Join the #moolafordebt challenge to clear up your clutter and pay down your debt! #moolafordebt will start on April 27th at 8am and run through until May 13th at 10pm. We will announce the winner on Facebook LIVE on Monday, May 14.

So, you have just over two weeks to post your gently used items on UsedVictoria.com using the hashtag #moolafordebt, make some extra moola and pay down your debt! 

The post Join the #moolafordebt challenge appeared first on Used.ca.

We can’t say enough how much we love working with this group on the #moolafordebt challenge! This is a super engaged and financially thoughtful community! For that reason, the challenge just gets better each year.

We had more ads posted, more participants and made more money! One of our participants posted 127 items and one participant made over $11,000 by selling a car!

This year, we were thrilled to have an app and appreciate all those who downloaded it and then used it to post their ads. A whopping 79% of ads were posted through the app. We also received some great feedback from a number of users on how we can improve the experience. If you have ideas to make it better, please email them to us at app@used.ca and we will pass them to our team.

We hope that posting with Used.ca during the challenge has been a great experience and you keep buying and selling with us. But in case you need a little extra encouragement, here are eight more reasons that we think we are pretty awesome place for locals to buy and sell.

1. We gave away a dozen movie passes and hundreds of adboosters during the challenge.
2. We are Canadian owned and locally run!
3. We employ over 15 staff here on Vancouver Island!
4. We support more than 200 community events on the island every year, just like this one!
5. We provided over $825,000 in advertising and promotion to local events, charities and not-for-profits last year.
6. We have a paid team to keep our site safe and family friendly.
7. We have always been a female-led organization! It is pretty cool to have a tech company run by some smart and savvy women.
8. Did we mention that we finally have an app!

Congratulations to all of our winners and a huge thank you MOOLA Financial Coaches & Advisors Inc.  for hosting this challenge and the Black is the New Red community for contributing all the amazing prizes.

We can’t wait for next year!

The post 2018 #moolafordebt challenge wrap up appeared first on Used.ca.

Summer is just around the corner, so it’s time to start planning how you’re going to make the most of it! These events and activities are awesome ideas to add to your Vancouver Island summer bucket list to avoid boredom on beautiful summer days!

Music

• Vibing at any of Laketown Ranch’s three new Laketown Shakedown concerts (June 8 to 9, and August 31 to September 2)
• Rock out at Rock The Shores (July 13 to 15)
• Chilling at the Phillips Backyard Weekender (July 20 to 22)
• Enjoying the TD Victoria International Jazz Fest (July 22 to August 1)
• Enjoying arts, crafts and music at the Filberg Festival in Comox (August 3 to 6)
• Checking out all the performers at the Downtown Victoria Buskers Festival (August 30 to September 3)
• Get your Country on at Sunfest (August 2 to 5)

Events

• Following the parade all the way to the Victoria Pride Festival (July 9)
• Dress up or people watch at Vancouver Island Comic Con (June 10)
• Strolling down Douglas St. for The Downtown Victoria Business Association’s Car Free YYJ (June 17)
• Watching the HarbourCats Purple in the Park baseball game presented by Used.ca (July 29)
• Petting all the dogs at Pet-A-Palooza (August 18 to 19)
• Checking out antique cars at the Vancouver Island Motor Gathering (August 26)
• Seeing the sand castles at Parksville’s Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition (July 14 to August 20)

Food

• Sampling delicious fares at YYJ Eats (June 13)
• Hosting a backyard barbecue
• Getting ice cream at Beacon Drive-In
• Visiting outdoor markets like the Esquimalt Farmers Market (where you can sit on the grass and enjoy fresh fruit, baked goods, and even artisan chocolates!)
• Making popsicles
• Trying out new summer recipes

Outdoors

• Trying stand-up paddle boarding
• Sitting on a beach at least once a week
• Hiking up Mt. Doug and Mt. Finlayson
• Training for the GoodLife Fitness Marathon
• Playing frisbee at the park
• Splashing around at the new Esquimalt Adventure Park
• Trying a new sport – like rock climbing or horseback riding
• Visiting Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
• Going camping (and making s’mores!)

Throughout the year, Used.ca sponsors 250 local events on Vancouver Island, and we want to see you there! We’d love to send you to sweet events like the Laketown Shakedown concerts, Rock The Shores, the Phillips Backyard Weekender, and many more!

If you want to attend any of these fantastic events – make sure you follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook. We’re going to be running tons of weekly contests for great local events, and we’re going to be giving away tickets to them all summer long!

Check out the events page on our website for even more summer fun: Used.ca/community/events

No matter what city you live in, summer is a time to connect with your community and enjoy the nice weather. This bucket list is how we’re spending our summer – how are you spending yours?

The post Vancouver island summer bucket list 2018 appeared first on Used.ca.

From kayaks in Victoria to patio furniture in Ottawa, summer is a time to de-clutter and have some fun! We’ve compiled a list for several city sites across Canada with the most popular search items for what to sell in June! Since these items are searched for the most – they’re in high demand as we start this summer. Check out these lists of popular search terms for you to sell on our site this season!

UsedVictoria

1. IKEA
2. Free
3. Kayak 
4. Couch
5. Jeep
6. Teak 
7. Bunkbed
8. BMW
9. Sofa
10. Dresser

Desks and chairs are also popular items in June!

UsedNanaimo

1. Kayak 
2. Radio
3. Tent Trailer
4. Camper
5. Boats
6. Kitchen Cabinets
7. 4X4
8. Firewood
9. Toyota 
10. Dresser

Folks are also looking for looms and Jeeps!

UsedRegina

1. Samsung Galaxy 
2. Guitar
3. Bike
4. Nintendo
5. Dresser
6. iPhone 
7. Harley 
8. Tickets
9. Garage Sale
10. Tent Trailer

In Regina, exercise bikes and double beds are also hot searches!

UsedOttawa

1. Sofa
2. Mandolin
3. Futon
4. Lawnmower
5. Tacoma
6. Patio Furniture
7. Puppies
8. Cottage
9. Lego
10. Canoe

Ottawa is also searching for patio stones and drum sets!

UsedPEI

1. Camper
2. Boats
3. Christmas Tree
4. MacBook
5. Shed
6. ATV
7. BBQ
8. Fishing
9. Lawnmower
10. Tractor

PEI is also searching for antiques and convertibles!

Not located in those cities? Take a look at the top 5 most popular items searched for across Canada!

1. Kayak
2. Ikea
3. Firewood
4. Jeep
5. Teak

Looking for a little more incentive? Place an ad and we’ll give you a free AdBooster; it will bump your ad to the top of the category and highlight it in teal so that it stands out from the crowd! Click here to redeem and use the promo code: SummerSelling2018

The post What to sell in June 2018 appeared first on Used.ca.

Mark your calendars! Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018 is scheduled for July 27! A large group of strangers convene in a public space (the location isn’t revealed until the last minute) to enjoy an outdoor picnic dinner. Participants must dress in white and bring their own table and chairs, food and accessories. The rules are strict: everything must be white-coloured.

If you have any white items laying around the house, now is a great time to sell them to make some extra cash! In your ad description, use the ‪#‎DEBVictoria‬ hashtag so people can easily find and buy your items.

Brilliant white items to include: tables, chairs, tablecloths, dishes, picnic baskets, clothing, accessories and wine glasses!

Are you going to Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018? Looking for white…everything!? Visit UsedVictoria.com and use the search term #DEBVictoria to find items specifically being sold for the event.

Or if there’s something you need in particular, place a wanted ad and let users contact you with the item.

We put together some ideas below to get you started on your search and inspired to find used white items that will save you money and have you looking dapper for the evening!

Picnic basket

Find a great picnic basket on UsedVictoria.com. With some white spray paint and this tutorial it would be perfect for transporting your delicious dinner!

White tablecloth

The rules state that tables must be square, foldable, easy to carry and between 28 and 32 inches (71 and 81 cm). The table does not have to be white but it needs to be covered with a white tablecloth. Search here for white tablecloths available on UsedVictoria.com.

White clothing

The rules are pretty strict here! No ivory, off-white or beige are allowed! The dress code is formal and allows for some originality. Check out Used.ca’s team rocking the white outfits at last year’s Dîner en Blanc Victoria! Thinking used first can help you save some money and find pieces that are unique conversation starters.

Kelsey Fulton, Carly Russell-Huntley, Lacey Sheardown

Good luck with the search! Some members of the UsedHQ team will be at the event and we can’t wait to see everyone there… wherever there is!

The post Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018 appeared first on Used.ca.

We have a new upgrade option to help sell your stuff faster with Used.ca in Victoria!

For just $5, your ad will be turned into a full colour print classified included in our five local Black Press Media community newspapers:

• Victoria News
• Oak Bay News
• Saanich News
• Peninsula News Review
• Goldstream News Gazette

That is FIVE papers for FIVE bucks!

Post your ad today and see your stuff in print.

Print upgrades are currently limited to Friday editions in the following categories: art & antiques, autos, clothing, computers, electronics, general merchandise, hobbies & collectibles, household, sports, and workplace.

The post Level up with a print upgrade! appeared first on Used.ca.

Summer’s here, school’s out, and people are looking to buy everything from trampolines to kayaks and tent trailers to BBQs. Check out our lists, from Victoria to PEI, of popular search terms for top things to sell in July to get you motivated to place an ad and get selling!

UsedVictoria

1. IKEA
2. Teak
3. Dresser
4. BMW
5. Boat
6. Trampoline
7. iPhone
8. Guitar
9. Couch
10. Trailer

Campers and canoes are also popular items for you to sell in July – perfect for those summer camping trips!

UsedNanaimo

1. BMW
2. Kayak
3. Tent trailer
4. 4X4
5. Electric bike
6. Wanted
7. MacBook
8. Wardrobe
9. Drone
10. Camper

Boats and tractors are also in the top July searches!

UsedRegina

1. Craven
2. PS4
3. TV
4. Camper
5. Jeep
6. Nintendo
7. iPhone
8. Motorhomes
9. Air conditioner
10. Bikes

Craven tickets are selling like hotcakes! People also look for Roughriders and Regina Pats tickets in July.

UsedOttawa

1. Gazebo
2. Drill press
3. Lego
4. Golf clubs
5. Bike rack
6. Kayak
7. Sofa
8. Canoe
9. Harley Davidson 1200
10. Bicycle

Lawnmowers and dining tables are also popular July items in Ottawa.

UsedPEI

1. Fitbit
2. Boat
3. iPhone
4. Grill
5. Tires
6. Toyota Corolla
7. Camper
8. Trades
9. Apt.
10. Atv

Dirt bikes, cars and John Deere are also popular searches for PEI in July.

Not located in those cities? Here are the top 5 items searched for across all of Canada!

1. Kayak
2. Firewood
3. Ikea
4. Camper
5. Dresser

These are the top things to sell in July, based on our users most popular search terms!

Looking for a little more incentive to get selling? Place an ad and we’ll give you a free AdBooster; it will bump your ad to the top of the category and highlight it in teal so that it stands out from the crowd! Click here to redeem and use the promo code: Usedfulsummer2018!

The post What to sell in July 2018 appeared first on Used.ca.

Summer is a time for some of the most fun events of the year, and Used.ca is sponsoring a ton on Vancouver Island! This July, we want you to get out of your house and into the community. There’s no better way to get involved than to attend awesome events near you! No matter where you are, supporting your community is a great way to connect to locals, make new memories, and better friends!

Here’s a compilation of all the events we hope to see you at this July!

Dîner en Blanc Victoria (July 27th)

Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018 is coming up! This is possibly the chicest Vanoucver Island summer event this season, so it’s time to bust out any white items laying around the house. Now is a great time to sell white items to make some extra cash! In your ad description, use the ‪#‎DEBVictoria‬ hashtag so people can easily find and buy your items.

Brilliant white items to include: tables, chairs, tablecloths, dishes, picnic baskets, clothing, accessories and wine glasses!

Are you going to Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018? Looking for white…everything!? Visit UsedVictoria.com and use the search term #DEBVictoria to find items specifically being sold for the event.

Click here to learn more about Dîner en Blanc, and to see some ideas we put together to get you started on your search!

Art Gallery Paint-In (July 21st)

Join us for one of Victoria’s most beloved outdoor events, a celebration of art in all forms! Over 190 artists’ booths will line up along Moss Street – from Fort Street all the way to Dallas Road from 11am-4pm!

The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is a community event that celebrates visual arts and represents artists from across Victoria and Vancouver Island. Throughout the day, artists demonstrate and discuss their work with a curious, art-loving public that is eager to catch a rare glimpse into the artistic process. Imagination Stations line the street giving families the opportunity to join in on the fun!

The Family Garden stays open until 9pm. Local eats and drinks, plus a great line up Victoria based musical artists including Phantom Thieves and Teenage Violets will be there as well. We hope to see you there!

Interested in being a part of the action? Click here for more information or to sign up to volunteer!

Lawn Summer Nights (July 19th and 26th)

Warm nights, great people, and good vibes for a good cause are the key ingredients of Lawn Summer Nights. This event is a lawn bowling tournament and fundraiser that brings people together in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Started in 2009, the event has grown to 47 events in 20+ cities with over 5,000 participants!

Victoria has been celebrating Lawn Summer Nights since 2014 at the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club. 40 teams “do battle” over the 4 nights in July, with theme nights, food, beverages and more. All in support of making CF stand for Cure Found!

Click here to register, and hereto purchase social tickets!

Victoria Symphony Splash (August 5th)

On August 5, 2018, tens of thousands of people will take to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for the 29th annual Victoria Symphony Splash, North America’s LARGEST outdoor orchestral event!  From a floating stage in the Inner Harbour, the VS orchestra and special guests will perform. The performance will go out with a bang including an amazing firework display!

Sign up to volunteer at Victoria Symphony Splash today to receive these benefits:

• Get a Splash volunteer t-shirt and an invitation to the Splash after-party in August
• Receive a ticket voucher for a concert in the Victoria Symphony’s 2018/19 season
• Give back to your community and meet new and interesting people while you listen to wonderful music in a spectacular setting!

Apply to volunteer at: victoriasymphony.ca/splash

This a snapshot into a few of the 250+ events that Used.ca sponsors around Vancouver Island each year! We believe it’s important to stay involved in communities – and we hope you do too! What events are going on in your community this summer – let us know in the comments!

The post Used.ca at Vancouver Island summer events in July!☀️ appeared first on Used.ca.

We have been having the best summer here on the island. We have been to Sunfest and the Parksville Beach Festival and Pride! Summer is the time of year when you want to pack in as many sun-filled memories as possible before the weather turns cooler.

We have supported more than 30 events so far this season, but the fun isn’t over yet! Come and find us at these upcoming events. We love saying hi to our fans. You are the best part of everything we do.

Petapalooza – August 18 – 19
Paw’s On Cook’s Pet-A-Palooza is BACK and bigger than ever! We have some amazing sponsors, exhibitors and shows for you this year including dock diving, bulldog races, a puppy stampede, wiener dog races, cooldown stations, a puppy waterpark, swag-bags, over 100 exhibitors, photobooths, amazing food trucks – this IS the most fun you can have with your pet all summer. Join us at St. Ann’s Academy on August 18 and 19! Pet-A-Palooza is, and always will be – FREE and PET FRIENDLY!

Motor Gathering – August 26
The annual Motor Gathering is right around the corner! Now in its 7th year, the Motor Gathering is a day to celebrate the local motoring community while raising funds for local Vancouver Island charities. Last year, it raised over $174,000 in cash donations and over $180,000 in in-kind donations for the David Foster Foundation and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, making an immediate impact for children in need.

For 2018, the Motor Gathering takes place on August 26th at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit in Duncan, BC. There will be almost 600 vehicles on display, from classic automobiles to sports cars to motorcycles and everything in between! With plenty of food, fun and games, the event is great for the whole family, and every single dollar goes towards the David Foster Foundation and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation once again. Mark your calendars and start your engines!

Greek Fest – August 24 – 26 & August 31 – September 3

OPAAAA…! With fabulous food, exciting entertainment and joyful shouts of “OPA,” the 15th Annual Victoria Greek Fest will take place over two weekends from Friday, August 24th thru to Sunday the 26th and from August 31st thru to September 3rd, at the Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Drive (beside Commonwealth Pool). ADMISSION IS FREE for the whole family! The Festival features delicious Greek food, Greek desserts, baked goods, traditional Greek Dancing by International Dance Groups, live music from local artists and many other different programs of entertainment from around the world. Entertainment will run continuously throughout the day.

And here is a sneak peek at where we will be in September!

Vancouver Island Blues Bash – Septemer 1 – 3

Come celebrate the end of summer by rockin’ and groovin’ to live blues, R&B, and more at the 25th annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash! The party starts August 31 to September 3 and will feature headliners Tinsley Ellis and Davina and The Vagabonds at the Outdoor Stage at Ship Point (in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, 900 Block Wharf St),  as well as Brickhouse and Adam Robert Thomas at The Rubber Boot Club  (1605 Store St, below Swan’s Brewpub). In addition, free performances will occur from noon to 5 at Ship Point starting September 1-3. Discover the complete lineup and ticket info on the Victoria Jazz Society website: jazzvictoria.ca.

Paws for a Cause – September 9
Helping to fight animal cruelty is as easy as a walk in the park.

On Sunday, September 9, 2018, join animal lovers and furry friends at the Victoria BC SPCA’s annual Paws for a Cause walk presented by Hill’s Science Diet. Taking place at the off-leash dog park on Dallas Road at Cook Street, this year’s walk will raise much needed funds to help animals in Victoria. This year’s festival site will feature (for the first time ever!) a dog-friendly beer garden, live entertainment, food trucks, fun games, bouncy castle, a ‘Market in the Park’ featuring local vendors and people in the community. All funds raised from our walk stays in our community and will directly support the work of the BC SPCA’s Victoria branch and Wild ARC (Animal Rehabilitation Centre).

Delta Victoria’s Harvest on the Harbour – September 21
The Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort proudly presents our 3rd Annual Harvest on the Harbour – A Night Under the Stars a fundraiser for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.   Join us on Friday, September 21, 2018 for a magical evening of food, music and a silent auction all on our Harbour Patio overlooking Victoria’s spectacular Inner Harbour.  The evening will feature a sumptuous 4 course dinner, amazing auction items include whale watching, hotel stays, Harbour Air tickets and much more and dancing to a live band.  Thanks to our community’s incredible support last year, we donated over $15,000 to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. For further details or to purchase tickets, please visit www.deltavictoriagala.com.

The post UsedCrew around town – late summer 2018 edition appeared first on Used.ca.

Fall has arrived! With the departure of the leaves (and that warm summer sun), there’s no better time to part ways with some of those items you’ve been meaning to get off your hands. Check out our lists, from Victoria to PEI, of popular fall search terms to get you motivated to place an ad and start selling!

UsedVictoria

• IKEA
• Samsung
• iPad
• Desk
• Dresser
• Teak
• Firewood

Cameras were also popular items for you to sell over the fall months – great for capturing those fall colours!

UsedNanaimo

• Tent Trailer
• Guitar
• Chair
• Tacoma
• Binoculars
• Twin
• Firewood
• Drone

As the puck drops for a new season, hockey also made the top searches list!

UsedRegina

• PS4
• Carpet
• Decor
• Garage Sales
• Boat
• Desk
• Jeep
• Couch
• Records

It’s a great time to clear out that cluttered den with some of the top searches on the prairies being couch and PS4 this fall!

UsedOttawa

• Dresser
• Stereo
• Sofa
• Cottage
• Couch
• iPhone
• Tires

With the snow soon to fly, people are getting prepared by also searching winter tires!

UsedPEI

• Snowblower
• Tires
• Shed
• Life Jacket
• TV
• Camper

Tractor and Harley Davidson are also popular searches for PEI over the fall.

Not located in those cities? Here are the top 5 items searched for across all of Canada!

1. Firewood
2. IKEA
3. Desk
4. Dresser
5. Teak

These are the top things to sell in the fall months, based on our users most popular search terms!

Looking for a little more incentive to get selling? Place an ad and we’ll give you a free AdBooster; it will bump your ad to the top of the category and highlight it in teal so that it stands out from the crowd! Click here to redeem and use the promo code: #ThinkUsedFirst

The post What to Sell in Fall 2018 appeared first on Used.ca.

Happy Halloween! We’ve made a list of a few of our favourite FREE pumpkin carving templates.

Finally a Halloween treat that won’t rot your teeth!

• Star Wars: Kylo Ren
• Star Wars: BB-8
• Venom
• Sherlock
• Pennywise
• Benny (LEGO man)
• Lord of the Rings: Gollum
• O Canada Design
• The Dark Knight – Batman Halloween stencils
• Wolf howling at the moon
• Where the wild things are

Have a safe and fun Halloween everyone!

Useful Halloween links

Find gently used Halloween costumes

Iron-on Halloween treat bags with free printable

DIY Halloween tin can candle holder

The post Happy Halloween: FREE pumpkin stencils! appeared first on Used.ca.

Lets get festive! The UsedCrew is excited for another holiday season just around the corner. We’re whipping out our best ugly sweaters and eggnog in preparation for a cheer-filled holidays. Here’s what the UsedCrew has on-the-go over the holiday season:

Festival of Trees – November 15, 2018 – January 7, 2019

On average, 22 kids from Vancouver Island are treated at BC Children’s Hospital everyday – that is almost one every hour.

The Festival of Trees is a community tradition and has become the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season in Victoria. The event provides tree sponsors with the opportunity to showcase their community spirit and transform The Bay Centre into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees.

Trees are on display from November 15, 2018 until January 7, 2019. Support BC Children’s Hospital by making a donation and voting for your favorite tree. Funds raised through this event help meet the most critical health needs of kids in our community.

Visit www.bcchf.ca/fotyyj for more information.

Fight 4 The Cause – December 1, 2018

Fight 4 The Cause returns to Victoria Saturday December 1st, 2018 where we combine social boxing, community involvement and red carpet glamour for an unforgettable evening. This 7th annual event will once again take place in The Fabulous Carson Hall and be catered by the master chefs of The Fairmont Empress Hotel.

 This will be the time to look your best while knowing that at the same time you are giving back to your community; this year we are in support of Help Fill A Dream, Bridges for Women, Brazilian Cultural Foundation, Esquimalt Fire Charitable Foundation.

Fight 4 The Cause is an evening of boxing & black tie entertainment where we bring back old school Hollywood glamour to the sport all for a great cause – we look forward to seeing you there but if you can’t make it please consider donating online! http://www.fight4thecause2018.ca/

Gingerbread Showcase – November 17 to January 6, 2019

The Gingerbread Showcase is Habitat Victoria’s premier fundraising event. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, this event is presented by the Victoria Real Estate Board and hosted at the elegant Parkside Hotel & Spa. The Showcase brings together professional and amateur bakers from Vancouver Island and highlights their creativity, while supporting the work of Habitat Victoria.

​Last year more than $51,000 was raised thanks to the generosity of more than 25,000 visitors who made a visit to the Showcase as part of their holiday tradition. All donations go directly to helping bring strength, stability and independence to families living in need of decent, affordable housing.

Location:

Parkside Hotel and Spa

810 Humboldt St

Schedule:

9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily

​from Nov 17 to Jan 6

Merry & Bright Holiday Auction – November 27, 2018

Tis the season! Join us for a live and silent auction, a complimentary tasting hour, and delicious cocktail catering at our signature holiday fundraiser in one of the city’s most beautiful downtown venues, The Atrium. The perfect (almost) end to our 30th anniversary. All proceeds support Intrepid Theatre.

Naughty or nice, this is one holiday event you want on your calendar! Theatre tickets, gift packages, and unique one of-a-kind experiences will be up for auction and make the perfect gift for anyone on your Christmas List. https://intrepidtheatre.com/shows/merry-bright-2/

Christmas Craft Beer Show – November 30 – December 1, 2019

The best part about beer is that it can be enjoyed at any time of the year. It should be celebrated in the same manner.

Most beer festivals are held throughout the summer months to take advantage of the beautiful relationship between warm weather and cold glass of suds. There are few things that go together so well, but having to wait through fall, winter and spring to get together again and see what is occurring in the industry by celebrating the delectable flavours seems very short sighted.

To bridge the gap, we have decided to have everyone raise a mug of holiday cheer and join us for our 3rd annual Christmas Craft Beer Show at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

In our estimation, this is a great concept that will allow the multitude of fantastic local micro-breweries to gather together to display their seasonal products as well as their brewery favourites to both beer lovers and food and beverage professionals ahead of the holiday season. This is an out of the box event for the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, but one we believe is needed in Victoria and will allow for all involved to garner exposure ahead of the most significant holiday season of the year and a chance for us all to enjoy a happy and prosperous New Year!

http://christmascraftbeershow.com/

BC SPCA Bake Sale and Fundraiser – December 1-2, 2018

Join us for a fun and friendly bake sale to support shelter animals! This pet and kid friendly event will feature:

*Santa photos by donation

*baking for pets and people

*amazing raffle baskets

*silent auction

*new and gently used pet supplies for sale

*Wild Arc booth

*SPCA merchandise for sale

All money raised at this event goes to support shelter animals in Victoria

The post UsedCrew Around Town: Holiday 2018 Edition appeared first on Used.ca.

Happy holidays everyone! ‘Tis the season for christmas parties, holiday baking, festive drinks, and best of all… Used.ca’s holiday giveaways!

This year, we encourage everybody to clear out some of that unwanted clutter in exchange for a little extra holiday cash on your local Used.ca city site, or seek out some previously-loved gems for your loved ones rather than buying new. Your wallet and the planet will thank you!

So while you stuff your wallet with extra cash, we’re giving away awesome prizes to stuff your stockings.

We have an amazing lineup of stocking stuffers over this years holiday giveaway contests, with everything from the ballet to beer, from pucks to pancakes! The contests will be super simple, just make sure you are following our Facebook and Instagram (@Used.ca), and participate in the contests when you see them.

Here’s a sneak peak to a few of the amazing prizes we have lined up:

Victoria Royals Holiday Hat Trick

Christmas Craft Beer Show 2018 

“In our estimation, this is a great concept that will allow the multitude of fantastic local micro-breweries to gather together to display their seasonal products as well as their brewery favourites to both beer lovers and food and beverage professionals ahead of the holiday season.”

http://christmascraftbeershow.com/

 Ballet Victoria: The Gift

“A young girl’s Christmas adventure with magical dolls, a snow queen, fairies, flowers and a white dragon! Immerse yourself and your whole family in a fun-filled winter wonderland with Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Nutcracker score performed by the incredible Victoria Symphony.”

https://www.rmts.bc.ca/events/the-gift-2018-royal-theatre

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People: Pippi Longstocking

“No school, no parents, no bedtime or rules. With her mom in the clouds and her dad at sea, Pippi’s on her own to live as she pleases.  A girl of indomitable strength and fierce independence, Pippi quickly befriends neighbour kids and delights in playing games that confound authorities. Anything can, and will, be put to rhythm and rhyme as she bucks the system and dances away any blues.”

More information!

… And much more! Make sure to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss your chance to win!

The post 2018 Holiday Giveaways: You stuff your wallet, we’ll stuff your stocking! appeared first on Used.ca.

If you’re like me, decluttering and tidying up may have made your list of New Year’s resolutions. And if you are really like me, there’s not many things better than a night in with just you, your remote, and some Netflix. Oddly enough, you can combine the two.

When it comes to parting ways with those previously-loved items, getting started always seems like the toughest part. Because let’s face it, getting rid of old stuff is hard. Really hard. It’s not so uncommon for thoughts like ‘I wore those shoes to that one event in 2012; I’ll totally wear them again’ or ‘I’ll learn to play guitar next year, I bought all the equipment so I just haven’t gotten around to it yet’ to start creeping in right when it’s time to make the tough decisions.

That’s where the lounging on your couch comes in.

Netflix’s popular new show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo provides some much needed tips, tricks, and inspiration for starting your 2019 decluttering journey off right.

Tidying up follows best selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and Spark Joy Marie Kondo as she helps everyday people organize their home in a gentle, non-judgemental, and even loving way.

After getting through an episode or two (or, again like me, a whole season in one sitting), you may just feel ready to get over the hump and start tidying. 

When you do decide it’s time to let the organizing begin, Used.ca can help. Although in your eyes it’s time to chuck that ping-pong table which now is used solely for laundry-related purposes, you’d be surprised how much some university students would pay for it AND come pick it up.

Posting your previously-loved items on your Used.ca city site provides a fantastic way to earn a little extra cash while following in the footsteps of your new inspiration, Marie Kondo.

So go ahead. Bunker down for some guilt-free TV time, because it just might lead to both a clean home and a little extra spending money heading into the New Year.

Some other articles you might like:

– Level Up with a Print Upgrade!
– Why we Love Little Libraries
– Selling Used Baby Gear

The post ‘Tidying Up’ this New Year? New Netflix show provides some much needed inspiration appeared first on Used.ca.

Need some inspiration heading in to wedding season? There are TONS of uses for mason jars at your wedding, here’s a few of our favourites:

Centrepieces/Table Settings

Lighting

Aisle Decorations

Get everything you need to make your DIY mason jar ideas come to life from  UsedVictoria.com!

The post DIY Wedding: Mason Jar Decor appeared first on Used.ca.

Image by TMag from Pixabay

I’ve been trying to clear out my garage for YEARS! (I’m embarrassed to point this out, but you can read two older blog posts on this same topic here and sadly, here). With the recent addition of an electric vehicle to our family, it was critical we make some space for the charging area – gas prices finally convinced us it was time to trade in the old V6 – so, we decided to host a garage sale.

While our garage sale wasn’t a disaster, it certainly had ample room for improvement.

What-Not-to-do When Hosting a Garage Sale

1. Don’t leave your advertising until the last minute

I knew we were going to do the garage sale for weeks, but we didn’t fully commit until the day before, which meant our classified ad letting people know about our garage sale didn’t go up until the day before! Thankfully, a nice couple up the road did put their ad on Used.ca well in advance and we were able to put up an old fashioned poster on a telephone pole near their house to draw some of their crowd

2. Don’t forget the price tags or price groupings

I had good intentions of putting coloured stickies on my things to indicate price groups: .25¢, $1, $2, $5, etc. However, I ran out of time. The worst part about it was that when people would ask me how much something was, I’d blurt out “ummm, $4?” and they’d give me $3 for an item I could have easily received $20 for if I’d sold it on Used.ca

3. Don’t sleep in

Apparently, Garage Salers are also Early Birds, and anyone that knows me, knows I am not an early riser! I didn’t do any research on garage sales and turns out, primetime garage saling happens between 7 am – noon. I tried to start ours at 9:30 am…but let me tell you, no one respected my warning of “no early birds” in my ad

4. Selling a $300 SMEG Toaster at a garage sale will get you laughs, not $300

I kinda knew this going in, but when people asked me how much the toaster was and I told them I wanted $200 for it, they thought I was nuts! This crowd did not appreciate my “countertop bling.” I loved the lady who said, “Oh dear, this belongs on UsedVictoria.com, you’ll get more money for it there.” (don’t I know it!)

Tips for Hosting a Garage Sale (aka: things I actually pulled off!)

1. Load your more valuable items on Used.ca at the same time

I made more cash the day after our garage sale by selling only three items on Used.ca

2. Give it away!

At the end of your garage sale, gather the stuff you don’t mind giving away for free; take a couple pictures and then post an ad on your local Used.ca site. The free section helps things move fast!

3. Merchandise

Treat your garage sale like a store. Group like items together and make sure the items are visible.

4. Set up a user profile on Used.ca

This will make things SO much easier. I could update all my ads in one place. For example, as I loaded each item, I’d put in a shameless plug for our garage sale: “come and see this and my other items at our garage sale today until 2pm.” Then, when the sale ended, it took me no time to edit my ads to remove the mention of the garage sale

5. Use the Used.ca app!

It was so fast and easy to use. If you downloaded it when we first released it and haven’t used it in a while, try again – we’ve made some huge improvements…posting an item for sale takes under a minute

6. Be ready to chat with friendly people carrying zip-lock bags of change

Garage sale folks are looking for a day out as well as a bargain. I thought I’d need a float of coins to make change, but these clients know what they are doing

My “free” pile

What I learned

In the end, we pulled in $132. While the day wasn’t exactly a money-maker, it did clear out a lot of space in our garage and I’m happy to see those items go to people who will use them. It was also a really sunny day and it was nice spending it in our front yard, under our tree in full bloom, talking to friendly people.

The huge lesson for me here was that I shouldn’t let stuff pile up – from now on, I will pull out my Used.ca app and sell stuff immediately!

Share your garage sale life lessons below…

The post How to hold a garage sale…from someone who made a lot of mistakes appeared first on Used.ca.

Join the #moolafordebt challenge to clear up your clutter and pay down your debt! #moolafordebt will start on May 24th at 8am and run through until June 9th at 10pm.

So, you have just over two weeks to post your gently used items on your local Used.ca site using the hashtag #moolafordebt, make some extra moola and pay down your debt!

The post Get ready for #MoolaForDebt 2019 appeared first on Used.ca.

Great! You’ve decided it’s time to sell some of your gently used stuff on Used.ca. Now, let’s make this as quick of a sale as possible. Here are a few tricks used by the pros at Used.ca to get buyers lining up for your items. This article will outline how to best choose a title and description for your goods, for help in taking photos, check out this article.

Here are our top tips for describing your item:

• Ads should be short and interesting
• Think SEO when creating your title: use keywords that people may be searching, don’t get too descriptive or creative here
• Tell people why you’re selling the item, i.e. “We forgot to return this in time.”
• What condition is the item in? Brand new, gently used, excellent, showing its age, etc.
• Don’t forget measurements
• Mention the materials (wood, plastic, metal etc)
• Remember that transactions are done in cash, so prices that end in zero are easiest: $20, $50, $100, etc. Buyers will usually want to haggle the price so leave room in your pricing to lower it slightly but still get the amount you want.

These simple tips can make a big difference when posting on your local Used.ca site. Happy buying and selling!

The post Expert tips for posting an ad on Used.ca appeared first on Used.ca.

Summer is a time for some of the most fun events of the year, and Used.ca is sponsoring a ton on Vancouver Island! This July, we want you to get out of your house and into the community. There’s no better way to get involved than to attend awesome events near you! No matter where you are, supporting your community is a great way to connect to locals, make new memories, and better friends!

Here’s a compilation of all the events we hope to see you at this July!

Dîner en Blanc Victoria (July 27th)

Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018 is coming up! This is possibly the chicest Vanoucver Island summer event this season, so it’s time to bust out any white items laying around the house. Now is a great time to sell white items to make some extra cash! In your ad description, use the ‪#‎DEBVictoria‬ hashtag so people can easily find and buy your items.

Brilliant white items to include: tables, chairs, tablecloths, dishes, picnic baskets, clothing, accessories and wine glasses!

Are you going to Dîner en Blanc Victoria 2018? Looking for white…everything!? Visit UsedVictoria.com and use the search term #DEBVictoria to find items specifically being sold for the event.

Click here to learn more about Dîner en Blanc, and to see some ideas we put together to get you started on your search!

Art Gallery Paint-In (July 21st)

Join us for one of Victoria’s most beloved outdoor events, a celebration of art in all forms! Over 190 artists’ booths will line up along Moss Street – from Fort Street all the way to Dallas Road from 11am-4pm!

The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is a community event that celebrates visual arts and represents artists from across Victoria and Vancouver Island. Throughout the day, artists demonstrate and discuss their work with a curious, art-loving public that is eager to catch a rare glimpse into the artistic process. Imagination Stations line the street giving families the opportunity to join in on the fun!

The Family Garden stays open until 9pm. Local eats and drinks, plus a great line up Victoria based musical artists including Phantom Thieves and Teenage Violets will be there as well. We hope to see you there!

Interested in being a part of the action? Click here for more information or to sign up to volunteer!

Lawn Summer Nights (July 19th and 26th)

Warm nights, great people, and good vibes for a good cause are the key ingredients of Lawn Summer Nights. This event is a lawn bowling tournament and fundraiser that brings people together in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Started in 2009, the event has grown to 47 events in 20+ cities with over 5,000 participants!

Victoria has been celebrating Lawn Summer Nights since 2014 at the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club. 40 teams “do battle” over the 4 nights in July, with theme nights, food, beverages and more. All in support of making CF stand for Cure Found!

Click here to register, and hereto purchase social tickets!

Victoria Symphony Splash (August 5th)

On August 5, 2018, tens of thousands of people will take to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for the 29th annual Victoria Symphony Splash, North America’s LARGEST outdoor orchestral event!  From a floating stage in the Inner Harbour, the VS orchestra and special guests will perform. The performance will go out with a bang including an amazing firework display!

Sign up to volunteer at Victoria Symphony Splash today to receive these benefits:

• Get a Splash volunteer t-shirt and an invitation to the Splash after-party in August
• Receive a ticket voucher for a concert in the Victoria Symphony’s 2018/19 season
• Give back to your community and meet new and interesting people while you listen to wonderful music in a spectacular setting!

Apply to volunteer at: victoriasymphony.ca/splash

This a snapshot into a few of the 250+ events that Used.ca sponsors around Vancouver Island each year! We believe it’s important to stay involved in communities – and we hope you do too! What events are going on in your community this summer – let us know in the comments!

The post Used.ca at Vancouver Island summer events in July!☀️ appeared first on Used.ca.

Who doesn’t love getting stuff for free? On Used.ca’s Free page, not only can you find hidden gems, but you can also participate in the ever-so-important upcycling movement! 

Posting free ads for these items instead of leaving them on the curb not only saves taxpayers money but also helps the upcycling movement and passes your items on to other members of the community to appreciate. It’s a win-win!

Here are ten reasons why you should post an ad on Used.ca’s Free page:

#1 – You can post your Free items for FREE on the Used.ca sites: Not only can you declutter and upcycle, but you can do so at no cost. Can’t beat that!

#2 – It will save you money: Disposing of items at dumps is super expensive. Why not post a free ad instead? 

#3 – It will save you time: Time is money, and spending time AND money to get rid of unwanted items sucks. Not only do you have to spend money at the dump, but you also have to waste your time loading the items and driving there. 

Posting an item for free will save you loading and driving time. And interested people will use their own time to come and get the item!

#4 – You can post as many free items as you would like: The more free stuff you have to upcycle, the better! Remember the old adage, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”

#5 – It helps you declutter your life: We all tend to hold on to stuff that we no longer use or need. Maybe it’s because of the memories they hold? The reality is that posting items on Used.ca can help you declutter, for free!

#6 – It keeps things out of the landfill: Enough said. 

#7 – It helps save the world: Keeping items out of the landfill and promoting upcycling literally helps save the world by reducing our carbon footprint.

#8 – It inspires creativity: You may think those old wooden window frames you’ve posted for free are just junk. But thanks to DIY blogs and Pinterest, someone may take them and repurpose them as picture frames, abstract art, or even in a wedding reception as a seating chart. The possibilities are endless!

#9 – It will make someone else really happy: People love to get things for free. Also, not everyone is equally fortunate and getting an item for free can make a big difference in someone’s life.

#10 – It will make you really happy:  Nothing feels better than helping someone else out. While you may think that the old bed frame you posted for free is old and that nobody will take it. There will be someone out there who’s struggling, and a free bed frame will make all the difference.

Convinced yet? Sign-up for an account and post an ad on Used.ca’s Free page today! Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you might also save taxpayers some money and make someone’s day. Sounds like a no-brainer!

You can stay up to date with Used.ca by liking them on Facebook and following their Instagram. 

The post Keep items out of landfills and upcycle with Used.ca’s Free page! appeared first on Used.ca.