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Archive for the ‘Antiques’ Category

By now you should be aware that our economy is in a serious state of decline with 2.6 million jobs lost last year and this year starting off with tens of thousands being laid off already, and this is only January, with 11 more months to go!

You must at all cost have a plan of action in place to protect you and your loved ones from a financial disaster! And you can do this by starting a business, doing freelance work or finding some other source of income as you’re ace up the sleeve.

You will find 100′s of opportunities offering you financial security, huge some of money for little or no work and best of all they will be happy to let you in on this little secrete for a price! In reality if it’s to good to be true, it usually is!

I have done a lot of freelance work and making money opportunities such as web site design, mystery shopping, taking surveys and even being paid to read e-mail’s just to name a few! Some have been good and some not so good. I have decided to share my many experiences over time with others in an effort to help you avoid the not so good stuff!

This one I have been doing for years and for me it has been a lot of fun along with the best benefit of all making money!

I call this one “Trash 2 Treasure”! I’m talking about stuff to get free and sell! This is truly an art but you first must understand that your main goal is to make as much profit as possible on what you can get for free!

Starting out you will need to find a way to sell your product and I do this is at indoor/outdoor flea markets. I have several flea markets that I rent booths from to sell my found treasures.

But for a fee! Just kidding! All my stuff I sell I get for free! How you ask? Easy it’s called dumpster diving or for a more professional term “curb crawling”! Sounds exciting? It does for me considering on an average month I net over $1,500 working no more than 30 hours a month. Does this sound exciting yet? Ok, read on.

In most area’s it is perfectly legal but do check your local laws and ordinances to make sure. Also a truck or van helps, but I started out with the back seat and trunk of my car.

I simply got a city map and marked my area of interest based on type of income level for the area and type of homes. My primary focus was on middle class type homes and above in subdivisions. I got this information at the public library, from local realtors and from the county tax assessor office. Once I have all my information in hand I simply call the local trash service providers and ask them when service is provided for (Name) subdivision. With service dates in hand I schedule my run’s in my planner. I also make runs through apartment complexes. Don’t forget if you have any Colleges or Universities near you make sure you mark your calendar for move out day and you will have more product than you can handle.

My day starts out at day break and runs until 9:00 am. I spend about 2 to 3 hours per trash run. It would blow your mind what stuff you can get for free!

My tools of the trade are a good pair of gloves, overalls, power converter, boots, power converter and my handy dandy Janilink Trash Grabber.

I use my power converter and plug in stuff to make sure it powers up!

Like any other business, we have rules and so does Trash to Treasure. The first one is “Do not make a mess and if you do clean it up, second “Do not rip open trash bags, and our third rule is “Only stop if you can see a good item stop and pick it up”.

Now I only pick out the good stuff! Easy to fix or just clean.

Let me share with you what I made just in December 2008. During this time I made a total of 9 trash runs and found furniture, electronics, antiques and collectibles.

All the items I picked up sold during the month of December for $2,347 gross. Yes I did have some expenses such as gas, repair, and booth rent. All my expenses for this time frame amounted to $784.50 with a net profit of $1,562.50 with less than 30 hours of work!

Now keep in mind that this does not include the items that I kept and gave away to family and friends. As you can see not a bad return for a few hours!

In all the years that I’ve been doing this I have never made less than $1,100 in any month.

Keep in mind to start out small on your flea market boots and build up.

This will not make your rich but it may just help you survive.

A great book to read is The Dumpster Diver by Janet S. Wong.

The increasing number of burglaries and thefts in homes has affected millions of people from all over the world. It has therefore become a matter of urgency to reduce the increase of household break-ins. Having a security company provide a 24 hour guard to protect your household can be very expensive. It is however possible to cut these costs by installing a security system that is fitted with alarm monitoring to do an equally excellent service at a much cheaper cost.

Homes have become common targets for burglars as they usually have less sophisticated security systems and thus are easier to break into. Another reason why homes have become a much preferred target for a break-in is because many homes have expensive items such as jewellery, collectables (coins) and some antiques as well as expensive cars. Thus, if one is to lose such valuables to burglars the cost of replacing such items can be very high and at times it is not even possible to get back those rare collectable items lost.

It is therefore very important that one installs a modern security system, one that is not so easy to breach. Today, there are many efficient security systems supported by alarm monitoring. With an alarm monitored security system, there is no need to have a guard roaming around the yard as the system is closely monitored by cameras that are linked to a security firm or nearby police station.

The alarm monitored security systems are fitted in such a way that they are connected to the door locks, windows, gate and any possible areas of entry. Once any of these entrance points have been accessed, there is a lag time at which an unlock security code has to be entered before the system triggers off an alarm. There are two kinds of alarms, the first alarm system will be the one that rings locally and alerts the owner or a nearby person on guard. The other type of alarm system is the one that will not ring at the area but will immediately alert the security firm or a nearby police station such that the burglar may be apprehended while still in action.

Another type of alarm system that will save you lots of money is the motion sensing alarm monitoring system. This kind of security system is very effective for protecting your priced possessions during the night just as a guard would but the only difference is it will be a lot cheaper. The system works using infrared waves. The motion detectors send infrared signals periodically and when objects move the signals received by the monitor change and immediately the monitors will trigger an alarm. You will have the option of installing a motion detecting alarm system that will signal the police or one that is localised that will alert you the owner of a guard at the premises.

In conclusion, having a security system that is supported by alarm monitoring will save you lots of money in terms of preventing burglaries as well as cutting down on the costs of hiring a 24 hour security guard.

The very controversial switchblade knife has been around a very long time. This blade is the size and shape of most of you average pocket knives but with a  twist.  With the push of a button a spring pops the blade out and is ready to be used.  There are two sorts of switchblades one opens though the top, and one from the side.

The blade that opens from the side is much like other pocket knives. You push the button and the blade swings out the side like any other knife. The out-the-front or the OTF switchblade, pops out the front as the name suggest. Now there are two different types of OTF blades a single and double action. The single action is when you push the button and the blade pops out and then you have to manually push the blade back in. The double action is the same this the different of that to put the blade back in you just push the button again. These knives have been at the center of controversy for years, because of the popularity with criminals. People that might want to brake the law like these knives for there very quick opening systems.

The concept  of these  spring loaded blades have been around for many years. With examples of them appearing on flintlock pistols and on coach guns as early as 1700s. Then later in 1790s being made a more offered tool. Many of the early examples switchblades are either English, of French.

Right after the civil war in America knife production was industrialized.  That is when the first American switchblade was made. It is called the Korn Patent knife. These blades really took off in the 1890s and where even soled to lady’s to put in there sewing kits. Then Italian makers got in to the switchblade game and that is where we get the knives called Stilettos.

Later street gangs started to use these knives and  there started the bad name for switchblades.  People started to think that if they put a ban on them that it would stop gang violence. The US congress chose to make these knives illegal. So in the 1960s switchblades that where made in America where only being soled to the military. Later knife makers found away around these laws by selling switchblades in build it your self kits. Now though this loophole is closed in many states.

The legality of these knives differs for country to country. Although many country’s banned them and many more have very strict laws, you can carry them in some country’s.  In the United States you can not carry them on federal lands, Indian reservations, military bases, or Washington DC. The Act that limits switchblades also limits Ballistic knives. But other then that the federal government leaves the rest of the decision making to the individual states.

In many states the are out right illegal, and in some they are perfectly legal. Then there are a few that they are legal but with some guide lines. In Missouri, Montana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas they are illegal, but exceptions are made for antiques and collectors. In Virginia you can own one but you can’t sell one. In Rhode Island you can own one but it can’t have a dagger, dirk, or stiletto blade. In Ohio you can have one but you have to buy it though a online retailer. In New York you and have one but only if you have a hunting or fishing license.  So of these laws are pretty out there but to each there own.

It has been said that everything old is new again. So it is with bird cages. Antique bird cages are a popular addition to many houses and apartments. They fit in with many styles of decorating, including Victorian and shabby chic. Chinese antique bird cages are available for an Eastern flair.

If you are buying an actual antique, prepare to pay a hefty price. Be on the lookout, though, at garage sales and flea markets. Sometimes you can find an undiscovered treasure for mere pennies. More likely, though, you will have to pay.

Ebay is one place to check for antique bird cages. Before spending a large amount of money, make sure that your seller is reputable. One way to ensure this is to only buy from sellers with positive feedback.

Though authentic antique cages are pleasing to the eye, they are not the best home for your bird. Many antique bird cages are treated with chemicals or paints that can be toxic to your bird. If you buy a true antique, use it for decorative purposes only.

If you desire the look of antiques without the price tag, reproductions are also available. Replica antique bird cages often maintain the look and style of the original, but at a fraction of the cost. Victorian reproductions are especially popular. Select Home Décor is one source for reproductions. Department stores, home décor stores, and some home improvement stores also sell faux antique bird cages.

Though authentic antique cages are pleasing to the eye, they are not the best home for your bird. Many antique bird cages are treated with chemicals or paints that can be toxic to your bird. If you buy a true antique, use it for decorative purposes only.

If you desire the look of antiques without the price tag, reproductions are also available. Replica antique bird cages often maintain the look and style of the original, but at a fraction of the cost. Victorian reproductions are especially popular. Select Home Décor is one source for reproductions. Department stores, home décor stores, and some home improvement stores also sell faux antique bird cages.