Frugal Living: Yard Sales Buying and Selling

By: Cyndi Roberts

Yard sales (or garage sales as we call them in my part of Texas) are a wonderful frugal source for almost anything you need. They can also be a wonderful, frugal source of extra money almost any time you need it.

When shopping at yard sales, it’s important to remember that most things you buy are not going to be in “new” condition, although there are times when you will find items that are brand new, in the box. And at a much lower price than in the store.

Most yard sales have lots of clothes for sale. But if you are willing to take a closer look, you may find tons of treasures. The other day I found a shiny cookie sheet in a box of “freebies”! I was thrilled and so was my son, who didn’t have one!

My grandchildren have tons of books, most of which have been bought at yard sales. And all were in great condition and didn’t cost over 50 cents apiece. I keep a lookout for seasonal items for kids such as coloring books, little stuffed animals, etc. Then when Valentine’s, Halloween or other holidays roll around, we send the grandchildren a package filled with neat stuff for very little cash.

This summer I am also watching for “new-in-the-box” toys for children of all ages. In December, I’m going to send them with my son (who is in the Texas National Guard) to their annual Toy Drive. But almost every community has some sort of toy drive at Christmas time. This way, I will already have my contributions and won’t need to go out and spend more money during the holiday season.

Yard sales are a great way to make some extra money, also. Plus, you can get rid of unwanted items at the same time. My daughter and I recently held a sale and here are some of the things we learned.

Put up signs. The newspaper goofed the weekend of our sale and left out all that week’s yard sales. So we had to depend on our signs. Put as many out as you can. Find out ahead of time what kind of ordinances your town has about placement.

Take the time to make your signs…we bought ours and about halfway through the first morning, we noticed that we weren’t getting any customers. So we checked out our signs–and they were gone! We put out more and the customers started coming again. But it was costly.

And when you make your signs, be sure to make them sturdy enough to stand up in the wind and also be sure your lettering is large enough to be seen by people driving by in cars. I think a large arrow pointing in the direction they need to go is helpful.

Be sure to plainly mark your items. It will save you lots of time during the sale if you don’t have to talk to each customer about the price of every item. If you aren’t sure what prices to ask, it might help to go out to some yard sales yourself in the weeks before your sale and check out what others are asking for items.

If you really want to get rid of something, be willing to negotiate on the price. By the same token, if you really want to get a certain amount, be willing to say no when someone asks for a price reduction.

When your yard sale is over, if you are lucky, you have space to store the leftovers until next time you need to hold a sale. However, if you’re not one of the “lucky” ones, consider donating your items to the local Goodwill box. Helping you live the good life…on a budget!

About the Author: Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the “1 Frugal Friend 2 Another” bi-weekly e-newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the e-newsletter and receive the free e-course “Taming the Monster Grocery Bill”.

Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment Tips

By: Ponn Sabra

1. Enlightenment – Have Faith.

In a Women’s Entrepreneur Success Survey I conducted, the #1 category chosen out of 44 to define “Success” was “Faith”. It can be assumed that accountability to God, or a higher purpose, helps you work with strong values, ethics and morals; based on charity, kindness, compassion, and the genuine passion to help others. Also, having faith may help you learn from your failures quicker, have less fear, and take more educated risks, because every experience (good or bad) is one step closer to goal attainment for all the right reasons.

2. Empowerment of Self – The Ability to Chose.

Empowerment is about learning there are choices, in which you have the right to be the healthiest and happiest person you can be today. One critical choice in the self-empowerment process is to enter into self-discovery process that leads to self-acceptance and results in self-love. You will reach your personal and business’ greatest potential, once you master this equation: Self-Love = Self-Discovery + Self-Acceptance.

3. Exercise Balance with Your Family.

Since your family gives you the most personal fulfillment, it is important to always prioritize your business accordingly. Choose to live life with your family, not because of, or for them by making excuses to yourself, such as “work comes first”. After almost facing death, I learned that I must always: Work Wisely + Play Plenty = Rest Reassured.

4. The Enterprise Must Include the Power of Power Networks.

As a conductor of your own enterprise, you can not see yourself as a one-woman-show. You must choose to utilize the power people in your life, by asking for help when you need it, and effectively delegating in order to capitalize on your strengths and that of your power network. When certain experts are not represented in your power network, you must actively seek advisers or mentors and develop a team of specialists, so the benefits are received by everyone involved in the power network – the true Power of Power Networks.

5. Experience Success through Principles That Work.

Rather than re-invent the success cycle; read, study and try different principles proven to have worked in the numerous business-improvement resources available to you. Choose to learn something(S) new every single day.

Give this one a try: The Empowerment Equation to Success:

Desire + Action = Success

Action = 5 A’s: Acquisition, Affirmative Attitude, Accountability, Asking, and Accomplish.

Visit EmpowerWomenNow.com often for updated professional empowerment tools as well.

6. Exclusive Business Brand.

Brand yourself as the exclusive business in your target market. The more you invest your time, money, efforts, and human resource in developing your Unique Selling Proposition, once your clients start rolling in…their loyalty will last for their lifetime and that of their offspring. The power of being the first and only means you have no competition. Therefore, your clients have no one else to turn to. Always chose to be a specialist at something…not a generalist in everything. Dare to be Your Best Self! [Beware: Once you start succeeding at what you do, you WILL have competition. At which time, it's critical to build alliances...not enemies.]

7. Establish Systems to Maximize Time.

You must establish as many systems as possible (i.e., priority planning, to do’s, office hours, meeting days, etc.) to be time-efficient. Streamline all your business protocols for maximum productivity that includes but not limited to your daily, weekly, monthly and annual duties and responsibilities.

8. Expand Your Marketing Reach.

Diversify your online and offline marketing portfolio. Always be open to try something new, different and creative, but never stop at a one-time opportunity. Repetitive efforts are rewarded the most. Areas include: website, blog, article submission, local and internet press release campaign, venture partnerships, link exchanges, charity sponsorships, public speaking, radio interviews, teleseminars, volunteerism, search engine optimization/marketing, building power networks, and hosting local events.

9. Experiment for a Positive Bottom Line.

For every new formula, system, or marketing campaign you try, you must always test and track your results. Stay accountable to your bottom-line by being patient enough to see results and persistent enough to gain the most from your efforts. Don’t give up too easily, and don’t let dead-weight pull you down. Always be cost-conscious.

10. Envisioning Goes beyond Goal Setting.

Envisioning your goals means being able to apply all your senses to the moment when your goal is achieved. Basically, you need to touch, taste, smell, feel, and hear your goal already accomplished, so that moment becomes so vivid in your mind, that you will become happy and empowered right now.Your positive focus will fill your workdays with fun, and you’ll always be proud of your efforts rather than disappointed with your unfinished tasks. Coming from a Type-A personality, this is easier said than done; but having just written this down, I’m now accountable to you. Now, I challenge you to stay empowered and keep our power network alive!

Please share your comments and feedback, by leaving a quick note at Empowering Women Right Now Blog. This Women’s Empowerment Cycle can’t roll without ya!

Ponn M. Sabra, The Women’s Empowerment Queen, is the best-selling author of “Empowering Women to Power Network“, and Founder of http://EmpowerWomenNow.com Hop over to to get empowered today!

The Brain Drain

By: JoAnn Hines

What ever happened to employee loyalty? You know the type: people who went to work for a company at a young age and then stayed there throughout their entire career. I am sorry to report that those days are long gone. The mantra has become to stay with a company for three years and then move on. In fact, today if you haven’t changed jobs several times throughout your profession it’s considered a detriment to your career.

One of the biggest problems in corporate America today is what I call the Brain Drain. It is a simple as it sounds – these employees are tapped out. Their brains have been drained. It is amazingly apparent when you look at the number is women who are leaving corporate America to start their own businesses. Why do these talented women leave feeling disenfranchised? The answer is complicated and a result of the employer not understanding the real issues at hand.

Women in the working world have all been taught to work hard, be good at your job and you will get ahead. (Yes, my mother told me this too). The problem is that teaching methodology is simply not true. Hard work will be just that: hard work. Without a game plan in mind, it’s difficult to move ahead even with good results.

Companies have yet to realize their directives for women in corporate America. On one hand, companies say they want women at the top. On the other hand, they stymie their potential and their ability to move up the corporate ladder. So, what can companies do to rectify this dilemma? They can brand themselves by addressing the progress of the female employee –from the top down.

We all have heard diversity policies and EEOC mandates, but how does this materialize in the real working world. It doesn’t. Executives at these companies need to walk the talk and not spout PC rhetoric. I’ve seen reams of paperwork purporting the facts, but when it comes to implementation that’s a different story.

Take a look at the senior management team. How many women are on it? Any? What are the plans to improve the odds? Doesn’t it strike you as strange that women make up more than 50% of the workforce yet only X % at senior levels? The diversity message simply isn’t being practiced.

When an executive discharges PC rhetoric they are really saying, “I can prove that we have a plan.” What they are not saying is how or when they intend to implement it. The truth is that they haven’t reached the heart of the real issues. The majority of women don’t want a handout or a token position. They want their hard work and commitment to count for something besides a paycheck. Yes, money is important but it’s not the spirit of the real issues that companies don’t understand.

Many personal issues are different for women than they are for men: maternity leave, flex time, telecommuting, and time off for elderly parent care or sick children. The company policy covers many of these issues. Exercising one of these perks is not supposed to be detrimental to one’s career. The reality of the message may be different. “Yes, you will have a job when you come back from maternity leave but don’t count on that promotion.”

Over the years, I have been told by senior executives that women don’t make it to the top because they need special treatment (listed above). The truth is that the brightest and most talented resources don’t need special treatment. What they need is an accurate understanding of these issues and why they are relevant in modern society. Women do have more of these responsibilities than their male counterparts do, and it’s up to them to figure out how to make it work.

That doesn’t mean “having it all.” It means companies understanding of the importance of these issues to the working woman. The fact remains that women reap the benefits of hard work and a job well done. Executives need to understand what makes the working woman tick. (It’s not about the money.)

We spend the majority of our day working and it’s important to enjoy what we do and feel fulfilled about our work commitment. Family needs and issues are just a part of the equation. Until companies realize that women will continue to leave in corporate America in droves for opportunities that allow them to enjoy what they do and feel fulfilled.

Discover the easy way to make yourself stand out from others. How to become an expert in your field; How to write a better resume; How to write a personal press release; How to accomplish things no one else is doing and to get people to think about you in ways they have not thought before and much more including critical checklists for those important business meetings.

This indispensable workbook will show you specific ways to accomplish your personal branding goals and launch your career into the stratosphere. We have done all the work for you with guidelines, cheat sheets and easy-to-use templates to customize for your own use.

So don’t put off building your brand any longer. Don’t wait till your associates get your promotion or raise or even a better job.

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If you find that the strategies and tactics in these materials don’t work for you or in your business, we don’t feel like we should keep your money. We want you to try them for 30 days with zero risk.

Q and A: Financial Independence Tips For Women From Coni Cecil

By: Kristin Johnson

As a woman Netpreneur, I sat down via e-mail with article-announce regular contributor, Internet marketer and women’s financial consultant Coni Cecil of www.cecilfreedom.com. She shared her Internet marketing and financial wisdom for women on the Net. The quote on her site from Eleanor Roosevelt is inspiring: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Q: I really admire your emphasis on marketing and financial freedom, especially the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. What circumstances in women’s lives help or hinder them to achieve their financial freedom?

A: Well Kristin, I think time and other commitments and obligations can be a hindrance to achieving financial freedom. As for help, women are very strong and the determination to succeed and provide for our families is incentive enough to achieve financial freedom. Certainly, the assistance of other people is a huge help, after you realize that you do not have to go it alone.

Q: How can women profit from resources you belong to, such as LeadLightning.com and MasterListBuilder.com, which your link www.cecilfreedom.com points to?

A: Lead Lightning is a fantastic tool to use for promoting your business.

It is very affordable for what you receive, and in fact, I truly believe it is under priced. Right now I’m only using 2 of the 25 auto responders [they give], but just knowing that I have access to 23 more for promotion of New Business, with no extra cost, allows me room for growth.

I will soon be using them for my articles, so you see, I most likely will be using all of them at some point in time.

As for MasterListBuilder, I believe in Joel Christopher, and one area I need help with is building my list. Joel knows what he is talking about, and I trust him.

Q: How did you design your Web site for Internet marketing success, and how do good design principles contribute to marketing success?

A: I didn’t design my website. Lise Galipeau did. She’s a friend of mine, and that is one of her strengths. It is not one of mine. In fact that’s another area where I rely on other people. We are all good at certain things, and Lise is very good at what she does.

In my opinion, for marketing success, you have to earn trust. I don’t like bells & whistles. Just give me plain simple language and honest, trustworthy, dependable programs and people.

Q: Women have more of an eye for design, for ease of us, for connection and information finding than your average male geek. Do you feel the time is ripe for women to make a success on the Web? What do statistics show about women Netpreneurs, many of whom started businesses out of hobbies or craft businesses?

A: The time is absolutely ripe for women to excel on the Web. After all, we are excelling at everything else, so why not this. (Smile)

Statistics show that women Netpreneurs are everywhere. Take a look around. Women are realizing that maybe they can make a living doing something they love and believe in. We aren’t getting any younger. Many of us prefer to spend our time on something rewarding. I think we also want to make a difference in this world, which of course brings us satisfaction.

Q: Who are the women’s success stories of the Web? Who do you admire?

A: Oh gosh, there are so many, and I admire more than I can possibly name here.

Lise Galipeau of www.womenscorner.com
Sam Knight of www.boomer4ever.com
Stephany Harper of www.sunnydays4ever.com
Kathy Collins of www.copingtoday.com
Jan Tallent-Dandridge of www.rimdigest.com

Q: Tell me about your involvement with Juvio.com. Would you classify yourself as a geek?

A: I am definitely not a geek. (At least in my opinion – grin) That is why I have Juvio. Most of that technical stuff is over my head, so Juvio not only helps me with problems, but they assist in the learning process too. I love this program. It makes me feel less alone here in the Internet World, and I can count on them to be there for me. Another under priced service that allows me to grow.

Q: How did you join MyPlace and would you recommend it to other Women Netpreneurs?

A: Thanks to Sam Knight, I found Lise Galipeau, and it just felt right. Like MyPlace. The honesty is there, and that is the most important thing to me. I’m a Leo, and we are very loyal. I would definitely recommend MyPlace to other Women Netpreneurs. They will not be disappointed.

Q: In terms of Internet marketing besides the two tools I mentioned, I know that you contribute articles to Article-Announce. What other avenues have worked for you? What avenues have not worked and why? How have you learned from these mistakes?

A: Article Announce is very helpful, and I read a lot of the articles that are sent my way. The learning experience is great.

Barry Baker has also helped me a lot. He is the Owner of usaezine.com and I write Coni’s Corner for him that is published every Monday in “Today’s Power Motivational”.

Patricia Whaley of www.enchantedwealth.com gave me my first chance, when she agreed to let me write a weekly column for her ezine. Her encouragement made all of the difference.

Lead Programs do not seem to work for me, but that is probably my fault, because I tend to be phone shy.

Writing is my passion, and that’s why I get help with so many other things. It’s not that I don’t want to learn to build a Web site, etc., it’s just that I prefer to spend my time writing. It just makes me happy.

I’ve learned that being a Netpreneur is about building relationships first, and then your Business.

Q: Thank you, Coni.

Visit Coni Cecil at: www.cecilfreedom.com and www.conicecil.com.

What are YOUR dreams?

About the Author: Kristin Johnson is an award-winning writer who maintains her own Web site, http://www.poemsforyou.com. She is is co-author of the “enthusiastically recommended” Midwest Book Review pick, Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadable media kit is available at our Web site, http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at

Cellulite Elimination Tips for Women

If you are a woman, there is a good chance you have cellulite somewhere on your body.

Here are some helpful tips for reducing cellulite:

Cellulite is not harmful. However, it can be a VERY annoying and unsightly problem for many women. Cellulite fat cells bulging out through tight, inflexible connective tissue under the skin, and makes the skin look lumpy. Women commonly have it on their butt and thighs.

I am sure you have seen or heard about the countless “miracle” creams and cures for cellulite. Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of cellulite without costly, sometimes unsafe surgery. The good news is that there are several ways to help reduce its appearance.

Focus on your Health. You may not be able to get rid of the cells that cause cellulite without surgery. However, most women can shrink them down by losing weight and building muscle. Even if you only have time to walk a few times a week, any fat burning is a step in the right direction.

Eating raw fruits and vegetables and half your body weight in ounces of water will also get you on the right track.

Cleansing your Body. Having well hydrated cells washes away harmful, cell damaging toxins, and keeps them from building up; so drink plenty of water (as mentioned above).

Cut back on caffeine, additives, preservatives, artificial colorings, unnecessary medications, and avoid adding new toxins to your system as well.

Circulation Matters. In order to give your skin a smoother appearance, you may need to take steps to improve circulation to the problem area. The most effective way to do this is with daily massage. This is also a nice way to relax at the end of a long day.

Aloe Vera Creams and Scrubs. Daily use of Aloe Vera cream combined with exfoliating scrub, can help loosen up the connective tissue and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

While none of these ideas can totally get rid of cellulite in women, with a few healthy changes and a lot of patience, you can have smoother, less bumpy skin.

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