Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Estate Sales, Rummage Sales, Jumble Sales--whatever they're called in your part of the world, they're a magnificent place to shop for bargains. In my part of the world they're frequently called yard sales and, again, in my part of the world, this is the time they're most abundant--not this weekend, of course, but from Memorial Day through the beginning of school (and even a little past that) they abound!
I'm trying to be as ecologically sound as I can without giving up too many of my creature comforts. One of the ways I do that is to help re-use other people's stuff. If I'm not buying it from the store, there are no natural resources going into the manufacture of that item.
I mentioned the saving money part. They're also a magnificent place to spend more money on stuff you don't need (or even want once you've had it for a while). Here's my all-time favorite tip for how to stay focused at the yard sale opportunities around you.
Make a list. I know, I've told you the same thing for grocery shopping, but this is different. This list should have two categories: Things I really want to get today and Things I'm looking for if they happen to turn up at a good price.
In the first list, you obviously put down the things you really want. While I'm in the organization and decorating mode these days, I'm on the lookout for a few more baskets for my shelves. I'm also always looking for cloth napkins but not just any cloth napkins. I really don't like the polyester ones and I don't want light colors. I prefer brightly colored ones that won't show minor stains. I'm also looking for a card table-sized cloth for my tiny dining table.
In the second list you put the things you're always kind of looking for but don't really need right this minute. Technically the napkins and tablecloth fit that category but I'd really like to get them today if I can. I also have Tupperware storage containers on this list. This is part of my ecologically sound philosophy. Tupperware lasts forever, both in our kitchens and in landfills, so I try to get as many of my storage containers as possible this way.
I'm also always on the lookout for books. I get a lot of books from the library but there are also books I'd like to keep for longer than the library allows and when I find one of those, I grab it, especially books on photography that look like something I can use. I even pick up the occasional fiction when it's in good condition. I've been known to give them as gifts to someone I know likes a particular genre. I never try to imply I paid full price for the book but I don't come right out and say that I got it at a yard sale.
I used to have a pair of turkey lifter forks (don't worry if you don't know what they are--most people don't) and they disappeared in a recent move. They're on that list. It's no big deal if I don't find them but it would be fun if I did.
I'm also in the market for a table lamp, a tall kitchen trash can, and a couple of very nice, flexible ice cube trays.
I try to be fairly brutal with myself about not getting anything else. I don't always succeed but I DO always go over the purchase in my head before I walk up to the cashier to make my purchase. For instance, I love candles but I have TONS of them and don't need even one more, no matter how inexpensive or beautiful. There will always be more candles at more yard sales, if I ever manage to burn all the ones I already have.
On the other hand, if I didn't have queen-sized bed linens on my list and there was a sheet set for $4--in excellent condition--I'd snatch that up in a second. I have a queen-sized guest bed with one set of sheets for it. I don't really have to have another set but what happens if I have a guest who becomes ill in the night--I have no replacements sheets. That would be a good purchase for me.
As I've been writing this I've been thinking about all kinds of other things I do surrounding yard sales but right now I have to run. I'll try to remember to write more about this a little later this week--or maybe next. In the meantime, have fun at yard sales--just don't go crazy!
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