Yard sales are my all time favorite and the most unrecognized form of recycling. I LOVE going yard saling. Even though the gas prices made me think twice this year, they're not high enough to outweigh the bargains that are available out there. I started about a month ago because there have been about a dozen listed in the local paper
towards the end of the week . I have typically used yard sales throughout the years for the children's after school and their summer break play clothes. There are a lot of good clothes to be found that look brand new and are great bargains. I save tons of money shopping for clothes at yard sales. Even my hubby loves it because he benefits just as much as the kids from my bargain hunting. He has gotten a good number of flannels and other work clothes at yard sales. As a matter of fact the first week I started this year, I found him two really nice name brand sweatshirts for a
dollar each. They even still had the sale tags on them!! And let me tell you when that unexpected cold snap hit us, he wore the heck out of them.
Clothes are not the only bargains to be had at yard sales though. Especially if I have a certain item in mind. Most of the time I will find the item I am looking for . I have an even better chance of finding it if I just ask the family if they might have the item. This weekend I will be looking for a nice piece of art or a beautiful vase that will really catch my eye to put on top of an armoire. I'm always on the lookout for tools that the hubby can use. This time of year I can usually find some plants being sold at yard sales for gardening too.
This coming weekend there are over 50 yard sales listed. So now it starts...and I have to go back to the yard sale strategy that I use when there are too many listed to be able to hit them all in the time allotted.
My strategy for yard saling is as follows:
* Look at the list in the newspaper and figure out right away which ones are too far away from the majority of others. Eliminate these with an "X" through the ad.
* Now since I have just read through them all I also have a pretty good idea as to where the majority are located that I am interested in. I separate these on scrap paper according to geographical areas.
* After that is done, I go down through each area and figure out which ones start the earliest and/or had something that I am definitely interested in getting a first look at listed in their ads.
* I then start numbering them. From there I go in the best order I can to save time and driving.
* Finally I figure out which geographical area is the most important or that I would like to start with and start putting all the areas in the best order that I can.
* Now I go to the computer and look up directions on
and jot down some directions beside that sale on the
scrap paper.
* Then I type and print out every thing on my computer
(so I can READ it) and stick it in my car.
* The night before the sale I fill up the gas tank, prep
some snacks and freeze some water bottles filled
with water to take along. This saves an enormous
amount of money. I used to spend more on food and
drinks then I did on the stuff I bought!
* The morning before leaving, I eat a good breakfast, check the weather channel, wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE ANY MEDS. DON'T TAKE ALONG PURSES, just carry a small change purse or use a pocket.
* Most importantly of all ... have fun for as long as you can 'cuz summer will be over before you know it!!
One last note: The clothes I buy my youngest son are passed on to my grandson, then when they are both done with them, my daughter has...A YARD SALE.
