A $32.41 Goodwill Bins Breakdown

My last foray to the Goodwill bins was unsatisfying as I left empty handed. (You can read about it HERE.) I decided I needed to head back and erase that memory.

You can see in the above photo what came home with me. Sadly, no unrecognized Picasso paintings, but I still did okay. I spent $31.55, mostly on stuff to sell, although I'm keeping a few items.

Additionally I spent 86¢ from my Goodwill gift card, so those the profits will go to the Oregon Food Bank. For my $100 Goodwill Giftcard Challenge.

Let me show you what I bought and importantly . . . why:

This lightweight, (important when paying by the pound!) BentoGo lunch box was in perfect condition and sells for $33 new. I figured this is beginning of the school year and a good time to sell such an item. Maybe for a quick ten bucks?

This Land's End canvas tote may have a random person's monogram, but that's just a matter of unpicking the stitches. Land's End's five-pocket large tote sells for $49.99, (when not on sale, although it always is!) but the plaid straps ones are discontinued, which makes this one a desirable eBay item. It has a few unraveling stitches, but I can fix that. I should be able to get $30 for it on eBay.

These lightweight, (are you catching a theme?) Umbra Buddy wall hooks caught my eye. A 3-pack sells for $25, so I figure I can sell the five of them on eBay for $20.

Lined merino wool Pendleton wool hat? Yes, please! This exact one is no longer sold, but unlined unlined knit cap sells for $48 new. I've snipped off the ratty braided trim and hand washed it. I'll use my sweater shaver to smooth out the wool. Probably list it for $20 on eBay.

This vintage Penrex/HOF desk organizer has a crack on the back, but it doesn't show so I should be able to get $30 for it on eBay. I sold a similar one earlier this year, which I bought at this exact bins location!

This knitting book is actually an entire knitting kit, complete with an instruction book, four skeins of yarn, knitting needles, a safety pin and buttons. It cost $1.59 (the cashier rang it up as a "softcover book") and sells for $40 new. The knitting supplies are still sealed and I'll sell it locally for $20.

I grabbed two of these Portland flags, as my friend's grandfather was the artist who designed it in 1969. I texted to ask if they wanted me to pick them up and received an immediate "Yes!!!!!"

Say less.

My favorite find of the day was this baggie of random drug rep pens, as they can actually sell well on eBay. (I removed the "Apply on-line at www.providence.org" pen as they're my former employer and my feelings for them are . . . let's just say not positive.) Disturbingly, the one that sells for the highest amount on eBay is an Oxycontin pen.

I paid for these separately, which came to 86¢, leaving $3.45 on my $100 gift card. My goal with the last bit of card balance is to buy low cost items that have potential for big bucks. I'm a mere $91.75 away from hitting my $1000 goal and had hoped these pens might get me there and with the right buyer this might actually be true.

Cross your fingers for me!

I also bought a few items to keep.

The 17 black velvet hangers are for this closet, which I am forever fighting against. Our 112-year-old house lacks a linen closet, a proper coat closet or any bathroom storage. As a result, the closet for our downstairs bedroom does some heavy lifting. I'd been keeping an eye out for the black velvet hangers to create some cohesion for this area.

I also bought these brass inlay coasters as I recently swapped out the coffee tables in our downstairs bedroom and living room. (I love, love, love the midcentury Danish coffee table to I thrifted for just $25, but it's simply too big for the space!) The old table had an inset tile piece, which was great for setting down a hot mug of tea. A couple backup coasters was perfect timing.

The coffee table really is "form over function" as it's also too short. Yes, this is an old photo . . . hello Zelda.

Here's the current configuration, which features an Ikea coffee table that our youngest left at our house when they downsized to a smaller apartment.

Function over form.

I forgot to add this shirt to the initial photo. It's a J. Jill 100% linen shirt and is currently drip drying on my clothesline. It's still sold and on sale for $59.99 at the moment.

It looks cuter in this photo:

Beachy.

A reminder of everything I bought, so you don't have to scroll back up:

Additionally I bought a Subaru booklet case and a Nintendo Switch case to resell.

Also to keep are a "Birthday Girl" rhinestone tiara, a handful of satisfyingly strong sewing clips, a broom/mop wall storage thingy and the plastic organizer bin, which I buy whenever I find it at the bins. (Cohesion is the key to not hideous pleasing organization.)

I estimate that I'll make $140 from the $32.41 I spent. This doesn't even factor in the items I bought to keep. The Goodwill bins really can't be beat!

I guess it's time to reorganize that closet. For the millionth time!

How did I do?

Katy Wolk-Stanley 

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

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