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Archive for August, 2007

Daily Savings - Wed.

August 8th, 2007 at 01:17 am

Today I went to the library to check out some vintage toy value price guides. There is a few that I think I am going to evidently buy on Amazon "used" but for right now the library is working just great.

With the knowledge from the price guides I have been able to identify some vintage toys on Ebay that the seller did know the maker or the worth of the toy.

I think I am going to turn buying and selling vintage tin toys into a small business. It seems that many sellers on Ebay do not want to take the time to research the worth of a vintage tin toy. The information is not easy to find on-line it is mostly in books.

Oh no the horror of actually having to shut down your computer and open a book!

Vintage Toys

August 6th, 2007 at 07:59 pm

Recently, (Saturday) I bought my first vintage toy. It was a tin patriot drum manufactured by J Chein & Co. When I bought it at a yard-sale I was intrigued by its worth but after researching it I think it is more the manufacture (J Chein & Co) that intrigues me.

Here is a brief overview:

J Chein began his toy company in 1903. His trademark was all his toys were lithographed tin. He had a line of drums, coin banks, wind-ups, tops, and all his products were American made. In 1926, Chein died and his wife took over the company. She turned management of the company over to her brother Samuel Hoffman. He did very well with the company until the 1950s when the USA starting importing japanese toys. The japanese toys were less costly and competing with them caused the company to struggle financially. Even though Hoffman was already dealing with a decrease in sales he also refused to start producing plastic toys, which had become the new rage. In the 1960s the US government put limitations on tin toys because of safety reasons. Because of costliness in retooling their toys with smooth edges the Chein tin toy lines were stopped.

I love that they toys are American made and I love that faced with making them in plastic or not making them at all they chose to end their toy production line. Business-wise it was not the smartest decision but morally I think it was a wonderful decision. Hoffman felt that plastic was an inferior product and he didn't want to use it.

I am guessing with the Fisher-Price "debacle" (oh I mean) Recall that the lithographed tin toys are safer for my children to play with then the plastic lead paint toys!

Any vintage toy collectors here in "frugal world"?

To check out my other blog click here:
http://toysonsale.clubmom.com/

Weekend Savings

August 5th, 2007 at 07:59 pm

As I mention in my early post I have decided to make this a blog about my daily saving. I believe a lot of little savings can add up to big saving in the end.

On Saturday I went yardsaling. I found a Chein Tin Drum in very good condition. I am guessing that it was made in the 1950s. I plan to hold on to the drum and hopefully it will increase in value. I paid $10.00 for the drum ---who knows in thirty to fifty years how much it will be worth????

If you are curious about the drum or its significance here is the link that explains about the Chein company:

Text is http://collectibles.about.com/od/companyprofiles/a/cheinco1.htm and Link is
http://collectibles.about.com/od/companyprofiles/a/cheinco1....

I also bought 10 new in the package John Wayne VHS movies for a total of $8.00 my husband was absolutely estatic! He loves John Wayne.

I was hoping to find some canning tools yard saling but nothing....such is life.

Today I took advantage of the store sales. CVS Pharmacy was having a promotion if you buy $20 worth of Kraft products you get a $20 coupon to use towards your next purchase. I love giving my children nuts (because they are full of protein) but they are always so expensive. I got twenty dollars worth of Planters peanuts and Planters Mixed Nuts. And I got a $20 coupon to use for my next purchase.

Also at Shaw's they were selling Turkey Hill Ice Cream for $1.99 it is normally $4.50. On top of the great sale I also had a coupon for a dollar off carton of Turkey Hill ice cream. They limit you to a purchase of 2. So I bought 2 and had 2 coupons. Normally 2 would be $9.00 (oh my gosh can you imagine paying that much for 2 things of ice cream!)anyways with the sale and my coupons I got two for $1.98!



Slacker

August 2nd, 2007 at 11:55 pm

I haven't written in this blog since January. And I have to say I am super impressed with all the changes. It really is exactly the type of set-up I am looking for.

I wish to continue this blog; but use it as a way to chronicle the frugal things that I do each day. The main reason I am writing this is for my own peace of mind. To show myself that the little frugal things that I do add up big when it comes to my budget.

Frugal things I did today:

I didn't go anywhere in my car today. No gas being used.

I cleaned my house using white vinegar and baking soda. No money spent on cleaning products.

The kids went swimming in our Soft-Side Pool. It was given to me for free because it had a tear in the bottom. Nothing that a little vinyl patch and tube of cement couldn't fix. Total cost of fix .97 cents.

The kids and I had an afternoon snack of blueberries fresh from my blueberry bushes.

I used Listerine Whiting Strips for free. I am a BzzAgent and am able to get many products for free...saving my family money.

Text is http://toysonsale.clubmom.com/toys_on_sale/2007/08/what-is-the-buz.html and Link is
http://toysonsale.clubmom.com/toys_on_sale/2007/08/what-is-t...

I am really excited about chronicling my frugal deeds each day.

Till tomorrow....