I Heart Craigslist. And Goodwill. And Garage Sales. Oh My!

A picture of my cubbies. The picture is from the Craigslist post.

At the beginning of the summer, I put together a list of things that I wanted to get for Montgomery Academy. I priced it out to buy these things new, and well, it was going to be VERY expensive.

So I started going to garage sales, thrift stores, asking friends, and checking Craigslist. Now that school is just a few weeks away, here is what I've managed to get.

Here's the list -

** A Little Tikes or Step2 climber - check. Purchased off Craigslist.

** Cozy Coupe - check. Purchased at Garage Sale.

** A plastic picnic table - check. Purchased at Garage Sale.

** A sandbox with a cover - check. Given to me by a friend.

** Wood bookcases from 2 shelf to 5 shelf - Bought two at garage sales, and my sister gave me another one. Could use one more.

** Wooden toys for children Zero to 5 - Got several at thrift stores. Could use a few more.

** child-sized indoor table - check. Purchased at Garage Sale.

** Wood trays, especially with handles - Got several at thrift stores. Can always use more.

** Writing table - check. Purchased at a Garage Sale.

** Art or music materials - Didn't manage to get any, but do have some existing materials.


More long shot items

** window well covers for larger window wells - decided I didn't need them

** 2-3 daycare cots - check. Purchased off E-bay.

** cubbies for coats/backpacks, etc. - Check! Purchased off Craigslist today!

** large corkboards - still need

** A laptop - can be older. But needs to work! and be able to be able to used with a wireless router. - still need, but have a chance to get one through Mr. F's work (they do a computer lottery every year or so.)

So far, total, I have spent just over $200, with the bulk of that going towards the climber and the cubbies. If I had bought either the climber or the cubbies new, just one of them would have cost well over $200. Here is a link to similar cubbies.

I really didn't think that I would manage to get most of the things off my list by buying them used, especially the cots and the cubbies. But with persistence, patience, and good old-fashioned luck, Montgomery Academy is going to have many new and exciting things this fall!

Thrifting for Montgomery Academy

I started going to thrift stores a few years ago, but it was to fill in the gaps of clothing that I didn't have for my children. Last year, inspired by My Montessori Journey, I started going to thrift stores and garage sales to get things for Montgomery Academy. It is so much fun! And I'm able to get SO much for so little! Also, this summer, I posted on my other blog that I was looking for things for Montgomery Academy, and I've had several people loan or give me things for free, and I've also done some "curb shopping" too. Check out my other blog for pictures of those items.

Here are some pictures of some of my recent finds for Montgomery Academy:

Wood bowling set - I found it (well, actually my sister found it) with all 10 of the pins. The other 7 are in the drawstring bag. 50 cents.

Books from a recent trip to Goodwill. Tomie A. dePaola Mother Goose book $1, How Things Work $1, Animals and Nature $1, The Mitten (hardcover)$1, Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cookbook (1975) $1, How to Draw People and Animals 25 cents, Julius 25 cents, Discovery Toys Stacking Cups 50 cents, and a Wood Tray 75 cents. Total $6.75.

Books from a recent trip to another local thrift store (my new favorite one!) The Little House 50 cents, Dear Mili 50 cents, Do Pirates Take Baths 25 cents, Treasure Island 50 cents, Mother Goose board book 25 cents, The Yearling 25 cents, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe 25 cents, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm 50 cents, and The Prince and The Pauper 50 cents. Total $3.50.

Discover Toys Roll and Play Game. You roll the cube, and then pick a card that matches the color on the top. This toy is intended for toddlers, but it would be easy to extend this to preschool or even elementary aged children by making your own cards with appropriate level cards. $1

Globe. $3. It is just like the one that I saw in the local school shop recently, except that one was selling for $50.

Also, our local homeschool association just had their first annual Curriculum Sale, and I was able to pick up Saxon 6/5 for $35, Saxon 2 for $1.50, Abeka Language A for $10, and Story of the Orchestra for $5.