Women influence over 80% of consumer spending in North America. Our purchase veto power is 90%. In the US women sign 72% of the cheques. This is power!

Why don't we use this "purseonal " power to fight for the issues, improvements and causes we believe in? What could be better than winning a battle without changing your schedule: changing the world by just waving your magic credit card?

What are the issues that worry you when you are awake at 4 a.m.?

Waste and recycling
Climate Change
Running out of Oil
Child Poverty
Child labour
Faltering health care
Genocide
Pandemic
Daycare
War
Women's equity
Crime
All of the above?

Today is blue box day (recycling) in my neighbourhood so recycling was close to my heart at seven this morning.

If one woman's trash is another woman's pleasure then garage sales are an excellent recycling project. You can raise money for charity, network and recycle.

A Few Tips

• Garage sales or tag sales are HARD WORK.
• Have a weather plan.
• Never let anyone use your bathroom.
• Beware of group sales. It is too tempting and you may buy more than you sell!
• Don't drink orange juice and champagne before you start.
• What you paid for an item does not determine its resale price.

If you cannot hold a Garage Sale you can certainly attend one. What my beloved Aunt Jo called going saleing.

Garage Sale Savvy

1. Plan ahead by checking ads in daily and community papers and on community notice boards.
2. Purchase a local map.
3. Make a list of what you need and are willing to pay. This will make you feel mature.
4. Take lots of small change to save time paying and to entice the seller to accept your offer as she/he does not need to make change.
5. Design a route that will get you to several sales in the best neighborhoods in the fastest time. Do not drive too far as the cost of gas will cut into your bargains.
6. Wear saleing clothes. A skintight base outfit allows for trying on outfits. Comfortable, water proof, slip on shoes are essential. Sun block and a hat are important. Keep rainwear in the car.
7. Measure your doorways to make certain that bargain piano will fit.
8. Take a sale kit with you-drinks and snacks (easy on the coffee as washrooms may not be close by) a measuring tape, rope, a tote bag, wallet in a knapsack or bike pouch (frees hands for "thinking"). Basic tools to take things apart and batteries to check out toys. Binoculars are good to read small homemade Garage Sale signs and to check out a sale from the road.
9. Put newspaper and cartons in your car to pack breakables.

At the Sale

1. Arrive early but there is a difference between a slightly "Early Bird" and an "Early Vulture".
2. Carry "maybe" items with you or they will go.
3. Bargain politely. If the price is firm leave your name to be called later or come back at the end of the sale to try again.
4. Put a deposit on big items and, if possible, take a piece with you to prevent an accidental sale to another customer.
5. Leave kids at home if possible or give them a loonie and challenge them to get the best bargain.

Caution