Garage sale season is here! {that’s what we call them down here in the South! Do you call them that where you live too?}
If you like to thrift {and I do, just a little...ahem}, you’ll probably enjoy garage sale shopping too. You can find some serious deals at a yard sale- though I’ve found they can be very hit or miss. {Did you see my best yard sale trip ever?}
Here are a few tips to finding great yard sales that have worked for me:
1. find your sales online.
Craigslist is my very favorite place to find garage sales. The night before you go, check the last three days of listings to see which sales you want to go to.
You can also search Google and your local newspaper online to see what’s available. {okay, you won’t believe this- my husband made this website for me called Garage Mama where you can list your sale and find others by location and see it all on a map! He’s amazing!!}
2. know what you need to buy.
Making a list of items you need will help prioritize your shopping route. If you need baby items, you’ll want to drive to those yard sales first to get the best deals.
Planning your route around what you need may not be the most practical method to save on gas, but I think you’ll reap the reward in your finds.
3. strategize your shopping locations.
This may sound a little strange, but you really have to read between the lines of the garage sale ad.
If you are looking for nice kitchen appliances, you’re more likely to find a nicer blender at a sale with lots of infant items. Why? The baby items mean younger people, which means newer marriage, which probably means they were given lots of nice wedding gifts recently...which means nice {probably unused} kitchen appliances. Hey!
You see what I mean? You’ll be more likely to find fun milk glass serving pieces at an estate sale than in a brand-new neighborhood, and designer jeans and shoes at a sale in an upscale neighborhood.
4. scan before you stop.
The thing about yard sales is that most of them are only open for a few hours- ever. The best items are usually found early in the day, so if you’re looking to score the best deals, you are on a very limited time schedule, right?
As you approach your sale, drive by a potential stop to see if you even think it’s your style. Again, if you are a new mom looking for baby items, you’ll usually be able to tell if it’s the type of sale you want to go to before you even park.
Planning out my trip and reading between the lines both really seem to help me save time and find more deals when I garage sale.
What helps you find the best garage sales to go to? I’d love to hear! :)
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