I’ve been on the lookout for a console table for our front porch to be able to decorate with the seasons. This one came up yesterday on a facebook yard sale group. There were a lot of people interested, but I’ve found an email/text with the phrase: “I can pick it up today and pay cash.” with a smiley face, your name (if you are a woman) and your phone number/email has proven to be the best for scoring items.

It shows that you will show up (they want it GONE!),

that you have the money (you won’t try to to talk them down or pay with a bad check),

that you are a woman (sometimes important if the seller is a woman she won’t be concerned if she is alone), 

you are friendly. (smiley faces = friendly),

and they can contact you easily with the method they prefer.

When contacting them: if they seem younger, texting always seems to win. If they are older, CALL. They usually prefer good old fashioned talking on the phone.

Best places to check:

* Craigslist in your area

* Facebook yard sale groups -- search on facebook the name of your community, your county, or the largest one that is close to you. For my old town, it was called Montgomery County Yard Sale. There are usually more than one. Request to join the group and the postings will show up in your facebook feed. It is a group of local people that post their things they are trying to sell online. You must be a facebook member to join. Warning: people are quick on these sites! Don’t wait if it’s something you really want. It’s always good to reply on the listing that you are interested in it, and send a private message as well to show you really want it.

Online classified ads -- remember how we used to check the newspaper for classified ads? Most are online now.

Those are my tips -- what about you? Any tried and true tips for scoring awesome items online? I am off to paint that table…

Welcome to Day 1 of 31 Days at 320 Sycamore! We are slowly trying to figure out the best places for things as we unpack, organize, gather, and get rid of stuff in our boxes. The garage is on the top of our list because I hate the feeling of not knowing where things are. Especially when we are rushing out the door to a practice or a game -- I was so tired of wasting time looking for things. So, we decided to do something about it.

Gah! I’m doing it again. Last year, I did every day September and posted every single day for that month. This year I’m joining Nester’s 31 day challenge and I’ll be here every day in October! Now, I’m not promising crazy awesome, pinterest perfection posts but more like the blogging I began with. Little thoughts, tips, décor ideas, recipes, deals, and imperfect posts that will probably kill me but hopefully you will enjoy. Here we go…see you tomorrow. And the next day. And the next! All 31 days posts are here for 2014, or you can click on each day individually.

Have you seen what Nester did with her barn?? Here is the before, go see the after!

* Robyn’s dollar store bargains

* getting mold out of the shower - a tip from Jessica at This Blessed Life

* he’s flippin' awesome: Napolean Dynamite’s message to a 12-year old cancer patient.

* good-bye #2 -- we loved watching him play!

DEALS:

* Target has a 40% off halloween kids' costumes Cartwheel coupon

* Tom’s Shoes has $5 off $25 using code FALL at checkout OR $10 off $100 using FALL10. Good through 11/30/14.

* JcPenney take $10 Off and $25 Off -- use in store or online.

* Lands' End has 25% off with code BESTFRIEND and Pin1686 at checkout.

* Macy’s -- Cool Touch Griddle $19.99, choose store pick-up for free shipping. There is also a $10 off $25 printable or use it online!

* Oneida.com is offering up 20% off sitewide + $2.99 flat-rate shipping when you use the code BG20, or if you are purchasing Anchor Hocking items, use AH25at checkout for 25% off. -- good through 9/27.

This ceramic bowl set is only $18.74 after code.

or this one is $22.49

* American Authors Believer is only .69

* Crayola 50ct Long Colored Pencils $6.97

* Scotchgard Fabric and Upholstery Protector 2-Pack $8.66 after you clip the coupon on the page

* Chef'n Pinch Pour Prep Bowls Set $8.80

* KEEN Newport H2 Sandal (Toddler) $13.32 -- try baltic/gargoyle color.

Happy Weekend!

* some affiliate links may be used in this post. Please see full disclosure here. Thanks :)