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.

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