The Frugal Files: Seeking Abundance? Write Away!!

Hey folks!!

I try to find the significance and reason for my every experience. I learned a long time ago, that EVERYTHING happens for the reason. The previously frustrating thing about that fact is that we don’t always initially know the reason. Sometimes we never find out, but I’ve learned to trust that is it ALWAYS for my good, directly or indirectly.

I’d done some non-profit film work for a friend of mine I’ve known for years. We worked together years ago. I was happy to do it because I’m interested in both building my acting resume and community service. It was a good match. As a small token of appreciation, she gave me this beautiful yellow journal. It has brown pages, which remind me of parchment. It was bound with a cute lilac ribbon. As much as I cherished the thought and gift, I didn’t know what to do with it. As a writer and lifetime creative, I have tons of notebooks and journals. Here’s another one for the pile.

You know, I ALMOST gave it away in a freecycle giveaway, but I couldn’t bear to part with it…for some reason. I wasn’t sure of that reason, until recently. I belong to a Yahoo group called Million Dollar Manifesting Circle. I get quite a bit of mail from that group, but my own participation has become nonexistent. I receive the emails, but barely read them. One early morning, I’m about to delete them, when I got an unction to keep these specific emails. So I open them to read.

There, I was given instructions…to build and bring in wealth. The idea of an Abundance Journal was presented; for me it was born. I found a purpose for my new journal. It is my Abundance Journal. If you have a special notebook or even a bunch of scrap paper, it doesn’t matter. Start your Abundance Journal and journey today. You know anything I share, I’ve tried, or I invite you to do it right along with me. We’re all finding our way to wealth and frugalicous living!!

Here are some instructions to using our journals, many thanks to the Manifesting Circle. They are simple and easy to follow. The rest is up to you. You define your own way to wealth. It’s three painless steps:

1)      Write down how you are and have been focusing on abundance.

For instance, what did you attract today or this week? In my Frugal Sisters Yahoo group, I found I was already recording this in our daily ‘What three frugal things did you do today?” prompt. My examples are: I found money on the ground; I received an item I wanted from freecycle; I used a coupon I was given for a free sample of my favorite perfume.

2)      Meditation: Think about it and Receive it

I know this word sometimes has an intimidating connotation, mostly because we often associate meditation with gurus who do so for hours. I’m not necessarily suggesting that. I am suggesting that you take time to focus on wealth and abundance, even if just for a few moments. This is our way of believing that what we desire is possible. It’s where we envision ourselves in a more abundant state. We can see how we’re abundant; feel it. If we can conceive it, we can achieve it.

3)      Attitude of Gratitude

I added this one because it’s so important to me and hopefully to you. It’s here that we learn to truly appreciate all that is manifesting in our lives. The more grateful you are, the more you will receive for which to be grateful. It’s that simple. Abundance and prosperity is available to ALL of us, if we want it. When you began to see it unfold, mind our manners. Even as children, we were taught to say, “Thank you.” It is always the polite thing to do.

So now, we’ve learned to Ask, Believe and Receive with gratitude. Our affirmation this week is this profound one; a fortune cookie quote I saw in a Feng Shui book: “You and your world are the product of your thoughts.”

Now, go and write yourself into abundance!!

Frugalicious Diva

For more affirmations and abundance inspiration

follow me on Twitter @FrugaliciousDva

The Frugal Files: Free Avenues for Sales Part II

Hey people!!

I hope you're ready for more selling advice because The Frugalicious Diva is back to give it to you!! Did you use any of last week’s suggestions and make some extra bucks? We ran out to time last week, but I'm happy to be back to share my best selling secret with you!!

Similar to the Yahoo Groups avenue I told you about last week, I use one last way of selling online. This is my sales tool of choice: Craig’s List. It is just like YG, but has worldwide exposure without subscribing. You can even post to multiple cities and ship your items. It’s fast, easy to use and I’ve made the most money using this method.

First, read the CL rules. Then start posting your legal items for sale. Take pictures, as you can post up to four per advertisement. When you sign up for a FREE seller’s account, CL will keep track of all your posts and you can edit or delete them any time. Describe your item accurately and concisely. People want details but do not want to read a book about your item. List the name, sizes, colors and price. Once you post, sit back and wait for emails.

Same rules apply; be prompt and courteous. You might find potential buyers are not as polite, but be professional anyway. You will get spam, “interested” people who don’t follow up and others who will begin bargaining, asking for prices way less than you posted. It’s up to you how you deal with them, but make sure you are get what you want.

Next, be safe. If you call to make arrangements, block your number, by using *67 before dialing. If they don’t answer, leave a message and tell them you will try them again at a specified time. You can also opt to use a public phone. Also, when you meet up with the buyer, do so during the day at a public place and take someone with you. Use the same advice if you decide to buy from a Craigslister too. I have been to many parking lots for a successful and discrete exchange. I let them examine the object I’m selling then payment is made. You are done and everyone is satisfied. They have their item and you have your cash!!

My last courtesy is thanking them for the sale once I’m back to my computer. This act of gratitude goes a long way. It makes people smile and it opens the door for them to be a repeat buyer. I have had a few people purchase the same type of items from me repeatedly. It’s all about customer service; it still matters and it counts.

One more thing. I thought I might give some honorable mentions. They are not all free ways of selling, but have very nominal fees. So here's the list, thanks to both my experience and some friends of mine who shared their experiences.

If you have clothes or accessories, then go consignment. Beware though, no matter what the commercials say, don't be fooled into thinking they pay top dollar; but it’s something. They usually take a percentage, and usually in their favor. But for those that don't watch them count out money to you. Check out Plato's Closet for all things Teen, Once Upon A Child for kids’ items and for those with high end women's fashions, sell at Clothes Mentor. If you have sellable things, they will pay you.

Have CD or DVDs you no longer love, check out Second Spin or http://www.half.com. The latter allows for you to sell all media including movies and books.

Lastly, one of my very FRUGALICIOUS friends mentioned she loves to sell her unused stuff on Amazon. She researches the values and posts. She told me she easily receives payment with the click of a button and has never experienced any issues. The best part is that they only take a small fee ONLY if the item sells, so you can adjust your asking price accordingly.

Now, you should be convinced, that even in this economy, there is money to be made!! You can do it easily from the comfort of your own home and computer. You pick, you click, you post, they buy!! All the best to you and Happy Selling!!

Frugalicious Diva

The Frugal Files: Free Avenues for Sales

Hey folks!!

Frugalicious Diva here!! So, I just wanted to tell you my adventures with selling items online. It is a great way to make some extra cash while decluttering your life. It’s nice to donate items, especially when you know someone who can use them. However, I also understand wanting some return on the many trinkets you’ve purchased over the year. I hate that I've bought something and never used it, even though I had the best intentions at the time. It’s now too late to return it and it’s just sitting there, wherever “there” is, collecting dust.

What can you no longer use? Or no longer want? Or no longer love? Sell it. You can use ebay if you are seasoned and don’t mind the fees. I’ve never been able to master ebay and it upset me to not sell my item and I was still responsible for the fee. Now, I only utilize the free avenues and stay away from fee-based selling as much as possible. Here’s what I’ve found worked for me:

Facebook is not just for socializing, it can bring in some spare cash!! If you have enough items, I suppose you can set up a like page and sell to the people you invited to “like” your page. Otherwise, just simply post your sellable items on your personal page. When I was selling bulk items, I set up a photo album, posted pictures of what was for sale and the prices. Then I would announce on my wall I was selling it and people would inbox me to make a purchase. It worked out great and it’s easy for people to spread the word.

Now, I have posted some sales items on Twitter too, but it really didn’t yield many results. Twitter moves so quickly, your post can get lost in the endless tweets of a minute. It’s not my avenue of choice, but if you are selling the right products, this can give you favorable results. It’s definitely good promotion and that can leads to future sales of both products and services.

These last two free ways of selling have given me the greatest results and I continue to use them today. They are easy and because I use the same advertisement format, much of the work is just copying and pasting.

Yahoo Groups – Yes they still exist and are going strong. I belong to several buy/sell/trade Yahoo Groups. I decided to streamline mine to my own geographical area, but you can choose whatever groups work best for you. Go to the home page and search for garage sale and buyer/seller groups. You’ll want to join the buy AND sell groups, so you’ll have people there willing to purchase what you’re offering. Learn the following abbreviations:

FS: For Sale

WTB: Want to Buy

ISO: In Search Of (Please specify if you want to buy it or get it for free)

SOLD: This is a courtesy, letting everyone know the item you posted has been sold.

OFFER: This means the item you are offering is FREE

INFO: This means you are just sharing info, perhaps about a sale, etc.

These are helpful, courteous tips that keep the environment nice and simple. Most people will abide by the rules and will keep in touch with you. Also, these groups tend to have high traffic email, so one tip is set your mail preference to Digest. This means you get one email per day with the listing of all the mail that was sent to the group that day. If you are interested in something, you simply email the person requesting the item you wish to purchase. People will do the same for you. If they want your item, you will receive an email from them. Always be professional and prompt with your replies, so they don’t lose interest.

Similarly, I use one last way of selling online. This is my favorite sales tool and it has helped me make the most money online. It’s none other than…Oh, sorry, we’re out of time for today!!

Please tune into The Frugal Files next week, where we will explore the last Sales Tactic to Sell More. Until then…stay frugalicous!!

Frugalicious Diva