Queen of the Castle: Week 30

For those of you playing along...(if you've just joined us you can get caught up a bit here) we are on week 27 of the book Queen of the Castle: 52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, domestically challenged or just plain tired homemaker.

 

This week's chapter is titled "Flea Markets".  Lynne writes about getting rid of and buying things at a flea market (or garage sale).  She has one great suggestion that we (usually) try to adhere to: when one new item comes in a new item goes out (thrown away, given away, sold, etc.)  It's a great concept for the closet as well as mugs, pictures, knick knacks, anything in the home. 

"Flea market shopping is fun, though you need to be discriminating and not let bargain fever overtake you" warns Lynne.

Here are a few tips for shopping at a flea market (or garage sale for that matter):
*When you first get there, scan through the booths quickly before purchasing anything to get a feel for prices.
*Be aware of the two kinds of booths: those run by people who are cleaning out their garages and want to simply get rid of stuff, and those run by people whose goal is to make real money.  Just because you're at the flea-market, don't assume everything is bargain-priced.
*Bring small change such as quarters or one-dollar bills, in case the person running the booth runs out.
*You'll have better selection earlier in the day, but by day's end prices may be slashed to almost nothing.  So shop accordingly.

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"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where theives do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)