Victory

I did it! I really did it! Those stairs have been beckoning me for months and I have ignored them. Today I opened that door and took the first step up, up, up to the dreaded attic! Home of everything I don’t want to deal with at the moment. You know how it goes…sell it, donate it, throw it away – not sure - so it goes to the ATTIC! The attic is a scary place in my mind. It never fails that I hear “noises” and just know that some varmints are lurking in the dark, watching me and planning their attack! So I make a lot of noise to scare them and have been known to force my dog up the stairs with me! What a good decision it was for I found some wonderful gems that need new homes.
As I was boxing up my newly tagged items, it dawned on me that I need a list of what I need to replace with the cash I plan to make. That makes sense – out with the old and in with the new-to-us! Here are some ideas that worked for me:
• Find a small notebook to use as your “personal assistant” through the whole process. Here is where you can make your notes on sizes, needs, and wants!
• Shoe sizes! Write down what size shoe/boot that your children need. No guessing when you see the cutest pair ever!
• Take inventory of what each child has for Fall/Winter and Holidays that will fit. If in doubt, sell what they have and buy a bigger size!
• Christmas is around the corner! What do your kids need? What do they want? US News and Business lists the Top 20 Items One Should Never Buy New – video games, large toys, and more. No one but you will ever know where you got those great presents and you will save 70% – 90%!
• Need hair bows for next season? What colors? Let your “personal assistant” know so you don’t buy colors you will never use.
• Study your Gift Closet. What could you add for those birthday parties and class gifts? Books are great! KidsTown get so many books that look brand new! For girl presents check out the items in the toy area where never been opened gift sets are better than bargain priced.
• Now, take out your little “personal assistant”, sit in your favorite chair, and write down what YOU would like to reward yourself with once you get your KidsTown check! My list is getting a little messy with mark throughs as I think of something new every day!
I know it is hot, hot out there and thinking of winter weather clothes is daunting…but just imagine the satisfaction of knowing how much money you saved by being proactive instead of waiting. KidsTown is probably a dirty word to all of the children’s retailers out there! You know those stores are truly hoping that we all procrastinate and wait to pay full retail in the fall! Not me! Despite the scary attic and the even scarier varmints, I am going to gather and tag my way to a BIG reward!