Any LC's in Bakersfield, CA?

[twinzie02]

I know that LC has grown in leeps and bounds. I am looking for moral support in my area. I love reading the various posts. All is so encouraging and beneficial.

I have been going through my closets and I have a huge pile of clothes that I would love to donate to someone else in need in my area. I know the economy is so tough right now and thought somebody else might be in the size range I have ungrown. haha. I have sizes ranging from 16-18 depending on the style, 1X, 2X and a couple of 3X's. Nice clothes...hardly show any wear.

Anybody in my area with items in the 14 range? It is crazy...some of my size 16's are way to big...but size 14 appears to be too small in most styles. Is there such thing as 13???haha.

[twinzie02]

OOOPs...I mean size 15 Wish I was 13 already.

Got to give up those Sno-Shack cones on the weekends. I asked if they had Sugar Free and they said because of Liabilities they could not offer sugar free. WHAT!!! What is the world coming to that they can't offer good for you choices. She said they couldn't take a chance on accidentally giving a non-sugar free drink to somebody. How do the restaurants get away with it then???

[Ilpirata]

well this isn't helpful but there ARE sizes 15 and 17 but they're juniors sizes so they don't fall between womens 14 and 16 if that makes sense.
Good for you on ungrowing and finding a new home for your clothes! KUTGW

[Kris T.]

A great place to post is craigslist. With free things you don't even have to be home.

You can also visit a local battered womens' shelter and see if they can use them. Also, not sure what they're called, but sometimes there's places that help homeless women find jobs. Good luck and congrats on the loss!

[twinzie02]

Thanks for the comments.

Wow...the possibility of going into JR sizes? It has been forever since I have been below the 200's.

Craigs list...I have heard about it. Will have to do some research on that.

I was trying to locate a consignment store in my area...but they just aren't here anymore. My hubby is in construction and it is about dead in our area. Times are tough as we try to make ends meet. Was hoping to find some people in the area that we might be able to do swaps with. The ribeyes are replaced with hamburger and tuna and shopping is done at Winco and I bag my own groceries now. Let's pray that things improve soon.

But I have something to lift me up. I am losing and I feel so much better than I did.

[Kris T.]

Times are tough, I agree. One of the great things about Atkins though, at least for our family, is that it's faster (and cheaper). I'm not spending money on the junky extras.

I'm in Dublin, and we have Plato's, a consignment store. Are they by you too? I'd suggest eBay, but I'm rather fed up with them.

Craigslist also has various swaps, but use extreme caution (i.e. making sure your DH is around).

A few moneysaving things I do (the list is endless, but here's the major ones).

-walk or bike whenever possible
-open the windows and use blinds to block sun (we haven't had the a/c or heat on since Feb., I think?)
-I hang all of my laundry
-We use only cell phones, cheapest plan, no landline
-Basic cable, get movies free from the library.

Those small changes, plus shopping the perimeter of the grocery store has helped immensely. I also watch for sales and will go together with a girlfriend to split the cost of large quantities of items i.e. 36 eggs; things that would spoil before one family could eat it.
-I also check the sunday ads online, so we don't get a Sunday newspaper anymore.

I work from home, so my income is more supplemental than anything, but we've learned to live on the cheap!! I think of it as a game. Me against "the man".

[twinzie02]

Kris T- Platos...I know they have one here...but I thought that was a young girls hip store. Do they carry bigger sizes too? My clothes are not the high end brands. Don't they usually carry high end brand names?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I live in a desert-like area north of Los Angeles. We reached a heat wave last week at 113 degrees. No opening the windows for us. I think it got down to 97 by midnight. But back to the 98 range this week. Should be able to hang things to dry with that one. haha. We have considered letting our landline go. Take another look at those items that are truly "must haves" and ruling out those "Wants".

[Charski]

I also highly recommend Freecycle, which is a Yahoo group. You can give away your unneeded items as well as get somebody ELSE'S unneeded items - you can respond to their posts for things they want to give, or you can post your own "wanted" item. I LOVE it and have gotten some really cool things (burr coffee grinder, ceramic turkey table accessories for Thanksgiving, small metal detector which helped me get up all the nails from our roofing job, etc.) as well as rid our house of unwanted items. Check it out!

[Kris T.]

Platos...I know they have one here...but I thought that was a young girls hip store

It may be, I've only driven past it. I guess a phone call would be the way to go.

I agree with you with the needs vs. wants! Stay cool!

[twinzie02]

Sorry for the delay...been swamped at work and too tired to get on in the evenings.
Thanks for all the great helpful hints. I will check out the Yahoo site. I did go to one of the gals in my office who is always complimenting me on my clothes. She is a little heavier than I am and I asked her if she would like to go through some of the clothes that I have "Ungrown". I told her I didn't want to insult her or anything...but thought she may be interested. She was very grateful as she supports her elderly mother and daughter. I was glad I asked her. Thanks again for the posts.

[Kris T.]

Glad they found a new home! I love being able to recycle things too.