Success StorySavvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters



Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters

Author: Katherine Jury

Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences

Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)

Plan of Work: Provide Resources and Training regarding Financial Literacy, Career Skills, and Business Management

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

A study released in December 2013, by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce suggested that Kentucky cities are recovering more slowly than expected from the economic recession that began in 2008. Changes in the economy have forced many individuals to reduce spending in order to manage their finances. Buying and selling used materials is one strategy for earning money, while purchasing gently used items at reduced costs allows consumers to spend less. The National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops reports that resale stores in the U.S. are a multi-billion dollar a year industry.

Buying used items at local resale shops also helps maintain a healthy local economy. To increase consumer ability and confidence in buying and selling items through yard sales and consignment shops, the Hopkins County Extension Office hosted Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters financial workshop for the April Homemaker Leader lesson in all 9 counties in the Pennyrile Area. Educational emphasis was placed on: 

  • understanding the difference between yard sales, consignment shops and thrift stores
  • identifying whether participants have personal items that could be sold 
  • determining the appropriate outlet in which to sell them- both traditional and online markets
  • learning helpful steps in planning a yard sale, and selling items online  

Over 90 consumers participated in the workshops. Participants were surveyed following the class and 100% percent indicated they learned the difference between various types of resale shops; 98% learned how to identify items for resale; 98% percent learned how to determine the appropriate outlets in which to sell these items; and 100% percent learned how to plan a yard sale. Seventy-two participants indicated they planned to visit local resale shops and 90 planned to list used personal items for resale through consignment or resale shops, either in-person or on-line. 






Stories by Katherine Jury


Botvin Life Skills Training Implementation with Students

about 4 years ago by Katherine Jury

The University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research states that the neurodevelopment of t... Read More


Preparing Extension Staff to Implement Botvin Life Skills Training Program

about 4 years ago by Katherine Jury

According to 2018 data collected by the University of Kentuckys Cooperative Extension Service Statew... Read More


Stories by Family and Consumer Sciences


Smarter Lunchrooms Movement

Smarter Lunchrooms Movement

about 4 years ago by Natalie Jones

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and to pr... Read More


KSU-FCLTC Riders Ride On

KSU-FCLTC Riders Ride On

about 4 years ago by Carla Jordan

Frankies Corner Little Thorobred Crusade (FCLTC) is a youth development program that began in 2015. ... Read More