There is so much to do to get ready for this move, and so much we still need. It’s somewhat ironic that after spending lots of time and energy to get rid of things from my Dad’s house – like a microwave oven, a kitchen table, televisions and a patio set – what we most need to replace are the microwave oven, kitchen table, a television and a patio set. I don’t feel the need to fill all the rooms, but there are some things we’d need and/or want right away.
My community’s annual garage sale was today, and since I decided not to participate as a seller that means I was free to be a shopper! I love to go “garage saling”. Son and I will get up early, go to Dunkin’ Donuts and make the rounds.
We’ve not gone in awhile – part of my campaign to divest us from clutter instead of collecting more – so this was a treat. Heck, this move has almost made it imperative that I hit the garage sales. Snort.
Son and I were up and ready to go by 7:15 am. I put a huge “FOR RENT” sign on our front door as we left (hey, you never know), armed with cash, my cell phone and my huge Vera Bradley tote. Son was armed with a Hotwheels car. Priorities…
There are 300 homes in my community, but only about 40 owners participate in a good year. At 7:30 this morning I only saw a handful, but from experience I know that some people skip the professional garage-salers (or sleep off one too many Cosmopolitans) and set up as late as 10am.
In my first (of four) tours of the property I found someone offering a microwave oven for $25. I was going to buy a new one, but after pricing them at the size we need I realized it was going to cost over $100 – something I was not doing. The oven being offered was white, it was clean, it was big enough. The owner had never even removed the protective plastic covering over the keypad, making it seem in worse shape than it was. I bargained down to $18, and the first thing I did when I got it home was remove the plastic covering. The darn thing looks brand new! Cha-ching!
I needed to take Son to his Karate class, and after we returned I took another tour. This time I found a 19″ television that will be perfect for either Husband’s office or Son’s playroom. They were asking $25 – I got it for $15 and they threw in a VCR for free. Cha-ching!
On my third tour I picked up four DVD’s – two Thomas the Train and two Spongebob Squarepants for $5. That’s better than the usual going rate of $2-$3 per DVD, but I think I got the “cute kid” discount. Whatever works!
On my fourth tour I came across a kitchen table and chairs that may work for us. It’s from Pier 1, made of Brazilian wood and I could probably get it for $150 or less. Here is a very lousy photo showing some of it:
It’s very rustic looking, and it comes with 4 chairs. The table is marked up a bit, but it is a great deal.
I didn’t buy it, but I did get the owner’s phone number. Why not?
Well, I don’t love it. I love this:
But THAT set will likely set us back $750 – $800. But it does include the hutch and 6 chairs.
But I love it. It’s so preeeeeeeeeeetty. And well made!
I want to make a good decision, and sometimes that’s hard to do.
We may only be living in my Dad’s house for 2 years. Do I spend an extra $600 for something I love, something that won’t fit well into my townhouse (if we wind up moving back), or do I buy the inexpensive, not quite as nice rustic set?
That’s a good question. What would you do?
is $44.99 (reg. $103.99)
(This is for dolls) is $11.99 (reg. $24.99)
is $9.99 (reg. $29.99)
is $8.99 (reg. $29.99)
is $17.99 (reg. $59.99)
is $11.99 (reg. $59.99)
is $10.99 (reg. $24.99)
is now $10.99 (reg. $21.99)
is $14.99 (reg. $49.99)
Are You Going To Be This Way The Rest of The Time I Know You? 