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Feb 12, 2025    |       6 comments

A New Barter – Website for Boarding

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We’ve used the same boarding facility since we got the dogs here in Georgia. They are absolutely amazing. And that has been rewarded with tremendous growth.

Ya’ll would laugh if you heard the owner and my recent conversation about number of dogs. When we started using them, they were a married couple who both worked in the medical field and boarded dogs on the side and bred French Bulldogs.

Here we are 7-8 years later, they’ve grow exponentially, so much so that it’s now the husband’s full time job. They’ve expanded their offerings to include grooming and doggy daycare. And they’ve quit breeding dogs and had two human children.

The owner was recently lamenting their now 7 dogs plus one cat. We both agreed it is too much. (I know, I know you all fully agree.)

Barter

I created their website several years ago in a barter for dog boarding. And now he’s ready to do it again. Score!

I have 3-4 more trips between Georgia and Texas this year:

  1. March – house on the market and taking Jake (80lb retriever to live with Gymnast now that he has his own apartment)
  2. May – Princess graduates and the family is all coming to town
  3. Jun-Aug – housesitting for Princess while she does orientation for her new job (originally this was required because Jake lives with her, but since he is moving to Texas this is just a possibility)
  4. October – Beauty gets married!

While I don’t need 7 dogs boarded any longer. I will have 1-2 with me. Having boarding time banked for these trips will be super helpful especially for Cali who is my old lady. She prefers to lay in the sun and be fed rather than travel around.

Addie and Cali enjoying a snooze in Hope's bed

We are finalizing terms. But it’s nice to know that I will have boarding time for the dog(s) should I need it. This is also a great to rebuild my website portfolio as I continue to re-vamp and grow my consulting business again.

Bartering for the Win

Over the years, I have bartered for homeschool tuition, Tae Kwon Do for all 4 of the Virginia kids, competitive gymnastics training for Gymnast, and so much more. If you have a skill that is in demand, this is a great option to get things you want or need without having to come up with money. Life safer for a single mom of 5!

Feb 9, 2025    |      0 comments

Facebook Marketing Place for the Win!

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As I’ve gone room by room clearing things out, making lists of things that need to be done, and packing things up, I’ve been listing anything and everything on Facebook Marketplace that I don’t plan to store or keep with me. As empty as the house already was with the kids all taking furniture and things with them, I still have alot of “stuff.”

In the past, I just packed it up and donated it. And I’m still doing alot of that. But wow, selling things on Facebook is alot easier than expected.

Take a few pictures, shoot a 1 minute or less video, write a description, and name your price and voila, making money!

Here are some of the things I’ve recently listed:

small corner bookshelf washable rug electric standing desk costume jewelry - earrings and necklaces sturdy wood picnic table - painted orange black wicker patio set black and white metal patio set pink leather crossbody bag 2 rustic farmhouse style lamps with 2 USB charging ports each 8MM projector L shaped sectional couch/sofa antique glass front china hutch

To date I have made just over $1,000 and have 10 active listings still.

Tips for Listing on Facebook

I am by no means an expert at listing things on Facebook Marketplace. But here are 5 tips I have learned in the last couple of weeks.

1. Describe the item in detail. Include measurements, condition, damages (show in pics too). I sold two rugs within minutes of listing them, the buyer indicated that seeing that they were “washable” and the measurements made it an easy purchase for her. This will save you a lot of back and forth.

2. Set a price that you are willing to negotiate. I think people see haggling as part of the fun. It’s definitely garage sale pricing, but give yourself some buffer when you list the price. And be willing to walk away if someone low balls you. (I had someone offer me $20 for the desk when they were here picking up the couch. I held out and ended up getting $60.)

3. You don’t have to have it in pristine condition. But be honest. Does it need a good cleaning? Come from a home with lots of dog hair? Been outside for years? You never know what someone is looking for.

4. Check out the buyer profile. I’ve gotten lots and lots of offers from “spam” accounts. It’s taken me a minute to catch on, but I’ve learned to ignore them. And if I am not certain, I just respond with CASH only and the spam accounts tend to remove themselves. Not sure what they are trying to get out of it.

5. Decide if you will hold an item. I have chosen to go with first reasonable offer + first come. People would say I want it, I’m coming or let’s meet, then disappear. Now I say, you message when you are ready to meet and purchase and if it’s still available, it’s yours. I don’t provide address or meet location/time until they have cash in hand and are ready to meet. The no shows are prolific. And this has definitely saved me a bunch of wasted time.

Keep on Selling

I’m down to just a few more inside items now. And just started on outside stuff yesterday. Going room to room has kept it from being an overwhelming project. I’ve got a checklist with due dates for every part of my house.

It helps me keep organized. And keeps the task of purging from being overwhelming.

I’ve not decided what I’ll do with some of the items if they don’t sell. Will I donate? Just take them to the street for someone to pick up? Or hold onto them?

I anticipate all that will be left in the house by the beginning of this next week are the things that will be going into my car when I really leave.

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