Frugal Family: Yard Sale Mania

I’m addicted to yard sales. Yes, I am, and I’m proud to admit it. It saves us a TON of money.

During the months of April through September, many local neighborhoods organize community yard sales. These are great because you can hit a lot of sales without driving the distance.

Tip 1: If a sale runs Friday and Saturday, get there Friday if you can. The good stuff will be gone by Saturday. And go EARLY!
Once you become a professional ‘yard saler,’ you realize there is a culture of others who are right there with you. I run into the same people every weekend. Every year I recognize the sellers and know the kind of deals they’ll have to offer. There’s an intimacy to the process that’s somewhat surprising.

Tip 2: Watch for detailed yard sale listings. Use your local Patch, Craigslist, the local newspaper, and watch for signs around town.

Yard sales offer a lot of useless junk like tacky holiday decorations, well-used toys, old glassware and other things that no one would really want. However, if you have the time to join the hunt, there are some AMAZING deals to be found.

Tip 3: Go with a shopping list. Have an idea of the things you want and how much you’re willing to spend on them.

It pains me to pay more than $5 for any article of clothing, which limits my retail options. Even on a good sale at Old Navy, I’m lucky to find a t-shirt in the right size for less than $5.  Yard sales fill the gap.

Boys will be boys and they’re going to wear what they wear. What’s the point in paying $20 for a pair of jeans that will soon have holes in the knees?

Find the right yard sale and you’re paying $1 or less per item - often 50 cents. Usually, the clothing is gently worn, but occasionally there are pieces with price tags still attached. That’s part of the fun. You never know what you’ll find.

Tip 4:  Try to make a deal. Prices aren’t fixed at most sales, and sellers are willing to barter to get rid of their junk.

I was actually willing to pay the $1 per item despite my typical efforts of bartering. This was quality stuff - Old Navy, American Eagle, Levi's, Gap! The owner of the home was so happy that I was happy, she told me to take the bag of clothing for $25 rather than $32. That would have been one pair of jeans at Old Navy.

This is CRAZY savings! And my son has an entire wardrobe for the next year (which includes a from the Gap!).

Tip 5: Stay tuned for “Community Yard Sales”.

Some boroughs and townships waive the yard sale fees one or two days each year to allow the entire community to hold a sale.

Because there are so many homes participating, it’s often easy to find good deals.

Emmaus is hosting its semi-annual “Community Yard Sale” on Sat., June 4. Hellertown’s is potentially going to be .

Check out other tips offered by the “Yard Sale Queen." Another fun blog to read is “The Queen of Fifty Scents."

If you have a free Friday or Saturday morning, go for the hunt. You might find a treasure worth keeping!