Comments on: How Yard Sales Waste Your Money

By: Friday Links: Arkansas Edition

Friday Links: Arkansas Edition — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:06:41 +0000

[...] How Yard Sales Waste Your Money and How Yard Sales Save You Money – Domestic Cents [...]

By: Kika

Kika — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:36:14 +0000

My 10 year old daughter and I really enjoy garage sales – we live in a small town so at most, on a beautiful Saturday, there might be five sales going on at once. I have a list of things to look for: picture frames for children’s art work, sports gear, stonewear or cast iron, classic novels… I detest clutter so have no trouble only bringing home things I’m actually needing (and will save on buying second-hand). My latest buy was two new pillow forms – for my middle daughter who loves to sew/craft. I paid $2 each (so not a ‘steal’) – new would be about $6.99 each at Walmart.

By: Kika

Kika — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:32:07 +0000

I agree. If the seats were in great shape then buying both was still saving money vs. a new baby seat. True she’ll end up with clutter unless after her babe is born she passes the extra seat to someone else or a charity centre.

By: mother of pearl

mother of pearl — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:14:44 +0000

I just wanted to comment on what you said about yard sales being a lot of work. I think that really depends on how you do things. If you are trying to make some money (I know a family who has a yard sale every year specifically to earn money take a trip to an amusement park), then you will be have more work, pricing items and negotiating sales and whatnot. But if you have the mindset of I want to get rid of some of my things, then it can be a lot less work – set a flat rate (25 cents for every piece of clothing, 50 cents for every kitchen item, etc), take what people offer, and be done and glad to be rid of your things.

By: Elisa | blissfulE

Elisa | blissfulE — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:59:13 +0000

I can’t believe that lady bought *both* car seats!! She should definitely step away from the yard sales. But then again, in trying to find the best places to buy certain things here, I visited a baby store and was overwhelmed both at the astonishing prices ($36 for a tiny metal sippy cup!) and the number of couples that were shopping there. Perhaps buying two car seats at a yard sale is actually the sensible solution?!
Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..triplex nursing

By: Nicki

Nicki — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:12:00 +0000

Ha! That’s funny I’m sure they spent more than the $1 in gas!

By: Nicki

Nicki — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:11:24 +0000

Donna, stay tuned tomorrow

By: finallygettingtoeven.com

finallygettingtoeven.com — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:59:13 +0000

A few years ago i had a sale at my house with a few families. There was boatloads of stuff and we sold quite a lot. I didn’t pay attention to every item going out the door but a couple of days later i had a lady knocking on my door. She had 2 boxes of envelopes that she had bought at the sale for .50 each. She said the humidity had caused them all to seal shut and they were useless. She wanted her money back. Okay, well she probably spent more than $1 in gas driving over but whatever, i gave her $1 and she went happily on her way.

By: FabulousSavings.com

FabulousSavings.com — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:46:23 +0000

As Donna said, creating a list of the items you absolutely need is essential.

Also, along the lines of “Unknown Worth,” ask to test out any small appliances you’re thinking of buying. The seller might be annoyed at having to pull out the old extension cord, but making sure the item works is worth the time and effort.

- Shayna from FabulousSavings.com

By: Donna

Donna — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:33:31 +0000

While I see where you were going with this, I have to take exception most of the time. I have gotten very great deals on just an item I needed. This does take DISCIPLINE and a notebook with measurements, colors and sizes. I am committed to buying only what I need or can use, not just in case or maybe I could use it stuff. Successfully saving money by garage sales and yard sale purchasing is as detailed as retail shopping. To save money is to buy something you really need at a great price. Of course, this goes against the American retail therapy idea. I have slipped up on occasion but mostly I have saved enormous amounts of money on clothing and such. Great, thought provoking post.