146: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton - Episode 146146: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton - Episode 146
UK Health Radio Podcast
Steve Sexton talks with Tracy Panase about using children’s resale events to cut back-to-school costs and generate extra income. The conversation focuses on practical ways families can stretch tight budgets while keeping kids well equipped and safe.
44:54•19 Sept 2026
Smart Back-to-School Saving Hacks with Tracy Panase
Episode Overview
- Families can save around 50–90% on children’s clothing, toys, books and gear at organised resale events.
- Selling outgrown children’s items at Just Between Friends can earn parents an average of about $450 in a weekend.
- Items are checked to be clean, complete, current and compliant, including safety checks for recalls.
- Planning ahead with sizes and a clear budget helps parents make the most of limited-time pop-up sales.
- Franchise owners focus on serving local communities, offering flexible work while supporting family finances.
“Our mission as a company is to help families say yes, say yes to things that they might otherwise have to say no to, simply because it's out of reach for them financially.”
What remarkable journeys have people faced head-on against addiction? While this conversation focuses on money rather than substances, it speaks directly to families under pressure, including those rebuilding life and finances after alcohol or other addictions. The chat centres on smart back-to-school savings with guest Tracy Panase, CFE, CEO of Just Between Friends, a children’s resale event franchise.
Host Steve Sexton steers the talk towards real-life budget pain: kids shoot up a shoe size in months, clothes barely get worn, and parents are left wondering why they spent so much. Tracy shares how her own experience as a mum led her into consignment, turning a simple idea – parents swapping outgrown items – into a national network of pop-up resale events.
You’ll hear how families can cut costs by 50–90% on children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, sports gear and more, all in one large, organised venue that feels more like a department store than a jumble sale. Tracy explains the “four Cs” they insist on: items must be clean, complete, current and compliant, with trained safety specialists checking recalls so parents don’t have to.
There’s plenty here for anyone trying to stabilise finances in recovery: selling unused children’s items can bring in an average of about $450 in a weekend, often enough to fund an entire season’s wardrobe and even chip away at bills. Tracy describes it as “recycling at its best”, where families almost get paid to shop, and where donations from unsold stock support local communities.
The tone stays light and practical, with shopping tips, franchise insights, and a strong emphasis on community – parents helping parents through tough economic times. If you’re juggling sobriety, family life and a tight budget, this conversation offers down-to-earth ways to make your money stretch further while keeping your kids happy and well dressed. Could turning your children’s outgrown things into cash be one small step towards a calmer, more secure life?
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