| Yard sales (or garage sales as we call them | | | | learned.Put up signs. The newspaper goofed |
| in my part of Texas) | | | | the weekend of our sale and left |
| | | | |
| are a wonderful frugal source for almost | | | | out all that week's yard sales. So we had |
| anything you need. | | | | to depend on our signs. |
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| They can also be a wonderful, frugal source | | | | Put as many out as you can. Find out ahead |
| of extra money | | | | of time what kind of |
| | | | |
| almost any time you need it.When shopping at | | | | ordinances your town has about |
| yard sales, it's important to remember that | | | | placement.Take the time to make your |
| | | | signs...we bought ours and about |
| most things you buy are not going to be in | | | | |
| "new" condition, although | | | | halfway through the first morning, we |
| | | | noticed that we weren't getting |
| there are times when you will find items | | | | |
| that are brand new, in | | | | any customers. So we checked out our |
| | | | signs--and they were gone! |
| the box. And at a much lower price than in | | | | |
| the store.Most yard sales have lots of | | | | We put out more and the customers started |
| clothes for sale. But if you are | | | | coming again. But it |
| | | | |
| willing to take a closer look, you may find | | | | was costly.And when you make your signs, be |
| tons of treasures. | | | | sure to make them sturdy enough |
| | | | |
| The other day I found a shiny cookie sheet | | | | to stand up in the wind and also be sure |
| in a box of "freebies"! | | | | your lettering is large enough |
| | | | |
| I was thrilled and so was my son, who | | | | to be seen by people driving by in cars. I |
| didn't have one!My grandchildren have tons of | | | | think a large arrow pointing |
| books, most of which have been | | | | |
| | | | in the direction they need to go is |
| bought at yard sales. And all were in great | | | | helpful.Be sure to plainly mark your items. |
| condition and didn't | | | | It will save you lots of time |
| | | | |
| cost over 50 cents apiece. I keep a lookout | | | | during the sale if you don't have to talk to |
| for seasonal items | | | | each customer about the |
| | | | |
| for kids such as coloring books, little | | | | price of every item. If you aren't sure |
| stuffed animals, etc. Then | | | | what prices to ask, it might help |
| | | | |
| when Valentine's, Halloween or other | | | | to go out to some yard salesyourself in the |
| holidays roll around, we | | | | weeks before your sale and |
| | | | |
| send the grandchildren a package filled with | | | | check out what others are asking for |
| neat stuff for very | | | | items.If you really want to get rid of |
| | | | something, be willing to negotiate on the |
| little cash.This summer I am also watching | | | | |
| for "new-in-the-box" toys for | | | | price. By the same token, if you really |
| | | | want to get a certain amount, |
| children of all ages. In December, I'm | | | | |
| going to send them with | | | | be willing to say no when someone asks for a |
| | | | price reduction.When your yard sale is over, |
| my son (who is in the Texas National Guard) | | | | if you are lucky, you have space to store the |
| to their annual | | | | |
| | | | leftovers until next time you need to hold a |
| Toy Drive. But almost every community has | | | | sale. However, if you're not |
| some sort of toy | | | | |
| | | | one of the "lucky" ones, consider donating |
| drive at Christmas time. This way, I will | | | | your items to the local |
| already have my contributions | | | | |
| | | | Goodwill box.Helping you live the good |
| and won't need to go out and spend more | | | | life...on a budget! |
| money during the holiday | | | | |
| | | | Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal |
| season.Yard sales are a great way to make | | | | Friend 2 Another" |
| some extra money, also. Plus, | | | | |
| | | | bi-weekly e-newsletter and founder of the |
| you can get rid of unwanted items at the | | | | website of the same name. |
| same time. My daughter | | | | |
| | | | Visit to find creative tips, articles, and |
| and I recently held a sale and here are some | | | | a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the |
| of the things we | | | | e-newsletter and receive the free e-course |
| | | | "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill". |