Tip of the Day 6/7/12

99 Days of Summer: Summer and Garage Sales just go together. We live in an awesome garage saleing community. The sales usually run Thursday - Saturday and I can easily go to 15 - 20 within a 5 mile radius of my house. Most people do not even put an ad in the paper, just good signage, and they will have a great turnout. As I have become a fan of this type of "green" shopping I have developed a few strategies that work well to get the most for my money. I never go first thing in the morning when the big crowds hit. It is frustrating and I believe there is nothing that important that I need to fight a crowd for. By waiting until later in the day when the crowd thins out you are usually able to bargain more. This is even better on the second day. Shop with a sense of adventure, but also with some purpose. It is true that one man's trash is another man's treasure, but it is also true that one man's trash can still be trash even when another person buys it. Really think before you make the purchase. Take measurements with if you are shopping for something specific like curtains, don't settle for something just because it is a "bargain," clutter is still clutter. Take a chance on a big bargain box. As a crafter and sewer I am always willing to pay up to $5 for the big box of mystery craft or sewing supplies. Even if I only end up with 2 or 3 usable items from the box it is a good deal. Last year I purchased 2 huge boxes of sewing supplies for $1 each. The brand new pair of Fiskars Pinking Shears in one of the boxes more than paid for anything I couldn't use. The key to this type of purchase is to go through the box as soon as you get home, sort out the keepers and put the rest in the give away box immediately. The key to successful garage saleing is just like any other shopping, do it with purpose, in other words have a list, and enjoy it. Come home with the occasional, "I don't know what I will do with it, but I had to have it" item. Just don't make it a habit. Happy saleing.

Word for Today, Forget: Due to some medical issues in the past I have some major memory lose for a portion of several years. It has been a cause of stress for many reasons and also a source of sadness as I realize there are events I cannot remember. One of the reasons I took on my project of sorting photos to send to my girls was to try to bring back some memories. But as I struggle to bring back those memories I realize only the Lord can bring them back. Wouldn't it be awesome if all the bad things in our lives could be taken so completely from our memory. We often hear people say, "I have forgiven that person, but I will NEVER forget what they did." This is so opposite of what our Savior does for us. When we bring up a sin we have confessed and asked forgiveness for His response is, "I have no memory of that." Teach us Lord to not just say we forgive, but to be able to forget. "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins."