Want to declutter and make a little extra money? Garage sales are a great way, but they can be so much more … as Red pointed out to Black last year …
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Thanks for the accounting of your garage sale. But, given how many hours you spent preparing for it, and then the actual sale itself, did you calculate how much you “earned” on a $/hour basis? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | No, all I know is that it seemed to take forever to go through everything in Mom’s house and decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate. And what to trash. As far as the garage sale, I’ll give you your half the next time I see you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Keep my half. You did all the work. I did not even offer to help. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | And that was a big help. Thank you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Obviously, you must be exhausted because you are making no sense. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Sorry, but I have a specific way of running garage sales, and the last thing I needed was another “cook in the kitchen” . |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Not a good analogy as “cook” is a four-letter word that I do not use. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Cute. But seriously, I knew if I had asked you to help, you would’ve. But I can only imagine how you’d have reacted when you first saw all the stuff for sale. Especially as I treat garage sales as a way to get rid of items that I know have very little value. I’m not trying to maximize the money I make; I’m just trying to make the stuff “go away”. In fact, I don’t even put prices on them. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | That all makes sense. Except for not having everything pre-priced. That would drive me crazy. How do you know what to charge people? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | It’s an experience thing and another reason why I didn’t ask you to help. I have a sense of prices, but not something I could quantify in advance. When someone arrives, I tell them that everything’s cheap and give them an example. They usually look at me like, “Wow, she means it.” And then I tell them to collect what they want and that I promise to give them a good price. And I do. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Is that why you and Mom never had joint garage sales? I cannot imagine she would let you determine prices on the spot. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Actually, she’s the one who “taught” me not to price things. That if someone picks up something or you see them looking at it, they’re interested. And that’s all you need to know. Where we differed was in how much to charge. To her, it was fun, but also a way to make money. To me, a garage sale isn’t my retirement account. It’s my way to get rid of stuff, especially big, bulky stuff. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | In other words, people are paying you to haul off your trash. Or, save you trips taking stuff to your local thrift stores. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Exactly. Although I still take a lot of items to thrift stores that would probably sell for a decent price at a garage sale because I believe in what they’re doing, and I know that my donations make a difference. But I forgot how fun a garage sale can be, meeting people and laughing, just making connections, and knowing that someone will now enjoy and/or use your things. Or, in this case, Mom’s things. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Is there a particular age group that came to your garage sale? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | It was truly a mix of people. Not counting the kids tagging along with their parents, which reminded me of when the girls would set up a lemonade stand to benefit Make-A-Wish at my garage sales years ago, they ranged from 20-somethings to senior citizens. But I’m almost afraid to ask why you asked. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I will not get into studies and statistics, but younger people are really into the environment and reusing older things, especially clothing (which is one of the three “new” R’s – reduce – reuse – recycle ). So, garage sales, along with thrift stores, are becoming more popular than ever. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I love it! And the idea of so many of Mom’s things, now that she’s passed, will get to live on and be enjoyed by others. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | At the risk of sounding like a MasterCard commercial , there are some things that money cannot buy. Like sentimental value and fond memories. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I know. Which is why the process of sorting everything was so time-consuming. Interestingly, when that came up in conversation during the garage sale, so many people could relate and then shared their own stories. It was as if they wanted me to know that Mom’s things were getting a good home. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, if you add that to the cash you made, it sounds like a very successful garage sale. Hopefully, the next sale, being an estate sale with larger and higher-priced items, will be as successful. And, although I tried to get you to use a professional “estate sale” company that would do everything for you, I am beginning to understand why you decided to do it yourself. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | The hardest part was culling and organizing, and there was no way I’d let strangers go through all of Mom’s things. And the internet makes “advertising” the sale and posting items online very easy. All-in-all, there’s no reason we can’t do it ourselves. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | We?! |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, because your ability to combine photos into a single image and correct my grammar is important. But your spreadsheets will be critical. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Now, that I can do. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | As you know, I love history, but I appreciate many people don’t. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I am one of those people, so not sure where you are going with this. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Exactly. So, when you first wanted to talk to me about the history of credit cards, I should have known something was up. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Or, at least been curious. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | How was I supposed to know it would make a difference in my life? |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Why else would I want to give you a “history lesson”? |
Red assets.rebelmouse.io | I don’t know. But in my defense, my husband had just gotten fired, and I was freaking out about a million things, so wasn’t in the mood for a history lesson. And when it came to dealing with our credit cards, I just wanted to be told what to do. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I found it ironic since you always tell me understanding history is critical to understanding how we got to where we are today. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That’s in the context of world events, not my personal life. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | The logic holds in both scenarios. That is why I insisted you learn about the history of credit cards. I knew it would help you. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Help? It ultimately made all the difference. Not only to me but also to the students we taught at KIPP Houston High School and the hundreds who attended our many student presentations. Not to mention countless adults because most of our speaking engagements include a segment on credit cards. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It all started in the 1920s with gas charge cards, which were marketed to traveling salesmen as a convenience so they would not have to carry cash. They were “charge” cards in that you charged your purchase and then paid in full at the end of the month. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | When you first explained it, I didn’t think much about it until you asked me where, if I had a Shell card, I would most likely buy gas. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It was a very clever business angle. Gas cards soon led to general-purpose charge cards, like Diners Club and American Express, with the companies making money off the businesses accepting them. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Growing up, I remember Daddy having a Diner’s Club card. I found it interesting you could use a little plastic card to pay for a meal instead of money. It was like magic. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Then, in the late 1950s, Bank of America … note the word “bank” … issued the first “credit” card – meaning they were extending credit to the cardholder. And, charging interest if they carried a balance. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | The first time you told me this, I thought it might come in handy if I found myself on a game show, but wondered what it had to do with my credit card debt. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | In a word … everything. Although credit cards were marketed as a convenience to replace carrying cash or having to write a check, issuers knew they were so easy to use that many people would carry balances. And, they would make money off those people. Lots of money. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Easy is an understatement. But it certainly explained our mountain of credit card debt. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Would you have looked at them differently if they had been marketed as consumer debt or financial aid? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That sounds more like warning labels than something to make your life easier. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Exactly. Marketing at its best. Not only convenience, but they were selling “priceless” experiences. Except they carried a huge price tag if you did not have the money to pay the bill in full when it arrived. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | When we taught at KIPP, that message didn’t sink in how I wanted it to. So, I told them to imagine getting dressed up, walking into a bank, and asking to speak to the loan officer. When asked the reason they wanted a loan, they’d respond with, “I saw a great pair of shoes at the mall and want to buy them” or maybe, “I want to go out with my friends to see the latest action blockbuster movie and then go to dinner.” |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, and they all started laughing. Until you told them that when they were old enough to have a credit card if they knew they did not have the money to pay the bill when it arrived, it would be no different than a bank loan, except the interest rate would be higher. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I even started calling credit cards “loan cards”, which definitely made an impact on them. When we tell that story at speaking engagements, I know it hits home for lots of men and women, even if they don’t want to admit it. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I bet many of them can relate to your initial reaction when I suggested you use credit cards as charge cards were first intended … “You mean pay off what you spend each month? Do people do that?” |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | For most of us “mere mortals,” it’s an interesting concept. And, although it may not always be realistic, it’s a new way of looking at credit cards. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Actually, it is a very old way. The original way. |
April is Financial Literacy Month, so what better time to remember the history – and true purpose – of credit cards? Not as a line of credit or endless funds to buy things, simply as a convenience tool, nothing more.
Did you know that April's Autism Awareness Month? I wasn't aware (pun intended) of it until I read our local homeowner's monthly newsletter and it caught my eye. | |
Actually, last month the founding organization, the Autism Society, changed "Awareness" to "Acceptance" to foster inclusivity, as knowing about something is very different from accepting it. But I am guessing that is not the point of this call. | |
Although it isn't autism, it reminded me of years ago when we found out that Natasha has learning disabilities. | |
I think you mean DIFF-abilities. | |
Of course, that's another thing I remember. I was focused on the negative aspects of her diagnosis until you asked me, point-blank, "Why are they called disabilities?" And proceeded to explain that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. | |
Exactly! Imagine the world if everyone excelled at math, but flunked English. Or, a world of lawyers, but no musicians. Some people are better at social skills, while others excel at handling technical data. Why not just say that people who have different skillsets and abilities have DIFF-abilities versus making them feel like they have shortcomings? |
I know that you completely changed my way of thinking, not only about Natasha but about the concept of "disabilities" full stop. It opened my eyes – and my brain – about how just because someone has challenges or limited abilities in some areas, that doesn't mean they don't have different gifts and strengths in other areas. | |
Exactly. Although autism is a "spectrum condition" meaning it affects people differently and to varying degrees, it is a complex developmental disorder that can affect a person's social skills, and ability to communicate and interact with others. However, autistic people usually possess some extremely valuable traits that are rare in non-autistic people. | |
Which is why it frustrates me that so many people feel like those with disabilities, excuse me DIFF-abilities, are "lesser" people. When Natasha was diagnosed, she was in her teens and already had a very strong personality (no doubt inherited from you) and, luckily, seemed to have an innate understanding that she was just different, not better, not worse, than others. I guess one of the biggest challenges is to get others to see things with the same mindset. | |
We are a story-telling society, and there are countless stories of people with DIFF-abilities, including those with autism, that are eye-opening and more powerful than anything we could ever say. | |
Funny you say that, as I was curious to learn more about autism and found some inspiring quotes (including a wonderful Tom Hanks clip) that not only gave me great insight but made me smile. One of my favorites was how Paul Collins, an author and parent of an autistic child, said, "Autists are the ultimate square pegs, and the problem with pounding a square peg into a round hole is not that the hammering is hard work. It's that you're destroying the peg." That's such a great way to describe not only those with autism but any disability. | |
Well, technically, it will fit, but it requires that the diameter of the circle be larger than the diagonal of the square. Basic geometry. But, I understand Paul Collin's point. | |
Talk about DIFF-abilities! Couldn't you just agree with me? | |
The thought never crossed my mind. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | As much of a history buff as I am, I’m embarrassed to admit that for a long time, I didn’t know March was Women’s History Month. But now that I do, I’m amazed by all the inspirational stories of women’s remarkable achievements. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Too bad Natasha and Sawyer do not still live at home; it would be fun to start a conversation by asking them what women they find inspiring. |
Red assets.rebelmouse.io | I already know who they would pick. The first woman to race the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And I’d have to agree with them. Your Ferrari racing has made an impact on so many people. But especially girls. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Until you mentioned it several years ago, I never thought about that. In the 1970s, I was one of the few women in business school. I then made a career in the male-dominated oil and gas industry. I am used to being a “token” female. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Trust me. I watch people whenever we’ve done speaking engagements. It’s predictable ... we put up the family tree, and Natasha and Sawyer get awws, but your two racecars get everyone’s attention. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | A Ferrari and vintage Porsche usually do. I appreciate that not many women race cars, but as I often say, “How hard can it be, boys do it?” |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That always makes me laugh. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It is a factual statement. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I’m not saying no, but it definitely makes a point. That girls can do anything. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, I have always felt that way. Looking back, my role model growing up was Marlo Thomas in “That Girl.” |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | The late 1960s TV sitcom? Seriously? I have to admit I didn’t watch it as it never really appealed to me. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Maybe you should have. Until then, women on TV shows were either someone’s wife, someone’s mother, or someone’s secretary – but never someone independent. Playing an aspiring actress living on her own in New York City, it was easy for me to relate to as we grew up just a short train ride away on Long Island. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | But she wasn’t real. She was a character on a sitcom! |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Regardless, it changed my perception of women. Here was a single woman with dreams and aspirations. And, ambition. She was willing to try new things and willing to fail. She put her career ahead of a traditional marriage with children. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That may have contributed to why I didn’t watch it. I always wanted to get married and have children, and in a perfect world, would be a stay-at-home mom. I like tradition and history. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Does “Gone With The Wind” count as history? Growing up, the character of Scarlett O’Hara was my favorite movie character. Still is. She was a dynamic, independent woman who did not leave her fate to others and pushed the boundaries of her time. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Another fictional character. Don’t you think real-life women make a greater impact? |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Inspiration comes from different places for different people. And, at different stages of our lives. Funny thing is, and I did not realize it until decades after “That Girl” was off the air, Thomas had formed her own production company, Daisy Productions, to produce and own the series. But, the ultimate badass was Lucille Ball. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I’ve always loved “I Love Lucy” and have probably seen every episode multiple times, giving me years of laughter and enjoyment. But that’s not how I’d describe her! |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | She was much more than an actress and comedian; she was a trailblazing producer and very shrewd in business. She became one of the first women to own her own TV production company (she bought out Desi Arnaz's share of Desilu Studios several years after their divorce), but also produced such TV classics as “The Untouchables,” “Mission Impossible,” and was even behind the original Star Trek TV series. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Wow, I had no idea. Talk about an amazing woman and role model. At the risk of repeating myself, she really did prove girls can do anything. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Of course, we can. If we put our mind to it. It is all about mindset and perspective. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | True. But what I find amazing is you don’t see how you’re a role model. Your entire life is full of examples of doing things girls – and women – traditionally didn’t do. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I did things I wanted to do. Plus, telling me I could not do something made me even more determined. It never dawned on me that someone might think it unsuitable or “wrong”. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Not that it would have made any difference. You’ve never cared what others think about you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | And, I doubt that will ever change. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, you should care. At least, about the impact your racing has made on young girls. I’ve seen you do in minutes what parents have tried to do for years. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Sounds like a bit of an exaggeration. |
Red assets.rebelmouse.io | Really? A friend of mine, a single dad, called me after his daughter saw you and your racecar at a Make-A-Wish event. For years, he told her she could be whatever she wanted, never getting a reaction. That night, she came home and said, “Hey Dad, I met Natasha’s aunt, she races cars, I really can do anything.” |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It is the power of showing versus just telling. |
Red assets.rebelmouse.io | So, you admit that you’re a role model! |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io |
Never.
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Looking for ways to celebrate Women’s History Month? Spend some time learning about and celebrating women’s accomplishments, including these female trailblazers who changed American education, these women who were pioneers in medicine, and these history making female scientists. Or, it can be as simple as ““women helping women” by sharing motivational stories, offering words of praise and encouragement, or becoming a mentor.