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Thrift Shopping Your Way to Wealth By Barbara Tobias NABBW's Thifting Associate People often question why I continue to thrift shop … after all, I have more than everything I need. I guess it …Thrift Shopping Your…Thrift Shopping Your Way to Wealth By Barbara Tobias NABBW's Thifting Associate People often question why I continue to thrift shop … after all, I have more than everything I need. I guess it boils down to my love of the hunt. I love to scour the thrift shops and garage sales for items that can be made into something else. I enjoy creating new things out of old or used items. After all, I am a Diva and I love to change my environment … often. I’m past worrying about whether I’ve made a purchasing mistake because I hold a Diva Sale at least once a year where I sell my “m…
Barbara Tobias
July 25, 2014
The Frustrations of Our Long, Cold, Winter Can\'t Hold Out Much Longer: Not When Our Thrifty Diva Cheerily Reminds Us That "Garage Sale Season is Coming..." By Barb TobiasNABBW's Thrifting Associate …The Frustrations of …The Frustrations of Our Long, Cold, Winter Can\'t Hold Out Much Longer: Not When Our Thrifty Diva Cheerily Reminds Us That "Garage Sale Season is Coming..." By Barb TobiasNABBW's Thrifting Associate My favorite time of year is just around the corner. Yes, that\'s right, Garage Sale Season! Do you know that that means? It\'s time to start purging your home and preparing for the onslaught of sales around the city. The snow is on the ground and the chill has set in. What better reason to begin to purge those unwanted items from your home. Think of it, purge your home, hold a successf…
Barbara Tobias
February 27, 2014
The Art of Garage-Sale "Barbgaining" By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert People repeatedly ask where I shop…The Art of Garage-Sa…The Art of Garage-Sale "Barbgaining" By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert People repeatedly ask where I shop to find such fabulous finds. The answer is ... everywhere. Smart shopping is not whether you can find extraordinary things at local garage sales; rather it is a question of how and when you buy. So, let\'s talk about "the deal." Bargaining or negotiating the price of items is expected when shopping resale; garage sales, yard sales and estate sales, typically on the last day. The trick is to get…
Barbara Tobias
July 10, 2013
By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert The philanthropic movements behind most thrift shops are not always in the forefront of most shoppers’ minds as they enter resale establishments. …By Barb Tobias NABB…By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert The philanthropic movements behind most thrift shops are not always in the forefront of most shoppers’ minds as they enter resale establishments. Like many, my early motivation for patronizing these thrifty haunts was purely for the thrill of the hunt and the joy of snatching up fabulous items for a fraction of what I would pay retail. It wasn’t until I began looking behind the scenes, that I realized that many thrift organizations support philanthropic causes ranging from crisis pregnancy centers to animal rescue. They use their…
Barbara Tobias
March 7, 2013
A Vendor\'s Take On The Mile High Flea Market By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Enthralled by the grandeur of the Mile High Flea Market, I took the four-day challenge. As a shopper and as …A Vendor\'s Take On …A Vendor\'s Take On The Mile High Flea Market By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Enthralled by the grandeur of the Mile High Flea Market, I took the four-day challenge. As a shopper and as a vendor, I visited this sprawling bazaar, farmers market and antiques fair northeast of Denver on a consecutive Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is the oldest of the area\'s flea markets and a virtual Disney World for resale devotees. Earlier this year, its owners ditched a rebranding effort, so once again its official name, and the one the event launched with in 1975, is Mile High Fl…
Barbara Tobias
September 30, 2012
The Thrift-Mobile By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Years ago, I thrift shopped with complete abandon. Little thought was given to equipment, packing material or how I would get my new-to-…The Thrift-Mobile B…The Thrift-Mobile By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Years ago, I thrift shopped with complete abandon. Little thought was given to equipment, packing material or how I would get my new-to-me treasures home. Today, as garage sale season approaches, I plan, and turn my vehicle into a well-stocked machine…the "thrift-mobile." The extra coat, the bags of sand and the collapsible snow shovel (I live in the mountains) make way for an assortment of thrifting essentials. I\'ve always been fond of big, over-the-top items, so transporting monstrous finds was always a challenge. Having…
Barbara Tobias
June 18, 2012
Thrifting For Savvy Shoppers By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Most of us have less cash to burn these days, so buying other folks castoffs is a great way to save a buck … particularly wh…Thrifting For Savvy …Thrifting For Savvy Shoppers By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Most of us have less cash to burn these days, so buying other folks castoffs is a great way to save a buck … particularly when searching for short-term items. The Internet, specialty shops, bookstores, and going out of business sales carry drastically reduced items that are perfectly good for occasional needs or events. Moms-To-Be While some pregnant celebrities bare their bellies for posterity, the majority of expectant mothers are concerned with being covered and comfortable. Most can squeak by for three or f…
Barbara Tobias
March 17, 2012
The Bustling Thrift Scene … from Dicey to Divine By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert As the economy spiraled downward, Americans tightened their belts and secondhand shops made their move o…The Bustling Thrift …The Bustling Thrift Scene … from Dicey to Divine By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert As the economy spiraled downward, Americans tightened their belts and secondhand shops made their move onto Main Street. Spencer James, lead writer of the Brigham Young University Study, states that thrift shopping increases when the economy slows, and that middle class families are shopping at thrift stores with the same regularity as lower income families. The study goes on to suggest that while high-income shoppers scour the secondhand market for antiques and unique finds, the average family is …
Barbara Tobias
March 15, 2012
How I Became A Garage Sale Junkie By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert It wasn\'t a planned event. I was simply curious after spotting a lopsided Garage Sale sign dangling from a post on the…How I Became A Garag…How I Became A Garage Sale Junkie By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert It wasn\'t a planned event. I was simply curious after spotting a lopsided Garage Sale sign dangling from a post on the side of a road. At the time I was a single mom struggling to eke out a living for my son and myself, so I yielded to my nosy nature and the prospect of finding a few treasures. Following the arrow with heady anticipation, my hopes were dashed as I pulled up to the house, scarred by piles of clutter strewn across the lawn. After jockeying my car into a spot across from the sale, I hesitated, real…
Barbara Tobias
March 15, 2012
The Dress By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert I\'m all grown up. And, I think I have a pretty good handle on who I am. After all, I\'ve spent years assessing and reassessing my actions …The Dress By Barb T…The Dress By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert I\'m all grown up. And, I think I have a pretty good handle on who I am. After all, I\'ve spent years assessing and reassessing my actions … my directions … my choices. Along the way, I\'ve thrown out the bad and kept the good. At least I\'ve tried to. But, some things just seem to stick and I\'m unable to shake that old feeling or experience. That\'s when I realize that, despite my efforts, I\'m still a slave to my past. One event, in particular, still haunts me. It has shadows my life in many ways … most often in the still…
Barbara Tobias
January 31, 2012
A Holiday Note from "The Diva" By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert I become reflective with the turning of the leaves and the fast approach of the holidays. During this time I am reminded of…A Holiday Note from …A Holiday Note from "The Diva" By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert I become reflective with the turning of the leaves and the fast approach of the holidays. During this time I am reminded of the days and things and people that colored my 2011 canvas. It was an amazing, pigheaded and magical year. As this last month continues to wane, I look back on the year with a bit of reflection, much gratitude and the hope for a bright future. Reflection. I reflect on what I have learned. Ah…so much. Yet, I still wonder why the lessons are so bumpy. Not that my awareness is limited … mi…
Barbara Tobias
December 8, 2011
Christmas Decorating with the Thrift Talk Diva By Barb Tobias, NABBW's Thrifting Expert I know, I know. It\'s just November…I mean the Thanksgiving stuff isn\'t out and my holiday meal isn\'t…Christmas Decorating…Christmas Decorating with the Thrift Talk Diva By Barb Tobias, NABBW's Thrifting Expert I know, I know. It\'s just November…I mean the Thanksgiving stuff isn\'t out and my holiday meal isn\'t even organized. Yet, here I am planning my Christmas decorations. My rationalization is this … it takes me a month or two to orchestrate the festive bedecking of my home in the spirit of frugal yet chic décor. I enjoy this creative holiday endeavor, and dive into producing grand arrangements with gusto. After all, I am a collector of orphans … the savior of parts … creatively pieci…
Barbara Tobias
November 15, 2011
Clutter Magnets … And, their thrifty solutions! By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Think of your home as a walk in the forest. Do you walk through an orderly, sun dappled landscape covere…Clutter Magnets … …Clutter Magnets … And, their thrifty solutions! By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Think of your home as a walk in the forest. Do you walk through an orderly, sun dappled landscape covered with fern and fauna, gazing up at towering trees with playful wildlife scampering past? Or, is your walk a study in navigation … through debris, fallen trees, broken branches and tangled undergrowth? We all want that serene, organized home that is a pleasure to walk through. However, if you are anything like me, you\'re probably suffering from an abundant collection of junk that insists on i…
Barbara Tobias
October 28, 2011
Living Life on the Cheap … A Green Case for Shopping Thrift By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Years ago, after I got over myself, and realized that where I shopped didn’t define me, I a…Living Life on the C…Living Life on the Cheap … A Green Case for Shopping Thrift By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Years ago, after I got over myself, and realized that where I shopped didn’t define me, I actually allowed myself to love the art of thrifting. I’ve always been a blissful shopper and I took great thrill in discovering the vast array of treasures hidden beneath the rubble of someone else’s discards. The hunt became my game. Another motivation was the simple fact that during that frugal discovery period … I was broke. Therefore, the realization that I could buy fabulous things for…
Barbara Tobias
September 12, 2011
Just a Little Love Affair with Thrift By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert I am the queen of the unwanted; a collector of "orphans." The truth is … I simply love to thrift! Over the years I…Just a Little Love A…Just a Little Love Affair with Thrift By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert I am the queen of the unwanted; a collector of "orphans." The truth is … I simply love to thrift! Over the years I\'ve embraced the flawed, snatched up rejects others snootily passed over, delighted in the blemished and greedily coveted any object that is defined or distinctive. Like metal to magnets, garage sales, consignment shops and thrift stores continue to lure me into their murky depths. And, on any given day I can be found contentedly combing through the shelves and musty boxes within each hallowed …
Barbara Tobias
August 17, 2011
Come on … Celebrities Holding Garage Sales? By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert What do Barb Tobias (The "Thrift Talk" Diva), Tori Spelling and Carol Burnett have in common? We all have ya…Come on … Celebrit…Come on … Celebrities Holding Garage Sales? By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert What do Barb Tobias (The "Thrift Talk" Diva), Tori Spelling and Carol Burnett have in common? We all have yard sales! Yes, it is true. Six degrees of separation be damned! I\'m in good stead. I was stunned to learn, after reading numerous reports on People.com, Omg.com, and Thefrisky.com, that real celebrities were raising serious money through holding all types of sales; garage sales, tag sales, yard sales, porch sales, divorce sales, downsizing sales, moving sales…and are now moving into the cor…
Barbara Tobias
July 15, 2011
Tips & Tricks to Shopping Thrift By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Ahhh, the "thrifting season" is in full swing! What a glorious time of year for the ardent thrift shopper.…Tips & Tricks to…Tips & Tricks to Shopping Thrift By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Ahhh, the "thrifting season" is in full swing! What a glorious time of year for the ardent thrift shopper. Now is the time for those serious about treasure hunting to pull up their bootstraps, hone their tracking skills and beseech the garage sale fairies for a bit-o-luck. It took me quite a few years, and many mistakes, to become an astute thrifter; spotting the treasures beneath the tarnish and figuring out how to bargain with a gentle hand. When I started hitting garage sales, some thirty odd yea…
Barbara Tobias
July 5, 2011
77 Year Old Woman Makes a Difference by Holding Garage Sales By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Rochester Hills, Mich: Neighborhood gives back for 19th year Here’s a tip: Whe…77 Year Old Woman Ma…77 Year Old Woman Makes a Difference by Holding Garage Sales By Barb Tobias NABBW's Thrifting Expert Rochester Hills, Mich: Neighborhood gives back for 19th year Here’s a tip: When visiting Joanne Marcil’s home, watch your stuff. Just ask her husband, Ray, who left a jacket lying around. Joanne grabbed it and sold it at her community’s Make A Difference Day flea market. When Ray later asked her about it, she just smiled. The project began in 1992 as a garage sale, raising $150 to buy high chairs for a soup kitchen. Marcil, 77, had such a good time she enliste…
Barbara Tobias
May 26, 2011
