You Can Find Hidden Treasures Next Door

You know I just cannot keep it a secret any longer.  To many people are searching for just some added cash to cover some over due bills. HIDDEN TREASURES in your Backyard are just waiting for you to uncover and put money in your pocket.  Do you realize how much an extra $100 can relieve some stress.  Of course you need to be wise and not spend it on foolish things.  Put it on that way overdue credit card payment, a little at a time and you have gotten rid of one headache!

I write this today because I had a "Hidden Treasure in your Backyard" experience today..  No it was not a score for me, as I was searching around for some close by neighborhood garage sales I notice one particular one that was not getting any traffic.  I watched for awhile and then just could not control the urge to go help them out.  How to do a successful garage sale in my next blog.

Anyway this is the most amazing story.  As I was helping them out I struck up a conversation with the lady who lived there.  Seems she was on disability and trying to make some extra money.  As we talked she started telling me about other things she had in her home.  So off we went into her house to see what she had.  OH MY GOSH, in this tiny little place was scores and scores of treasures.  I don't mean a few little collectibles I mean so much stuff you could hardly find a place to set.  It was all organized nicely but so much stuff.

She loved to sew and had made some adorable little girls dresses, creating the designs herself.  So because of this she had stacks and stacks of fabric, some vintage.  There were probably 100 or so pieces of fabric TONS of patterns, and she told me she had boxes of patterns she kept in her car because she did not have room in her house for them.  See, she is very organized and knows where everything is and keeps it in an orderly fashion.

You know I just cannot keep it a secret any longer.  To many people are searching for just some added cash to cover some over due bills. HIDDEN TREASURES in your Backyard are just waiting for you to uncover and put money in your pocket.  Do you realize how much an extra $100 can relieve some stress.  Of course you need to be wise and not spend it on foolish things.  Put it on that way overdue credit card payment, a little at a time and you have gotten rid of one headache!

I write this today because I had a "Hidden Treasure in your Backyard" experience today..  No it was not a score for me, as I was searching around for some close by neighborhood garage sales I notice one particular one that was not getting any traffic.  I watched for awhile and then just could not control the urge to go help them out.  How to do a successful garage sale in my next blog.

Anyway this is the most amazing story.  As I was helping them out I struck up a conversation with the lady who lived there.  Seems she was on disability and trying to make some extra money.  As we talked she started telling me about other things she had in her home.  So off we went into her house to see what she had.  OH MY GOSH, in this tiny little place was scores and scores of treasures.  I don't mean a few little collectibles I mean so much stuff you could hardly find a place to set.  It was all organized nicely but so much stuff.

She loved to sew and had made some adorable little girls dresses, creating the designs herself.  So because of this she had stacks and stacks of fabric, some vintage.  There were probably 100 or so pieces of fabric TONS of patterns, and she told me she had boxes of patterns she kept in her car because she did not have room in her house for them.  See, she is very organized and knows where everything is and keeps it in an orderly fashion.

So as I keep looking around I saw one corner of her living room with a shelf holding around 50 older dolls, some still wrapped in original boxes, and a shelf unit with tons of plush toys.


I sell plush toys anywhere from $12-$30 and these are older plush.  Like this one I sold for $17.77 and bought for 70 cents.

Then in her kitchen is shelves and shelves loaded with collectible figurines, dishes and more.  Since we just had a little shaker or two yesterday, I ask her what would happen to all this if it was another Loma Prieta shake like we had 21 years ago.

I think the thing I am most excited about is that I can teach her how to sell her items and make more money then what she made working.  And her disability will not keep her from working on the computer and doing the simple things to sell her items, like taking a picture and listing it either on eBay or Craigslist.  She basically has enough stuff to keep her in business for a year and be able to pay her rent and car payment plus.

The best part is here we have the perfect example of "Hidden Treasures in your Backyard.  I could not believe that I found such a wonderful example and tomorrow I will go over and video or take pictures to show you.

You see there is always some treasure in your backyard that is worth something and there is always someone that will want that treasure.  It is the old saying "one mans junk is another mans treasure".

Check back in I think this will be a great on going story that you will be interested to follow.  Can't wait till tomorrow to help her get started.  Oh by the way I am also going to show you how to have a successful garage sale.  When we did just ONE change for her today and people started coming.

We tried our hand at Storage Locker Auctions on Friday

I am going to start calling these "freaky Fridays" because I find the most interesting things to do on Fridays!  Today we ventured out to attend a "Storage Locker Auction".  There were 5 lockers being auctioned off.  We arrived a little early just because we did not know what to expect.  The auctioneer arrived about 2 minutes before it was to start, gave us his spiel about how it works.

First it takes cold hard CASH, no credit or debit cards.  Then when you win the auction, you have to check in with the office give them $100 till you clean out that locker. Once the locker is cleaned out by the time they require, you get that $100 back.  These needed to be clean out by Sunday which is nice it give them 2 days to do it.

First locker was interesting, oh by the way 4 of the five were inside lockers which meant we had to single file by to view them.  Everyone gets a chance to look inside but you cannot go inside.  Because these were inside you needed a flashlight to see in.  Of course the one we had wasn't powerful enough, but there was this really nice young man we befriended and he let us use his.

The first one looked pretty interesting and probably was a good buy, but when the bidding got over $200 we just watched.  It finally sold for $425.

Second one had a big TV, a Harley Kids Bike, a mattress ( why do so many people save mattresses?? 3 out of the 5 had mattresses in them and dirty old ones to boot!) coffee table or dining room table it was hard to see and more.  That one went for $310.

Third one was a true WINNER, not only was it a large 10X20 and was stacked full.  Table saw, electrical components, paints, Mitsubishi LARGE TV, lots of tools and so much more.  This one was great and it even had a light in there so you could really see well.  That probably tells you why it sold for $2200!!!!!

Fourth was a loser, not much but one guy bought it for $25 so he will make his money back because there were a couple of things that would sell, a 6' table, some nice room dividers, but he was probably banking on the brief case that was there and hoping some treasure was inside.

Fifth and final one was a small one but it had some nice things in it and it was neatly organized.  We thought about bidding on this one, but $160 was what it went for.  I decided I could go to a thrift store spend $165 sort through and get exactly what I knew would sell and come out way ahead.  The best part would be that I did not have to clean out a locker, haul away the stuff, go through every thing to see if there was value to it.  I figure I would come out way ahead in my ROI. 

Well it was a great experience and we just might try again.  Totally different then what you see on TV, no drama and pretty relaxed atmosphere.  Several people left after the BIG one sold.  Guess they were probably waiting for the real "treasure" and it was gone.

By the way if you ever want to try this there is one interesting catch to be aware of and that is that after people view the locker they can go to the auctioneer and give a starting bid to him.  The BIG one had someone offer $1000 right up front.  Hmmmmm maybe they knew something, you think!

So to console ourselves we just stopped by Salvation Army for a quick look around.  I did find a collectible Tom Clarks Gnome for $2.75, a Hawaiian shirt which I will take the buttons off, the shirt is not worth anything but I can sell the buttons for a lot more then I paid $1.45 for the shirt.  And a pretty black silk and angora sweater for $2.45. I am thinking around $100 return for this investment.

Sometimes little scores work also

Here is something I picked up for 58 cents the other day. It sold in 2 days for $59.77.

You see there are so many treasures out there if you are looking.  This is what I mean by having a vision.  It is the simple little things that add up and bring you hope. I know most will say I don't have an eye like you do, but in reality you do.  All I do is ask myself would someone want this.  It was a hunting dog, very unusual, older because cork screws are not made today like this and with stones for the eyes.  Can you see what I mean, someone who hunts and drinks wine would love this for an accessory for their home wine collection.

Treasure Hunting to Relieve Christmas Stress

One of the things I find so valuable when I treasure hunt is to keep in mind what my family and friends collections, hobbies and things that are important to them.

Recently a very dear friend was saddened at one of her favorite collectibles breaking. So as I was out doing my "normal" shopping/treasure hunting, there on the shelf of a thrift store was exactly the item she broke!!!!! Can you imagine the thrill when she opens her Christmas present and see's her beloved little treasure in the box.

No it does not cost very much, but yet it is the fact that I listened to her and remembered what was important to her.

It is not about how much you spend, it is about how much you care. It cost me just a few dollars, but it will say so much to my friend to know that I listened to just a passing comment from her.

Your ears are a very important tool, but sometimes we do not use them as we should. Remember we have 2 ears and 1 mouth, and we should use them in proportion to that.
Boy am I speaking to me on this one!!!!!

During my weekly visits "treasure hunting" I am always keeping an eye out for just the right thing for someone special in my life. It has nothing to do with being "cheap", but everything to do with the fact that they are on my mind and I remember what is important to them.

So this coming year why not make a practice of really looking with your heart and eyes to what might be a special treasure to someone on your Christmas list. You will save so much stress at this time of year, and you will bless someone with the gift of "YOU are important to me and I listened to your wants and needs".

Think about how you can stay within your budget and yet have the most wonderful Christmas or other holiday ever!!!

How would you feel if when you opened up your gift that it wasn't so much about what was inside but that someone really cared enough to keep you on their mind? The fact that they actually listened to you and what was important to you.

This is the time of year to show that you care. It is not about buying expensive gifts that will break or wear out, but to truly say "I love you and you are my TREASURE"

WOW this is better then the Stock Market

Now if you have Apple Stock it is at $300 a share, kudos's to you, but if you don't then maybe you might want to consider another alternative that can bring in almost as much ROI.

I am talking about finding those treasures to sell on eBay. I have had some amazing scores lately.

First, just a few weeks ago I spotted a Chanel Blazer at a small little neighborhood thrift store. Could not believe the price was $7.50!!! So I scooped it up paid the money and got out of there before someone said "hey that was the wrong price, it should have been $27.50. Well even if they did do you think I would have paid that, you darn tootin I would, because I sold it for $700 and it was not on auction. You see I determine what I think (with some research) it will sell for and put it on Fixed Price. It took only 2 weeks for it to sell.

That same week I put on a Crewel Christmas Stocking from Sunset for $110 and it sold in less then 24 hours. I think I paid $.10 for it.

I have a philosophy give me a couple of dollars and I will get a hundred fold or more back on that $1.00. My friends and family give me money now for gifts at Christmas and Birthdays because they know I can make it "go further". It is a win win situation, they give me a little and I turn it into "big". They did not have to spend much on my gift and I was able to increase it, can't beat that!!

Have to boogy right now, but stayed tuned I have more amazing scores to tell you about.