Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Sailing away

{eta: I finally figured everything out and put the new needle in. It all works!} :)

I hadn't been garage saling in a couple of weeks and I was feeling reluctant about going today. Dave* gets really noisy sometimes when I go garage saling too much because I don't just buy kid's clothes. In fact, I never seek out kid's sales. Ever. (But I do buy all of my kid's clothes from garage sales and the thrift store.)

I generally look for sales that make my heart pick up the pace just a little. The ones that say 'antiques' or 'vintage' or '30 years of stuff', that sort of thing, and make a beeline to 'em.

I always buy things that I absolutely cannot live without for my house. Things I fall in love with and didn't even know I needed until that very moment it came into my sight and into my hands. And, Dave doesn't always appreciate that. But, today... Today was a little different...

I found something I'd been looking for all summer. Something I've been watching Ebay and garage sales for. Something I'd planned to get the kids for Christmas but it looks like Christmas came early!

A record player.

An old time, good ol'-fashioned record player. With headphones and two large brown speakers (both of which I'm thinking of lining with pretty vintage wallpaper or paint on the sides -- and I love that the fronts are brown as I'm a bit partial to brown over black -- although if I can figure it out, I might cover them in fabric.) And, now I'm looking for a midcentury record player cabinet... But that list goes on and on.

True story. If Mark and I were to get married again right now, the guys would wear dark brown suits (think chocolate brown) and not the fancy-pants black tuxes they did wear. And, he'd be much happier about that, too! In fact, whenever I mention it to him, he gets a gleam in his eye and says, "See! You should have listened to me." (He wanted suits.)

Anyway, back to the record player, it's also a radio, plays 8-track tapes and has a big adapter thing that fits in the 8-track player for playing cassette tapes in (below). (That's another old radio I grabbed from the same sale sitting on the chair (above). It works too.) We're covered now!

The player came with a bunch of cassettes and 8-track tapes with old time country music (the only kind of country music I really care for -- with all respect to all the 'new' country music singers reading my blog. Or is that supposed to be 'artists'? I get confused).

I remember my dad and mom listening to 8-track tapes when I was a kid. In the car. When I wasn't wearing a seat belt. In the front seat. I was all snuggled right in the middle of them in their matching black snowmobile jackets with the bright orange color down both sides. And, the vehicle was probably the old long brown Bonneville that floated like a boat down the expressway. I'd guess there was probably a kid or two or maybe three jumping around in the backseat as well.

Can you believe my sister, one of the twins, who just graduated high school has no idea what an 8-track tape is?! haha. And I remember wearing my dad's huge super-comfy headphones. I can still remember the feel of them all cushy and soft vinyl, just like these (below) only his weren't white. I think they were red and black, and I remember recording myself with this heavy silver microphone, on tapes pretending to give the evening news or singing away to a favorite song on a system very similar to this one. I think I even still have one of those tapes. (Wonder if dad still has all of his stuff?) Boy, was that fun. Makes me think, now I need a 'mike' for the kids! Or maybe not.

I love the sound of records. There is something so nostalgic about that crackly sound. We spent hours as kids listening to ours and following along in the books that came with them. I really hope this works. The radio was playing at the sale and it sounded really good. The elderly gentleman I bought it from said the record player works too and he had even taped another needle in a case inside. Crossing my fingers! because I found a bunch of kid's records with books earlier this summer.

The kids might still be getting their own record player for Christmas. I might be a little nervous of them accidentally ruining this one... I've been keeping my eye out for a child's player. They're going for upwards of about $35.00 on Ebay and a lot more for a regular turntable -- but if you watch like a hawk you can get one for less, including the cost of shipping. (I got all of this for $15.00 plus another $5.00 for the box of vinyl (that's records to you young punks.))

Now to test it out...!

*Dave, he kind of butts in and gets in the way of my fun sometimes. He's a pretty good guy, regardless. I don't think he minds the record player but I've just not been listening to him as much as I should, this summer, and it's time to straighten up!

P.S. Excuse the lighting and picture quality. I don't have good lighting in the house at this hour of the day.

My adrenaline gets pumping when I think of garage sales.

Bumper sticker.

At least, that's what mine would read if I had one on the ol' bargain cruiser. I'm gearing up for a morning of garage sales tomorrow. There are about 8 in the paper that start tomorrow. That's quite a few. For our little rural area.

The kids are excited, too. I'm hoping to have everyone in bed soon. I've been an avid garage saler in the past but last year I didn't make it out very often. I'm hoping to be a frequent flyer this year.

I'm hoping to be up at about 7 a.m. and ready to go by about 7:45. I'm so not a morning person. Mornings make me groan but I thought I'd turn over a new leaf this year. I normally don't head out the door until 10 or so. I still found tons of stuff, but imagine what I might find if I'm actually an early bird. (Or so I tell myself.)

This is the first big garage sale run of the year for me and I can't wait.

eta: Friday: It was a great day to go. Rainy and snowy and cold, but there were a ton of die-hards like myself out there. I found quite a few treasures. My best one is the old vintage dresden plate quilt I found for 50¢ buried under a pile of more recent style bedding. (The circles are made of vintage feedsack material). I'll get a picture on here next week. I'd originally thought it was only the quilt top but it's the quilt. It seems a little smaller than a twin size.

It's stained and tattered but enough of the dresden plate circles are in good enough shape that I'll be able to make a few throw pillows with them. I was about 15 minutes late to that particular sale, first on my list, and boy am I kicking myself. Two identical red metal dressers had already sold for $20.00 (for the set). I'm looking for metal dressers for the boys room and that price was a steal. Next week, when I say I'm leaving at 7:45, I'm leaving at 7:45. Or earlier.

I have developed a huge weakness for metal dressers since I first discovered them only a few short years ago. I bought a matching set for our master bedroom from the going-out-of-business sale at the local junk store about three years ago. They've been sitting in my basement waiting to be refinished for way too long already.

I also found two nice enameled fridge drawers for the pantry. I'm planning to gather a bunch to help keep all of our food organized on the bottom shelves. I also picked up a vintage (50's/60's) Pyrex glass percolator. (And I just ordered a stainless steel one last week! Murphy's law.) That darn Murphy. There are a few other odds and ends but the other thing I was really happy about were the (figure) ice skates for Nikayda. I'm hoping to find skates for all of my kids this summer. Mark and I really want to do a rink for them next year. end of edit.

{Photos: I'm starting to play around with vintage fabrics for the hoops I hung up in the living room months ago. It's time to start brightening this place up with color and patterns!}

Walgreens - coming to our little part of the world

I learned, this weekend, that the town north of us is getting a Walgreens. Most of the coupons/savings blogs I follow do Walgreens deals. I don't always see a ton that I'm interested in because we buy mostly organic/natural food and groceries but I'm hoping I'll find some. There were definitely a few good deals I used to get at the old drug store that was bought out.

I'm excited because we live in such a rural 'small town' area and it's always nice to have more options but I get a tiny bit apprehensive because I'm also a little opposed to commercialism and big companies... But, on the other hand, more competition may drive some of the cost of groceries down. Our groceries are far more expensive here than anywhere else I've lived. We'll see what this brings! In any case, it'll be exciting to see what happens and how it does.

I really just want a Target near by. Then, I'd truly be set! (Our nearest one is over an hour away.) Of course, I should be careful what I wish for! I'm okay with the next town over growing. I just don't want our little town to grow. I like it just the way it is!

For the Yoopers -- And for you

eta: I was thinking about a recent comment and thought I'd add... I know from following other 'coupon/savings' blogs that all they're looking for for appreciation is a comment now and then. Just let them know you're stopping by, so they know what they're doing is all worthwhile. They're doing it for you! :) It's amazing, as a blogger, how much it means when someone takes a sec. to comment! That's all the gratification they're looking for! So, if you stop by and print coupons or find a great deal, take a sec to say hi! It really means a lot. :) end of edit.

My sister, Emily, started up a coupon/savings blog for Michigan's Copper Country region: The Modern Saver.

It's also a great site for gathering coupons even if you don't live in the region. She's the coupon clipping super-hero who got nearly our entire family (all of us married sisters, including our sister-in-law, and my mom, anyway) started on the coupon savings journey. She's also the one who started on Dave Ramsey's plan long before anyone else in our family. She's the frontiersman of savings and bargain hunting in our family. (And, I am the opposition to political correctness so I said frontiersman. Not woman.) And, she and her husband have done awesome on Dave's plan with tackling debt. She's an inspiration and hopefully she'll share some of that journey to help motivate others, like she's motivated us. And, so far, she's maintaining this blog a little better than...ahem...her 'personal' blog.

She's also the one who unexpectedly surprised us with a copy of Dave's The Total Money Makeover book in the mail, last year, which started Mark and I on a very hopeful journey toward financial freedom--at a time when we were, quite frankly, feeling 'hopeless' due to his lack of work options/employment. We're hooked and hopeful now and I'd go so far as to say, we're obsessed!

I, recently, ordered Dave's Financial Peace (Revisited) book along with the work book. Actually, I won an Ebay auction and got it for a heck of a deal (they came together)! I {heart} Ebay.

Going back to coupons, admittedly, my coupon journey began years ago when I would clip a coupon or two here and there and use them, thinking I was 'saving' money. But about a year and a half ago is when I really learned 'the art' of coupon clipping. (Namely, collecting them and using them when the item is on sale.) And, let me tell you, it's an art! Try following some of the frugal blogs out there and you'll see what I mean. My coupon stash is huge. I carry it around in a big plastic container, not for the 'weak-hearted'. I'm too excited about the game of saving money to be embarrassed by it. When I started marching in the store with it tucked under my arm, I realized, I had no pride because I could care less who saw it.

Coupon clipping has become a game for me, a challenge. And, it's addicting. I also believe there are a ton of coupons out there for natural and organic foods, something that a lot of people believe isn't true--but I find them all the time. Go directly to manufacturer websites, buy the Sunday paper(s) and/or follow the blogs out there, and you'll find them, too.

Saveur

I want this magazine so badly, I can almost taste it. I've been wanting it for about a year. But Dave won't let me purchase it right now...

And, that's why I'm so disappointed I missed out on this! (I'd never heard of La Cucina Italiana before but now I want that one, too.)

 

So, if anyone ever sees a really awesome deal on Saveur again, let me know. :) I will be ever grateful. Thanks to Rebecca I was able to purchase a four year subscription (36 issues) for $15.99 on Ebay. After I ordered, I saw another for $14.97 for 36 issues (4 years), if you're interested.

(Photo courtesy of SAVEUR.)

I've got Christmas on the brain and it's none too early to start planning

It may have a little something to do with the snow we've already had. We barely had a fall this year. As much as I love fall, I'm okay with it--loving winter and all, too. But it is a little strange not being able to enjoy the brilliant colors of fall a little longer. Everything is brown.

There is still green on a few trees but their leaves are turning brown instead of into vibrant autumn colors. I love trees and I appreciate them even when all their leaves are gone as they are in the winter. They're pretty year round.

Thinking of Christmas has got me thinking about baking. I'm already envisioning stocking our freezer with homemade cookies and treats. And, I have two really good cookie recipes that I'll be sharing with you soon. (Once I get them typed up.)

I'm also thinking of starting to add Christmas items to Etsy. I haven't added to Etsy in some time and when you add items, they're listed for four months so I can see why everyone is beginning to add Christmas items already. (And, I'm the first one to say how ridiculous it is that stores have Christmas items out already! Now, if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black.)

I need to take inventory of our kid's presents. I have a couple of items that are brand new that I picked up before I began the thrifty Challenge of the Utmost Kind, and I've really been enjoying hunting for the perfect (gently used/second hand) gifts at the thrift store and on Ebay. And, trying to sneak them in the cart without the kids noticing--that part gets to be a little fun when they're all with me.

I've seen quite a few deals starting to pop up on toys here and there, as well as coupons, and it's amazing how easy it is to just pass them by when you're in this frame of mind. I've been wanting to do a thrifted/handmade Christmas for the past couple of years but I just haven't planned ahead enough and so far this year, I feel a little more on top of it. I'm loving this!

I'm trying to come up with some handmade ideas for my kids so I can start on those soon as well, in order to have plenty of time to get them finished. I'd love any ideas or suggestions to get the ol' wheels turning! (That is, if anyone is still reading out there--me being such a delinquent blogger and all...)

After hearing several relatives and friends

sing the praises of this guy, I imagine that many more of you out there might be interested in this! A free one-month subscription to Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover website. Here is where you actually sign up. Using the code from here.

I'm thinking about it... But I have a hard time believing anyone can help us because of our self-employment status. We get paid so randomly that I don't know how we'd ever follow someone else's guidelines for getting out of debt and saving money. I believe in these people and their philosophies (wholeheartedly), I'm just not sure how to go about practicing their advice in our life...

Side Note: I decided to go for it and sign up just to check it all out. I'm in the process of registering and you will need your debit card. Looks like you will have to be proactive and cancel at the end of your 30 days if you're not interested in continuing with a paid subscription. (You will automatically be set up for a monthly payment subscription at the end of 30 days. If you wish to pay yearly, thus saving money, you will have to change that information at that time.)

For the junkers and do-it-yourselfers out there

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******************OFFER NO LONGER AVAILABLE.*******************

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If you haven't heard, Glidden is giving away free paint! A quart of eggshell in the color of your choice from the palette on their site. Click on the 'Details' button under 'Free' on their front page!

Be forewarned, it took a while to get through to the Glidden site. The site is overloaded right now. You can also call 1-800-GLIDDEN if you know the paint color you'd like.

Note: It says 'while supplies last' so even though this promotion is intended to run until a specific time/day (I can't remember when), it's possible it could end sooner than they'd intended due to the overwhelming response they're getting.

Free Chocolate Fridays!

Head on over to this blog post and you'll find out how to get free chocolate from Mars every Friday between 9 a.m. and noon (EST). (You can only get a 'free' coupon a total of four times.)

Although, I just registered and got a confirmation and it's now 12:30 EST... So, go ahead and give it a shot! Keep in mind, the site is running slow due to the volume of hits right now but it didn't take me but a minute or two with the 'delay'.

(The Typepad fairies have fixed the problem and I'm able to highlight my links again!)

Shop announcement: Whimsical Junk will be up and running next week!

Happy Earth Day! :: A few fun things (coupons)

• If you visit the JONES Soda website and make an Earth Day pledge, you can print a buy one get one free coupon! You can print as many as you'd like and they don't expire until 12.31.09.
• Visit the Reynold's Recycled website to print out a rebate form for a free roll. You must purchase it by May 4. I'd jump on this one if you're interested! There is only a limited amount available for today only. (I'm not too sure I'll even be able to find this in our neck of the woods. We rarely get 'new' products until they've long been launched elsewhere around the country!)
• Glade is offering a $4.00 coupon to be used for their Fragrance Collection again! I like their lead-free soy candles! These candles smell so good. I picked up a couple last time they had this high value coupon. Although, I have yet to light them. With all this moving around of furniture and the likes we have going on here, we just haven't had time for candles. For anyone new to printable coupons, make sure you hit your browser's back arrow to print your coupon twice!
• If you're a fan of Kashi like we are over here, there are some coupons on their site right now and additional ones over at coupons.com. There is also another $1.50 off Kashi GoLean Waffles on Vocalpoint.