Last week, we discussed garage sales.  Perhaps you even had one.  If you did, and you got rid of everything you don’t want, it’s time to shop for the things you need!  Here are the items you should buy NOW, to get the best prices possible.

This Spring:

Land mowers – Now that all the latest, newest models have hit the stores, you’ll find great close-out prices on last year’s models.  Yes, like cars and fashion, lawn mowers are updated every season.

Carpet – Why?  Because most people are focused on fixing up the outside of their houses, so you’ll find lower prices on items to update the inside of your home.

Grilling supplies, like hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments, buns.  It’s seasonal; therefore, it’s on sale!  Also, Popsicles and bottled water.  Your two best times to stock up are right before Memorial Day weekend and the 4^th of July.

Travel costs.  Now until Memorial Day, travel and vacations tend to be cheaper.  However, look for big increases as soon as summer rates go into effect.

And in May specifically, now is the time to buy a mattress.  New mattress models are also released in the summer, so buy a close-out model now.  Look for great prices AND extras like free delivery or shipping.

And last, shop for pet supplies in May, when you’ll find the best prices for furry pals.  Or scale-y pals.  Or feathery pals.  You get the idea…

This Summer:

Paint.  Folks are continuing to focus on the outside of their homes.  So get inside and save big on paint and paint supplies.

Fresh produce.  The farmer’s markets are open for business!  Right now you’ll find asparagus and strawberries, but stop back all summer long for great MN produce.  To find a farmer’s market near you, log on to http://www.mfma.org/, the Minnesota Farmer’s Market Association.

In June, invest in a gym membership.  New Year’s Eve was six whole months ago, so most people have forgotten their resolutions.  So resolve to get in shape with a bargain rate at the gym.  Then, actually use the membership you bought for less.

In July, look for huge discounts on furniture, as retailers clean out their showrooms.  New models arrive in August, when prices go back up.

And in August, be sure to buy your swim suit.  Just like winter items are clearance out in February, summer clothes and gear are priced to move in August.

Also, August is the best month to stock up on cereal.  Who knew?

(Why do some people call them Yard Sales, and others call them Garage Sales???)

It’s that time!  Time to discuss a topic near and dear to my heart.  Time to think about those magical sales where I got my frugal living start as a wee Chicklette…

Yes, the season of garage sales have begun!  Get ready to unload your unwanted items for a few bucks… and then spend that hard-earned money at your neighbor’s garage sale.  Here are the best tips for either holding a garage sale or shopping at one.

1.  Start on Thursday.  For garage sales, Thursday afternoon is the new Saturday morning.  For example, the Star Tribune’s online garage sale calendar lists tons of sales starting this Thursday, the 10^th.  If you start your sale in the afternoon, you’ll get after-work shoppers.  http://ww2.startribune.com/mcu/projects/g/garagesales/13021198R.pdf

Tip for garage sale shoppers: stopping by the first day means you’ll get first crack at all the good stuff.  Granted, it will be harder to bargain the seller down, but remember – this is a garage sale.  NOTHING is going to be THAT expensive.  And if it is?  RUN.

2.  Advertise wisely.  Hold your sale during the city-wide garage event in your area to take advantage of the buzz.  You’ll find a list of city-wide sales at Thrifty Minnesota.com, www.thriftyminnesota.com.

Advertise for free on Facebook, Craigslist, and Garage Sales Tracker.com, www.garagesalestracker.com, and then Tweet the hours and location of your sale to all your Twitter followers.  Caveat:  advertise online only if you feel comfortable listing your home address on a public forum.  For something more low-tech, ask if you can post sales flyers at your local grocery stores and community centers.

Don’t forget to advertise what types of items you are selling, to attract the right clientele.  Nothing is worse than a guy who’s looking for power tools showing up at a sale for babies’ clothing.

If you’re a shopper, research the big sales dates in your area, before you head out.  You can hit a bunch of sales, find the best selection, even comparison shop, without wasting gas driving all over the Twin Cities.  And shoppers?  There’s an app for that.  Find a free garage sale locator app at Garage Sales Tracker.com.

3.  Keep it clean… and in good working condition.  Remember, this a garage sale, not a trash heap.  Make sure your items aren’t covered in dust and dirt.  Also, put in fresh batteries wherever necessary, and have plenty of extension cords on hand, so buyers can see that what you’re selling actually works.

For the buyers, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!  For items like dishes, tools and garden equipment, a little grime will wash off.  Use the untidy condition as a bargaining chip to get the price down even further.  However, don’t buy anything that doesn’t work.  Chances are, you’ll end up selling it in YOUR next garage sale.

4.  Have cash on hand.  If you are the seller, have enough quarters and dollar bills to make change for the whole day – most people show up with $20’s.  If you are a buyer, make sure you are carrying exactly the amount of cash you are willing to spend in a day.  That way, you won’t overspend.

Buyers, if you find something you just can’t live without and you’re out of money, see if the seller will hold it for you while you run to the bank.  If not, go anyway, and see if it’s still available when you get back!  Bear in mind, that extra time it takes could be enough to make you rethink the purchase. Sellers, remember that a buyer who walks away usually does not come back.  Perhaps you can let that item go for the money the buyer has on hand.

5.  Everything must go on Sunday.  Every seasoned garage sale-er knows, the last few hours of the sale is when the prices on all remaining items are slashed in half… or lower.  Sellers, think of it this way – you can sell that precious piece of whatever for 25 cents, or you can put it back in your house, where you didn’t want it in the first place.  And buyers?  The last few hours on an early Sunday afternoon is when you’ll have your best bargaining luck.  Just don’t go too crazy – just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean you need it.

Now it’s your turn!  Share your best tips in the Comments below.

Do you have a family?  Do you like to have fun?  Do you want to save money whilst having fun you with your family?  Then you’ve come to the right place, my friends.  Here is a slew of inexpensive activities for May – many of them for this weekend.  So get crackalackin’!

1.  This is the last year to utilize the library’s Museum Adventure Passes.  Remember, visit your local library and check out (literally) free passes to one of 17 local museums and attractions, including the Zoo and Minneapolis Institute of Arts.  The adventure continues now through Labor Day weekend.

Also, the Metro Public Libraries – MELSA – are running a special May Museum Month membership promotion during the month of May.  They will draw two lucky winners from their Museum Adventure Pass website each day – today through 31 – to receive a free year-long family membership to one of the Museum Adventure Pass participating cultural organizations.  For details of the drawing, and to enter to win, log on to melsa.org.  http://www.melsa.org/MuseumAdventurePass/index.cfm

2.  May 5^th is National Free Comic Book Day (aka, my brother and Keith Marler’s favorite holiday).  Stop by The Source Comics and Games NEW store location at 2057 Snelling Ave North in Roseville for the event.  You’ll find costumed heroes, real comic book creators, treats, discounts on merchandise, and best of all?  Free comic books!  And now with the new store, there’s even more room for the event.  http://www.sourcecomicsandgames.com/

3.  Today, May 1^st, at 11 am, the Carousel at Como Park opens for the season!  For just $1.50 per ticket, you and your family can ride on a piece of MN history.  This carousel was built in 1914, and features 68 horses, two chariots, and music from a fully restored Wurlitzer 153 band organ.  For hours and locations, log on to www.ourfaircarousel.org.

4.  Do you have the right stuff?  Try out and see!  This Thursday, May 3, the Saints will hold their annual open tryout at Midway Stadium. It’s completely free to participate in the tryouts.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., and tryouts start at 9:00 a.m.  You should come dressed in baseball attire and cleats, bring your own glove, and a wood bat for position players. All participants can try out for only one position.

If you’d rather watch than play, the season kicks off on Friday, May 11^th with the Saints’ exhibition game against the Classic Cannon Valley League All Stars.  Tickets for the Saints can’t be beat.  The most expensive seats are just $20 a ticket, and General Admission seats are a mere $5 for Adults, $4 for Kids and Seniors.  http://saintsbaseball.com/home/

Share with the group – what fun stuff do YOU have planned for the fam this May?

Spring is here, and it’s time to clean out your closets to make room for a new, inexpensive, spring/summer wardrobe.  How can you make money on your unwanted clothes and accessories?  Simple!  Consign them.  Here’s how:

1.  Check the store’s website – log on to the sites for Clothes Mentor, Turn Style and Nu Look Consignment to see if you need an appointment to consign your items or if they have drop-in hours.  You should also check their policies for consigning, and what items they are currently accepting.

2.  Check your items THOROUGHLY for holes, rips, stains, broken zippers, missing buttons, or any other flaws.  Most stores want items in nearly-new condition.

3.  Make sure everything is clean, dry-cleaned and polished.

4.  Hang whatever you can on hangers.  Don’t worry!  You’ll get your hangers back again.

5.  Check the age of your items.  Most stores will only take 3 years or LESS.  Some will only go back three seasons.

Additional Insider Tips:

If at first you don’t succeed, try another store!  Different stores are looking for different items, even if they are in the same chain of stores, like Clothes Mentor.  Hit up multiple stores to maximize what you can consign.

Know the value of your items, to you, and to others.  If you don’t like the price a store offers, keep going!  Some things have too much sentimental value to sell for pennies on the dollar.  And if you think your item is worth more than what the store offers, you can try selling it on eBay.com or Etsy.com.

Check the stores’ websites to see if they offer cash on the spot (Clothes mentor), or after the item sells (Turn Style).

Sites to check out:  www.clothesmentor.com, www.turnstyleconsign.com, www.nulookconsignment.com, http://eliterepeatstpaul.com/, www.buffaloexchange.com, www.everydaypeopleclothing.com

Last Friday, I got the opportunity to speak at the Women’s Event for the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce.  Not only did the event TOTALLY KICK BUTT, but I finally had a reason to sit down, put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), and really think about how I created The Cheap Chick brand.

Whilst presenting, I thought to myself, “Self, this would make a pretty cool Fox 9 Morning Buzz segment.”  And thus?  I took some of the pertinent info, turned into a segment, which I am now turning into a blog post for you folks to read.  Synergy!  Meta-posting!  Other buzz words I don’t fully understand!

How To Establish Your Brand, Inexpensively

So you’ve got a brilliant product or service or idea you’d like to brand and then promote to the masses.  It may seem like a difficult and expensive task, but there are simple and even FREE steps you can take to establish your brand, especially online.

Step One, the creative process:

Create a name, logo, tagline and visual image for your brand.  This is the fun part!  However, be sure you are intentional with your name and image, and that it makes sense for your product.  Remember, once you lock it in, it’s your name for life.  Also, be sure it’s not a name already in use!  You can check online at sites like Trademarkia.com.

Step Two, set up you domain name:

Log on to Domain.com.  Search your chosen name.  Bear in mind names are purchased on a yearly basis – so DO NOT forget to renew yearly!  A domain name typically costs $9.99 per year.  And I strongly advise getting a .com name.

Step Three, set up a Facebook Page for your brand, for free:

Go to the Help Center (tabbed on the front page of FB).  Click on Facebook Basics and scroll down to the Pages link.  Click on Getting Started.  On the Main Page, choose what category your brand falls under, such as business, brand, or cause.  Then, choose your subcategory – and be specific!  The better you choose, the easier it is for people to find you.  Last, choose your name.  Then all that’s left is to set up your new Page, following the easy-to-use FB guides.

Step Four, set up a Twitter account for your brand, for free:

Log on to Twitter.com.  Sign up your business name.  That’s it!  However, your brand name may have been taken.  Find a name as close as possible to your brand – ex. my Twitter handle is thecheapchickMN – so your customers can easily find you.

Step Five, increase your exposure:

• Link your website to Facebook and Twitter.  Then, whenever you update your site, the updates will appear as Status Updates and Tweets.
• Set up a free website at easy-to-use blog servers.  I recommend Blogger.com.  It’s free and user-friendly. And then you can attach your purchased domain name to your blogger account.
• Once you have a website, make sure all your contact information, location, business hours, and other pertinent information is very easy to find.
• If you run discounts, sales, events, or any other time-specific deal, make sure that content is posted far enough in advance so customers know about it. Then remove the deal once it’s past date.
• Invite all your Facebook friends and LinkedIn contacts to Like your Page and Follow your Twitter!  Don’t keep your brand a secret!

So.  I’m trying out this thing my Web Master recommended – title my posts with Google-search-friendly titles, instead of the random things that pop in my head.  Sigh.  BUT THAT’S SO BORING.  However, I’ll try anything once.  All in the name of science!  Or… research!  Or… increased web hits!  Whatever.

However, there’s no dramatic build up.  You already know what my post is about – sales events I heard about in the TC.  Some come from press releases, others come from friends calling and saying, “Dude!  Mega sale!”  If you know about a sale that I haven’t posted here, be sure to include it in the Commets below.  Thanks for playing!

From my email:  “Spring has sprung at all four Bibelot Shop locations!  The storewide spring sale will be offering 20% of all regularly priced merchandiseon Friday, April 20th and Saturday April 21st.  Come and visit us!  Store hours: Friday 10 am -8 pm and Saturday 10 am-6 pm. www.bibelotshops.com“  Now’s the time to stock up on gifts for all those baby showers and bridal showers and graduations… yeouch.

From my buddy, Princess, said earlier today: ”You need to head over to Famous Footwear NOW!  They are having the most amazing sale!!!”  Although I didn’t find a sales event on the Famous Footwear website, I do know this – they ALWAYS have shoes on sale, and they have a continually stocked Clearance section.  Plus?  SHOES.  Do you need an excuse to buy inexpensive footwear?

And from ME:  JoAnn Fabrics started one of their massive sales events today – The Daffodil Dash, now until Saturday, April 21st, online and in-store!  I have oodles of coupons from the paper and from their mailer (sign up for free at www.joann.com) to use during the sale.  Plus there are oodles of products on sale, like all the home decor fabric (50% off!!!) and rotary cutting supplies (40% off!!!).  http://www.joann.com/daffodildashevent/

Although the temperatures have dropped this week, it IS still spring.  That means it’s time for spring cleaning.  You don’t have to break your budget, or bring a bunch of harmful chemical into your home, just to get it clean enough for springtime.  I have three “homemade” cleaners, as well as three recommended store-bought cleaners to tackle the toughest messes you might face.

1.  Homemade cleaners:

Borax – otherwise known as sodium borate.  This cleaner has been around for years, but most of the younger generation has forgotten about it.  Use it as a pre-soak for laundry, a scrubbing agent for pots and pans, and a deodorizer for cleaning out stinky refrigerators, dishwashers and coolers.  For more ideas on how to use Borax, check out Green Living Tips.com or Real Simple.com.  You’ll find Borax in the laundry department at Walmart for $3.38.

Vodka – not just for cocktails!  Use a bottom shelf vodka (this is not the time to bust out Dan Akroyd’s Crystal Head vodka) to clean chrome, glass and porcelain fixtures.  Vodka also gets rid of mold.  Spray straight vodka onto moldy surfaces, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then scrub with a stiff bristled brush.  Vodka also helps sooth poison ivy and repels insects, and no, you don’t need to drink it for it to work.  Log on to The Daily Green.com for other boozy tips.

Washing Soda – NOT the same thing as baking soda.  This is also a by-gone cleaner that you may have forgotten about, or never heard of.  However, it is a fairly green product, and it’s fairly cheap, too.  Washing soda is great for removing tough stains.  Mix it with a bit of water and apply it stains like coffee blood and ink.  You can also pour it directly onto grease deposits to dissolve them, or down your drains to remove grease and soap scum build-up.  For more washing soda how-tos, check out EHow.com.  You’ll find Washing Soda next to the Borax at Walmart for $3.24.

2.  Store brand all-purpose cleaners:

Clorox Green Works products – recommended by Good Housekeeping AND the Sierra Club.  GH Tip – spritz the cleaner on your cloth, not the surface.  You’ll use less that way.  On sale at Target for $2.39.

OxiClean – according to the folks at Live Strong.com, “because there are no harsh or caustic chemical ingredients in OxiClean, and because it breaks down into oxygen and water, it is considered a very environmentally friendly product.”  Find it at Target for $9.49 for FIVE POUNDS.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser – the magic?  It’s made of melamine foam, which is like a micro-fine sanding block.  It does NOT contain formaldehyde, as debunked by Snopes.com, so it’s safe to use in your home.  The only danger is if you eat it.  Because you are essentially buffing away the stain, not pouring a chemical on it, Magic Erasers are greener than harsh chemical stain removers.  And they work like, well, magic.  You can buy the name brand for $3.99 for 4 erasers, or buy the Target brand for just $3.04.

Noooooo!  Get on these discounts FAST!!!!

Right now, without taking any action or signing up for any additional programs, you probably qualify for discounts, cash-back offers and other benefits.  And you probably aren’t even aware of them.  So instead of adding yet another Groupon to your roster, why not research the discounts you already have, but aren’t using.

Trade organization discounts.  If you are in a career or business that requires membership in a trade organization or union, that membership has added benefits beyond information and networking.  For example, as a member of the MN Board of Realtors, I have access to discounts at Holiday Gas Stations, UPS, and AAA.

For details of what discounts are available, log on to your trade organization or union’s website.  Most have a benefits page for their members.  Or, call your area’s board members and ask what are the most current discounts and deals.

Employer discounts.  Most of the time, we think we employer discounts are limited to stores discounts – for example, if you work for Target, you get x amount off all your Target purchases.  But even non-retail employers have benefits for their employees – and I don’t just mean a 401K.  For example, the educational company I work for has discounts on everything from cell phone services to home electronics, even floral delivery services.

If you want to know more about your company’s discounts, talk to your immediate supervisor (like I did) or your HR department.  Once again, check your company’s website for an Employee Discount page.

Social club membership discounts.  Whatever your hobby or interest, there’s a coordinating club or group you can join.  And when you join, there are bound to be membership benefits – and I’m not talking about the joys of fellowship and shared viewpoints.

If you enjoy activities in the great outdoors, join the MN Rovers.  Membership entitles you to discounts on equipment, tours, even scuba gear, http://www.mnrovers.org/html/clubInfo_perks.htm.

If you like to play board games, join the Twin Cities Board Game Group.  Their membership perks include discounts at Universal Games. http://www.twincitiesboardgames.com/

And if you like to sew, like me, you can join a variety of sewing guilds, like the American Sewing Guild and receive discounts at fabric stores like JoAnn’s. http://asg-mpls-stpaul.org/

…ooooooh, sweet nothins…  UGH.  Ever since I saw a tiny, overly made-up little girl sing that song on Toddlers and Tiaras,  Brenda Lee’s Sweet Nothins now kind of creeps me out.  At the same time, it still manages to get stuck in my head.  Moving on.  You all have been whispering sweet frugal nothings in my ear (or rather, sending them to my email address) for weeks now.  I decided I should share the sweetness.  Please excuse my tardiness… an the icky T and T ear worm.

1.  My favorite consignment store, Nu Look Consignment in Minneapolis, has THOUSANDS of Spring items on sale, 50% off.  Fifty percent off of already inexpensive clothes?  The Cheap Chick Math Book says that equals practically FREE.

2.  If you like occasional sales events for home goods (you know I do) and you want even MORE places to shop, read this note from Judy, who used to vend at The Cottage House:

“My friends and I are at a really cool shop called  A Cat And The Fiddle A Fair  in downtown Rosemount, MN (next sale April 19-22) and we are on Facebook too.  Ironically we were vendors at both Flamingo’s Divine Finds and The Cate last year from May through December and other fellow dealer/friends are still at Flamingo’s. We love both places and hope you can check out The Cat as well!!  Almost forgot another spot we love - Urban Cottage.  They just moved to 5157 Bloomington Av So and will have their grand opening  April 12-15.

3.  And last, if you need a new online resource for printable coupons, check out this site:  http://www.my-printable-coupons.com/.  They contacted me directly and asked if I’d spread the money-saving love.  And you know me, peeps.  Of COURSE I will.

Keep the frugal love coming, and share your tips/ideas/thrifty thoughts in the Comments below.  Thanks!

1.  Odds and Ends Again.  This store is the brainchild of a group of Realtors in the North Metro.  They help people who are moving – especially seniors who are downsizing – sort through their household items, donate and toss what they don’t need, and sell the higher quality items at the store.  For the shopper, you’ll find nine rooms filled with furnishings and home goods.  They are open the second and fourth weekend of the month: Thursday and Fridays 10 – 6, Saturday and Sunday, 10 – 3. You can also call and make an appointment to stop by the shop.  The next sales event is April 12-15, and the store is located in Shoreview off of 694 and Lexington.

2.  Home Essentials Boutique.  According to their website, Home Essentials is “a seasonal boutique that has a changing array of everyday and seasonal items. With over 175 juried vendors, bringing us their very best, you will always find fabulous furniture, original florals, exceptional gourmet foods, and unbelievable one of a kind treasures and gifts at unbelievable, affordable prices.”  Their Spring/Summer event is going on now through April 15^th, at the former White Wolf building in Lake Elmo.  They’re open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

3.  Flamingos Divine Finds, on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis.  They host once-a-month sales events at their store front, open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM.  You’ll find movie posters, knick knacks, jewelry, furniture, lamps, dishes, books, old photos, artwork, frames and other vintage finds.

And last but certainly not least is my personal favorite periodic sales event, The Cottage House.  This cute little house on Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis is my secret weapon for finding the perfect gift or completely unique decorating item for insanely low prices.  Their next themed Cottage Event runs April 11-15, and the theme is Paris Apartment.  I don’t know what that is, but I know I’m going to shop there.

*I am happy that The Hunger Games is a much, much, MUCH better written trilogy than those awful Twilight books.  And that the lead character is a kick-booty female role model.  Even though her name makes me cringe… Katniss is cool, peeps.