With a son and daughter under 2 years old, Laird Memory knows the pain of tossing out barely used baby goods. That's why the Atlanta woman turns to consignment shops like Crib It on Bishop Street in Atlanta for sweet savings.

"I'm a big purger — I use it or lose it," she said after dropping off items at the children's clothing and furniture store. "I always think of it as better than a yard sale."

KATIE LESLIE=/kleslie@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Laird Memory helps keep Crib It's shelves stocked.

Memory, a promotions producer with Turner Communications, has sold her vintage clothing to consignment shops for nearly a decade, but just got into baby items about a year ago. Consignment shops sell items on behalf of others, and retain a portion of the proceeds. Memory sells home goods to places like Finders Keepers in Avondale Estates, and children's clothing to Sweet Repeats in Atlanta.

The most she has made at one time is about $300, she said, although sometimes she's been paid just $10. But while consignment shops aren't always the most lucrative route (she turns to eBay or Craigslist.org for that) she likes the ease of dropping off goods she no longer needs.

"It's a wonderful 'out of sight, out of mind' feeling, and the check is a great bonus," she said.

31 ways to save

• Want to save on food? Ask your neighbors 
• Frequent diner saves with coupons by e-mail 
• Shopper works grocery sales 
• Teenage flash for less 
• Fun, cheap getaway as close as a state park or two 
• Borrowing from library cuts costs for avid readers 
• Gamble pays off in lower expenses 
• Exerciser not waiting for DVD to come out 
• Coupons bite into cost of dining out 
• Find it for a fraction of the original price 
• Purge baby items at consignment shops 
• Brazil beckons for savings-smart traveler 
• Old sol  and 'common sense'  cut electric bill 
• Cost-cutting is par for the course 
• Rack up with sales, off-season garments 
• Shopper charts the best prices 
• Public swimming pool refreshing, affordable 
• More-efficient ride picks up cash flow 
• Clean Air deal sweetens switch to a car pool plan 
• Personal trainer trims costs and fees 
• Mom shops early for school needs 
• 'Kids eat free' nights stretch family's budget 
• RVers cut back, consolidate trips 
• Teacher Web sites offer ideas, freebies 
• Mom 'not too proud' to snag a bargain 
• Cheese plates, movies fit budget 
• Take a walk to library; watch a movie for free 
• Volunteer shows way to free theater seats 
• Catch Braves in action for mere peanuts 
• Portrait of thriftiness in designer-wear garb 
• Businessman finds cheap gas via phone 
• Shopper takes bite out of grocery bill 
• Have your own way to save? Please share it with us
• Your Money: Strategies for stretching your dollars
• Saving Dough: Resources for stretching your food dollar