I wouldn’t consider myself an overly indulgent person. I generally eat two well-balanced meals a day. I don’t drink very often and I walk a lot. I’m in good shape. I don’t pay for cable and I don’t wear fancy clothes. I’m a pretty simple guy.
Yet, if you put me around cheese, I will morph into a ravenous POW who has just been released from a hard labor camp. I will eat and eat and eat until you think I’m part of some kind of hidden camera show that aims to shock and awe through cheese-induced gluttony. Multiple people have commented on my cheese eating prowess.
“Dude, is that healthy?”
“Is that a hunk of cheese on your plate? Good lord, I thought it was a large piece of fish.”
“Does that affect your digestion?”
And on and on. It’s kind of embarrassing. Or, it would be, if I could pull myself out of the cheesy euphoria long enough to care what those people thought.
After a recent trip to Costco in which I tried and failed to convince my girlfriend that it was a cost saving measure to buy $90 worth of cheese in bulk, I finally had to accept that I had a problem. She pointed out that whether I bought $90 worth of nice Gouda or $10 worth of cheap cheddar, I ate it in the same amount of time.
That floored me. It was true. Having gobs of cheese around made me feel like Leo DiCaprio in Wolf of Wall St.
Cheeeeeese party! Give me a heaping portion at every meal! Put it on my cereal! Dip it in my coffee! I had infinite cheese and I would live forever!
Except I didn’t and I won’t. It was time to accept that I was consuming way too much cheese. I had to make a change.
The solution was simple: I put my girlfriend in charge of buying the cheese. If she goes to the store and comes back with none, I have to live with it. If there is a sale, she might grab a reasonable amount (say, 16 ounces, as opposed to the platter meant for corporate parties that I would be inclined to shove in my cart).
I automated my cheese consumption. The decisions are now made by an outside party and I don’t have to waste an ounce of effort thinking about it.
This experiment got me thinking. What else do I use way too much of if it’s always around?
Ding ding ding! Money.
Like I said before, it’s not like I’m a spendthrift. But, when I recently got a raise, my first thought was, “Maybe I can get a bigger apartment now.” It wasn’t, “Start building up your emergency fund, you dummy.”
Spending is easy. There is marketing all around us using sophisticated psychological tactics to get us to part with our hardearned money. It’s difficult to fight against all the powerful marketing. Thankfully, automation can help us get over this hurdle.
Many banks offer to automate your savings. Chase, Wells Fargo, US Bank, and Bank of America all have their versions, and they are all good in their own right. But, for someone like me who likes banking from my phone and is always looking for the next best app with the newest features and slickest interface, there is Digit.
Digit is an online bank with an app that links to your checking account, studies your spending habits and analyzes your cash flow. It then uses an algorithm to take money out of your checking account at times when it will seem the least intrusive. This money is stored in a savings account to be accessed at any time.
You can even text the app commands for what to do with your money, such as, “I want to save a little more.” No more excruciating hold times waiting to talk to a frustrated call center employee who sounds like he’s on the edge of a mental breakdown. Just a simple, easy to use app.
While it’s a little odd to think about a bank snooping through my spending history (I don’t want to get angry alerts every time I break down and sneak a piece of string cheese), it’s also comforting to know that someone incredibly smart is monitoring my saving so I don’t have to.
I fully embrace the app revolution, and the fact that Digit is backed by so much smart venture capital money gives me peace of mind. I like knowing that I can spend money without worrying about saving because Digit’s got my back.
To paraphrase legendary basketball coach John Wooden (and tweak it to make it even more corny):
“If you fail to plan to automate, you’re planning to automatically fail.”
Do yourself a favor and take willpower out of the equation. It is not to be trusted. Before you know it, you’re $90 poorer and in a cheese coma. Automate, my friends.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey. I am an internationally recognized home staging expert, president of the Voice of Possibility Group, and the creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. An entrepreneur since 1989 and author of several guides, I have staged millions of dollars worth of real estate […]
Source The Work at Home Woman http://ift.tt/1Q09EuO
When you think about high-paying jobs, do you think of becoming a doctor or lawyer, or hitting it big in the tech industry?
You don’t have to go to medical or law school, or move to Silicon Valley, to earn a high salary.
If you’re astudentor you’re considering a career change, consider one of these professions.
1. Air Traffic Controller: $118,780
If you’re detail-oriented and love all things aviation, consider going into air traffic control. This high-responsibility career pays off with amean annual wage of $118,780.
You’ll be responsible for guiding some of the 87,000 flights in the U.S. skies each day and following policies and procedures to ensure flight safety.
To head into this field, you must be a U.S. citizen, start theFAA Academyby your 31stbirthday, and be able to pass background checks and medical exams.
Analytical skills are key to a successful career as an accountant or auditor. In this field, you’ll prepare financial statements, interpret records, give advice and help individuals and businesses with their costs and budgets. You’ll also examine financial records and make sure people and companies pay their taxes correctly and on time.
Many accountants also pursue certification as a Certified Public Accountant.Earning a CPA has a number of career advantages, including typically earning a10% higher salarythan people without the license.
Each state has different fees associated with the exam and licensing procedure, and many people opt to take a preparation course or purchase self-study materials. In Minnesota, it can costmore than $2,900to become licensed.
3. Healthcare Administrator: $103,680
Ensure hospitals provide quality care by going intohealthcare administration. This field paysaround $103,680 per yearand you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, typically in healthcare administration or management.
Many administrators also go on to earn a master’s degree in a related field to boost their qualifications and become even better candidates for high-ranking positions.
4. Dental Hygienist: $71,970
If you’re detail-oriented and don’t mind peering into patients’ mouths every day, you might do well as a dental hygienist.
This career, which pays anaverage salary of $71,970 per year,involves cleaning and examining teeth as well as educating patients about how to take care of their pearly whites.
You’ll need an associate’s degree and a state license. Each state has different licensing rules, so be sure to check with your state for up-to-date requirements.
5. Packaging Engineer: $85,110
This specialty within the engineering field is a blend of industrial engineering, industrial design, material science, marketing and logistics. Expect to work from broad design conceptualization right on through product placement.
You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, but you can expect toearn $85,110 a yearif you pursue a degree in this field.
6. Data Scientist: $124,150
Working with data to mine information, spot a variety of different trends and work to help businesses succeed is what data scientists do each day. For this, they earn amedian wage of $124,150.
However, in supervising roles, they can earn quite a bit more. Data scientists leading a team of up to three earn $140,000 a year, while those leading 10 or more earn $232,500 per year, according to a Burtch Works2014 salary study.
You’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science and work experience, and many IT managers also have graduate degrees.
8. Business Operations Manager: $116,090
This lucrative field helps companies manage day-to-day and long-term business performance. Expect to spend your time switching between managing policies, materials and personnel.
Work with doctors to diagnose patients, write prescriptions and help patients recover from illnesses and injuries. You’ll need a master’s degree from a physician assistant program, but you’ll earn amean annual wage of $97,280.
10. Information Security Analyst: $91,600
Work with companies to maintain computer security, respond to security breaches and viruses, and help preserve digital privacy.
These pros earn amean annual wage of $91,600for their efforts keeping companies digitally safe.You’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree in a related field to get this gig.
11. Construction Manager: $94,590
Spend your days managing construction projects, coordinating and supervising personnel, sticking to a budget, and making sure you’re on track to complete projects on time.
You’ll earn amean annual salary of $94,590in this field. Many people earn this job by working their way up the ranks from entry-level construction positions.
12. Actuary: $110,090
If you love working with data and statistics, consider a career as an actuary. You’ll spend your days analyzing data on accidents, mortality, disability and retirement statistics, and use that information to forecast risks and liabilities.
Spend your days analyzing political systems, including their origins, development and operations. You may even use your expertise to conduct public opinion surveys and analyze election results. Expect amean annual wage of $104,000in this field.
Many political scientists work for the federal government, research agencies, or colleges and universities. Others are consultants or work for local government offices.
Your Turn: Are you a student or career changer interested in any of these fields? Let us know in the comments!
Kristen Pope is a freelance writer and editor in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
We knew it was coming, but now the Treasury has confirmed the timing of its sale of Lloyds shares to retail investors.
With the news the government is to finally sell its stake in Lloyds Banking Group, Interactive Investor's Lee Wild talks us through the plan.
Lloyds Banking firms up retail share offer
Feed Copy:
It's confirmed. The government will sell its remaining stake in Lloyds next spring. Of course, we kind of guessed that. Getting a sale away before Christmas would have been tight, and equity markets are hideously volatile currently. Far more sensible to leave it until next year when, hopefully, markets will be on more of an even keel, we'll have avoided a China-led recession and the UK economy is strong enough to support a first rise in interest rates, typically a good sign for the bank sector. "It is the government's intention to fully exit from its Lloyds shareholding in the coming months, and as part of this at least £2bn of shares will be sold to retail investors," the Treasury said Monday. "Members of the public will be offered a discount of 5% of the market price, with a bonus share for every 10 shares for those who hold their investment for more than a year." Much of that we already knew. The government, which owns £6.5 billion of Lloyds shares after taking its stake to less than 12% last month, had also told us that benefits from the bonus share scheme will be capped at £200 per investor, and that those people applying for investments of less than £1,000 will be prioritised. However, the amount of Lloyds shares being made available to Joe Public is only half the figure mooted in April ahead of the general election. Already boasting a huge army of shareholders following the acquisition of Halifax-owner HBOS, rubber-stamped in 2009, demand for this retail offer is expected to be high. "Whilst unlikely to capture the imagination of investors in the same way as Royal Mail, the offer still looks set to deliver a good opportunity for retail investors, in particular those who are new to the market," says Rebecca O'Keeffe, head of investment at Interactive Investor. Although the discount being offered is hardly generous, the extra shares are certainly an incentive for longer term shareholders, and the investment case for Lloyds shares has looked more convincing in recent months. In a massive research note on the banks published four weeks ago, JP Morgan suggested the shares could be worth as much as 120p, assuming a strong pickup in loan growth in the UK, on-going rise in the property prices and higher interest rates. Even in a less bullish scenario, the broker thinks they should hit 105p in time. And the lender has begun paying dividends, too, so there's also something here for incomes seekers. Lloyds currently trades on a prospective yield of over 5% and rising. Over the summer, Barclays ran the numbers and now believes Lloyds could afford to pay back as much as £25 billion to shareholders over the next three years - £14 billion by way of ordinary dividends, with the rest made up of share buybacks and special divis.
FAMILIES on holiday overseas are among thousands of furious St George Bank customers who have been left stranded with no access to cash this long weekend.
Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1LrJZxa
With several physical “cafe” locations, a full range of banking options, and a nationwide network of ATMs, Capital One 360 offers an easy introduction to online banking.
If you’re looking for a strong all-round option in online banking, Capital One 360 is a particularly good choice. In fact, it’s The Simple Dollar’s pick for the best free checking account for 2015. This online arm of Capital One should appeal to anyone who wants to dip their toes into online banking with a convenient, trusted service that boasts several physical locations and a nationwide ATM network.
Capital One 360 launched in 2013 after Capital One acquired ING Direct and rebranded the service. As a former ING Direct customer, I “inherited” a Capital One 360 savings account that I still use today, and I can personally attest to the convenience and ease of use it offers.
Capital One 360 at a Glance
When it comes to your banking needs, you’ll have access to just about everything you expect from a bank through Capital One 360, as well as some products that aren’t as common for online-only banks. Here are the key offerings:
Savings: Capital One 360 offers personal, business, and kid-focused savings accounts.
Checking: There’s a no-fee personal checking account and a teen-friendly checking account that links to a debit card and helps teach your child how to manage money.
CDs: Choose from nine terms ranging from six to 60 months when you want to amp up your personal or business savings.
Mortgages: Whether you need a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage, Capital One 360 has you covered at competitive interest rates.
Investment accounts: With the ShareBuilder investment platform, you can build a portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. You can also open an IRA.
In addition, parent company Capital One fills in the gaps with auto loans, credit cards, and more extensive business and commercial banking. However, there are no money market accounts or personal loans.
If you’re nervous about online banking, note that your deposits with Capital One 360 will be protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, just like at any brick-and-mortar bank. In addition, your data is fully encrypted and protected by several layers of security such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and multi-factor authentication.
Capital One 360 Savings
Capital One 360 Savings has a lot of appeal, and now is a great time to jump in: Great news – Capital One 360 has extended their current offer – sign up by 11/30 to earn up to $500 when you maintain a certain balance for 90 days.
The interest rate, currently % APY, isn’t the highest you can find online, but it’s still pretty competitive — especially when you consider that the national average is .09%, according to Bankrate. Add that to this account’s other perks, including no fees and no account minimums, and you’ve got a compelling savings option. Here are the account features at a glance:
No maintenance fees: At other banks, you may have to pay a fee just to have an account.
No account minimums: You don’t have to have a certain amount of money to open an account or maintain any sort of minimum balance to avoid a fee.
A great rate: You’ll earn % APY, more than eight times the national average.
Open multiple accounts: You can have up to 25 different savings accounts for free.
24/7 account access: Need to make a withdrawal at 2 a.m.? No problem.
Customer support any day of the week: You’re just a phone call away from a real person.
Easy account management: Schedule stress-free automatic deposits, and track your progress with the My Savings Goals feature.
Mobile check deposit: Depositing funds is as simple as snapping a picture with your phone using the CheckMate feature.
One of the nicest features on this list is the ability to open up to 25 savings accounts without ponying up account maintenance fees. This is a great way to stay organized if you have multiple savings goals.
Right now, I have a few separate savings accounts with Capital One 360, and have had several more in the past, including one dedicated to saving for a down payment on our house. You could also have one emergency-only account, one for a dream vacation, and so on.
I can also vouch for the convenience of the automatic savings plan, which let me funnel a certain amount of money into my savings account every other week without lifting a finger. You can also set up an automatic transfer to take place as often as every week or as little as once every few months depending on your savings goals. It’s a great way to force yourself to save and requires very little effort to set up.
The biggest downside here is the interest rate. I’ve watched my interest rate sink (and sink … and sink) over the past several years from a high of close to 5%, when I opened it with ING. Now, that’s not a situation that’s unique to Capital One 360 — rates have plummeted everywhere, and the current rate of % is definitely higher than brick-and-mortar banks offer.
However, some competing online-only banks are closer to 1.0% APY — you’ll find a few in our guide to the best savings accounts. That isn’t a lot in the grand scheme of things, but every bit helps.
Capital One 360 Checking
Capital One 360 Checking shares many of the benefits of the savings account, including no maintenance fees and mobile check deposits. Though I don’t personally use Capital One 360 for checking, The Simple Dollar has picked it as one of the best checking accounts for 2015. Why? Here are some of the main features:
No maintenance fees or minimums: You won’t need to keep a minimum balance or hook up direct deposit to avoid maintenance fees, like many other banks require.
No overdraft fees: At many banks, you’ll pay $30 or more every time your account is overdrawn.
Nationwide ATMs: You’ll get fee-free access to 38,000 Allpoint ATMs and 2,000 Capital One ATMs.
Free debit card: You’ll get a MasterCard debit card to make purchases. And as a bonus, there are no foreign transaction fees if you use it overseas.
Pay other individuals for free: You can easily send money directly to others’ bank accounts, even if they don’t also bank with Capital One 360.
Mobile check deposit: Depositing funds is as simple as snapping a picture with your phone using the CheckMate feature.
Free online bill pay: Use the bill pay center to keep up with bills online — no need to waste checks or stamps. If a bill ever arrives late because of Capital One 360, they will pay your penalty fees.
Earn interest on your balance: You’ll get 0.20% APY for balances of up to $49,999.99, 0.75% from $50,000 to $99,999.99, and 0.90% on $100,000 or more.
One of the biggest perks of Capital One 360 Checking is the lack of an overdraft fee. These fees top $30 at other banks and can add up fast. Instead, Capital One hooks up your checking account to an Overdraft Line of Credit of up to $1,000. You’ll simply pay interest (right now, 11.25% APY) on the amount you’re overdrawn only for as long as you’re overdrawn.
To get an idea of how much that can save you, here’s an example: If you slipped up and overdrew your account by $100 for just five days, you’d only pay about 15 cents in interest with Capital One 360 instead of a fee over $30 with another bank. That’s a big savings for anyone who has let their balance slip into the red from time to time.
On the downside, you’ll have to have a pretty substantial balance to earn anything more than 0.20% APY on this account, and there are competitors that offer better yields on checking. For instance, Ally will bump you up to 0.60% for balances over $15,000, and Bank5Connect offers 0.76% on any balance over $100. If you’re like most people, you aren’t going to park a huge amount of money in a checking account. Still, the interest is a nice bonus.
I also want to mention the fees that I did see: $25 to stop payment, $20 to overnight a check, and up to $40 for domestic wire transfers. The first two fees are in line with national averages, but $40 for wire transfers is high — so take note if you think you may use wire transfers often.
You will also have to pay for checks with Capital One 360. The first checkbook is free, but after that, it’s $5 per book of 50 checks. It’s a trade-off I’ll gladly make for no account maintenance fees and the lack of overdraft gouging, but it’s still worth noting.
Capital One 360 Accounts for Children and Teens
Online banks will probably be even more common once your kids are grown, so Capital One 360 could be the perfect way to teach them about money.
Kids Savings Account: A lot of banks offer savings accounts aimed at teaching kids the value of a dollar, but most earn the paltry interest rates typical at brick-and-mortar institutions. Kids will earn the same 0.75% APY that their parents do and have access to tools including the automatic savings plan and My Savings Goals tracker. They get their own log-in to check their balance, but adults will have to transfer money to and from the account.
MONEY (teen checking): This checking account aimed at teens help them learn how to use a checking account and fully featured debit card, but adults can easily keep tabs on account activity. Teens have access to all of Capital One’s ATMs as well, but only adults can initiate online money transfers.
Getting Started with Capital One 360
Capital One has a clean, easy-to-use website, and opening an account is a fairly effortless affair. To open a savings or checking account, you’ll need to enter standard personal information: name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
You’ll also need to link your new account to an existing checking account for funding purposes. You simply enter your account number and bank’s routing number, all found on the bottom of your current checks. You’ll be asked to verify ownership of your external account by confirming one or two small deposits from Capital One 360. You can link up to three personal checking accounts to a Capital One 360 checking or savings account.
After you open a savings account, your funds will be held for 10 business days for security purposes. After that, all new deposits are held for five business days before they’re available for withdrawal. Checking account deposits have a standard two-day hold; however, some types of deposits (such as direct deposit) are available sooner. You may have to wait up to five days to access all of a check deposit over $500, however.
Who Is Capital One 360 Best For?
You tend to rack up overdraft fees: If you’re in the habit of withdrawing more than you owe, you know that bank fees make that an expensive habit. Though you should still aim to better track your balance and avoid the situation entirely, Capital One 360’s Overdraft Line of Credit means you’re likely to pay just pennies in interest instead of over $30 in fees.
You’re looking for a lot of services in one spot: A lot of online-only banks focus only on checking and savings to the exclusion of other products, but you have a lot more to choose from with Capital One 360, like mortgages and investments. And 360’s parent bank, Capital One, provides easy access to other products such as auto loans and credit cards.
You’re not that tech-savvy but still wants to start banking online: Opening an account with Capital One 360 is very simple, and the online interface is very streamlined. Several cities now even have inviting brick-and-mortar Capital One 360 Cafes, where you can open an account or speak with an associate in person over a cup of Peet’s coffee.
You have a variety of savings goals and want an easy way to manage them: Capital One is great for savers with a lot of different goals. Because you can have up to 25 different accounts for free, it’s easy to keep your money in different buckets but still manage each account in one spot.
You like the idea of online banking, but lesser-known online banks make you nervous: Capital One 360 is an established brand with all the resources of a major bank, including its huge ATM network — that may mean peace of mind for some people.
Who Might Want to Skip Capital One 360?
While Capital One 360 should have a lot of appeal for the casual saver who wants a convenient venue for their online banking, there are still a few downsides. You may want to look elsewhere if:
You’re chasing the highest interest rate: While Capital One 360 offers solid interest rates that eclipse those offered by traditional brick-and-mortar banks, they aren’t the highest you’ll find online. For instance, some competitors such as Synchrony Bank and Ally offer savings account rates closer to over 1.0% APY.
You need your money fast: This can be an issue with all online banks, but some online reviewers complain that Capital One 360’s hold times on check deposits are too long. Assuming you’re using mobile check deposit to put funds in your checking account, you’ll only get access to the first $200 of a check over $500 the next business day. You’ll have to wait five business days to access the remainder of the deposit. (Note that direct deposits, if available, are a good way around this, as you can get same-day access to those funds.) For savings accounts, you’ll wait five business days to access any deposit. Since I don’t expect to turn around and immediately access my savings, I’ve been OK with this delay, but I can understand why the checking holds would be frustrating.
You want 24/7 customer service: Disappointingly, Capital One 360 does not staff its call center around the clock. Many may not take issue with this, but it’s worth noting that several competitors do let you talk to a live person, even at 3 a.m.
Ready to Bank with Capital One 360?
When it’s all said and done, Capital One 360 is a great option for anyone who wants the convenience of online banking, better-than-average interest rates, and no account maintenance fees. Capital One 360 has extended their current offer – sign up by 11/30 to earn up to $500 when you maintain a certain balance in your new account for 90 days.
When it comes to finding vegetarian recipes that can help you save, there are a handful of criteria to look for. For starters, you should seek out vegetarian dishes that have only a handful of ingredients, plus those that take advantage of low-cost staples such as beans or rice. Further, the best vegetarian meals will almost always let you throw in whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Without expensive cuts of beef, poultry, or pork, you can create an array of dishes that are heavy on the good stuff and light on the wallet. Here are 17 recipes that can keep you healthy and help you save money:
1. Easy Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
2 cans vegetable broth
1 small can tomato juice
2 bay leaves
Small onion
1 can beans or lentils
Chopped cabbage (any amount)
Chopped carrots
Broccoli chopped
Cauliflower chopped
Fresh or canned corn
Thyme
Dried basil
Coriander
In a large stew pot, sautee onions and 1/2 cup of vegetable broth on medium heat. Add more broth, tomato juice, and any vegetables you have on hand. Cook for 1-2 hours, adding more water or broth as needed. Add salt and pepper, thyme, dried basil, and coriander to taste. Makes 5-8 servings. Try it with some easy, hearty homemade bread.
2. Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients:
1 large can tomato juice
2 cans kidney beans
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 stalks celery chopped
1 small onion chopped
2 cans tomatoes
1 package chili seasoning
Salt and pepper
Hot sauce
In a large pot, sautee garlic with onion and celery until soft. Add tomato juice, canned tomatoes and kidney beans and simmer. After 20 minutes, add chili seasoning, salt and pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Cook for at least 1 hour, adding water as needed. Makes 10-12 servings.
Toasted pitas, lettuce, pickles, sliced tomato, red onion, for serving
Combine 1/2 cup chickpeas, 3 tbsp. oil, 2 cloves garlic, tahini, lemon juice and 2 tbsp. water in a food processor and purée until spreadable. Move finished hummus into a small bowl or container. After cleaning out food processor, add remaining chickpeas and garlic, parsley and cumin and pulse until finely chopped.
Transfer chickpea mixture to a bowl and stir in panko, eggs, scallions, salt and pepper. Form into four 1/2-inch-thick burgers. In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat. Sautee falafel burgers until golden and crisp, which should take approximately 10 minutes. Fill toasted pitas with hummus and falafel, adding lettuce, pickles, tomato and onion as desired. Makes 4 servings.
4. Low-Carb Vegetarian ‘Meatloaf’
Ingredients:
12-ounce package soy crumbles
1 small package mushrooms
1 small onion
3 eggs
1 package meatloaf seasoning
Ketchup
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop onion into small pieces and mince package of mushrooms in a food processor, before mixing all ingredients in a large bowl. Find a loaf-size pan and spray its bottom and sides with cooking spray. Pack pan with meatloaf mixture and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Add layer of ketchup on top of meatloaf and continue baking for another 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes 4-5 servings.
5. Broccoli Quiche
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 half small onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups frozen broccoli
1 unbaked pie crust (optional)
2cups shredded cheese (any kind)
4 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, sautee onion, butter, garlic and broccoli until soft and cooked thoroughly. Add vegetable mixture to baking pan (with or without pie crust) and sprinkle with cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine eggs and milk, and pour mixture over vegetables. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 4-5 servings.
Preheat the broiler to low. Heat the meatballs and the marinara sauce in a saucepan on medium heat. Once cooked, place four meatballs on each hoagie roll, topping each with mozzarella cheese. Place hoagies on foil-lined pan and put under the broiler until the bread is toasted and the cheese has melted. Makes two servings.
Says Stefanie, “Sautee a diced onion and a clove of garlic; add a can of diced tomatoes; salt, pepper and spice to taste (I like a bit of cayenne pepper for a kick). Stir in a can of chickpeas and cooked spinach. Simmer till heated through and serve over brown rice or quinoa.”
2 cups mashed sweet potato (about 2 large sweet potatoes, organic when possible)
1 cup cooked salted black beans, rinsed and well drained (if unsalted, add more salt to the burgers)
1 – 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (or substitute cooked quinoa with varied results)
1/2 cup walnut or pecan meal (or very finely chopped)
1/2 cup finely diced green onion
2 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp chipotle powder (optional)
1 tbsp brown sugar (optional | for added sweetness)
Sliced avocado
Sprouts, lettuce or parsley
Sliced onion
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut sweet potatoes in half, rub them with olive oil, and place face down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes and reduce heat to 375 degrees. Place black beans in mixing bowl and mash by hand. Add sweet potatoes, 1 cup cooked rice, green onion, nut meal and spices. Add more of each ingredient to taste. Lightly grease a baking sheet and hand-form burgers to preferred size. You may also use a ½ cup measuring cup to form burgers. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees, flipping burgers halfway. Serve on buns and add toppings as desired.
9. Toasted Zucchini Pizzas
Ingredients:
4 zucchinis, cut lengthwise (remove ends)
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a spoon, carve out 1-inch hull in each zucchini. Once each zucchini is partially hollowed out, rub each one with olive oil until covered. Line baking sheet with foil and place zucchinis on pan with skin side down. Bake for 30 minutes before removing from oven. Once removed, fill each zucchini with marinara sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Add fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste, then bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes four servings.
Says Jim, “We have a standard preparation for vegetables when they’re sides and it works for basically everything. Just put some neutral oil in a pan, brown some garlic, then throw in the vegetable (we eat a lot of broccoli and those in that same family) to brown for a minute. Then salt and pour in some vegetable stock to steam for a few more minutes until it’s cooked to desired doneness.”
11. Soy Crumble Taco Salad
Ingredients:
12-ounce bag of soy crumbles or Quorn meat-free grounds
1 package taco seasoning
½ head lettuce chopped
Medium tomato chopped
¼ small onion chopped
2 cups tortilla chips
½ cup cilantro chopped
French or Western dressing
Sour cream (optional)
Cook soy crumbles or meatless grounds on medium heat, adding water as needed. Add taco seasoning and continue stirring. Create salad with whatever vegetables you desire, and add cooked taco “meat” on top. Crumble tortilla chips on top and serve with French or Western dressing. Add sour cream on top if desired.
12. Vegetable Quesadillas
Ingredients:
1 package flour or corn tortillas
Small onion cut in strips
Green pepper diced
Red pepper diced
Yellow pepper diced
2 cups shredded cheese (any kind)
Butter
Cooking spray
Sour cream (optional)
Taco or fajita seasoning
Start by cooking onion and peppers with butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add water slowly and introduce taco or fajita seasoning in nominal amounts. Continue cooking and adding water and taco seasoning until the vegetables are thoroughly cooked and not much moisture is left. Spray a larger pan with cooking spray and set on medium heat. Line the bottom with a tortilla and spoon vegetable mixture and shredded cheese on top. Top with tortilla and cook, flipping the entire thing over after 5-7 minutes. Continue cooking on both sides until toasted and cheese is melted. Cut in pizza-shaped slices and serve with sour cream. Makes 3-4 servings.
Combine oil and rice in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until rice begins to brown. Add tomatoes, chilies, water, onions, vegetable stock bullion, and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil as ingredients combine. Cover and simmer until all liquid is gone, then serve in flour tortillas with your choice of toppings. Makes 4-5 servings.
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sautee onions until soft — around 10 minutes — adding salt to taste. Stir in curry powder, cumin, coriander, chili flakes, and onion, and simmer. Stir in canned tomatoes (plus juices) and 6 cups of water. Continue cooking on medium, adding coconut milk as needed for a creamier consistency. Add more salt, pepper, and seasoning to taste. Makes 4-6 servings.
1 tsp vegetable stock powder or ½ crumbled stock cube
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp sugar
A few basil leaves
1 box pasta (your choice)
Boil water for pasta. Heat oil and garlic in a saucepan on medium heat, adding all ingredients except for basil after one minute. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the meantime, boil pasta until it is cooked to desired firmness. Tear basil leaves or pulse in food processor, then add to sauce. Pour over cooked pasta and serve. Makes 4 servings.
Kim says, “Brush a little olive oil on both sides of a flour tortilla and bake at 400 degrees for 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove from oven and add barbecue sauce like you would on a pizza. Add your favorite veggies, preferably whatever is about to go bad. Cover with cheddar cheese and bake for 5 minutes. Kids love these because they can do their own toppings!”
3 cups of your favorite vegetables (fresh or frozen)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Prepared polenta
Salted butter
2 cups shredded cheese
Says Julie, “Roast your favorite veggies with a bit of olive oil and salt at 450 F until done (I like zucchini and onions) then mix with polenta in a skillet (make your own or mash up the prepared kind), add some butter and cheese until warm. Great comfort food and filling dinner, done cheaply and quickly.”
The number of attacks on mobile devices is growing, in part, as a result of the increased popularity of mobile banking.According to a report by the Federal Reserve, 51 percent of smartphone users say they have used mobile banking in the past 12 months. “The rise in the popularity of mobile devices has certainly made them a target for cyber-criminals,” said Lewis J. Critelli, President and CEO of Wayne Bank. “Banks work hard to protect customer [...]
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Clive Cato had a dream of dong clothing alterations as he did as a teenager in Montego Bay, Jamaica before migrating to the United States in 1989.After managing a laundromat and dry cleaner in East Stroudsburg for eight years – RBB Laundry – he got the opportunity to achieve his American dream when he took over Judy’s Alterations across the borough on 39 Washington St. with his wife, Janet, after the owner there retired 11 years ago. They renamed it Clive’s [...]
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Chestnuthill TownshipKal-Tac Inc. to Abelli Properties LLC, Land containing 1.28 acres, more or less, from Brodheadsville to Effort, $299,000Coolbaugh TownshipMoe and Freddy Realty Inc. to Center Rock Realty Company, 3 Tractst: Route 169, Route 940, Haney Road, $700,000Middle Smithfield TownshipFannie Mae (By Atty, A/K/A) Federal National Mortgage Associates, McCabe Weisberg & Conway PC (Atty) [...]
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Owning the right rental real estate can be a profitable endeavor, and often even with a property that’s making money, the tax bite can be minimal or even provide you with a deduction.Of course not all properties will be money makers, and while no one likes losing money on an investment, saving tax dollars softens the blow if you are eligible to take the deduction. Keeping up a rental home comes with many - and more - of the expenses of maintaining your personal home, [...]
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Once a month (or so), I share a dozen things that have inspired me to greater personal, professional, and financial success in my life. I hope they bring similar success to your life.
What makes work satisfying? Apart from a paycheck, there are intangible values that, Barry Schwartz suggests, our current way of thinking about work simply ignores. It’s time to stop thinking of workers as cogs on a wheel.
Barry Schwartz is a psychologist and author whose writings have made me think deeply over the years. His most recent book, The Paradox of Choice, is a book I have actually read twice; it makes a great case that having an abundance of choice often causes us to make worse decisions.
Here, he argues that most menial jobs are only menial because they operate with the assumption that most people are lazy. The truth is that most people are not lazy and if you appeal to them with something beyond exchanging menial labor for a paycheck and give them opportunities to feel empowered and to use their creative side, they’ll go far beyond what you might expect. If you give someone a soulless job, they’ll give you soulless work.
If your job is not fulfilling and challenging you, spend your spare time finding things to do that fulfill and challenge you and then seek out ways to make money from that. You don’t have to quit your job or radically change your life to do this. You just have to use your spare time a little differently.
As I’ve mentioned many times, I am an avid journaler. I use it to write down the events of my life, walk through complicated ideas I’m struggling with or thinking about, organize my plans and goals, and so on. I’ve found that I prefer to write these down by hand.
Over the years, I’ve experimented a little with colors and layouts in my journals, but I’ve never really committed to it per se. I would mostly just prefer to write in my same old handwriting style with black ink.
Last month, I found myself inspired by the concept of sketchnotes. In a nutshell, sketchnotes are about making notes and personal writings as vibrant as possible, using doodles, colors, sketches, different writing styles, and other things in order to fill a page with ideas.
I’ve started experimenting with this in my own journal and I’ve found it to be a blast. I’ve found that I can express a lot with colors and little sketches alternate fonts and doodles that would be difficult to express in words.
While I still use a lot of writing in my journals, my October journal so far has seen an explosion of color and different things and, for some reason, it feels more alive and vital than it has in a long time. Part of me actually wants to show these pages to my friends and family, something that I’ve never wanted to do with these before.
If you like to journal or you take a lot of notes for various purposes like I do, take a look at sketchnoting. You might find it inspirational.
3. Voltaire on the measure of a person
“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” – Voltaire
In other words, don’t judge a person by the conclusions that they’re drawing, but by what they’re actually thinking about and what they actually care about.
I have conversations all the time with people who have certain feelings about political issues that are different than my own. I don’t agree with their conclusions and sometimes their conclusions sadden me.
The thing is, though, that they actually care about the issue in some way. I find that time and time again, if I sit back and ask people why they care about an issue, we can quickly find common ground.
When I ask people about why they’re upset about, say, welfare fraud, they’ll usually say that they find it unfair that their tax dollars are being misused. Fine, I tell them, but wouldn’t it make sense to start off with the biggest frauds on the tax system and eliminate those first, then move down the chain? That’s something that we almost always agree on. We both care about fraud against the government.
You can do this about almost any issue. If you keep backing up on why people care about an issue, they almost always reach a point where there are some fundamental agreements. If that doesn’t happen, you’ll find that the person actually has some truly repugnant views on the world that are really incompatible with most of society. Why does this work? Because, for the most part, people agree on truly fundamental values.
Try it sometime. You’ll be surprised how quickly you come to an understanding with people who seemingly disagree with you.
Modern work — from waiting tables to crunching numbers to dreaming up new products — is about solving brand-new problems every day, flexibly, in brand-new ways. But as Yves Morieux shows in this insightful talk, too often, an overload of processes and sign-offs and internal metrics keeps us from doing our best. He offers a new way to think of work — as a collaboration, not a competition.
The single best experience I have ever had in a workplace came when I was in an office with just one other person for about nine months. It was just the two of us, assigned on a project that was seemingly set up to fail. We were on a one year contract and basically left over there to see whether or not we could come up with anything that might solve a rather difficult problem.
We were basically unmanaged. We didn’t have anyone measuring our productivity. We didn’t file reports. We just knew that if we didn’t come up with something, our jobs would vanish at the end of the year, but if we came up with a good solution, we likely had jobs for a very long time.
Our one direct supervisor would occasionally pop in, mostly to ask if we needed anything, and left us almost entirely alone.
What happened? We worked incredibly well. We had a limited functional prototype in about six weeks when a review board had basically said that it was impossible. We had a full functional prototype at about the five month mark and then met with that review board and they were so impressed that they recommended that we be employed for the long term to work on this.
Eventually, our group grew and then went under new management. What happened? The magic somewhat faded. We had to file reports and go to seemingly pointless meetings. The rate of development actually slowed down, even with more people.
If you want good people to do good work, take the reins off as much as you can. Let them do good work. Often, they will.
5. Ralph Waldo Emerson on books
“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Without looking at my journals or other lists, I can probably name about 100 books that I’ve read during my lifetime, which is a surprisingly small amount considering I’ve read more than 100 books in a year before.
Have I forgotten those books? I can’t recall the titles or the authors.
However, what I can recall are some of the ideas they gave me, some of the scenes that challenged and changed me, some of the trains of thoughts that those books placed me on.
I don’t remember the names of all of the books I’ve read. Without help, I don’t even remember the names of a majority of the books I’ve read – not even close.
However, most of those books changed my life in some way. They made me see things in a different way or just think differently about life. I’m a better person for having read them.
6. Writing with a fountain pen
A few months ago, I received a beautiful handwritten card from an old friend. The card used an orange red ink and the writing just flowed across the page in a way that gave an impression of real time and thoughtfulness. I emailed my friend and asked about it and he told me that he had used a fountain pen to do it.
For those of us born after about 1960, a fountain pen is a predecessor to the ballpoint pen, used for writing purposes. There are a number of mechanisms to fountain pens, but they all use an external ink source and draw some of that ink into the pen. The ink then flows down in a very thin trickle down to the tip (called the nib) and thus onto the page. It’s a bit archaic, but it has a few advantages, the biggest of which is that such pens work incredibly well for cursive and calligraphic writing. It’s perfect for things like handwritten cards for people, for instance.
Inspired by this, I requested a fountain pen as a gift for my birthday and received a Lamy Safari fountain pen, which is considered a very good entry-level fountain pen. I didn’t have a chance to use it immediately and set it aside until recently, when I had to write a number of thank you cards. I felt that it was a perfect time to bust out this fountain pen, and so I did.
What I found is that the pen itself encouraged me to write a little bit slower than before, but as I wrote the lines across the page, the pen flowed so incredibly smoothly. The curves weren’t bumpy as they often are with a ballpoint pen – they just flowed, which makes sense because of how the pen works.
While I wouldn’t suggest everyone go purchase a fountain pen, what I realized was that certain tools just work better for certain things. A fountain pen is clearly matched very well with cursive writing, for instance.
I wrote several cards with my Safari and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience and wanting to try other pens just to see how they worked and see how other inks looked on paper.
7. Mitch Albom on things left unsaid
“Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say.” – Mitch Albom
When I look back at my life, there are very few things that I regret. Almost all of them fall strictly under the category of “things left unsaid.”
There are several people who have passed away that I never got the chance to say goodbye to, at least not in any proper way. In particular, my grandmother and my favorite uncle come to mind here.
I had one very close friend who I have been unable to contact for many years because of a willing lack of use of the internet and some extreme care with identities.
I never regret negative things that I left unsaid. Often, those negative feelings were far better left unsaid.
I regret the positive things left unsaid. I regret not telling people how much they meant to me.
Never leave those things unsaid. That person might not be there tomorrow and you’ll find the unsaid words leave a hole in your heart.
Never mind the beautiful song – it’s an Avett Brothers song, of course it’s beautiful, they’re probably my favorite musical group of the past ten years – but simply watch the video. The video is done using shadow puppetry, showing what kinds of things can be done with this simple art form. The puppetry is done by Hobey Ford.
I love this type of art. You can imagine similar things done hundreds or thousands of years ago, around a campfire in a village where the light is directed one way, and someone standing there making art for the gathered people.
This video is just a taste of that, along with a beautiful song.
9. Fyodor Dostoyevsky on lying to yourself
“Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
We want to be the heroes of our life’s stories, but often we’re not the heroes. Sometimes, we lie to ourselves a little bit in order to maintain that myth, but that myth doesn’t really get us anywhere at all.
It is far better to be honest with ourselves, to accept that sometimes we don’t do the right thing, that sometimes we are in fact the villain.
The best thing any of us can do is to wake up and try to be a little bit better than we were yesterday. If we believe ourselves to be the hero of the story, always making the right moves and never wronging others, only being wronged, then we can never become better.
We can only become worse.
And that is a truly sad outcome.
10. Pumpkins
We already have three small pumpkins that we have sitting on our front step. By the end of the month, those pumpkins will be joined by others, as well as a few gourds. It’s a tradition of decorating the home for the harvest season, a tradition dating back for many, many generations before my birth, likely back to my ancestors at the birth of civilization and agriculture.
The arrival of those pumpkins often comes with the end of summer. The nights begin to turn a bit cooler. Things like apple cider begin to seem a bit tastier. The long sleeved shirts are taken down from their summer hiding spots and moved into dresser drawers.
During this month, I’ll carve a few pumpkins with my children. We’ll make some pumpkin pies and some pumpkin smoothies and some pumpkin bread. We’ll decorate a beautiful jack-o-lantern, and I plan on doing some tricks with lighting them this year. Our children will select costumes for beggar’s night and the better ones will be handmade by a collective of parent and child.
And so the big beautiful cycle continues.
11. Kurt Vonnegut on pretending
“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” ― Kurt Vonnegut
The internet makes it so easy to put on a disguise and express our true feelings underneath a cloak of anonymity. We no longer have to feel the negative or positive ramifications of our words, so it becomes easier to say things that we wouldn’t otherwise say if we were actually facing those ramifications.
In other words, we become our true selves. We no longer have society’s guidelines holding us back. Many people become something different than what they seem to be in their everyday life. Some become cruel. Some become kind. Some explore ideas that would be anathema in their daily lives.
I’m going to propose a challenge to you: when you’re under that garment of anonymity, why not try to pretend to be the best possible person? Try to be the person you wish everyone in the world could be, the type of person that your friends might see with incredulity if they saw those words and actions, particularly if they came from you.
What would the world be like if, when we put on a cloak of anonymity, we became the best possible people?
What would your world be like if it were only you that did that?
At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it’s simply comfort, respect, love. BJ Miller is a palliative care physician who thinks deeply about how to create a dignified, graceful end of life for his patients. Take the time to savor this moving talk, which asks big questions about how we think on death and honor life.
I watched this video twice, all the way through. Then I went downstairs and baked some cookies with my family. Watch this video, and you’ll understand why.
It’s a classic quandary: You have way too much stuff, but your wallet is empty. Selling your items on consignment can help solve both of those problems. You’ll get rid of things you don’t use while getting a little extra cash in exchange — a win-win.
We’ll cover the basics of consignment shops and sales, including how they differ from thrift shops, how you’ll get paid, what to expect from the process, and tips on boosting the chances that you’ll be able to sell your items.
And if you’re interested only in buying from consignment stores, we’ve also got you covered with a tip section toward the end (jump to tips for buyers).
How Do Consignment and Thrift Shops Differ?
Right off the bat, let’s differentiate consignment shops and sales from thrift stores. Though some use the terms interchangeably, there are big differences in how the stores obtain items, the quality of items you can expect, and the price you’ll pay, among other things:
Consignment Shop
Thrift Shop
Merchandise
Purchased outright from seller, or profit split upon sale
Donated by public
Quality control
Items inspected thoroughly for condition, style, age, etc.
Items only lightly inspected; some flaws and out-of-date items typically acceptable
Price point
Varies widely according to merchandise, but usually at least 40% to 50% off retail
Very cheap, usually at least 75% off retail
Type of business
Usually private (some consignment sales are run by nonprofit groups)
Charity or nonprofit
Staff
Mostly paid staff (some sales run by volunteers)
Mostly volunteers
As you can see, thrift stores have bargain-basement prices, but they won’t put any money in your pocket if you unload your items there (although getting a receipt for your donations can help you come tax time if you itemize). Consignment is the way to go if you actually want to make a little money in exchange for your gently used goods.
How Do I Make Money Selling on Consignment?
Typically, you’ll make money one of two ways when you sell items on consignment: Either you’ll be offered a percentage of the profit when your item is sold, or you’ll be given a set payment before the item is sold. Note that depending on the venue, you may pay a small consignor’s fee ($5 to $10 is common) to cover costs related to selling your items.
Percentage of Profit
Some consignment stores don’t offer any money for your items up front. Instead, they take the items they want, assign a price, and give you some of the profit when they sell. So if the store prices your designer jacket at $120 and agrees to give you 50% of the profit, you’ll get $60 back in your pocket when that happens.
The major pro here is that you’ll probably get more money this way since the store doesn’t have to pay you unless your item is purchased. Of course, the big con is that you have to wait around to see whether your item sells. That may take awhile — and it may not happen at all. In that case, after a set period of time (usually a couple of months) you’ll be allowed to reclaim your item. If you no longer want it, some stores may donate it to charity on your behalf.
Flat Upfront Payment
When you sell to a store that offers upfront payment, you’ll be offered money right away for each item the store decides it has a good chance of selling. For instance, you might receive $30 for that designer jacket, and you’ll be able to immediately walk away with cash in hand.
This can be nice because you get something even if the item doesn’t sell — and you don’t have to wait around, either. The downside, however, is that the amount you’ll get will probably be relatively small.
In our example, you only get $30 for your jacket — even if the store is able to sell it for $120. That’s because the store is compensating for the risk that the item might not sell after all, or that they might have to discount it to sell it. Note that if you go this route, you might be able to get more bang for your buck if you’ll accept store credit instead of cash.
You may run across a consignment shop that uses both methods. A favorite haunt of mine from college, Mustard Seed in Bethesda, Md., pays up front for most clothing but holds back payment for some higher-end items such as handbags and shoes.
Consignment Shops vs. Consignment Sales
Consignment shops are pretty self-explanatory: They’re open year-round for set hours and you can bring your items any time. They are usually independently owned and operated. Depending on store policies, staff members will either sort through your items immediately, or you may set up an appointment with them to do so.
But in my area (Knoxville, Tenn.), consignment sales are even more popular, especially for children’s clothing and goods. These sales are seasonal — usually popping up in the spring or fall — and typically run for only a few days.
Some consignment sales are independent, while others are sponsored by churches, nonprofits, or other groups. Many of them set up shop in vacant big-box stores that have plenty of room for a quick flood of merchandise and people.
That’s a good thing, because the most popular consignment sales can attract big, intense crowds of bargain hunters. Some will even have special private-sale or preview days that give sellers a chance to buy before the general public.
Consignment Sale Preparation
At their core, most consignment sales work the same as many consignment shops: You’ll get a cut of the profit when your items sell, and you can pick up or donate anything that doesn’t sell after the event.
However, there is a difference in how much work is required on your behalf when it comes to prepping items. With consignment shops, little is required of you beyond bringing items that are in good shape — the store does the rest.
With consignment sales, items flood in during a very short period. That means organizers typically depend on participants to make sure their items are ready to sell as soon as they’re dropped off. Procedures vary from sale to sale, but this checklist from one of the largest consignment sales in my area, Duck Duck Goose, is fairly typical.
When you participate in a consignment sale, you may be required to:
Bring clothing items on your own hangers
Tag items using your own supplies, such as index cards
Print barcodes or use markers, stickers, or some other method to categorize your clothes and identify you as the seller
Price your own items according to the sale’s guidelines
How should I price my own items?
Depending on your perspective, being able to price your own items is the biggest blessing — or curse — of consignment sales. Most sales will give you guidelines on pricing your items to ensure they sell. For instance, Duck Duck Goose advises sellers to charge no more than 25% to 40% of what they paid for clothing and children’s goods, depending on the condition.
Here are a few rules of thumb on pricing your own items:
Be realistic. Be as detached as possible and ask yourself what you’d be willing to pay for something if you were the buyer. Don’t charge more simply because a particular item has some sentimental value for you — it certainly doesn’t for the buyer.
Be willing to discount. Consignment sales often discount items at the end of the event in order to clear out merchandise (50% off is typical). You may be able to opt out of this, but you probably shouldn’t, especially if you’re just going to donate any unsold items in the end.
Name brands and new items can fetch more money, but only a bit more. Yes, you can charge a little more for in-demand clothing brands or items that still have their tags, but (in the case of clothing) that might only be a couple of dollars. Remember, there is a huge number of items at consignment sales competing for buyers’ attention.
Consignment Shops or Consignment Sales: Which Is My Best Bet?
In general, consignment shops are a better pick if you only have a few items, or if you have some particularly high-dollar items. That’s because your merchandise typically won’t be competing for space with a huge number of other items. Depending on the store, you may have to be patient enough to wait up to a few months for your item to sell, though.
On the other hand, if you have a lot of stuff that you would love to unload quickly, consignment sale organizers and buyers may be less picky — and buyers often come ready to throw down some serious cash in exchange for good deals. Just be sure you’re willing to put in the work preparing your items for sale and pricing them realistically.
Alternatives to Consignment Selling
If consignment shops or sales aren’t quite right for you, consider a few other ways to get rid of items you no longer want or need:
Yard Sales
An old-fashioned yard sale or garage sale can be a great way to get rid of clutter quickly, and you don’t even have to leave home. However, your town may require you to get a permit to hold one legally, and prepare to be low-balled for just about everything you’re selling: Yard-sale hounds expect rock-bottom prices.
Because of that, the time you spend organizing items might not be worth the money you make unless you have a wide variety of things to sell. Consignment may be a better choice if you have a narrow range of items, or things that are more valuable.
One increasingly popular alternative is to use a Facebook resale group. You can find one in your area for just about anything that you would sell via consignment, and you might be better off selling collectibles and brands with a big, devoted fandom online, too. You may also be able to get a bit more cash for your items compared to consignment since you’re doing the work yourself.
Just keep in mind that mailing items or meeting up with buyers can be time-consuming, and you should always conduct meetings in public to minimize safety risks. If you’re pressed for time, consignment might be a better fit.
Donate Your Items
No, you’re not going to get any extra spending money in your pocket, but there are still several perks to donating to thrift stores instead of selling on consignment.
First, there’s the feel-good factor — you could be helping out someone in need. Donating also means you can get rid of your unwanted items quickly, which can be a huge relief if time or clutter is an issue.
Finally, don’t forget about the tax write-off. Just be sure to determine fair market value so you don’t tick off Uncle Sam; if you need help, the Salvation Army’s Donation Value Guide can offer some guidance.
Tips for Consignment Sellers
Ready to try your hand at selling on consignment? Avoid some rookie mistakes and boost your chance of making a few bucks by heeding the following tips:
Don’t bother unless it’s in good condition. If your clothing has flaws like rips, stains, or missing buttons, it’s not ideal for consignment. Toys and electronics should be in full working order with batteries. You have a bit more leeway with furniture, since buyers often intend on refinishing less-than-perfect pieces, but be careful with upholstery — it should be clean and odor-free.
Know the difference between vintage and out of style. There’s a big market for truly vintage items: Buyers may love that mod 1950s swing dress, but they’re probably going to bypass your scratchy early ’90s blazer with its huge shoulder pads.
Don’t get offended if a shop or sale rejects your items. They know their market better than you, and if they don’t think your items will sell, they’re probably right. Ask what flies off the shelves so you have a better shot at making more money next time.
Stick to stores and sales with an established clientele. More well-known consignment stores and sales that have been in business for a long time will have more foot traffic. They’ll also have a better sense of what their shoppers want to see, and they’ll know how to make your items look good and boost the chances they’ll sell.
Focus on specialty shops if you can. Most consignment shops or sales focus on either clothing, books, or furniture and home goods, and some specialize within those categories (for instance, children’s clothing or antique furniture). Taking your items to a place with a more narrow niche will give you a better shot at connecting with a buyer who actually wants what you’re selling.
Get everything in writing. Make sure you know all the important details: exactly what cut of the profit the consignment store or sale will take, whether there are any fees on top of that, how long your item has to sell, what happens if it goes unsold, and when you’ll see your money.
Tips for Consignment Buyers
If selling via consignment sounds like a pain, you can still reap the benefit of big-time savings as a buyer. You can buy all manner of things on consignment, including books, sports equipment, and even musical instruments.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you’ve never bought from a consignment shop or sale before:
Target consignment stores and sales in wealthier neighborhoods. It sounds obvious, but if you want higher-end stuff, you’re more likely to find it at shops and stores in areas where people have a bit more to spend in the first place.
Inspect items thoroughly before buying. Most consignment shops or sales worth their salt will make sure items are clean and in working order before selling them, but this is still your ultimate responsibility as a buyer of secondhand goods. Most sales are final, so you’re out of luck if you buy a dud.
Be careful of recalls or other hazards. Consignment shops and sales are bound by the same laws that prohibit the sale of recalled items as other retailers, but some might not be as up to date as others. If you’re shopping for children’s goods, be particularly aware of potentially dangerous items such as drop-side cribs and expired car seats.
Get the inside scoop. If you find a consignment shop or sale you like, make friends with the owners or organizers. Sign up for any mailing lists or follow them on social media. This way, you’ll be among the first to hear of any desirable new items or sales. A retro furniture shop may not have your perfect mid-century modern dresser now, but they might be willing to give you a buzz as soon as one comes in.
Be realistic about what you’ll wear or use. Buying at consignment shops and sales means you’ll be saving a healthy chunk of change over normal retail, but don’t lower your standards just because the prices are lower. Paying $3 for a shirt you’ll never actually wear or $20 for a funky mirror you’re not sure you really like is just as wasteful as overpaying for something at its normal retail price.
Where Can I Find Consignment Stores Near Me?
Ready to sell (or buy) on consignment? You’ll need to find some great local stores or sales to tap. While an Internet search may yield decent results, don’t ignore your own network of family and friends, who may be able to point you to a store in the corner of a strip mall you never knew about.
You may also want to join Facebook resale groups or scour Craigslist, since consignment shop owners frequently advertise on both platforms.
Once upon a time, my friend Roxy and her husband were looking to buy a boat. So, off they went to Craigslist.
They found used boats in all shapes and sizes. One caught their eye and a few weeks later it was theirs.And they only paid a dollar!
I bought Roxy a cup of coffee in exchange for the details of this insane transaction.Here’s what I found out about getting serious deals on big-ticket purchases on Craigslist.
The Story
After trolling Craigslist for a few weeks, Roxy and her husband, Tim, headed out to see a bunch of potential boats in person. They liked one of the options, which was listed at $3,500.
Tim wanted it; Roxy wasn’t so sure. It needed some work and had outstanding slip fees (the rent owners pay to keep their boat at a marina). They decided to pass.
But Roxy kept stalking the boat on Craigslist, watching the price drop. As the end of the month neared, Roxy knew the owner would be in a hurry to unload the boat to avoid accruing another month of slip fees.
So, she offered him $1 for the boat.And, to her surprise, he accepted. He was relieved to be free of the boat, and she was happy to be its new owner.
Roxy and Tim put in a couple of weekends fixing up the boat to get it in useable condition. Luckily, they both have experience with automotive repair and were able to do the work themselves.
And as part of the deal, they paid the owner’s back slip fees, which totaled about $1,000. So, yes,the boat cost $1 but it look some elbow grease and a bit of cash to get things in order.
After a year or so of boat ownership,Roxy and Tim sold the boat for $3,000and upgraded to a full-on houseboat. I’m still hassling her to invite me to hang out on it.
Roxy’s 5 Tips for Scoring on Craigslist
Want to score your own sweet Craigslist deal? Here’s what she recommends.
1. Be Patient
Good deals come along, but not every day. Roxy was surfing Craigslist for weeks before she set her sights on a specific boat. By that time, she knew what was out there.
Take it slow and get a feel for how much things cost so you recognize a good dealwhen you see it.
2. Don’t Wait Until You’re Desperate
If you’re looking for a new car, don’t wait until your current model is kaput. When you’re out of options, you’re at the mercy of what’s available at that moment.
Instead, start looking a few months ahead of time so you can afford to be choosy.For Roxy, a boat was a recreational purchase, so she wasn’t in a rush to make a choice. If the $1 boat hadn’t worked out, she would have kept looking.
This lack of urgency isn’t always possible, but if can make it happen, it will go a long way toward scoring you a good deal.
3. Set Up Alerts
If you’re looking for something specific, set up Google Alerts to let you know when something pops up. Be liberal with the alerts — they’re free!
Roxy set up alerts for each model of boat she was looking for, and got an email each time a boat matching that description was posted to Craigslist in her area. This eventually led her to the $1 boat.
4. Haggle
Personally, I’m awful at this. It makes me feel awkward.But Roxy maintains you have to haggle if you want a good deal.
She suggests starting with, “Would you take [this amount]?” If not, they will likely come back with a counter offer. Even if they don’t take your first offer, you’ll still get a better deal than if you hadn’t asked.
Of course, don’t be afraid to walk away. Roxy and Tim looked at more than 10 boats before they decided onthe one, and they were prepared to walk away if the seller didn’t accept their (insane) offer.
5. Timing is Key
People often list things on Craigslist in an attempt to get rid of them ASAP. Align your interests and help make that happen.
Especially when there are competing offers on a listing, the seller might pick the person who canhead over that same day.
As Roxy discovered, timing is everything.She and Tim were able to swoop in and take possession of the boat because the previous owner didn’t want to pay the monthly slip fee.
Your Turn: What are your top tips for finding a steal on Craigslist? What’s the best deal you’ve found?
Lyndsee Simpson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. She’s on the prowl for a CraigslistPatrick Townsend orbit chandelier.Her budget is $1.
