I'm a FRUGAL Mama

I thought I'd post a bit about my greatest finds or couponing experiences of the past few years in this blog. I hate to spend a lot of money and try to avoid doing so whenever I can. I'm always finding ways to cut corners, and my favorite ways are by shopping at thrift stores or on Craigslist, and using coupons.

Here are some examples of great finds I've made shopping thrift, to start with.

Before Moo was born, I found a brand new Graco travel system IN THE BOX at Goodwill. Price? $30. And it was pink. Best. Find. Ever.

Once bought a pair of Uggs at a thrift store for $3. I wore the crap out of those.

Target gives a lot of it's unsold stuff to Goodwills in our area. As a result, I bought a brand new but repackaged  DYR (Do Your Room) Full/Queen girl's quilt and sham set, which still sells at Target for $89.99...and I got it for $5.99.

Brand new Avia sneakers, $7.99, normally $30.

Converse sneakers for myself and my kid, many pairs, all under $6. Most of them barely or never worn.

Toys. I always score great toys at Goodwills. I got one of those B. You (Target) brand wooden boxes with all the little games and the little rollercoaster-y type bead track things on it for $4. A Fisher Price house playset that was originally $75 for $1.50 (half off!). Numerous Yo Gabba Gabba, Angelina Ballerina, My Little Pony things.  I've bought things are resold them too, knowing their value on the internet, like Caillou dolls.

Bought a weird coffeemaker for $3 because it was red, looked it up, and it was worth between $30-50 on eBay. So I sold it! Made $35 on the deal.

If you're squeamish about shopping thrift, don't be. Most things can be sterilized or washed. Goodwill is fabulous about offering cleaner, unbroken, unstained stuff than most other places I've visited. I hate the prices on their kids' clothing, though. Onesies should be a buck at most. But mom's clothing is plentiful and well priced (and believe me, there is a SHIT TON of brand name stuff like Hollister, American Eagle, Guess, Abercrombie, Banana Republic, Express, New York and Company, etc. out there for bargain basement prices). Books are also a good buy. I get early readers for .50- .99 cents each (they run $4-5 each new), not to mention Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, etc., and adult books are well priced too. I suggest checking out your local Goodwill if you have them in your area. It's like an indoor garage sale that never stops and rotates stock daily. Awesome.