Used Stuff Saves U Money (well, saves us money)

The best used item for 2009 was a toilet.

My coworker remodeled her master bath. She got a new toilet. We took her old toilet. Her house is only about ten-years-old, so the toilet is in fine condition. I didn't like the one we had in our main bathroom. We used her vanity, and two sinks as well. And, on the walls, some of the paint was from the 'mistake' stack at the paint store. Our main bath remodel turned out quite nicely. About half the materials were used, and half new.

Wyatt saved his own money and bought an Xbox 360. Used. Then, so he wouldn't take over the family room, he got a used TV. Better than that though - we got it at the landfill. We went to our local landfill to drop off some electronics waste (always dispose of computers, phones, etc., correctly.) The televisions were stacked and shrink-wrapped on a pallet. The guy in charge of the electronics waste was kind enough to let us check to see if a few of them still worked. One did so we brought it home! It does have an annoying line and some dashes. It could prove distracting during a very dark scene in a movie... but hey, the price was right and it's about a 22" screen. FREE!!!

While we're on used appliances, two years ago, we bought an oven for $50 at the Habitat for Humanity Resale store. It works fine. The one we replaced had a worn thermostat, and a new thermostat was $123. We bought our dining room chandelier at Habitat, as well as a beautiful $129 Kohler faucet for $26!

Used is Cool 4 Christmas Too?

Well, this is a quick update. The Used is Cool idea ran a second round fall of '09, and I got more Facebook friends who joined the cause on FB.

Apparently I don't have time to manage more than one thing, blog, kitchen, or paying job... at a time.

But I am switching to gmail for everything and it's linked to Blogger, so I looked at my earlier blogging attempts and found this.

So, what about Used is Cool 4 Christmas 2?

I didn't buy my kids anything used. But had I found something appropriate, I might have. Why a prohibition on such a thing? Why are some folks insulted by 're-gifting'. Isn't it better to pass something you're not using on to someone you think might?

What about toys, books, china, movies? Clothing is a natural and common hand-me-down. Okay, so maybe you don't wrap it. But depending on the item it may be good as new. And if you can't pass along a book, does that mean you can't gift a book from a used bookstore either? What about something you bought from a consignment boutique or antique store?

You see my point? How does one draw the line?

Of course one must be careful not to re-gift something at an event where the giver may find out you're doing it... You know, if you don't like the wine glasses someone gave you at last years' company party, don't bring them to this year's party. But then there's the book thing again... of course the giver may assume you liked it so much you bought a copy to give.... hmmm. Something to ponder.

Anyway, post your opinion about used gifts.

First Day of School!

Yesterday - August 27th - was the first day of school here.
Yucky, windy, weather... whine whine. I am so NOT ready for fall.

Anyway, school went well for both kids and Molly's new backpack (yes I broke down) arrived on Monday. Molly loves it.

BUT Wyatt announced after school yesterday that he needs a new one! Holy Mackeral!!!

He says he's got two textbooks that won't fit with his notebooks... So now I'm trying to figure out if I can talk him into taking Molly's new one which seems bigger (hey, it's blue). What will be more difficult will be talking her into using his one-year-old one... which is brown. Much of her wardrobe is also brown... so it will match, but even though she's not a girly girl, and despises pink & purple, I think it'll be an uphill battle! (confession, it's monogrammed, shouldn't have wasted the money)

Time to head back to the thrift stores and see if anyone has a decent LARGE backpack. OR maybe I'll call Land's End... "Uh, yea, your backpacks are guaranteed right? Are they guaranteed to be large enough capacity for a middle schooler?"

Doesn't seem quite honest - but it was marketed as the larger bag.

Stay tuned.

What NOT to buy for back to school.

I know we will probably all have to purchase some items for our kids, for me it's the new backpack and "two red correcting pens".

But I was just at the Website for Center for a New American Dream and they had a list of school supplies to AVOID...
Like, did you know some backpacks have PVC - poly vinyl chloride? Think toxic new cheap shower curtain smell... Those aspects of back to school hadn't even occured to me. Or how about correction fluid? Can you imagine inviting toxics into your classroom??? So check it out for yourself!

http://www.newdream.org/marketplace/bts.php


BTW

I've heard from people who 'like the blog' but no one's posted any comments. I guess you have to join blogspot to be able to comment, so be my friend instead and join Facebook, then the used is cool Facebook group.

We won't be able to spread the idea if we just keep it here in the TC's.

Have a great day - g

What About Clothes??

Okay, if you've made it here today, there's a good chance you saw the newspaper article. (Front page of the Tri-City Herald http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/272469.html)

And yes, it's about school supplies - but everything else too. So, if you read on, you'll see that Molly and I also went to Value Village. We didn't find much, but I'll go again later in the season when it cools down.

I was really excited that the article listed places to donate used school supplies as well. As I said, I'm inundated, particularly with pencil boxes...

I did examine Molly's backpack and agreed that after four years (k-3) I guess she's ready for a new one. I'm going to wash it and take it to Salvation Army with the pencil boxes. It's still functional, just a little small for her.

So, I went back to Land's End - because if I have to spend $25+ on a backpack I want it to last... That is another part of conserving resources. Making sure you buy things that will last. My son's primary backpack is in mint condition, but waaay to small for middle school books.

BTW, lest you think Miss Molly is the only one getting used stuff - that's true so-far. But Wyatt's concert attire for school orchestra came from Value Village - black pants, white shirt, black dress shoes. Ta Daa! Once it cools down (he's one of those kids who'll wear shorts 'til November) we'll peruse the used stores for his winter pants.

Have a great day.

P.S. Kudos To Michelle P.

Michelle had a b-day party for Maya today, and there was a scavenger hunt.

Guess what the kid searched for?

SCHOOL SUPPLIES! Cool Idea Michelle!

Two Used Pairs of Pants...

Friday night I saw some friends at a free summer concert, and BG said she'd just gotten back from a round of thrift-store shopping with her third-grader when she opened my Used is Cool Challenge email!! Great minds think alike.

Molly and I spent some time on Sunday, after breakfast and Costco, at Value Village. She tried on about seven pairs of pants, and two blouses.

We bought two pairs of pants. There was a pair I loved, but she didn't, and they weren't my size. Darn!

I'm still evading the backpack discussion... She's had her current Land's End pack since kindergarten... and it is getting grubby. Bet I'll cave on that one.

I went through Wyatt's collection of used packs. Taking one to Goodwill.

What is the protocol there? If something is mendable, can you Goodwill it? Should you mend it first? Hmmm.

A photographer is coming tomorrow to take a photo of my kids and me for an article about Used is Cool... Hope it's not too hot. I was hoping Molly could model one of her 'new' pairs of pants!

We'll see.