Save $1 - $10 on Crayola, Hot Wheels, Kid Flicks, & Hasbro Games

Here are a few coupons you may want to take with you or may want to slip Santa the next time you see him.  Crayola has some pretty cool new products out, and of course you can never have too many Hot Wheels.








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Sell/Buy Used Kids Clothing & Toys: Local Options

Guest Blogger: Linda Scruggs 
RN, BSN
Linda offers fertility and pregnancy wellness services at www.MOMtility.com and is a mom to a 4-year-old and 1-year-old in Lynbrook.  On Twitter: @MOMtility. On Facebook: MOMtility


Sell/Buy Used Kids Clothing & Toys: Local Options
I am on a continuous and often unsuccessful quest to de-clutter my home.  Between my 4-year-old son and my 1-year-old daughter, I seem to be failing miserably.  At night, I sometimes look over at the large pile of toys that have acquired a large corner in my living room and see those toys all staring back at me.  I swear it is as if the toys are taunting me - sitting there in an "organized pile".  I know deep down an organized pile is an oxymoron, so I decided to take action! 

I often donate, but this time I decided to try some local shops that sell and buy gently used kids clothing and toys.  Along with some pieces of clothing that were in excellent, like-new condition with no stains, I also managed to grab some toys that were no longer being used.  I have tried each of the stores listed below multiple times and present my overall experience for each. 

Once Upon A Child (Seaford)
The location in Seaford is very busy.  Each time I have sold items, I have signed my name into a book and had a wait between 10 - 35 minutes.  While waiting to see what items they would accept to buy, I have looked around to see what they are selling.  The store itself is overstuffed.  The clothing racks are organized, but very full.  The larger toys (ride-on, push toys, exersaucers) are sitting up high on a top shelf above the clothing.  It was not an issue to see them but you have to ask a store clerk for help to get the item down to really get a good look at it. 

Positives:
+ I purchased a used Fisher Price Learning Home toy for $35.00 (retails for $89.99) in perfect condition.  The items they sell are priced very reasonably and you can really get a great deal even on an exersaucer or stroller.  They have a very large selection of items.
+ Great selection of books can be found and are priced at $1.50...a huge savings from buying them new at Barnes & Noble or at Target. 
+ Quick turnaround: if you want something and don't see it one day, there is a good chance it will be there if you frequently go back.
+ I have called the store in advance looking for a specific item (so I didn't waste a trip) and they were very helpful and willing to hold it for me until later in the day.
+ Most of my items have been accepted for purchase including baby shoes.

Negatives:
- The price they pay for your item is not much.  I had brought a brand-new Under Armor track suit with tags and they offered $4.50 for it.  I decided to keep it instead.  You'll be disappointed if you expect more than about $3.00 - $5.00 per item you sell.  On the flip side, I have purchased many used toys in excellent condition for $4.00 and up. 
- The store is cluttered and you will likely have to wait to be helped.

Marshmallow Kids located in Mineola
A smaller selection than Once Upon A Child, but very clean, organized, and not crowded.  The owner has been extremely nice each time I have visited.  It is more relaxed and in my experience, she judges the items she accepts carefully. 
+ Clothing is organized, well-priced, and a very good selection without having to search through messy racks. 
+ Low-key store with friendly owner and very well-maintained. 
+ Less is more.  All items appeared to be in good condition and you can find what you are looking for without having to wait.
- Parking can be a little tricky (metered).
- Not a huge selection so if you are looking for a particular item, you may have better luck elsewhere.

Kidz Stuff 
I have visited this store the same amount of times as the other two listed above.  Each time I have found the store to have many items, but quality can really vary.  The owner has been nice, but the store is the least organized of the 3 I have mentioned.
+It is in Valley Stream, it is local!
+Items that likely would not be accepted elsewhere depending on the condition, may be accepted here.
+ Items are priced very reasonable.
- Pieces you bring in will be bought at a very low price. I sold a brand-new baby tub and received $2.00.  $2.00?!
- Parking can a little difficult.
- The store and items could probably benefit from a cleaning.  I came across a few items I was interested in but the condition was not gently used but very used. 

Is it worth it? If you are looking to clear out some space and/or buy some items, it is worth a shot.  I have had great luck buying used toys and have saved A LOT of money that way.  As far as selling items, I think I still prefer to donate. :)

Favorite Things: StinkyKids

Last week, the kids and I travelled to the historic Madame Alexander Doll Company in Harlem for a Mom Blogger luncheon with Britt Menzies, the creator of StinkyKids.  If you haven't already heard of them, StinkyKids is the brainchild of mompreneur Britt Menzies who one day did what all of us moms do everyday.  She answered one of many requests she probably receives in a day be it a request for juice, a snack, or a painting of her daughter as a ballerina. The latter request has proven to be pretty significant turning it into a life-changing experience.

The award winning first book, StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors, is now available for purchase at Barnes and Noble or on www.bn.com.  I read this book to the kids, courtesy of Britt herself, as we laid in my bed with StinkyKid Billy and StinkyKid Britt.  Both the kids and I loved this story which is about Britt, the doll not the auther who is a brunette, soliciting the help of other StinkyKids to help remove the gum from her hair.  Kids and gum are a bad combination so I'm sure you know how this story ends up.  Not giving it away too much, let's just say the way Britt looks on the cover of the is not how she looks at the end of the story.

De-clutter Your Play Room and Donate Your Toys

How hard is it to get rid of the toys your kids no longer play with? HARD!! It's very difficult to find organizations these days to accept your used toys. Here is a shortlist of organizations that will accept your toys and other donated items. Big Brothers Big Sisters will be in the neighborhood June 3rd so call them today!

Donate your used toys and children's clothing to:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
Donation Line: (631) 234-0000
http://www.bbbsli.org/
Accepts children's clothing (all sizes), toys - games/tools, bedding, and other items.

Vietnam Veterans of America
Donation Line: (631) 582-0242
http://www.wepickup.org/
Accepts toys, small furniture, and other items.

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Donation Line: (888) 445-8787
http://www.lupuspickup.org/
Accepts toys - games, clothing, bedding, and other items.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

It's Spring cleaning time and what easier way to get rid of clutter than to donate it? One man's trash is another man's treasure, right? Lupus foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and other organizations make it so easy for you by mailing you a plastic bag to put your goods in. Not only that, they even come directly to your door to pick up your items and you don't even have to leave your home. How is that for community service?

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (They take toys-games!)
Scheduled to be in Valley Stream on Thursday, May 26th. Click link to schedule a pick up.

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Big Brothers Big Sisters (please check back for link)