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Hogs & Quiches & Prayers Round-up:  I need a Farmgirl Intervention!!!  |
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EastTXFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
731 Posts
Victoria
Farmgirl #549
TX
USA
731 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 07:35:58 AM
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Hey Lorie, I have a friend that has the same issue. He loves buying the types of things you seem to love. His wife was going crazy because their place was overflowing and he spent every spare dime they had. He took quiet a different approach. He knew he would not stop buying so he opened a small resale shop and has done really well. He is able to continue to purchase items he likes. He set up his shop like a home so he can spend all day with the items and as they sell he buys something else. At first he still worked a full time job outside the home and was open only 2 days a week. The shop did so well he does it full time now. He is no longer killing the family budget but instead has started contributing a good little sum to their retirement. He has had to move his shop twice to expand. He didn't just put a lot of junk on shelves he actually fixed it to where you feel you are walking through someones home. I think that is the big draw. People love it. Something to think about.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 08:08:02 AM
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I'm in on this late too Lorie - I used to struggle with the same thing - I collected vintage clothes and got up to 90 dresses, I mean really....who needs 90? So I started a booth at an antique store, then when we moved to Portland, OR I had a couple good yard sales and sold the rest to vintage stores. Fortunately our thrift stores are no longer good, too expensive, and I have lost the habit!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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OneCraftyBugger
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
R
USA
626 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 7:27:39 PM
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Lori, If you would like to chat I may be able to give you a few pointers. I’ve been a professional organizer for fifteen years and have seen EVERY type of situation there is. Your on the right path, even if you do one small task a day to reach your goal. You may also want to consider donating some of your craft supplies to schools, old age homes or after school programs not only could they use them, but you may be able to take it as a tax deduction. Consideer donating items to the salvation army or other charities or churches they will sell them, once again a possible tax deduction. Maybe realizing that the items will not go to waist will help you to release some of them. And not only will be freeing yourself, but you'll be helping others. Happy to chat if you think it will help, shoot me an email. Robin
Oh happy day!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFeltedGnome
http://bellasaysitsso.blogspot.com/
http://theswappingcrafter.blogspot.com/ |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2010 : 08:19:10 AM
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I agree with the small biz idea! You could get some of your $$$ back that way. I know ebay is having a deal where every month you can list 5 things for bid free.
My dad & I quit going to yard sales except for 2 that are neighborhood events every year. We were bringing home too much neat stuff and the house is still cluttered. Before that we were out every Sat. I do miss not exploring but it's saved $$ and space. I've been going thru my things and if I haven't used or read it in a year,up for bid it goes. The stress clutter can cause can be amazing. esp when you want in a certain part of the room & you have to move a ton of stuff to get to it. I collect 1920's sheet music for ukulele,old instruments such as uke & fiddle,( I fix em up) old photos of folk musicians,antique kitchen tools,(would love an old produce scale you hang from the ceiling!) dad collects aviation photos & military memorbelia. Let me know if you need help on ho to set up & sell on ebay.
http://www.mandolinbabe.info
http://www.mandolinbabe.net
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
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barnagainkristin
True Blue Farmgirl
465 Posts
Kristin
Utah
USA
465 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2010 : 7:29:34 PM
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Lori,
Looks like you are doing so well and I knew you were on the right path just by recognizing the problem.
One thing that helps to remind me of how little I really need to be happy is to spend some time in nature. When I sit on top of a mountain and feel total peace I want to go home and get rid of almost everything. I just spent a few days in the desert and came home and cleaned the attic getting rid of 3 bags of clothes. I guess I need to go to the desert more often :)
I think it was H.H. Dalai Lama in "The Art of Happiness" that said something like... Think if you really need something. If you purchase it will it be bringing you towards your long term goal of happiness? When we leave something behind in a store sometimes we feel like we are going away from something good. If you think of it as if you are going towards being happier by leaving it behind it turns from a negative to a positive. Don't know if that made any sense since I'm not the best with words but it has helped me at times.
Have you thought of selling things on Etsy? I haven't tried it but I know lots of farmgirls sell things there. I think there is a section for vintage items. Who knows maybe you and your husband could make some money and go on a fun vacation or something. I'm sure there are others who would treasure your items and then you wouldn't be burdened with so much. You could be making others so happy. Maybe you were just the one to find those items and now it's your turn to pass them on.
Thanks for posting this because my daughter and I have been thrifting on Saturdays lately and you reminded me that filling my house up is not going to make me happy.
My latest items of interest are old time sewing notions that remind me of my grandma. It makes me so happy to see those old little cards with metal snaps on and remember my grandma with her sewing basket sewing snaps on the pajamas she was making for me. I guess I need to know that those notions won't bring grandma and the good times they remind me of back. Sounds like you are a little sentimental like me.
One day I saw an old tin in a thrift store and opened it up and found most likely someone elses grandmother's sewing tin with embroidery hoops, wooden spools of thread, and other sewing notions. I suddenly felt a connection to the little old woman who had sewed with these items and I felt sad that they hadn't been passed on to her family. I was so happy to find the old fashioned metal hoops like my grandmother had and I still treasure and use them to this day.
As you can see you are not the only one out there who couldn't pass something up.
I think your RAOK idea is wonderful but let others pay the postage. If you have any old sewing notions let me know :)
Best Wishes and let us know how things are going. Thanks for the reminder to stay away from thrift stores unless I really need something:)
barnagainkristin
"Others Before Self" |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2010 : 06:04:06 AM
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Wow, I am so glad I'm among kindred spirits! I LOVE vintage things, and I snap them up like crazy! I mean, who can pass up a vintage handmade chicken basket cover for a dime???? Am I right? But, I contradict myself, because I HATE clutter. It makes me nervous. Lorie, you are going in the right direction by doing a little at a time. I have gone through my 'junk' soooo many times and it never ceases to amaze me how much of it I do NOT want, lol.
I have a storage building FULL of stuff THAT I HAVE NOT TOUCHED IN ALMOST 2 YEARS. It is sheer insanity. My mother has 2 HUGE barns FULL of some stuff that literally has not seen the light of day in 20+ years. We are planning on a barn sale next month.
Thanks for posting, Lorie, you have inspired me to have a giant yard sale!!! :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Hogs & Quiches & Prayers Round-up: I need a Farmgirl Intervention!!! |
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I need a Farmgirl Intervention!!!
