with the consignment store that I really do like. In theory, I could also buy all the house-hold items for $1, build a collection, and then have a massive garage sale, selling them each for $2-4, but I don't have the storage space. Also, I find that when I buy things there I love them. I found a teapot there for $1 last month. I could sell it online for $30 or $40 -- but I'm not going to. It's beautiful, in perfect condition, and fits my room exactly. Last month I found a delicate Eileen Fisher dress there, with a matching cardigan -- for a dollar. I took it to the consignment shop and it sold for $90. That's rare, but lovely when it happens. The trick is to avoid bringing home things that won't sell. I'm getting better at it. When I left there, I bypassed the book store but waved to the guys who work there. It's a used book store and I bring in my books for credit towards half of the (used) book price. That means I can find recent books for $2-8. Most often, I am drawn to the $3 books displayed outside. These are sensational titles and great reads that are just overstocked. Mostly, though, I drop in from time to time because I just like the staff. Next up: I talked with a Planned Parenthood activist for a good, long while and enjoyed the conversation very much. I missed my bus, so after the conversation was over, I wandered into the bread store which gives out samples to anyone who comes in. They recognize me because I'm often in there buying multiple loaves at a time for my household. I sat for awhile, enjoying the space and the free slice of bread, and then, because it was a particularly fine day, I went to the bus stop and just spent the rest of the time there. I could have gone into the pharmacy to look at free samples. I could have wandered through the antiques mall just to look, or through the furniture consignment store to get ideas for crafts. I could have stopped at the hardware store and looked at what mixed paint samples were for sale -- just out of interest. There is a coffee shop there where I can use a coffee card of a friend who paid ahead of time for 20 coffees just before finding out he couldn't do coffee anymore. I love going there. I've missed it, because I had decided not to go there this month much. I didn't want to tempt myself. But as I move forward, I want to build a schedule that includes one morning a week at The Junction -- just because it gives me so much joy. And next month? At the end of September? I may go to the thrift store and stock up on items for an October garage sale.
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ArchivesAuthorVirginia Lore enjoys living life as an experiment and frequently steps out of her comfort zone -- when she's not hiding out in her room with the covers over her head that is. You may email her: [email protected] |