Goodwill Finds to Dye For

I think it’s pretty common for people to shop by color. Since my local Goodwill stores tend to display clothing as a rainbow, I usually gravitate toward the sections with my favorite hues. Sadly, that completely limits my shopping experience! How many would-be-favorites have I passed by simply because I am forgetting about the magic of dye? Well, today we’ll be looking at some beautiful (and easy) updates that other thrifty crafters have completed. They’re inspiring me to be color-blind while shopping and to embrace the unknown in a vivid dyeing adventure.

March Madness on Capitol Hill

Every March I put my hopes and dreams (and a little cash), in the hands of college basketball players. My bracket is complete and I’m excited to see which teams make it to the final four. It’s not just March Madness in the sports world, but it’s also March Madness on Capitol Hill. Congress has until March 23rd to pass the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) funding bill to avoid another government shutdown. It’s maddening that we’re six months into FY18 and we still don’t have a federal budget. It is likely that Congress will be able to pass one massive spending bill known as an Omnibus, yet negotiations have been slow due to debate over policy riders.

Organize Your Finances in Three Steps

Set aside a couple of hours with some good music or your favorite podcast and treat yourself to a more confident financial future by taking three steps toward organizing your finances.

3 Creative Ways to Display Photos in Your Home

In this social media driven world where we’re constantly sharing quick snapshots of our breakfast, daily commute, or kid’s antics, it can be easy to focus too much on taking the pictures and not enough on displaying or appreciating them. Our lives are on display online these days instead of on the walls, tables, and desks in our homes. But I really believe that’s something we all need to work on! Surrounding ourselves with pictures of loved ones and happy memories can help us all feel inspired and encouraged. So here are three unexpected ways to post pictures that can be enjoyed even without a Wi-Fi connection.

The Time is NOW to Speak Out on the FY 2019 Budget

With the passage of the funding agreement a few weeks ago, Congress in now beginning to work on the budget for fiscal year 2019 (FY19). They will start by making decisions on funding levels for many job-training and workforce development programs that many local Goodwill organizations use across the country.

My Story: Meri Tannehill

Ask Meri Tannehill what makes her happy and she’ll tell you, “Being a STAR!” and she means that in more ways than one!

Setting Smart Financial Goals

When taking control of your finances, it’s helpful to set financial goals to keep you on track and build your confidence—that is, as long as they’re achievable. A simple trick can help you develop goals that are a stretch, but won’t leave you feeling defeated. Goals that are S.M.A.R.T.—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely—lead to greater success.

Goodwill in Bloom: Floral Finds for Spring

Oh, how I wish I could fill my home with fresh blooms all year-round. Every room just feels so cheerful and lively when there are flowers nearby! Well, even if we can’t have constantly refreshed vases on our tables and ever-blooming gardens outside our windows, there are still a lot of ways we can infuse our lives with some botanical beauty. Here are a few projects that thrifters around the country have completed to update their homes with floral finds…

Of Lions and Lambs This March: Where Will Immigration Policy Go in the Next Month?

With negotiations, proclamations, Supreme Court declinations and twitterations, Immigration policy and budget talks are going into March like lions, but will they come out like lambs with resolution, or will this back and forth continue?

Get the Look for Less: Recreating Trends with Goodwill Finds

There are a lot of reasons why you might not buy that amazing catalog or boutique piece you’re currently obsessed with: As an in-demand item, it could constantly be out-of-stock; perhaps you discovered it on Pinterest a season too late when it’s no longer for sale, or, simple enough, the price tag could just be too steep. Whatever your reasons, don’t forget that you can probably recreate your favorite trends using Goodwill finds.

2018 State of the States

While Congress is still wrangling with budget and appropriations and passing legislation before focusing on the mid-term elections, state and local governments are hard at work as well, creating more opportunities to engage at the state level. Nearly every one of the nation’s Governors have provided their state of the state addresses to their constituents. Job creation and the skills gap was a major theme in all of the speeches, affirming that the important work of local Goodwills in providing job training and workforce development to those who face challenges to employment.

My Story: Melissa Lambright

At almost 60 years old, I was laid off after 15 years with my previous company. With no GED, college or technical training plus my severe health problems, I had trouble finding a new job. One day, I discovered that Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids had a technical training program that could lead to employment in a call center. I applied and was accepted into the program. I am now able to work from home 4 days a week, which helps limit movement and pain for my disability. Best of all, both my husband and I now have health insurance. I love my job, they care about me as a person and I have great co-workers. I am so thankful for how much my life has improved since discovering the training program at my local Goodwill. I never would have guessed things would have turned out so well.