My Second Hand Bliss

Alyssa's 30-Day Giving Challenge

2009-10-23T14:43:00.003-04:00

Super Doubles at Kmart Back in July

2009-06-26T11:58:00.001-04:00

Super Doubles at Kmart Back in July

Mercedes From Common Sense with Money shared the next Super Doubles event at Kmart. She suggested emailing customer service to see if your Kmart is participating. Here is the list I received for Kmarts in Indiana.

393 2828 N BROADWAY ANDERSON IN 460127
455 1320 JAMES AVE BEDFORD IN 47421
4377 3216 E THIRD STREET BLOOMINGTON IN 47401
7402 3175 WEST 3RD ST BLOOMINGTON IN 47404
7527 975 N GREEN ST BROWNSBURG IN 46112
3741 2394 25TH STREET COLUMBUS IN 47201
9187 2500 PARK ROAD CONNERSVILLE IN 47331
3664 804 S 13TH STREET DECATUR IN 46733
9124 1519 STATE ROAD 37 SOUTH ELWOOD IN 46036
3254 820 COLISEUM BLVD N FORT WAYNE IN 46805
4067 7530 S ANTHONY BLVD FORT WAYNE IN 46816
9695 1015 E MAIN ST GAS CITY IN 46933
3260 860 US 31 SOUTH GREENWOOD IN 46143
9018 2727 GUILFORD ST HUNTINGTON IN 46750
3251 6780 W WASHINGTON ST INDIANAPOLIS IN 46241
4196 7201 PENDLETON PIKE INDIANAPOLIS IN 46226
4203 7425 E WASHINGTON ST INDIANAPOLIS IN 46219
4438 2715 MADISON AVE INDIANAPOLIS IN 46225
7431 5101 E THOMPSON RD INDIANAPOLIS IN 46237
3823 723 3RD AVENUE JASPER IN 47546
3221 2960 HIGHWAY 62 JEFFERSONVILLE IN 47130
7243 705 NORTH DIXON KOKOMO IN 46901
7127 1460 WEST STATE RD 2 LA PORTE IN 46350
7775 3530 STATE RD 38 EAST LAFAYETTE IN 47905
3790 2020 BURTON LANE MARTINSVILLE IN 46151
7140 1501 E MCGALLIARD RD MUNCIE IN 47303
7317 3525 GRANTLINE RD NEW ALBANY IN 47150
9030 11 SHERWOOD SQUARE PERU IN 46970
4108 6050 US HWY 6 PORTAGE IN 46368
7246 3150 NATIONAL ROAD WEST RICHMOND IN 47374
4913 4651 S US HIGHWAY 41 TERRE HAUTE IN 47802
9122 3350 LAKE CITY HWY NONE WARSAW IN 46580

I hope this helps someone plan your savings trip. Mercedes has the rules for this event. They have changed from last time.

Sweeties Swag is Great!

2009-03-31T11:39:00.001-04:00

Sweeties Swag is the place for the best free magazines, free samples, free coupons, free food, and saving money on shopping, travel, dining out and more. She helps you find all sorts of fun freebies. The Sister Site http://www.sweetiessweeps.com/ is a fun way to find contests, as well.

Sorry I've been gone

2009-01-27T11:18:00.002-05:00

My mom has been in and out of the hospital since Dec 19th. She has CHF, a leaky heart valve and pulmonary embolisms. She went to a nursing home for a brief stay starting last night. She just needs to get stronger and have some therapy. I will try to get back here again soon.

Stretching A Buck wants you to save @ Kroger

2008-12-16T11:04:00.002-05:00

Marcy @ "Stretching a Buck" wants you to save on your groceries @ Kroger. She is giving away a $25 giftcard to Krgoer. Her giveaway will end at midnight on 12/19. She shows us everyday ways to save money for your family.

VINTAGE PINK CHRISTMAS SWAP

2008-10-30T10:19:00.002-04:00

Here are the answers to the "get to know you" questions that Jen gave us for the swap. Sorry it took me so long to get them posted!

1. What is your favorite Christmas decoration? Snowmen! My husband and I started collecting them when we first got married. Now they remind me of him. I also collect angels.

2. What colors/themes do you decorate for Christmas? I have some things that are very midcentury retro and some that are child-friendly, like homemade in art class stuff.

3. What Christmas item would you love to have? Something from your heart.

4. Favorite goodie & hot drink? I love fudge and hot chocolate of any kind. Something that is special to your neck of the woods would be nice.

5. Are you a crafter? If so what crafts do you do? I try to craft. I like paper crafting and received a sewing machine last year for Christmas.

6. What is your favorite pink item in your home? My favorite pink item is an old quilt I found at an auction. Cozy and cute.

7. What do you collect? I collect cat items, quilts and interesting vintage travel items. Anything vintage is cool with me.

8. Do you have special family traditions for the holidays? Not really. We like to go Christmas shopping on Black Friday and try to go to church on Christmas Eve.

Girl Land's 300th Post Giveaways

2008-10-01T08:28:00.006-04:00

The sweetest little blog is having 3 giveaways in celebration of her 300th post. The first giveaway is for $20 in merchandise from her shop. Its chock full of "vintage-inspired tchotchkes"* and handmade items, including the cutest Halloween items. http://welcometogirlland.blogspot.com/2008/09/sorry-and-contest-1.html

Her second giveaway is a crafty girl's dream, a vintage craft pack. "Vintage trim, decals, ephemera, cupcake toppers, a bluebird diecut, vintage children's books, some sweet vintage table runners and pillow cases partially embroidered, old metal hoop and

embroidery floss! " **

http://welcometogirlland.blogspot.com/2008/09/pale-september-contest-2.html

I can't imagine what she will do for the her third contest. How can she top these?

*quoted from her Etsy site. **quoted from her Blog entry

Vintage Pink Christmas Swap

2008-09-25T10:17:00.004-04:00

Rosey Little Things is hosting a Vintage pink Christmas swap here in blogland. I can't wait, three things I dearly love. Speaking of swaps, I received my swap from Deb of Yardsale Gal. I will get the pictures up soon, hopefully. I will be sending out her package this weekend.

ETA: Deb is from Garage Sale Gal. Sorry Deb!

Stephanie & Christian Nielson

2008-08-28T10:45:00.006-04:00

I just found this wonderful blog and that of her sister C Jane. Please help the Nielson family by donating though the button on the right. You can also go to the Nie Recovery website http://www.reachelandrew.com/NieRecovery/Home.html to see how you can help.

FourSistersInACottage.com: ~Halloween Swap Details~

2008-08-20T10:48:00.000-04:00

FourSistersInACottage.com: ~Halloween Swap Details~

Check out this Halloween Swap! I can't wait!

I WON!!!

2008-08-14T08:39:00.002-04:00

Well, actually everyone won! But, I would still like to thank the academy or at least Samantha at http://savingforourfamilysdreams.blogspot.com/ for giving away Fuel for School" coupon brochures she was able to pick up at her Kroger grocery store. Go check out Samantha's bog. It is full of helpful tips to raise a growing family on less money.

$5 CVS Challenge Aug 10th

2008-08-12T10:35:00.005-04:00

This week's $5 CVS challenge from http://www.kingdomfirstmom.com/

Transaction #1
Alavert (12-15 ct) @ $5.99 earns 3 ECB
Children's Advil Infant Drops @ $5.79 earns 5.79ECB
Total $11.78
less $2 CVS coupon
less $4 printable for Alavert
less $1 printable for Advil
is $4.78 OOP to earn 8.79 ECB

Transaction #2
Buy 2 NutraNail Bullet Proofing Your Nails @$5.99 each earns 3ECB each
Total $11.98
Less $2 CVS q
Less $3 off 2 printable for NutraNail
Less 5.79 ECB from #1
is $1.19 OOP to earn 6 ECB

So you can stop at the first transaction to have 8.79 ECBs to use later or do both to spend $5.97 and have 9 ECBs for later.

Samantha's Kroger trip and giveaway

2008-08-06T12:57:00.002-04:00

Samantha from "Saving for Our Family's Dreams" is showing off her recent Kroger trip. She did a bangup job for only $30. She wants to help us do the same. She is having a coupon giveaway. Click on the title above to go to her blog post.

MySearchBonus.com

2008-08-06T10:58:00.003-04:00

I just signed up for this search. I earn 1 point for every search and up to 100 points for every referral. These points add up and can be traded in for gas cards. Definitely a good deal! Click on the title t0 join up!

Frugal Freelancer: FLBYU CONTEST & GIVEAWAY! Coupon Organization

2008-08-06T10:33:00.000-04:00

Frugal Freelancer: FLBYU CONTEST & GIVEAWAY! Coupon Organization

I love this organizer. I try to use as many coupons as I can when grocery and CVS shopping. I like to think that if I can get the items we use cheaper, than Cassie and Steve have more money to pay other bills.

CVS update

2008-05-21T09:16:00.014-04:00

Here is my progress at CVS. I enjoy shopping there, and as SB wrote in her assessment, it is one way to scratch the shopping itch without breaking the bank. SB has obviously spent less cash out of pocket, but a lot of the cash I spent was on my FSA card for medicines and other health care items. If I am figuring correctly, I have a 77% savings. However, I am down to only 3ECB.

I also use CVS to purchase diapers, soft drinks and household items we need. I live with my niece and her family. I hope that I am contributing more than the actual rent I pay them. If I can get these items cheaply or even free, Steven's paycheck can go farther, and Cassie can stay home with Jaxson.

Preppy Swap Partner

2008-03-31T08:32:00.002-04:00

Connecticut Charm has the partners for the Preppy Spring Swap up. If you are Amy S (my wonderful partner), would you please email me? Thanks!

CVS Savings

2008-03-21T20:59:00.007-04:00

I have been "doing CVS" for a couple months now. Quite a few Christmas presents were very inexpensive or even free. My sister and nieces are starting to jump on the bandwagon. But, I have never really kept track before now. I found this spreadsheet (link in my title) today via another blog. So I will try to update my totals each month.

I am starting with $20.98 ECBS.

In the last few days, I have purchased $117.06 worth of items, using $54.99 in coupons, $41.95 ECBs and $20.12 out of pocket. I have earned $36.96 in ECBs. This is an 83% savings.

Preppy Spring Swap

2008-03-21T16:11:00.002-04:00

Connecticut Charm has graciously decided to host A Preppy Spring Swap. I can't wait. If you are interested in joining, Click on my title to get the details!

It's me, again!

2008-03-21T13:20:00.003-04:00

I swear that I will start writing again. It's been busy for the last couple months. I am almost completely out of the old house. I took quite a few pieces of furniture and 2 pallets of boxed items to the auction this week. I am hoping to make a little fun money. I figured that most of it came from there, so might as well take it back. In fact, some of the items I was hoping to sell on Ebay or at the flea markets still had the original auction tags on them. I have quite a bit of stuff at Cassie's house and a full 5' by 10' storage unit. I am getting better at letting things go. It still hurts to get rid of David's things, but some of the things I have been keeping are silly. Like a vest that I didn't even like or ratty old t-shirts. I do have quite a few of his nicer shirts that I sleep in when I am feeling a little lonely.

His grandma died a couple weeks ago. She had been sick over a year. She had colon cancer, same as David. I know so many people who have had this disease. Someday, maybe we will find a cure or even stop it from even starting.

Which character are you?

2007-12-21T09:43:00.000-05:00

I love this movie. I enjoy the nostalgia of it. I would have to agree with Ralphie, that there is always just one present I have to have.

Marshmallow World

2007-12-19T14:49:00.001-05:00

I thought this was just a hilarious video. I love this song and these guys do it great.

Does It Count If You Don't Bake Them?

2007-12-17T14:34:00.000-05:00

I thought that I would join The Sparrow's Nest Cyber Christmas Cookie Exchange. Here is my favorite cookie recipe. David and I would make these whenever we were craving something sweet.

No Bake Cookies

1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbl. cocoa

Bring to a boil and cook for 1 full minute. Remove from heat and add:

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 t vanilla
3 cups oats

Stir and drop on wax paper. Cool for at least 30 minutes. These just get better the longer you let them sit.

Wow! Its been awhile!

2007-12-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

Good thing I don't have any readers yet. You'd think I had forgotten you. I promise to start writing now. I have more time and more thoughts.

To update, I am selling my house. Yes, another victim of too much money going out and not enough coming in. I will miss my little bungalow, but am looking forward to moving. I will be living with my middle niece and her family in the house that David and I lived in our whole time together. Guess that's where I should be, huh?

My little family is smaller, too. Duke decided to move on. One eveing this summer, he went out and never came home. I know what you're thinking, but I prefer to think he just found a new home. My oldest niece, her husband and two daughters were living with me at the time. There are times that I would have liked to find a quieter place to stay, so I certainly don't blame Duke.

My babies

2007-06-19T12:38:00.001-04:00

prinduke
Originally uploaded by dawilson2002.

The first is a favorite picture of Princess and Duke. The second is the 1st picture I took of Charlie.

Princess is the dog and just turned six last week. David raised her from birth and she was definitely Daddy's girl. She has been such a blessing since David's passing. She is an 80 lb Lab mix who thinks she's a lap dog.

Duke the Cat is one and thinks he's a street thug. He goes out and wanders the neighborhood for a day or two, but always comes running back to Mommy when he's hungry or tired.

Charlie is my other baby. He is also one and was a barn cat in his previous life. When I first brought him home, I wondered how a wild born cat would affect the family. I shouldn't have worried. He is the tamest of the bunch. He is also very jealous. He comes running from all corners of the house if he thinks his brother or sister is getting more attention. I love all 3 of my heathens.

Etsy Rocks!

2007-06-19T12:28:00.000-04:00

I am joining the Etsy community. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5178136 is my shop. I will soon start adding items. I can't wait!

Flickr

2007-05-24T14:52:00.001-04:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing. I am really getting the hang of adding things to my blog. Maybe soon, there will be real content.

Junk Box Swap

2007-05-22T08:55:00.000-04:00

Hi Grace! I hope that you followed the link here to check me out. I realize that my blog isn't very big yet, but I am working on it. You can also check out my Flickr account http://www.flickr.com/people/7989478@N03/ to see my profile.

Bloggy Junk Swap

2007-05-18T08:28:00.000-04:00

Go sign up at http://mydealoftheday.blogspot.com/2007/05/got-junk.html for a bloggy Junk Swap. Anyone who likes to thrift and second hand shop has treasures that she doesn't know quite what to do with. So, box up yours and get some new from someone else. Remember, one man's trash is another's treasure!

2007-05-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionally. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

2nd hand weekend

2007-04-23T13:41:00.000-04:00

My family and I held a yard sale on Friday and Saturday(4/20 & 4/21). It went pretty well. We each got rid of our extra items, and others were able to get good deals on things they needed. My 2 oldest nieces sold quite a bit of baby/toddler items. I couldn't believe how many pregnant young ladies stopped by, considering I forgot to advertise the baby items. Since that was the largest category we had, they all teased me quite a lot.

We also sold some furniture and lots of this-n-thats. Of course, I spent all profits and then some at the auction Saturday night.

2007-04-17T17:53:00.001-04:00

Your French Name is:

Amarante Poisson

What's Your French Name?

I did it! I added Html for the first time.

my first post

2007-04-12T11:06:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally took the plunge and started my own blog. Let me start by telling you a little about myself. As long as I remember, tag sales and thrift shops have been a passion of mine. I am not sure where this gene came from, as my mom is decidedly against the idea. She has said on many occasions that she has enough of her own junk.

I continued my hunts as an adult, filling my hope(less) chest with knick-knacks and whatnot. I met the love of my life a little later than most and we started up housekeeping in 2002 when he was 37 and I was 31. David also had a thrifty gene and unlike me, a mom who kept everything. We happily filled our little rental with second hand treasures and family heirlooms. Along the way, we discovered auctions. Our first treasure was an antique black lacquer table with six matching chairs that we "stole" for $125.

I discovered blogs when we were researching adoption. David was diagnosed with colon cancer not long after we married and we knew it would be unlikely that we could grow our family the old fashioned way. As he battled with the treatments and side effects, I moved onto blogs where people were dealing with the same thing. David lost his battle with colon and bone cancer in January 2006, and I had to find a reason to move on.

I decided to use the money that David left me to pursue another dream we shared. I started looking for a house to call my own and decorate with the things we'd collected together. I stumbled onto a 1912 Craftsman Style house in a quaint little village near my hometown. As fate would have it, it is located across from the auction house where we bought that table. So, I bought the house and started reading old home and decorating blogs to get ideas. From there I moved onto vintage blogs, thrifty blogs and simple living blogs. So, here I am. Welcome to My Second Hand Bliss.