by kathilipp | Apr 8, 2013 | tips and ideas, Uncategorized |
I do a ton of reading. and while I write non-fiction, I like all types of books- fiction, non fiction, romance, historicals, and memoir. People often ask me what I would recommend so I compiled a short list of recent titles I’ve loved with just a little bit about each of them. Happy reading!
Lean In
The much buzzed-about book by the COO of Facebook, Sheryl forces you to look at your role as a woman in the workplace through research and case studies. Sounds dry, but trust me, it’s a fascinating read and will make each of us reevaluate our own thoughts on women in leadership – ourselves and those around us.
The Christian Mama’s Guide to Parenting a Toddler
OK so I’m so past this stage – I was reading this book for exactly two reasons:
1. I’m doing research for a book that I’m writing
2. I find Erin to be an entertaining, been-there-survived-the-Sharpie-incident kind of mom I can relate to
Erin has released four books all at the same time on the ages and stages of parenting and I find them fun, real and smart. Totally fun read (especially since I’m not in that stage anymore…)
Death Comes to Pemberly
Because Pride and Prejudice ended a whole book too early. Because I can’t get enough of Mr. Darcy. Because I have to wait until 2014 for more Downton Abbey. Jane Austin and Agatha Christie all rolled into one. Delish.
Thrift Store Saints Meeting Jesus Twenty-Five Cents at a Time
“The spirituality of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is that the poor are our teachers and we are their students.” This is from Jane Knuth, the reluctant thrift store volunteer and author of Thrift Store Saints. A collection of stories about the clients she encountered and how they changed her and the rest of the workers. Funny, smart and hopeful. I finished this book in one sitting.
Wild
I almost didn’t pick this up because it is an Oprah Pick – most of her Picks are books without a lot of hope or redemption. But this story about a woman who decides she is going to hike the west coast is smart, funny, and redeeming in parts. Anyone who has ever come to the end of herself will identify with this woman’s journey.
Those are my picks! Tell me what books I should be reading this month – if I see a trend I’ll make sure I get them read!
by kathilipp | Mar 26, 2013 | Guest Blog, Relationships |
Guest Blog from Suzanne Eller
1. You’ve been listening to many stories from women who struggle to forgive. How many women struggle with forgiveness in their marriages? 
Nearly 50% of the women who share their stories on my blog, or in person, say that their biggest struggle to forgive is in their marriage.
For many, it’s when a spouse is continually unkind, or says words that diminish her. In this instance, many women bear their soul and are told either to get out, to seek counsel, or to submit.
The first leaves a woman who desires to stay and work things out because she loves her husband and wants her marriage to succeed, with a heavier burden.
In the second, seeking counsel is wise advice, as long as it’s counsel that is skilled in helping a couple, with God’s help, find new ground in their marriage. Many times “counsel” can be someone who do not have those skills.
The third, to submit, is often shared without proper context. The word “submit” is thrown out without the beautiful framework of instructing husbands to love their wives as “Christ loved the church”. This is why wise counsel is key. Submission is respect, it’s great love, it’s working through the harder spots.
2. So, how do you begin to forgive in this instance?
It’s a blend of truth, grace, and confidence.
Truth is shared, perhaps in the setting of a counselor’s office, or perhaps in a moment where it’s not heated, after prayer and with love, and with the intent of working toward a healthier relationship.
Truth is coated with grace, knowing that we all fall short. It’s shared with wisdom and without accusation. And in some instances, it’s shared with healthy boundaries, not to punish, but to work toward the healthiest relationship possible. (A great book on boundaries that is both healthy and filled with wisdom is Boundaries in Marriage by Cloud and Townsend.)
Confidence comes from knowing that the Truth spoken in scripture is who you are. When I began to realize that the words spoken over me in my childhood were from a broken place in another person, it brought two things:
a) I began to see who I was to God. Words mattered, but His words carried greater weight.
b) It brought an element of compassion. This person wasn’t the enemy. The true enemy desires to rob a person of their worth, and value. Just as I was harmed by words, so was this person. It didn’t make what happened okay, but I stopped trying to fix another person (which is impossible) and began to see the greater picture, which allowed me to speak truth with grace, instead of speaking from a place of hurt and anger.
3. What about unfaithfulness?
A percentage of that 50% wrote in that they struggled to forgive because of unfaithfulness. I shared Carlie’s story, a woman whose husband left her after 29 years of marriage. In this case, the word forgive meant that God moved into the broken and raw places in Carlie left by her husband’s unfaithfulness.
He knew her. He knew her heart. She intentionally walked into a relationship with God during that painful time so that He could fill up her “temple”, residing in Her, healing her, moving in her to pray for him and even forgive, as much as was possible at that time, in those moments when she wanted nothing more than to take revenge, or lash out. In Carlie’s case, her husband went on with his new life, but she also had new life in Christ that filled her up in the harder months ahead. She was redefined in so many ways – single mom, single woman. But her role as God’s daughter was made that much more clear and concrete.
For those whose spouse asked for forgiveness and who desired to change, forgiving is key as you rebuild trust. But give yourself permission to be honest with your heavenly father, with the understanding that there is nothing in scripture that condones unfaithfulness. It’s not in God’s plan or His character. If He grieves over the fallen sparrow (Matt. 10:29), then He grieves over your marriage. He is big enough to handle your honesty while leading you to a new level of spiritual intimacy with Him and even tender vulnerability in your relationship with Him as you work through this harder aspect of forgiving.
At this moment, it may seem impossible to forgive on your own, but are you willing? That’s the only question that you need to answer. God is a Healer, and my prayer is that your marriage goes to a new place, but also that you sense God’s hand over you as you work through this difficult place, and that one day you look back and see His tender touch over you and your marriage. My prayer is also that you bring in wise counsel as you work through the past to find a stronger future.
Get the Book
Download chapter 1 or purchase your copy of The Unburdened Heart at Proverbs 31 Ministries.
About Suzie
Suzanne (Suzie) Eller is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and author. She’s written six books, hundreds of articles, and writes devos with Encouragement for Today that reaches over 500,000 women. Suzie is a radio co-host with Luann Prater at Encouragement Cafe Joy FM. She encourages women through two Facebook communities reaching over 20,000 five days a week. She’s been featured on TV and radio such as Focus on the Family, Aspiring Women, 100 Huntley Street, KLOVE, MidDay Connection, The Harvest Show, and many others. Most importantly, she is a wife, mom, and “Gaga” to four beautiful grandbabies. Connect with Suzie at www.tsuzanneeller.com.
by kathilipp | Mar 21, 2013 | Guest Blog, Relationships |
Have you ever met someone and from the very first moment of that encounter you knew you’d want to become friends? I don’t have that happen often. Mainly, because the pace of my life seems to always be so much faster than I can possibly keep track. I can see it (my life, that is) running away in the distance and I’m huffing and puffing just trying to keep up.
It’s become rarer these days I am afforded the opportunity to slow down and really get to know someone. But from the moment I met Kathi, I knew I had to slow down…way down…to get to know this wonderful woman who has blessed the lives of so many.
You are among greatness. Those of you who visit this site often and read Kathi’s words. If you don’t already know, I am certain you will soon discover, you are among royalty. This post will probably be an embarrassment to Kathi but it’s simply on my heart to love on her and to encourage you to do the same.
Usually, when I guest blog on a site, I speak about a particular topic; usually marriage. That is what I write about most days on the Happy Wives Club. But as I sat down to write this blog post today, I can’t seem to think to write anything other than what a blessing it is to know Kathi. And how honored I feel to be among the thousands of women who look to her for encouragement.
In a world filled with inauthentic people, she is a breath of fresh air. In a day and age when friendships are developed based on what one can do for you, a person who gives expecting nothing in return is rare.
So please grant me this indulgence for a moment to sit among you and marvel at what God has done and is doing in the life of the woman we all know as Mrs. Kathi Lipp.
For those reading this and wondering what message God may have for you in this post, think about how He has placed Kathi on my heart to love on and encourage today. Is there anyone He has placed on your heart, maybe even at this moment, that you can reach out to by email, telephone, Facebook or any other method that connects?
Sometimes we’re looking for encouragement when we are meant to be the encourager. So I challenge you in this regard. If you take your sights off your own needs and desires just for a moment, who can you encourage today? Whoever just popped in your mind…go with it.
About Fawn
Fawn is a happy marriage advocate and the founder of the Happy Wives Club (www.happywivesclub.com) with nearly 100,000 members in more than 100 countries around the world. Fawn works daily to change the tone of the conversation worldwide in terms of marriage and the negativity often accompanying that term. The Happy Wives Club is a go to place for wives successful in their marriage to share their thoughts and advice with others hoping to achieve a happiness and contentment in their own relationship. When she’s not blogging or connecting with her online community, she is the president of ValRent Corporation.
by kathilipp | Mar 19, 2013 | Guest Blog, The Me Project |
When Doubt Tries to Bully Us
Guest Post from Renee Swope
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt. I can’t do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, mom, or a women in ministry.
As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. She told me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control.*
When I heard her words, my thoughts were aligned with God’s truth.I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined. From feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God’s truth build us up. If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God’s power and promises to live with a confident heart. But it won’t just happen because it’s possible.
We have to take action. Just as I had to tune my radio to encouraging music, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts to God’s thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either FM (for me) thoughts or AM (against me) thoughts. And when our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
Next time thoughts of doubt come against you, stop and ask God for His perspective. Do your thoughts match His thoughts toward you?
Here are some AM and FM thoughts to help you get started:
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:6).
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago (Eph. 2:10).
Doubt Diet Tip: When we go on a regular diet, it’s helpful to start a food journal to keep track of what we’re eating. That way we can notice unhealthy habits and find healthy alternatives. For three days, keep a “thought” journal to track what you’re thinking so you can identify unhealthy “against me” thoughts and replace them with healthy God is “for me” thoughts.
Grab a copy of Renee’s best-selling book, A Confident Heart, for ONLY $6.99 – at Lifeway.com and local Lifeway stores this week!
Click here to sign up for Renee’s FREE 7-day Doubt Diet Devotions
Enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope – just in time for her online book/Bible study starting April 1st . To enter just enter a comment below regarding the doubts that make you less than confident to be the woman God intended you to be. Three people will win!
Renee Swope is the mom of a toddler and two teens, and wife of one very patient man. She’s also a speaker and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries radio show. Renee’s passion is to help women rely on and live in the power of God’s promises in our everyday lives. Receive encouragement and connect with Renee on her blog at www.ReneeSwope.com.
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*“God Is In Control,” © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.
by kathilipp | Mar 13, 2013 | Guest Blog |
I recently read my dear friend’s, Mary DeMuth, book “The Irresistible Table” and thought that many of you would enjoy it as much as I did. While it’s filled with wonderful recipes, it’s also full of great wisdom. If you love what you read like I suspect you will, jam over to her blog to find out more about Mary. Or check out the links below to get yourself a copy. And let me know what you think in the comments below.
You can Have an Irresistible Table
By Mary DeMuth
I’ve been cooking all my life. When friends ask me how I learned, I tell them the story of living essentially alone as a seventh and eighth grader. My mom attended school late, and my stepfather worked the swing shift, leaving this only child to fend for herself for dinner. I grew tired of mac and cheese and Ramen noodles. So I grabbed the red checkered Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and started working my way through it.
The first thing I cooked for company was an entire turkey dinner, finished with an apple pie. I was fourteen years old. I experienced the rush that came in making people around my table happy and content. Cooking hooked me.
As an author of novels and Christian living titles, I’m not known in the publishing world for my secret chef skills, but I’ve done my best to invite the world to my table. Oddly, my writing career started way back in the 90s when I self-published a newsletter called “The Giving Home Journal,” wherein I shared tips for running a home. Had there been blogs back then in the days of yore, I’d have been a mommy blogger. At the end of each issue, I’d feature an original recipe or two, and by the time I finished publishing the newsletter, I ended it by gathering the recipes into my very first book: a cookbook.
Since then, I’ve moved eight or so times, always cooking, always inviting, but I left any future cookbook ideas on the shelf. I had the privilege of winning an Olive Garden lasagna contest (we got free fresh pasta for a year—I still can’t eat the stuff to this day) and had a recipe featured in Bon Appetit. We relocated to Southern France in the mid 2000s where, I kid you not, a French man went crazy-happy over my bread—probably the most supreme compliment a home cook could receive! That’s when I knew I’d mastered breadmaking. (Don’t think me a prodigy. My first loaves could brick a house).
In France, our home was constantly open, and every week I fed thirty or so people at one time. I learned the art of teeny-tiny kitchen cooking, and I became more laid back in the way I welcomed people. Laughter and conversation took precedent over a “perfect” meal. Creating an irresistible table meant welcoming people, providing nutritious and yummy food, and being peaceful in the process.
We’re stateside now, but we still eat dinner together every. single. night. Cooking is my creative outlet, the gift I give my friends and family daily, weekly, monthly. The recipes featured in The Irresistible Table are 100% me-created, tested on finicky eaters, and often consist of whole foods. I am a firm believer that anyone can cook from scratch—yes, even bread—if taught. I come alongside you, happy advice in tow, and help you create the irresistible table you’ve longed for. I believe you can have your own version of an irresistible table.
Besides that, cooking is part of my evil (ha!) plan to keep my children near as they fly the coop. My college-aged daughter comes home to eat, eat, eat, and she’s becoming a twenty-something chef, herself. The cycle continues. It’s my hope that the joy of hospitality, great food, and changed lives can continue with you.
Get The Irresistible Table in paperback for $13.97 or Kindle for $9.97.
Check out Mary’s blog, where you can sign up for a giveaway and check out her cool incentives.
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Bio: Mary DeMuth is the author of over twenty books and speaks about living an uncaged, freedom-infused life. Her biggest accomplishment? Being happily married to Patrick for 22+ years and raising her three amazing kids. Find out more at MaryDeMuth.com
by kathilipp | Mar 11, 2013 | Me |
I’ve done a ton of therapy.
I’ve gone to support groups.
I’ve read the books. Done the programs. Bought the CDs.
And I’ve prayed. Oh how I’ve prayed.
But here’s the thing: I’m still fat.
Can I tell you how humbling it is to have your weakness – your sin – on the outside for all the world to see? Even before I open my mouth, share my heart, or find out one little fact about you, I have to overcome the fact that you know I’m not in control. That I’m a failure in this really huge part of my life.
If I could change anything about me, this would be it. I feel like it has “clicked” for so many others, but has never clicked for me.
Some of you may be thinking, “Well if she weren’t so lazy, she wouldn’t be fat.” or “If she could just show some self control, she wouldn’t be that way.” I used to think that as well. But here is the thing that all that godly therapy and the love of an amazing husband has shown me: I’m not lazy. (I work really, really hard in a lot of areas of my life.) I do have self-control (in many areas of my life). But this one area? I haven’t got figured out.
I’m not writing this so that you will be sympathetic. The good news is that the people who love me are going to continue loving me whether I can shop in the regular store or have to shop in the plus-sized department. The reason I’m sharing this is because there is so much shame around this for me, and if there is for me, I’m sure that my other friends who struggle with their weight (or other areas of their life,) feel that shame as well. And I’m telling you that I think it’s OK to believe with my whole heart that as I keep trying to become healthier and stronger, God loves me in my brokeness and weakness. That shame that we feel that we have to “lead with” in life so we can say to the world: “Don’t tell me I’m not OK – I already know it – I’m totally shamed so you don’t have to shame me – I’ve already done it for myself” is not what God wants for us. God wants us to live free. Not just skinny and free. Free.
I’m also not writing this as an excuse for being this way. I’m trying to figure this out because I love God and my family and want to be around for a long time. I know this will make some people angry, that I’m not going to shame myself here, but I’m OK with that. My weight is between me and God. For some reason, fat people make a lot of other people angry. That’s about them – not the overweight person they are shaming.
I’m going to choose to believe Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
I don’t know why I overeat. Oh I know the standard answer: I have a hole in my heart that only God can fill, but I’m filling it with food. But here’s the thing: That is shaming, and I don’t think shaming people gets them to change. (At least it’s never worked in my life.) In the past ten years I have been fifty pounds heavier than I am now, and I’ve also been fifty pounds lighter. My weight didn’t correspond to my prayer life or my bible reading. I don’t have the answer, but I’m not going to give up trying to figure it out.
This is the thorn in my flesh. This is the most humbling thing in my life. This situation right here? This is the thing that I pray about and struggle about and talk to God about. In some ways, this has been the thing in my life that has made me run to God and fall on my face like nothing else ever has.
So here’s what I’m going to do: keep talking to God and trying to figure why I am the way that I am. I’m going to keep trying to believe that God loves me the same way that my husband does: He loves me just as I am. AND He wants His best for me. There is no “but” between those two statements. It is possible to be overweight and totally adoringly loved by God.
Am I alone in this? If you struggle with your weight, do you know that God loves you exactly as you are this very moment? Do you know He is not waiting for you to be “normal” before He will love you? I want you to know you are adored. You are cherished. You are a delight to Him who loves you more than you will ever understand or know.
I have to work on this every single day of my life – this knowledge that God loves me just like this. I pray that it becomes a reality for you and for me.
by kathilipp | Mar 4, 2013 | Uncategorized |
Friends – as some of you who I hang out with on Facebook know, it’s a busy week. I’m doing radio and TV interviews, (and because of the TV interviews, I look a little like Mrs. Doubtfire under my clothes – all girdles and Spanx…)
I’ve asked for prayer on Facebook, and now I ask if of you.
Pray that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in my meetings, my words, and my conversations.
Pray that I would use Godly wisdom in all that I do.
And let me pray for you.
Please put in the comments below how I can be praying for you. I will. I want to lift you up as you have done for me.
Love you all. Really.
Kathi
by kathilipp | Feb 20, 2013 | Home |
KarenEhman.com
Funny, smart and real Karen is the deal. She’s with Proverbs 31 (so you know she’s good!) And can I tell you, I could spend hours on her amazing site, but let me give you a little cheat sheet:
If you are struggling with piles of papers, check out Karen’s Brain in a Binder (LOVE THIS…)
More of Karen’s Freebies Be sure to check out her Twenty 30 Minute Clutter Busting Ideas
askannamoseley.com
This is one of those sites that you come across when you’re googling questions like “How do I clean out my washing machine?” and “How do I get rid of a urine smell?” (If you’ve never googled this question, you’ve obviously never raised boys.) There is a lot of cleaning advice, a lot of organizing advice, and some good old fashioned genius advice. One of my favorite things is her Cleaning Checklist Printables (go ahead… go get them, I’ll wait…)
Something I LOVE: Anna is the daughter of a friend of mine, but I stumbled upon her one day when I was googling “How to clean between the glass on your oven door?” And this post popped up. Genius.
OrganizingPro.com
Marcia has been in the organizing game for a while and knows all the tricks – and she shares them with you – the organizing mentor you never had but desperately needed. One of my very favorite things about her site is all her great, funny and informative videos (warning, you could spend so much time watching her videos, you may just forget to cook dinner, as just a random example…)
Some of Marcia’s Great Downloads
And two more…
One Good Thing by Jilleee Great resource for all things homemade.
Becoming Minimalist Not really an organizing site, but when you have less stuff, you have less need to organize it all. LOVE this inspirational blog.
Tell me your best organizing tip (and feel free to steal from one of these sites and share it with us!) and you will be entered to win today’s prize pack of three books:
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
Simplify Your Life: Get Organized and Stay Organized by Marcia Ramsland
and my book The Get Yourself Organized Solution.
Enter by Friday, Midnight – US shipping only.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!
by kathilipp | Feb 19, 2013 | Home, The Get Organized Project |
Get your free PDF download on organizing your laundry area. This is a 4-page excerpt from Kathi Lipp’s popular book: The Get Yourself Organized Project.
Get Your Free Copy Here
I’d heard of several people making their own liquid laundry detergent, but there was mixing and boiling involved and I thought “Ugh. No Thank you.” But ever since I’d read how much people were saving making their own detergent, every time I picked up the giant tub of suds at Costco and had to pay way too much money, it made my budget very, very sad. (I mean, you could buy three Costco Whole Roasted Chickens for the same price!) So when I saw a couple of people come out with this powdered Laundry Detergent recipe I knew I had to give it a try. Smells great, works great, super easy to make, and I got all the ingredients for under $35. (And I expect it to last at least six months.) The first question everyone asks me is “Are you sure it’s safe for HE washers?” All I can say is that I have scoured the internet looking for anyone who has had a problem with it and have yet to find someone. The main concern is that for HE washers you want a detergent that is less sudsy. Well I’ve sat there and watched my laundry go through a cycle with a store bough HE detergent and this homemade version, (and no, I don’t have better things to do with my time…) and the sudsing was identical. But, if you are of the super-paranoid variety, $12 a month is a small price to pay for peace of mind. My hubby is super skeptical of “alternative” anything, but even he was convinced to give this a try. So far, we are loving it. (Update – we’ve been using this recipe for over six years and have NEVER had a problem with it. So take that for what it is…)
How to Make Homemade HE Laundry Detergent
Ingredients
Please visit the amazon.com links below to find the latest deals! 3 bars Fels Naptha, grated ($1.33 x 3) 1 box Borax ($5.75 – 76 ounces) 1 box Washing Soda ($4.00 – 55 ounces) 2 cups of baking soda ($0.65 cents) 2 containers of Oxyclean ($12.99 for 7.2 pounds) 1-2 containers of Purex fabric softener crystals ($6.97 – 28 ounces) (One bottle was plenty of smell for my gang!) We found all of the ingredients to make homemade HE laundry detergent at Target and at Amazon. I was not very patient to try this out, so I bought all the ingredients right away. Now I’ll be watching for them to go on sale to try and keep the price down even more.
Directions for making Homemade HE Laundry Detergent
1. Start by grading the Fels Naptha. I see that most people do this with a hand grater, but the soap is not that hard and I was able to use my food processor to grate it all up. Most people want it more grated (and would use a different blade,) but I loved the cheesey look of it.
2. Next, mix grated soap and the rest of your ingredients together. It seems that most people mixed right into the tub where they were going to store their soap. I wanted to make sure it got completely mixed up, so I used a big black garbage bag lining my bucket and poured everything in there. (Another hint: do this outside! All the powder can be a lot to breathe in.) Gather up the top of your garbage bag and keep tossing all the ingredients over and over until fully mixed.
And here is your finished product. Store soap in a sealed container with a scoop. I transfer what I’ll need for a month into a smaller jar to keep in my laundry area. Use 2 Tablespoons of detergent for every load of laundry. Make sure to put the detergent DIRECTLY INTO THE TUB, not the detergent dispenser.
There are so many things I love about this homemade detergent. It is the ultimate Clutter Free way to do laundry:
- It’s Cheaper: I’m estimating this will save me between $80-$100 over then next 6-9 months
- Less Packaging: better for the environment
- Less Lugging: I hate with a fiery passion lugging all those giant items home from Costco, but love that I can pick up these small items and keep the tub in my garage
- Never Running Out of Laundry Soap – Priceless
And if you’re looking for a liquid detergent recipe, check out One Good Thing by Jillee And for a great stain removal system, check out how my sister-in-law gets out stains every single time. Q4U: Have you made your own laundry detergent before? Do you have other great, ideas about how to keep your bills down? Share them in the comments below. Get your free PDF download on organizing your laundry area. This is a 4-page excerpt from Kathi Lipp’s popular book: The Get Yourself Organized Project. Get Your Free Copy Here
by kathilipp | Feb 17, 2013 | Home |
Kathi here: You know that I’m all about getting organized, and the fastest way to get organized is to GET RID OF STUFF. But it’s easy to get stuck when you don’t know what to do with all that STUFF. Plus, anytime I can buy something used and skip the manufacturer creating something out of new materials, it’s a win for everyone. So I asked my friend Jen, the owner of The Lollipop Market (a high end children’s consignment shop in my hometown of San Jose,) to share with us the basics of getting ourselves organized and making money with consignment. In the comments below, I would love to hear your best tips for consigning or other ways to get the most out of your children’s clothes.
If you are not familiar with seasonal consignment sale shopping, lean in, because I’m about to let you in on a few secrets that could dramatically cut your expenses.
Since I started shopping and selling at consignment sales 4 years ago, I have spent less than $150 a year, per child, on clothing, shoes, and costumes for my daughters. Along the way, I’ve learned a few secrets of successfully shopping and selling at consignment sales. I’d love to help you get organized to do it too!
Consignment shopping combines all the best parts of ebay, craigslist and garage sales: highly discounted prices on gently used items – without the worst parts: shipping fees, no-shows, and limited selection.
5 Things Every Shopper Should Know:
- Bring a list of exactly what you need. To do that, you need to know what you already have. Take the time to go through next season’s clothes. Then, you can see exactly what you need and you won’t end up with 15 pairs of shorts, but no jeans/skirts or shirts that match.
- Take the time to match outfits with shoes! Shoes are expensive, and you can find some great deals at consignment sales. Make a list of what types of shoes you are missing for each child. For example: this spring/summer my 3 year old has white sandals but needs flip flops, nicer buckle shoes, and pink sandals would be nice.
- Volunteers shop first, so get involved. The best stuff goes quickly, so shop early. Think you don’t have time? Most consignment sale owners will barter with you. Offer to distribute fliers, put up posters, bring snacks, or come up with your own idea. Be creative and save some big money!
- Shop from oldest to youngest. The larger sizes will have the smallest amount of inventory, so if you are shopping for multiple children, shop for the oldest child first and work your way down.
- Shop the sizes bigger and smaller than your children actually wear. Brands fit very differently, and you will find more deals by shopping more broadly.
Now, let’s talk about selling. The biggest benefit of consigning at seasonal sales is that you get to keep a higher percentage of your earnings than at traditional brick & mortar consignment shops.
3 Things to Make Your Consignor Experience a Snap:
- Start early! Set apart one week to gather. The next week, hang. Then, sort by size/sex, price and finally pin tags on. Don’t save everything for the last minute! I’ve posted a room by room checklist HERE.
- Price fairly. Pricing is highly subjective, and can be difficult to navigate. A great pricing resource can be found HERE. Remember that shoppers are at the consignment sale to find a deal, so don’t lose a sale over $1.
- Match sets together. As a rule, outfits sell better than individual pieces. Groups of 2 shirts or shorts sell better than individual ones. UNLESS it’s brand new or super cute, give someone a deal on a group of items.
Want to find a consignment sale in your area? Consignment Mommies is a great resource and you can search by zip code. Happy shopping and selling this consignment season! Jennifer Scoggins owns The Lollipop Market, an upscale seasonal consignment sale in San Jose, CA.
