Buying at Yard sales is fun, but think about the following tips before you make that purchase.
1 Is it something that I'll use later? Excellent items for re-use are small baskets or containers in good condition which can be reused for gift giving. Never pay over $1-2. Gift wrap by the roll is often sold, as well as cards and good ribbon. Often gift wrap is sold that has never been or barely used. Pay no more than 50 cents to a dollar a roll and think of the money you'll save when it is needed. I keep on hand at least 10 or more rolls for different occasions as well as gift bags I have found.
2 Think before buying appliances--make sure they work of course and try to find out how long they've had them. I've purchased mixers that have lasted for years. Also ask yourself if you have the space to put them. Before we bought our new computer I picked up a few printers, scanners and the people said they worked. The thing to remember, if they don't have everything they need to run them they are a worthless buy. I lost money and cluttered a corner of the living room and eventually gave them away. Now that's WASTEFUL SPENDING!
3 Make yourself a list of upcoming gifts to be purchased and thing that persons that person likes or collects. This will help with future buying.
4 Grammas: I heard it straight from the horses mouth: New Moms don't want yard sale clothes for their new babies, and our taste is different than theirs. Don't waste money. This avoids hurt feelings and frustration. This is something I really had to work at!
5 When purchasing Household items or personal care items, good things to look for are: partially used bottles of lotions, shampoos and cleaning supplies. They sell cheap and come in handy for a backup supply. Picture frames, silver pieces, and nice bowls or platters are good purchases. When purchasing makeup be careful about buying used items. Mascara is definitely out! But you can find other good makeup and colognes cheap.
6 Wise purchases are something you really have a need for and you get at a really good prices. Occasionally you will stumble on them, and it's hard to pass on a really good buy, in this case. The photo I have included shows a small roll-top desk and chair I found for $10.00 at a yard sale. It needs some restaining but the folks were kind enough to deliver it and I'd had an empty corner in my kitchen for years and it is useful because I store important papers and bills in it, safely now rather than the basket I kept cluttered up holding them all.
Spending wisely yard sales are a good means of buying things you'd ordinarily buy anyway, except at much higher prices. You know the old saying, "One man's trash is another man's TREASURE." Be a smart yard sale shopper!
By Sharon Shearer
About The Author: Read Sharon's Author Bio:
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What a great buy.
I loved it when someone bought my baby something from a garage sale. Anyone can just go to a store and buy something off a rack, but it takes a special person to go buy something speical from a garage sale.
Zig
OH MY! I can't believe this is true from every new mom! We strive on using gently used clothing for all of the new babies in our family! We love to 'shop' for new clothes....cause they are new...new to us! I just purchased over $20 worth of 'new' clothes for my Nieces new baby. Sent them to TX from KY and she loved every one of them! No stains, tears or anything...looked brand new!
I really think this is different for everyone...but to each their own. I just love that we don't have to spend all that money on new clothes and labels just so our precious ones can look beautiful/handsome!
I agree with buying "gently used" kids clothes. I've always shopped at resale shops especially ones like Goodwill, Salvation Army and women's shelter, I like the idea of getting a great deal and helping a charity at the same time! My hubby hated the fact I was buying my clothes and baby clothes secondhand until we went to the outlet mall and found the same things I bought for a $1 or $2 priced at $20! I come from a large family of 7 kids and we always went back to school shopping at Goodwill type stores and could get whatever we wanted .. much better than being told "it's too expensive"! And since we donated our old stuff there too, I was kinda cool to see your old sweater on the rack .. talk about recycling!
There's my 2 cents!
Rebekah
May I say this in defense of my statement about yard sale clothes for newborns.My children were raised in yard sale clothes,so naturally I stocked up on yard sale outfits as well as a stroller and carseat and cradle.MY Daughter-in-law told me in no uncertain terms that hers wouldn't use them.Talk about money wasted and hurt feelings! That is why I passed this tip along.I suppose the proper way to handle this is to FIRST OF ALL CONFIRM that the new mother has no objection to used clothes and baby items--THEN buy.There's a lot to be learned when you become a new Grandparent.And I guess that's one lesson I learned the HARD WAY.
I have a few comments:
- I am a recent new mom, and I love when people give me clothes(used or new). I take everything with a sincere thanks and know that they didn't have to do that. If I don't like it or it's badly stained I give it to salvy's(salvation army) or throw it away. You only need a couple nice outfits for "going out".
- I am obsessed with Yard Saling! I go every weekend, driving all over vermont! Here is my trick: I don't ever pay more than $2.00(the average is more like $1.00) unless it's a box of great stuff. I will ALWAYS ask for a bargain price on multiple items, people usually just want it gone.
-And here's my huge secret....I am usually able to sell my stuff on ebay, a wonderful job for an at home mom! I am not saying I make thousands of dollars, but it gives me a hobby and helps with the groceries. If you want to do it too, be wary of how big the item is(shipping) and ask yourself "if it doesn't sell could you still use it?". It helps to research what IS selling. There is work involved(photo, typing info, listing, answering questions, packaging, shipping) but gives a great sense of accomplishment.
I hope this inspires you.
When I got pregnant unexpectedly, I told people I had no problem with used stuff. My one sister-in-law and her friend found us a lot of things at resale shops. My other sister-in-law found us a bunch of things at a garage sale. My husband and I have gotten things at garage sales. In fact, my husband stops all the time in the summer on his way home, and finds toys for our son, and sometimes something for me too. Most of our little man's winter clothes were bought used. For us, it's the best way to go!!
See all these New Born Clothes..
All come from resale shops,Garage Sales
and My D.I.L. Love all of them.
We buy lots of nice things at sales.. and with 3
growing grandkids there thankful for everything.
While I now buy clean, well cared for clothing for my children, when I was expecting my first baby I preferred new items. My M-I-L was quite unhappy with that so she brought nothing for her first grandson. I would have understood if money was an issue for them, however its not, so I feel she could have purchased one new item for him, I was a new Mom, I was young and she knew I had absolutely no experience buying used clothing. After looking at clothing at yard sales and re-sale stores I have purchased things for myself, my husband and our children. However, if I was buying a gift for someone I would not buy "used", if I saw something at a sale that I thought someone might like, then I would buy it and let them know it was used by saying " I was at a yard sale and I thought of you when I saw this, since it is in such great condition I thought I would take a chance and get it for you". That way you let them know its used plus you will find out how they feel about it for future "yard sale finds".
We adopted two children and I took anything anyone wanted to give us. My sister had saved many nice clothes and equipment for us from her children and a cousin gave us many wonderful hand-me downs and still does. I did lots of garage sale shopping to get them many nice toys and clothes. It's not that my children never get any brand new things, they do of course but I think especially for those items they use such a sort time, why not buy used and save some money!
By the way, that desk and chair look wonderful! Such a buy....I'm envious!
Sharon, that is too bad that your daughter in law didn't want her newborn in used clothes. Just wondered what your son thought about it!
I agree, when I had my daughter I had heaps of ppl giving me clothing. I just went through it all and anything i didn't like or was stainded/torn I just threw it out. Babies grow so quickly their clothes are barely used by the time they grow out of them! Hooray for garage sales!!
I am a single mom of three. I am laid off for the summer yearly and I cannot afford new clothes for my children. At yard sales/thrift stores, I can buy items that I could not afford otherwise. Another great tip for saving money on childrens clothing is to shop at outlet stores (Beall's Outlet) that offer colored "dots". I found my baby a four piece summer outfit (shirt, shorts, button up shirt, and hat) for- get this- 15 cents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRAND NEW!!!! It was so liberating! :)
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