Rummaging Treasures

This rummaging season is off to a fantastic start! Since I'm trying to organize and simplify our belongings, I have quit buying things I don't need (and quit buying things in stores as much as possible) and have been instead looking for storage solutions and things to entertain kids that won't break the bank.

To entertain my oldest kid (B.A.), I found this Husker comforter dirt cheap. I washed it up and put it on our bed to humor him. He knows, though, that it isn't staying there. It is going to be our camping (fits the air mattress and matches the tent) and cabin comforter.

I found an adorable little "playhouse" for Sophie. It has all sorts of learning activities - shapes, colors, letters, numbers, songs. It has an interactive mailbox, doorbell, porch light, door, shape sorter, and lots of other stuff. It looks like new, and she's loving it.

The big kids get movies, books, and stuffed animals. I typically pay about a dime or a quarter for each of their items, and they love them. It sure beats having them nag for a $40 video game.

I bought an awesome hutch for the dining area. It replaced an older, smaller one that I hated. It fits all of our wedding plates (about thirty) plus my entire set of China from my mom in the bottom. We can display BA's Husker memorabilia and my Willow Tree guys on the top. I think it looks great. And it was $25.

I also bought a long wood shelf unit for my office closet in which to put my card/wrapping supplies. I was too impatient (and sick of painting) to doll it up right now - maybe later. It was in decent shape anyway. I got all of my cards organized, sorted my gift bags by size, have a place for tissue paper, organized bows and ribbons, and stashed my "on hand" gifts (This is a Grandma Juelfs trick.). This little storage unit did the trick. And it was FIVE DOLLARS! Cheaper than a flimsy plastic drawer from Wal Mart!

I will be sharing my bargains here throughout the summer. You should also see the classroom library I have created for my students by purchasing high interest, middle school level books at rummages for a dime or quarter. I can hardly stand retail stores anymore (well, maybe a little, but I still love buying used dirt cheap better).

Edited to add: The first picture is the "before" of the exact same spot in my office where the wrapping center is now located. So if it still looks like chaos to you, you at least have to admit it's better than it was!