On Saturday we entered the world of garage sales. Joel believes we can find great deals at yard sales and then sell the items for a profit on eBay. That’s money we could use to pay bills.
The first few yard-sales were disappointing. We didn’t buy anything.
On the way to the last garage sale, I hoped to find a cool coffee gadget. My tired little French press is nearing retirement age and all of my other coffee gear is 1,000 miles away.
After browsing through a few dusty books, I saw her. Alicia. Alicia DeLonghi, the electric moka esspresso maker. Hiding among a few sad drip coffee makers, covered in dust and a thin layer of grease… she looked a little sad. I will save her! Ten dollars of cash rested safely in my wallet. Money that mom sent me to spend on anything I want. Non-budgeted money. My money.
Joel saw me pick up the coffee maker. He walked toward us like a victorious garage sale hunter. “Are we getting that?” He asked. “It’s mine.” I answered.
I took Alicia to the nice church lady behind the cash box. I handed her one dollar out of my wallet. Not the cash we had budgeted for buying items to sell on eBay. My money.
I carefully cleaned the Moka pot. It shined after a little gentle care. Alicia looks brand new. On sale, this machine would cost 55 bucks at Amazon. They’re going for 30 at eBay.
Joel seems too excited about my purchase. He doesn’t drink coffee… Hey! Quit looking at my coffee maker like that! I can see the eBay logo shining in his eyes.
Just let me try it out a bit… I need to make sure it works. Maybe a few more days… It will sell for more if I can write a good description.
very cool! Tell Joel he can have it when you come back here to your other coffee gadgets.
Comment by Hillery — March 12, 2006 @ 5:04 pm
It is yours. Sell it when you are ready. Enjoy it in the mean time.
Comment by conda — March 12, 2006 @ 7:40 pm
We can’t afford to ship it home, and I’m afraid it will break if we take it home in our truck, so I guess we will just have to ebay it before we leave in a few weeks. So sorry
Comment by Joel — March 13, 2006 @ 11:42 am
Puh-lease.
1. It’s not breakable. That’s just silly.
2. I’ll hold it on my lap all the way home to Springfield.
3. We’re not leaving in ‘a few weeks’ We’ll be here till April 20. So I can eBay it a month from now… not tomorrow.
Comment by Amy — March 13, 2006 @ 11:50 am
All right you two! Back to your seperate corners.
Amy, you just need to find something Joel really wants for a dollar and tell him he can keep it if you can keep your coffee pot.
Comment by Debbie — March 13, 2006 @ 5:39 pm
Good plan Debbie,
But I don’t think there is anything Joel wants more than paying off debt.
He’s right. I’ll sell it… after I’m done playing with it.
Definitely not before I run out of the coffee that Hillery sent me.
Comment by Amy — March 13, 2006 @ 5:50 pm
Enjoy playing with it and then make some money. It will make the profit more fun.
Comment by Conda — March 13, 2006 @ 9:35 pm
Amy is definitely right! I even sold four of my guns so far, and might even consider selling one more. I have big plans for my wonderful leather couch. My beautiful bedroom set is for sale as well. If you happen to be in our neighborhood back in Springfield, if it has been left there it is for sale, so if you see anything you like, make me an offer. That includes the house
Comment by Joel — March 13, 2006 @ 10:55 pm
Boy, the lengths we have to go to, to get Joel to post on Amy’s blog. hee, hee. Oh, and I’ll be sure to take inventory of everything you own next time I’m at your house in case I need to make you an offer.
Actually, I’d just rather pay you to get rid of my stuff. Then you’ll have twice as much to sell and I’ll be living lighter.
Comment by Debbie — March 14, 2006 @ 11:27 am
Let’s discuss the leather couch.
Comment by Conda — March 15, 2006 @ 11:52 am
It has a sticker price of $2995 new, but we bought it during a “big sale” for $1995. It is definitely the most comfortable piece of furniture I have ever sat upon. (Or slept on for weeks on end.)
I don’t recall the brand, but it was purchased new at Haverty’s in Springfield in 2001.
Comment by Joel — March 15, 2006 @ 12:25 pm
Just for the record:
1. No I didn’t “make him sleep on the couch.” - He broke his leg… a couple times.
2. Joel really loves his couch. Can you tell?
Comment by Amy — March 15, 2006 @ 12:28 pm
Email me a price.
Comment by Conda — March 15, 2006 @ 12:44 pm
While we are making offers here, I would like to buy the coffee pot that started this whole discussion. I need it for a dear friend, who happens to have a birthday on my anniversary. Make me a good deal.
Comment by Debbie — March 15, 2006 @ 6:10 pm
That’s too funny Debbie. You know if you bought it from him and gave it to me, I’d still have to sell it. Birthday gifts are not exempt from eBay frenzy.
Comment by Amy — March 15, 2006 @ 7:24 pm
Man. How many times would I have to buy it before you could keep it. Nevermind, better not answer that.
Comment by Debbie — March 16, 2006 @ 3:33 pm
All of the sudden I have this great new money making idea…
Comment by Amy — March 16, 2006 @ 4:22 pm