How To Save Money On Everything Baby Needs ~ Orlando Giveaway
I have said it before, babies need a lot of stuff! And frankly, it doesn’t stop as they get bigger. The stuff just keeps coming…
Besides the obvious, sales and deals, one of my favorite ways to save money on baby/kids’ stuff is by consignment shopping. And my favorite way to consignment shop is at a consignment event. I’ve posted about consignment events in the past, but if you aren’t familiar with this concept here’s the scoop. The events take place in a large venue (like a church multipurpose room), and moms come from far and wide to sell their baby/kids’s outgrown clothes, toys, gear and more (even maternity wear). If you’ve never been to an event like this, you would be amazed at how much stuff appears for sale. The sale only lasts a couple of days, then the items are either returned to the moms or donated to charity. It’s quick, exciting and a great place to score deals.
Now, we aren’t talking garage sale prices, but we aren’t talking garage sale quality either. We are talking about moms selling stuff that moms would buy. Think about it, babies/kids fly through clothes so fast that everyone has pieces of adorable clothing that was only worn once or twice before it was outgrown. You’ll even find items that are new with tags! Most prices are roughly 1/2 of retail for big items less for clothing (because there is just so much of it).
Trust me – once you see the quality of what you can get, you will always want to shop consignment first! (I know I do!)
My favorite local Orlando sale is Boutique for a Week. And if I have gotten you excited about shopping, you are in luck. The next Boutique for a Week sale is coming up September 20-23, 2011. Of course, the key to consignment event shopping is to get their early. The Boutique for a Week sale opens to the public September 21, but expecting moms can pre-register to shop early on September 20 – hint hint expecting moms, do this!
I have participated in several Boutique for a Week events both as a shopper and consignor, and I’ll be back as both again for this event. Here are some pics from previous events.
For this event the ladies of Boutique for a Week have added a new feature, a Betsy Shoppe where moms will be selling their handmade items. (Since I love crafty stuff, I am excited about this new feature!)
If you have never attended Boutique for a Week, I challenge you to set aside time to check it out as a shopper. Once you see how great it is, you will be itching to sell your outgrown stuff at the next event. (BTW – they make it so easy to sell your stuff. I love checking my daily progress and seeing those dollar signs increasing!)
Got questions about Boutique for a Week, ask me 
Giveaway – Are you excited yet? How would you like a pre-sale pass that gets you in even before the expecting moms on September 19? That’s what I thought. Normally, these passes are reserved for those who volunteer to assist with the sale, but I get to give one lucky reader a special pass! Yay!
Alright – who’s ready to go shopping?!!?
To enter – Please use the Rafflecopter form below to take advantage of your entry opportunities.
MANDATORY ENTRY MUST BE LEFT AS COMMENT ON BLOG POST BELOW – then you can check off in Rafflecopter that you did it. Otherwise, all other entries will be invalid. (Click instructions for what to comment about.)
Disclosure – This post is brought to you by Boutique for a Week, however, all thoughts and options are my own.
Boutique for a Week is Coming – VIP Giveaway
I’ll never understand why the smallest people require the most stuff. Seriously, kids come with so much stuff… Well, they don’t really come with it mom and dad have to shell out the bucks to purchase so much stuff. There is the obviously food, diapers, clothes but there is also so much more a million stuffed things, blocks, books, games, more stuffed things, bikes, strollers, special potties, more clothes, accessories and so much more STUFF!
At two and a half years old, my daughter’s play areas (yes, areas) are over flowing, her drawers are crammed and I am shopping for the holidays already. Sometimes I think I am nuts…. but then I look in her overflowing drawer full of shorts and t-shirts. In the very back are the long sleeve clothes from last winter – why did I keep them in her drawer all summer – those will not fit this year. And I bet the warm weather stuff won’t fit come spring. Her overflowing toys include toys meant for 6+ months, and it’s really time to replace some of her “baby” stuff with “big girl” stuff. Thus the delicate balance of stuff!
Enter my new favorite twice annual event, Boutique for a Week. What is so great about Boutique for a Week? Number one, clean out the closets, drawers and playroom. Number two, price your items. Number three, drop them off. Number four, Boutique for a Week sells your stuff. Number five, shop for new (bigger) stuff. Number six, pick up a check for 65% of the sale of your stuff. That’s it – what more is there to love!?!?!!
Last spring, I started small. I only took about a dozen items, you know to test the waters. About 3/4s of my items sold, and I elected to send the other items to charity. I then spent all of the money I “made” on “new” things. It’s a perfect circle and it is TOTALLY green.
Chances are you have seen a consignment sale like this one in your area, they are popping up everywhere, but if you haven’t participated in one yet – it’s time. I have visited several other consignment sales, and thus far Boutique for a Week has by far been the best organized, most well run sale with top-notch stuff! So if you live in Central Florida, you HAVE to check out this sale.
Maximize your sales:
- Price it right. Remember, people are looking for a deal so if you price too high your item will be over looked for cheaper items.
- Volunteer to help. Did you know that a lot of these sales are run by volunteers, volunteers who get earn a higher percentage on your sales and get to shop early!
- Sell stuff you would buy (assuming your kids were smaller).
I know my readers love a good deal, so this is your chance to really score. I have a special treat for TheSuburbanMom readers. The key to scoring the BEST deals at a sale like this is to be among the first shoppers, and I get to giveaway a VIP shopping pass that gets you in the doors with the very first wave of shoppers (noon on Monday, October 18)!
Mandatory Entry – “Like” Boutique for a Week on Facebook.
Additional Entires:
- Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
- Sign up for SIGN UP FOR TheSuburbanSanta – COMING SOON!
- Sign up as a consignor (2 bonus entires).
Contest ends October 14, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Disclosure – This is a sponsored giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Clean out your closets, be green and earn cash
If you have been putting off a closet cleaning in your kiddos room, I have a great incentive to get you motivated. Clean closets, a greener planet and COLD-HARD CASH.
You could clean out your closets and have a garage sale, but that’s a long day in the hot sun. Or you could consign your items with a consignment store, but consignment stores set the price and it can take months to get your money, plus you typically earn only 40% of the sale. Enter option number three – a consignment store that is only open for one week where you set the price and earn 65% of every sale. If you live in Central Florida, Boutique for a Week is just such a place.
At Boutique for a Week Central Florida parents are invited to register as consignors to sell their gently used kids items. With a list of high standards set for what can and cannot be sold, buyers can find excellent quality name-brand items for a fraction of their retail price. In addition to earning cash for your items, sellers at Boutique for a Week also enjoy early shopping, which means they have the opportunity to get the pick of the litter for their kids.
I have never been to a Boutique for a Week event, but I am planning to consign a few items at the next event to check it out. I don’t have much to sell because I save a lot in hopes of another baby (some day) and I also consign a few things along the way, but if it works out at this event you can bet I will save up for the next event!
Boutique for a Week happens just a few times a year, and the next event is just 16 days away – June 28 – July 2. If you want to sell at Boutique for a Week, register as a consigner on its website (note, there is a $5 charge to register). Consignor drop off is June 26, so this weekend takle those closets. Even if you have as few as 10 items, you are welcome to be a seller. Oh, and if you are on Facebook, check Boutique for a Week out on Facebook.
In case you don’t get your closets cleaned out in time, come be part of the green cycle and shop!
Disclaimer – I was provided a gift certificate to shop at Boutique for a Week for this post, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.
