It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Can I tell ya'll how much I love, love, love yard sale season? It's one of my favourite parts of summer. I buy most of my household goods/decorative items/linens at yard sales, and I LOVE it. Plus seeing all of people's unwanted stuff satisfies my weird desire to see how other people live. I adore seeing the stuff of the everyday of others.

Here's my obligatory yard sale tips:



1. Have a list: Please. You will REGRET it if you just start going to yard sales and buying any gee-gaw that catches your fancy. People get rid of cute things for cheap! However, if you don't need it and don't have a place to put it, that ten cent gee-gaw is just taking up precious space. I have a yard sale list that I add things to as I think of them. By the end of the season, I've usually found most of them!



2. Have a budget and stick to it: Yard sales are awesome because you can only spend cash! Decide your "yard sale budget, " get the cash, and do not get any more. Getting ones and quarters are a bonus as well- lots of people don't have change for a 20 at the end of a yard sale day. While we're on that topic- Do not pay more than you want to. It's amazing how much price varies at sales. I've seen sales where they will price $10 for a stained off brand baby onsie, and sales where price for a pristine, never been worn, major name brand onsies is ten cents. If you see something you want but it is more than you're willing to pay, ask if they will lower the price. If not, it's your prerogative to walk away. As a seasoned yard sale veteran, I can tell you how often I see the same old stuff at sale after sale. In all likelihood, another will turn up at a price you're willing to pay. The only exception for me is stuff that has been on my yard sale list for a few years. If I've never seen it at a sale before and I really need it, I will pony up a little bi more than I want. Thankfully, this does not happen often.



3. Don't overlook something you want because it's a bit dirty. Can it be cleaned? Are you willing to paint it? Over the years I've painted a nightstand ($1), a metal tea cart($1), a high quality wooden rocking chair ($5), and a tool chest ($2). I pick up paint at yard sales and at the discount rack of hardware stores. Don't forget washing- I got a very nice, high quality down comforter for our guest room ($3) and several vintage pillow cases (FREE!) that just needed washing. However, if you KNOW that you will never paint it, or if it is really broken, leave it. You do not need to drag somebody else's clutter home because you may fix it "someday."



4.Bring a big, cool drink and a snack: Don't blow your yard sale dollars on the dollar menu.



5. If you're going to buy clothes, bring a tape measure: I've had a fair amount of luck at yard sales for high quality, name brand clothes. Since there's no dressing room and no return policy, your best bet is to measure. Don't forget to inspect carefully for stains and rips.



What are your favorite yard sale tips? What's your biggest yard sale score? Share away in the comments!

Photo Credit here!

Monday Morning Mention: Yard Sale Edition

Yard Sales have been on my mind this week- I've had remarkably good luck this year, and the season has just started!

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam has a handy yard sale guide here.

Devonshire Design found some pretty treasures.

Free 2 Be Frugal has a yard sale guide! Scroll to the bottom of the post to read all the other parts of this five part series!

What's your best yard sale find? I'd love to read about your treasures!

Yard Sale Finds: Rehab Edition

I've been looking for a small bedside table for our guestroom. It needs to be small. The space between the bed and the wall is not terribly generous, but I hate that there is not a convenient place for a lamp and a book in our guestroom.

I found something I thought would work in a trashpile, but it was just a bit too big. (It's now an extra table for my pile 'o grading in my laundry room "office.")

I saw something at my favorite thrift store, but $30 seemed a bit steep for something that was in fairly shabby condition. I went back on the half price day, but it was gone.

It's a good thing I read this post the other day. (Props to Meredith, for pointing us all in that direction!)

Today as I ventured through the yard sales, I reminded myself to look for potential, not for perfection.

Any other time, I would have passed this up. The small size and shape made me take a second look.



It will fit in the space I have perfectly. The drawers are surprisingly roomy, and the piece is real wood and sturdy. Could I rehab this piece?

I decided to take the risk. They were only asking $1!

Currently the wood putty is drying, and I'm eyeing the paint cans that we have in the basement. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Yard Sale Victory!

I keep a yard sale/thrift store list of things that I would really like to have, but don't need enough to pay full price (or even decent sale price) for.

I use the list for several reasons- it keeps me from going nuts buying "bargains" that I don't really need, it gives focus to my yard sale hunt, and it keeps my scatterbrained self from overlooking diamonds in the rough.

The best part of the list is that I don't often find the big wish items. I've had a few things on The List since I married. Finding one of the coveted items makes it so much sweeter!

Today's find has been on my list since 2004. I actually nearly did buy one during the whole $4 a gallon gas year, but I just could not shell out the cash for a new one.

*drumroll*



I've wanted one of these for years. I don't have children, but I do ride my bike a lot. I saw one of those one day and thought "Hmmmmm, that would be good for hauling groceries!" I keep an eye out ever since. The victory feeling alone is worth the $18 I handed over at the yard sale today!

Lastest Yard Sale Find: Plant Stand

Three bucks for the stand, plus a sale flat of petunias (11 bucks for an entire flat) equals a pretty front door for the Frugal fam for under 15 dollars. (the wooden boxes were also a yard sale treasure.)