Fran Caballero, Neighbor

My training and skills in foraging for a great deal started when I was a little girl with my mother, Anne. This "good buy guru" started training my at garage sales as far back as I can remember. Although Anne was quite skilled at haggling, she was often even better at finding freebies. 

As I got older it seemed people would track me down and inquire about where they might find some bric-a-brac or appliance needs, a bicycle, etc.  I always knew where to look for information or guide people on how and where to look for what they need themselves. This odd gift seemed to follow me wherever I went in life and always took me places where I would wind up developing this deal finding talent. Working through high school and college in discount stores, acting as an agent for moving companies, and storage rentals only expanded the extent of my knowledge. Working at a storage facility gave me information on merchandise for sale not only for household needs, but antique and collector information. I became a promoter and participant in a variety of aspects of storage unit auctions; thereby giving me an edge on what was where and who to contact for the precious goods. 

The scope of queries, however, expanded to all kinds of probes and prods with each new transition in life, guiding me to become a go-to-girl for all kinds of information for individuals and families. The queries have changed as have the priorities of my peers. In college, I was always chosen to mediate and educate college students on rules, financial aid, resources for their careers, etc. through various committees. I have also been the resource of information for various holistic not-for-profit agencies, retreats and small holistic practices on Long Island, NY, and now, in Stamford, CT. 

Now that I've started a family of my own, I have a whole new set of antennae developing: how can I save money for my family without cutting out the joy in things? And so the queries have changed as have the priorities of my peers. Questions run the gamut from “Where is a good sale on a washing machine?” to “I’m burned out, but can’t afford a vacation. Where is a quick, but cheap get-away I can run off to before I lose my mind…?”  

It is not so much that I have this information for myself, but I really enjoy sharing the information with others. Some people have passion and vision for what they want their life to be, but are not so good at the research or finding the proper steps on how to get there. I happen to be passionate (and have a little knack) about the research and being a part of making things happen; if even just on a small scale. I would love to bring that information to a wider group of people who could benefit from these tidbits of information; namely my fellow residents of Stamford.