Garage Sale Addiction

I like garage sales and it is hard for me to pass a roadside poster advertising one.  In the past however, I had a tendency of bringing home more than I needed - as if I didn't have enough stuff to use, care for, and store.  But I have finally developed a great garage sale strategy.  At the beginning of the garage sale season (usually around April), I make a list of all my family's needs and wants.  I share this list with my sisters who I know also share the garage sale addiction and then each Saturday morning,  armed with our cell phones and a small stash of cash in our pockets, we head out on our hunts.

I had to add to my garage sale list after my recent closet clean out and assessment.  Here's what I added:  a hooded sweatshirt and a few skirts for church.  Yesterday was the lucky morning where I found just that.   Amongst my many stops included a yard sale run by a very pregnant woman who was in the mood to unload a bunch of her "skinny/regular" clothes.  Lucky for me, these clothes were not only my current size but she also had a toddler boy and was unloading piles of his clothes as well.  That is where I found 4 church skirts, this great hoodie and clothes and shoes for Henry to grow into (because you all know boys clothes barely make it through a 4th pass down).  I spent $28 at that one stop (which is a lot in the garage sale world) but it was worth it.

Other recent finds that I haven't blogged included 2 University library chairs, one for Brigham Young University where I graduated and one from University of Michigan where Paul graduated.  It was so strange to see them sitting right next to each other in an empty basement of a Salt Lake house.  It was as if they were just waiting for me - they were only $25 a piece so I had to get them (even though they weren't really on my list).  Now I will be on the hunt for a Wharton chair or University of Pennsylvania chair - I will put it on my list.

The one great regret I have though is not saving more of the treasures and finds for Christmas.  I realize the kids get just as much joy out of used toys as they would new ones.  Paul calls them "fully depreciated".  But the idea of a "recycled" Christmas didn't come to me in time - perhaps with the help of my sisters on the hunt I can still pull it off.  The season is winding down though and I may have to rely on Craig's list, ebay, and esty to fill in the gaps.     

   

So go garage saling if you can before this holiday season.   It is fun, economical, good for the environment, and just makes sense (or cents).