I have a love hate relationship with going to garage sales. When my kids were little it made more sense because they outgrew everything so quickly it was an extremely affordable way to keep up. Now not so much. I find my list is short and as I’ve simplified over the years I’ve learned that one of the best ways to reduce clutter in my home is to stop it from coming in the door in the first place. We all know how easy it can be to add to our clutter collections when the price is too good to pass up. That’s the hate part of the garage sale relationship. However, despite that, I have to tell you that a lovely turn of events has turned this garage sale season into one I will treasure forever.
You see here in my new community, garage sales happen late Friday afternoons, which I love and look forward to week after week. Why? Because I’ve got a standing date with my middle son (11) who absolutely loves to hit the garage sales each week (he’s always on the hunt for cheap Yu-Gi-Oh cards). Since my other two kids couldn’t care less about garage sales, it’s become our thing to do, just the two of us. I love spending one on one time with my kids and this has been such a great way to hang out with my boy.
Oh how I’ve enjoyed our Friday nights together even if it does mean I end up buying a few things that were just too good of a deal to pass up. The entire DVD series of Golden Girls that I purchased for $30.00 was a steal and I took one look at them and knew I had to have them. I grew up in the eighties what more can I say and the theme song? Only the best there ever was. Seriously there is just something about this song that puts an instant smile on my face and makes me start singing at the top of my lungs. My family especially loves when I do that 🙂
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For the most part though I’ve been pretty controlled at garage sales I must say. Of course I always keep my eyes open for things to help me organize. Two of my favorite finds this summer were only $2.00 a piece!!
First you know how I love my Pampered Chef Turnabout for my kitchen utensils. Well when I found one on sale recently for $2.00 I snatched that thing up so fast and high tailed it out of there yelling “start the car, start the car!” Yes I’m a total dork like that. I use this one as my son’s art caddy. LOVE it!
Second was this simple Closet Maid shelving unit, also for $2.00. I’m always on the look out for these as they are the BEST for inside closets, I think every one of my closets has a least one 🙂 My daughter also uses one for a nightstand. Not sure yet where I’ll use this one but I can assure you it will be put to good use.
So how do you feel about going to garage sales? Love em or hate em or somewhere in between? Did you find any great deals this summer?
tinycandi says
My daughters (9 and almost 7) love to go garage sales with me too. I’ve found stuff for my apartment (like a dvd stand and 19in tv for $5/ea) and lots of clothes for my kids! You snagged some great stuff!
ter@waaoms says
I like garage sales but I haven’t found much worth talking about this year. However, last year or was it the year before now? I found a hand held blender for only $2 and I use it all.the.time. I’ve also found those closet maid shelving units, at one sale a couple years ago I found I think it was 5 pieces for $20. I thought that was a pretty good deal. 🙂
Tammy says
You probably have nice closet organizers and shelving, but as renters, we don’t have that option. I have two of those shelving units and in the last several places I have lived, I have actually turned them sideways and stacked them up onthe upper shelf closet to make 6 cubbies for folded jeans, bins of scarves, a spot for my DSLR camera, etc. It is a great way to make that upper shelf more usable since it is usually 3 feet from the ceiling or so leaving so much wasted space. These, turned on their sides, are the perfect solution.
RadiomomRhetoric says
I also have a love hate ralationship with garage sales. 🙂 I get this weird guilty feeling when I walk out empty handed (yes-I am able to walk away if there is nothing I can use) LOL. But I feel guilty-like I am saying to them, “Nothing here is good for me.”
my best BEST find this Summer was a HUUUGE cherrywood headboard for my king bed! 15 bucks. I am doing a blog post later on it-so I won’t reveal it here-but after some paint-it is looking AWESOME!
Caitlin says
I hate going to garage sales. But I will admit, there’s nothing like the high you get when you snatch a 2nd hand bargain. I wish I was more committed to the cause!
Marcia Francois, Organising Queen says
We don’t have them here but I would love them. I’m quite discerning (since I got organised) and am LOATHE to find places for new stuff so rather don’t bring them home. Except stationery, of cours 🙂
LOVE the time you have with your middle son.
I also had wonderful 1:1 time with Connor today when I took him to the doctor and then to the pharmacy to get meds. he was so precious!
Teri says
I love going to garage sales. It’s where I get my things for being creative at cheap, cheap prices. Sweaters to felt, furniture to redo, things to organize with, hardware… The list goes on and on.
Jenni says
I found 2 Martha Stewart drawer organizers. They weren’t marked & when I asked, the seller said “oh, how about 25 cents?” Um, YES!! One found a home in my spice drawer, which was a complete wreck. It now has order to it. 🙂 The other is still waiting for a home, but I’m sure I’ll find a place for it!
Jill says
I saved a lot of money on kids stuff at garage sales in the past and used to shake in anticipation. Now that our daughter is grown the thrill is gone:(
Jill says
I have saved a lot of money shopping for kids items at garage sales in the past, in fact I would shake in anticipation. Now that my daughter is grown, the thrill is gone:(
Annie says
Oh how I miss you my friend!!
Amy @ AboutOne says
Can I just tell you how happy it makes me to see a Golden Girls video on one of my fave blogs? And what a steal you got! I always hold a big yard sale each year, but I actually never go yard sale shopping. Judging by your finds, I might need to start!
myra says
i love garage sales. i have a little 8month old. So im all about garage sales when it comes to baby items =) I havent found anything worth sharing YET. but maybe this weekend =) *crossing my fingers for a good garage sale find.
heather says
It can be dangerous to get me near a garage sale. I LOVE A GOOD DEAL! But a garage sale is also great to get rid of the clutter!
Sue from Livin In Duckville says
I too have been looking for organizing items at garage sales & Goodwill, especially this summer. I have had a summer where I have accomplished alot – organizing & decluttering – enough to have my own garage sale in 2 weeks!
This has been one of the first years where I have not bought much – unless I KNOW where I can use it and I have a specific NEED for it. If I see something that I am ‘waffling’ on, – wondering what I would do with it, I ask myself – Am I going to regret not getting this? Is it easy to find (frequently available at Goodwill, garage sales, etc)? Can I get it almost as cheap at the store?….
Cathie says
In an effort to keep clutter at bay also, I too have purchased less and less at garage sales lately. BUT this year I found a hand-made open shelf unit for my kitchen. AWESOME. It adds much needed storage, and replaced a nearly useless sofa table that was temporarily filling that spot. It is about 4 feet long, maybe 4 and 1/2 feet tall, has 3 shelves on either side, and 2 larger shelves in the middle. It is very well built. They were asking $20, and I paid $15. SCORE! I love it.
I also purchased one of those huge glass vase-type things that you usually see filled with lemons. I wasn’t sure how I was going to use it, (and still I’m not sure) but I knew that for $1 it was worth grabbing.
Cathie says
Oh, and my 8 yr. old son has found that yard sales are a wonderful place to find Legos cheap. He’s also discovered ebay, but that’s another story.
Angela says
My husband, 3-year-old and I had a great day at a summer fayre at a dog rescue centre on Saturday. We went to one there a few months ago and saw some lovely furniture but had no money to spend, but this time we were able to take some money. We came away with a bookcase for my daughter’s bedroom, a magazine rack with a shelf above it to put our drinks on in the living room, a 2-storey square coffee table for our dining room, and a tall kitchen vegetable organiser which I’m putting in the corner of my bedroom to put my home education books and supplies in. The total cost of it all was only £12 GBP, and in addition Father Christmas was able to do a bit of early shopping for my daughter’s Christmas stocking this year!
Ann says
Love going to garage sales. My kids are little. My girls found a great deal on
the Littlest Pet Shop toys. Very excited for them.
My son found a great deal on Star Wars ships for his figures. So happy did not cost a fortune.
Andrea says
Haha! I love that Ikea commercial..I LOL everytime!
So awesome you spotted that deal.
mary b says
My 7 yo loves yard sales! We just scored him a new wood bed with a bookshelf headboard for $10. He was so excited to be able to set up a display of his collectible stuff and have a place to set the book he is reading.
The funny thing is he had been keeping his stuff on that same white shelf unit from your pic! (now I am using it)
Gail says
I, too, have a love hate relationship with yard sales and GW for the same reason you do- great prices on terrific stuff to add to my house which doesn’t need another thing. I just pinky swear with my mom- I won’t let her buy more glassware and she won’t let me buy more ribbon (our weaknesses) and with those weaknesses out of the way, I buy only things I can use TODAY and not for that infamous “someday” project.
Sinea says
I had no idea that Pampered Chef sold such an organizer. My niece is a rep. I’ll have to ask her about it.
Your special time with your son is a real blessing. My boy is all grown up but we had special things to do together that were moments I will always cherish.
Pam says
“Start the Car” that made me laugh out loud I love going to garage sales and I have felt like this before VERY FUNNY
Michelle Ginther says
not sure of dimensions on the white shelves, but it looks like it might fit laundry baskets? Could use it to sort clean laundry to put away if you find the right size baskets. Would love something like that for my boys.
michelle says
I LOVE garage sales, but for the reasons noted above, try to refrain. How excited was I to find out my daughter was pregnant? We went to 3 different sub-division sales this summer and completely set her up for under $300.00, including the crib (only 1 year old, name brand, not on a recall list) swing, pack and play, bedding, clothes (I don’t think she will need to do laundry!) baby monitor (the DEAL of the day for $5.00, and retailed for $200.00) dresser and maternity clothes. After we were done, she sorted through all our finds, and sold some of the excess, leaving us having spent less than $200.00!
Carol@easytobeglutenfree says
LOVE LOVE LOVE yard sales! I live in the south which means we have yard sales all year. My best finds recently were a Kitchen Aid Stand mixer for $3 and a Lodge brand cast iron dutch oven also for $3. I’m still in hog heaven over those finds!
Parthenia says
I think that we are sisters!! Love the blog for the garage sales and for GOLDEN GIRLS!!!
Deneice says
I love yard sales! I haven’t been to one in years because I just don’t need any more clutter! I find right now that even if I pay $20 for something at the store….I am saving the extra-good-deals for the “someday project” or “its a just such a great bargain” items!
Hahahaha!
I do plan on haunting yard sales again, soon; however, I have made a deal with myself that I have got to use up all the fabric, beads and notions I have NOW before I buy more….its almost working! LOL!
Monika Kristofferson says
I love that idea for the Pampered Chef utensil caddy!! Nice work!
Katy Lunsford says
I wish I could go to yard sales with you – – what great finds!