Yard sale season is now upon is - and I have discovered there are many bonuses to these weekly Saturday outings.
In the past, I wouldn't have been caught dead at one - I will admit it.
But these days, with two little kiddies, I have discovered a plethora of perks to the once-thought-lowly yard sale.
1. They are a great way to entertain my daughter on a Saturday, when Hubby is working on the house/yard etc.
2. Kids are expensive, are ever-growing, and ever-needing new toys and clothing. Why not use someone's previously loved items, for a fraction of the price.
3. I never get time to shop anymore, with two tiny tots, so this helps me to assuage the shopping need - and is FAR more inexpensive.
4. I think yard sales even meet some "hunt and gather" instincts from our ancestors.
5. What a rush to find some great deal, for dirt cheap!
6. An even bigger rush to brag about it to friends and family who would have loved to have found that great deal for themselves (ok, I lead a dull existence these days, because this actually does provide excitement for me).
My latest great finds?
A grandmother's button jar, full of buttons, needles and pins and other goodies. This have provided hours of entertainment for my daughter, who has an absurd fascination with buttons ( as does my cousin, who is insanely jealous over these buttons and I'm a bit afraid she will at some point con my three year old out of her wares - just joking!)
A dress made of a beautiful blue print fabric. This dress was about a 3XXL size, so there was TONS of fabric in it. I purchased it for 50 cents - and it is now an almost-finished peasant blouse. I will post picks when I get it sewn.
Several XXL and bigger t-shirts, skirts and blouses that have beautiful fabric and buttons. They are just waiting to be made into some exciting new article of clothing, purse, belt...who knows! (and why pay several dollars for 4 buttons when you can get 8+ buttons off an old shirt for 50 cents??!!)
Several Barbies, books and building blocks for the kiddies - and even a whole set of junior hockey equipment for $10. Beat that!
One caveat is the competitiveness that can arise due to yard sale fever. Get there early, and get out of my way! (you people know who you are - don't touch my deals!!)
Gotta go get my route planned for tomorrow - yard sale day!
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Years ago our home was filled with yard sale wares, then we moved to Idaho. We did not bring everything so somethings needed to be replaced. We bought new. The stuff we bought at yard sales (used) held up far better then this crap. We spent a lot of money on this stuff to watch it fall apart quickly. If I get it for cheap and it falls apart I dont cry nearly as much! We alsohave 6 kids, they ain't cheap!
ReplyDeleteBetter Panic
Yes, indeed! T'is the season! It's amazing what one can find at yard sales...especially here on the Island! I've found a few treasures and the best one was the fruit press my Hubby brought home from a farm auction a few years back.
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd mention the give away I'm having on my blog.
http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-can-save-your-childs-life.html