Post Wide Yard Sale: Do's & Don'ts

                                         

Each time we PCS we try to do a Yard Sale to get rid of the excess stuff that we have acquired. It rids us of the junk we don't need to take with us and also provides us with some moving/travel cash.  We had a yard sale this past Saturday (which happened to be the Post Wide Yard Sale) here are some tips I have learned along the way:

Do: Try to plan your sale for a busy weekend. Most posts have the Post Wide Yard Sale on the 1st weekend of October and April. You will get the most traffic.

Do: Check the weather the week you plan to have a sale.

Do: Use advertising.  Local post sale sites like Facebook Sales and Bookoo (for your specific area) allow for Yard Sale Advertising.

Don't: Use small paper road signs. The bigger the better to read as folks drive by. Write clearly and don't try to include too much info (basically you don't need to write everything you are selling).

Don't: Use markers that run. Nothing worse than a bleeding yard sign.

Do: Stick to the basics on your signs - Address, Time and Day.

Don't: Price too high.  Be realistic about what you expect for an item. If you have an item that you think is worth something,  you are better off selling it online.

Do: Price in .25 cent increments. This has always been easier for me for change, etc.

Do: Include free items. I always have a few items with Free written on them. People love to see the word and they tend to look at everything else a little longer.

Do: Be kind to everyone. Smile, say good morning or ask if they are looking for anything in particular. Believe me, it helps.

Do: Market your stuff.  Let people know that 30 minutes before your end time you plan to do a "bag sale," anything they can get into a plastic bag they can take for $5.00. It will help get rid of those lingering items.

Don't: Be stuck on a price.  I pre-price all of my items but I am always willing to negotiate to get rid of it.

Do: Try to link up with folks on your street who will also have sales that day. It means more traffic and if you are aware of what each of you is selling you can refer when some one is looking for something specific.

Do: Have plenty of change.  I usually start with $35.00 in ones and $5.00 in quarters.

Do: Separate clothes (men, women, children). I would also suggest buying a hanging rack for dresses, jackets, pants, etc. Walmart has them for as little as $9.00.

Do you have any tips for yard sales? Please comment and add below!

Lindsay 

The Art of PCS' ing: Before Orders

           
In my first PCS article I spoke about an upcoming PCS and what you can do in preparation (even before Orders have been received). My second article was originally going to detail the items that should be completed once orders are received but since we are in the process ourselves, I thought blogging in real time about our current experiences would be more helpful.

Here are two things that will need to happen BEFORE you will even receive orders. 

1. Sponsorship: The Army has recently implemented a new standard that requires the SM (Service Member) to have a named Sponsor at the incoming duty station before Orders are issued. This means that there must be a named individual (SM) that will act as a Sponsor for you/your spouse once you arrive. Until this person is designated you won't receive Orders.

2. EFMP: If you are assigned to an overseas assignment (including Hawaii and Alaska) and you have children, all of your children must be checked for the EFMP Program (Exceptional Family Member Program). Regardless of whether or not your child is or is not in the program they must be seen by the EFMP Liason. Generally they will have an office at the local hospital. Here at Ft.Polk our kids have a scheduled appointment with the EFMP provider at Baynes Jones. Until the kids have been seen and cleared you will not receive orders.

If you are like us and you are coming up on 30 days before early reporting or leave time prior to your report date then I would strongly suggest providing proper notice to your current leasing office. Most places (whether you live on or off post) will require at least a 30 Day Notice before you plan to move out. Despite not receiving Orders you can still provide notice so that you are not penalized for short notice. I worked with military housing here at Ft.Polk so I can tell you that the process is quite simple, and as long as you come in with proper notice, they can easily work with you on any necessary change of dates once Orders are actually received.

The Art of PCS'ing: Article I

What I Know As An Army Spouse

It is always fun to read "You Know You're An Army Spouse..." aricles/posts. There are always a few ideas that I can relate to and a couple that I tend to look at crossed eyed.   I wanted to create a list of items that I (personally) know to be true.

What I Know As An Army Wife:

Things to See at Fort Polk

While Fort Polk is known for it's limitations within the immediate area, it does provide a good array of activities within the surrounding area.  One of these locations is Nachitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish). Nachitoches is a cozy town that is known for the City of Lights during Christmas, NSU and for filming Steel Magnolias.  From Fort Polk, the drive to Nachitoches will take you along LA 171 which is a winding road through a lot of wildlife. Every time I drive the route I am bound to see animals. Wild boar, cows, deer, wild turkey and my favorite wild horses.

My girlfriend Kara and her husband are avid Geocachers and managed to come across this amazing group of wild horses on one of their recent trips on 171. It is definitely worth taking the drive.

  

                                 

What's Your Relationship Contribution?

During the course of my marriage I have learned many things.  Two ideas that I have found integral for a healthy relationship have been the concept of equal contribution as well as the need to maintain a sense of individuality. 

For my family equal contribution has come in many forms. My husband has provided for the family with a career in Army and will most likely continue down this path for the foreseeable future. My contribution has come in different forms, maintaining a career, going to graduate school and more recently becoming a Stay at Home Mom. While I don't think there is a guideline for contribution in a marriage I think that each party has to provide something.   Whether it be staying at home to provide for the children, working a full or part time job/career or educating oneself, there has to be a balance to offset what the other party is giving. 

Being in the military community it sometimes gets frustrating to see only one party in the relationship giving. In my career I have worked directly with many military families and I see the quiet frustration of some of the Service Members who don't feel like their spouse is providing a balance.  I am always confused when I see a spouse that is not employed,  is not going to school has no children and still does not maintain the household or contribute in any way.   Why not volunteer in your community whether local or military?  Go to school? Learn a trade? Anything so that you are putting some sort of energy into your relationship.   I feel that doing something for yourself, your family or even your community gives one a greater sense of self and can only benefit your relationship.

I also feel like the above will help in maintaining a sense of individuality.  To be a successful couple I feel that you have to be just as successful (if not more) at being an individual. Being married definitely does not mean you have to merge and magically become the same person.  I may be a member of the military community since my spouse is a SM, but I will be the first to tell you that it is my husband that is in the Army and that my career is ...
I like that we have different careers, likes, wants, desires.  It makes us better people. We talk about different things, like his carnivorous ways and the creative ways I get my protein as a vegetarian.   I prefer to run and he loves Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and weight training - but it is in our own wants and likes that we are able to maintain a sense of self and in turn I don't go crazy every time he has to leave.

So You're On Assignment

Learning that you/your spouse are on Assignment for a PCS can lead to a lot of different feelings.  Fear, relief, excitement, sadness and nervousness are just a few of the many.  Once all of that passes it is time to get organized to ensure that it is an easy, stress free process.  A few weeks ago we learned that we were headed to Shafter in Honolulu, so here are a few steps we have taken to start our process that may help you in yours:

  

1. Start Your PCS Fund: This is a good time to stop spending and start saving for your move. Yes, the military does provide some funds for your move, but much of it will be in the form of reimbursement, so you will still need to have funds up front.  In addition to this, you will no doubt run into situations where you will not be reimbursed, so it is nice to have a seperate stash so that you aren't dipping into any savings.  A few ways to start the process are:

A. Cancel Away: Start canceling things you know you will no longer need. Land lines, magazine subscriptions, extra cable channels etc., get rid of things you can live without.
B. Sell: Every time we move we are surprised at how much we have accumulated over the last few years.  Take the time to go through each room and pick out what you don't need or want to bring with you. Have a Moving/Garage Sale or list on Craigslist or Bookoo to sell what you can to make some extra money.
C. Curb Your Spending: Stepping away from high cost outings will also help.  Think of your PCS as an extended vacation.  When you get there you will want to see what's available to you, so why not save now to enjoy later.  In addition, what you are wearing may be old to you now but moving somewhere new means it is brand new all over again!

2. Attend Your Briefings: The Army will require the Service Member (SM) to attend required briefings. Generally there will be a Levy Brief that will detail the need to do items for the PCS. If your PCS is an overseas assignment the SM will be required to attend an OCONUS Brief. This will detail the items by your location as requirements for each overseas assignment may change based on location. Spouses are actually encouraged to attend the OCONUS Brief, so if you are able, I definitely suggest attending.

3. Google: Research the area, housing, jobs, weather, BAH, etc. Make Google and blogs your friend but be careful not to rely too much on the opinions of others. Remember to go with an open mind.

Those are just a few things to think of when you start the process. Once Orders are in hand you can really start to plan based on dates.  I will detail that process in the next series.

Have questions or suggestions? Please feel free to comment.

When Complaints Are Better Than Reality

One of the things I enjoy the most about being a part of the military family is the ability to move to so many different places. I enjoy traveling,  immersing myself in new cultures and community and documenting our journey as a family. Which is why it bugs me to hear people complain about how much they hate it at "Fort (insert any location here).  I mean, I get it, it is not what you are used to. You can't get into the food, the people, the weather or whatever else...but isn't that one of the things that should be expected as a spouse or member of the military?

I feel like I can speak from experience,  considering we are currently stationed at Ft. Polk, and just about anyone who knows of or has been to Polk understands why that is.  While it is not my favorite installation, I appreciate the experience and know how to make it worth something.  While we lack the comforts of where we are originally from such as; commercial restaurants  (where the hell is the Chilis!) shopping malls, any store other than Wal-Mart, retail grocery stores, etc., we take advantage of what is here and create our own happiness.  No shopping malls means you're saving money, the weather is hotter then take the opportunity to go outdoors. Travel, explore nearby towns and learn local culture and heritage.  Bored during the day? Remember you're a part of the military family, tons of free resources! Go to a gym and take a free Zumba class, go back to school, utilize the Ed Center and library, learn a hobby. I guarantee for every complaint there is a solution.

Overall, I would hate to look back at anywhere I have been and regret not doing more or wasting my energy and time bathing in my own misery.

Currently at Polk and looking for something to do? Feel free to ask!

The Art of PCS'ing

We recently found out that we will be PCS'ing to Ft.Shafter, Hawaii.  While we are very excited we also know that there is a ton to do before we go.   Although we have 3 PCS's under our belt this will be our first overseas as well as our first with children.  I am very organized when it comes to arranging things so as we work towards our move I will document our journey in an "Art of PCS' ing" series to hopefully help others on their journey.

I will post the first chapter today.