Saturday Steals

This Saturday, my mom and I went to two garage sales and a large children's consignment sale.  There wasn't much that Lucia NEEDS right now, but if the price was right, there were a few things I had been wanting to get her and it's always nice to stock up on clothes for the future.  (If you notice, I also bought some items that are too small for Lucia to fit into or are clearly for baby boys.  No, I don't have any big announcements, but I can't pass up a great price on items we will [hopefully] need someday for a future son.)

I've been meaning to write a post about how (and where) to by used baby items to offer some of my tips and trick.  But I can't pass up the opportunity to say that garage sales tend to have the cheapest prices and consignment sales tend to have some of the priciest, so you have to look really well to find some truly great finds at consignment sales.  Many consignment sales run for several days and on the last day, many of the items are at a steep discount.  At the sale we went to, sellers could mark whether they wanted their items to go for 50% off on Saturday, so many of the items weren't that great of a deal before, but they were awesome prices at half off.

I love reading posts of bloggers' thrift store savings (read any of Katie of NFP and Me's "thriftaholic" posts and you'll be addicted too!), so I thought I would share (just a few of) of my favorite Saturday finds:

Blue velvet holiday dress

Luli & Me

Originally $120

Paid $1.50

 

Dress and long sleeved onesie (new with tags)

Oshkosh

Originally $44

Paid $7

Quilted overalls and long sleeve onesie

Janie and Jack

Originally (approx.) $70+
Paid $4

Winnie the Pooh sleeper

Disney

Originally  (approx) $15+

Paid $.25

Four pairs of brand new tights

Gymboree and The Children's Place/Baby Place

Originally $35

Paid $4

Five pairs baby boots & shoes

Various brands including Gymboree, Baby Gap and Carter's

Originally (approx.) $80+

Paid $6.75

 

Baby boy's nautical shoes (new with tags)

Izod

Originally $10

Paid  $2.50

 

Pumpkin costume

First Moments

Originally (approx.) $20+

Paid $1.50

  

Flower costume

Princess Paradise

Originally $30

Paid $3

Ladybug costume

Charades

Originally $20

Paid $2.50

 

Monkey chair

 Originally (apprx.) $15+

Paid $2

 Ten Counter Bead Maze

Anatex

Originally $40

Paid $5

Rock and Trot Rocking Horse

Melissa and Doug

Originally $120

Paid $7

Slide

Little Tykes

Originally $50

Paid $2

 Total original prices $669+

Total paid $49

Savings $620+

Um, yeah, I think we had a GOOD day.  Keep in mind, this was less than half of what we got.  We spent about $110 total and came home with a ton more clothes (included much needed pajamas), some puzzles and toys, books, and a few other brand new items we plan to give as gifts.  Of course, I never would have spent full price on any of these items, so we didn't really "save" $620, but it's nice to see a price comparison anyway.  I was especially excited about the rocking horse.  I had been planning to get Lucia a rocking horse for Christmas, but was looking at ones for about $40.  I never imagined we would be able to get her such a nice one (and it makes trotting noises!).  The little monkey chair was perfect too!  The last few times we've taken her for her monthly portraits, she's absolutely loved sitting in the toddler size chair and I'd been thinking she needed her own.  She loves it!

Have you had any good garage sale/thrift store/consignment sale finds recently?  If so, I'd love to hear about them!  Leave a comment and let the world know what a thrifty shopper you are!  (Tips welcome too, I have great garage sale skills but I'm lacking in the thrift store department).

If you like this post, you might also be interested in my Baby on a Budget series.