By Barbara Tobias NABBW’s Thifting Associate 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 corridors of high-rise apartment buildings... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

Thrift Shopping Your Way to Wealth By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert 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 “mistakes”... Read More

Tossed and Found: Where Frugal is Chic Author: Barb Tobias www.thrifttalkdiva.com Reviewed by: Anne Holmes for the NABBW Who hasn’t been to – or held — a garage sale? In the United States, they are a spring and summer tradition. They’re usually homespun events held on the weekends, with the homeowners merchandise laid out on tables in a yard, under a tent, or literally in a garage… Sometimes whole neighborhoods will get into the act, banding together to hold a much larger sale with the hopes of attracting more buyers – and ending up with more profits for all involved. Personally,... Read More

Fifteen Reasons to Fall in Love with Thrift… Cheap Doesn’t Need to be Chintzy By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert I’ve been gleefully shopping thrift for over 30 years.  But, I’ve been wearing thrift since I grew from toddler to teen … from the proverbial hand-me-downs to the secondhand gown my mother bought me when I was voted Homecoming Queen.  Needless to say, having to live on the cheap for so long, I abhorred anything thrifty during my formative years. After I was married and on the rebound from my frugal years, I only bought new; determined not to live a life filled... Read More

Thrifty Christmas Decorating By Barb Tobias, NABBW’s Thrifting Expert I am a collector of orphans…the savior of parts.  I love to put together all the unloved pieces that people throw away and make masterpieces.  And, no season brings more opportunity than the holiday season. I begin my decorating by pulling out all my Christmas finds and begin sorting, purging and grouping “orphaned” items that will be used to fashion holiday displays. This year I made a splendid centerpiece from odds and ends collected throughout the year from various thrift venues…garage sales, flea markets... Read More