TotSwap Helps Families Save Some Cash

Raising children can be an expensive endeavor, from diapers and strollers to sneakers and sports equipment, costs add up quickly, no matter your child’s age.

Some parents are finding an easy way to earn extra cash, or simply save some money on the purchasing end by selling at or attending consignment sales, such as TotSwap.

The children’s consignment sale events were started in 2006 by Gaithersburg mom Robyn Rutland. According to the group’s website, of the more than 30,000 items brought in to be sold, more than 70 percent are purchased during the event.

The Spring 2011 Gaithersburg sale is set for March 9-13 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

If you’re just looking to purchase some clothes, toys or other kids’ supplies at bargain prices, check out the public sales:

• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, March 11
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 12
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 13

Buyers enter for free and may pay with cash or credit cards.

If you want to earn money by selling your gently used kids’ clothing, toys or other equipment, you can register as a consignor. Consignors earn 65 percent of their sales in cash or can earn more by volunteering or converting the earnings into TotSwap credit to be used to buy items at future sales.

Consignors also get the advantage of shopping early, on Thursday, March 10.

Others also get the opportunity to shop early.

New mothers (characterized as those who are pregnant, in the process o adopting, or whose oldest child is younger than 2) may purchase a $6 ticket to enter the sale on Thursday night before most others get a chance to shop.

And volunteers who work at the sales also get a chance to shop early, as well as earn more money when consigning their own items.

To find out all the details, including times and dates of all upcoming sales and to sign up as a consignor, volunteer or new mom, go to the TotSwap website at www.totswap.net.