Go green this summer with a garage sale treasure hunt

A few years ago, my aunt called me and asked if I wanted to go yard saling with her at 8 a.m. that Saturday. Needless to say, I thought she was a bit crazy. Up to trying new things, I set my alarm on Friday night with thousands of yard saling misconceptions running through my mind. I prayed that this wouldn’t be a morning spent rummaging through junk.

By 11 a.m., all of my garage sale stereotypes had been confronted and fully redefined. I returned home with an unopened scrapbooking kit, a brand new set of five Wilton baking pans, two adorable frames still in their package, and a hardly touched cookbook that just come out a year prior. The best part - I only spent $4.50! That number remains cemented in my memory after I repeatedly told everyone about the amazingly successful outing.

After that day, yard saling turned into a fun part of my summer routine. A few Saturdays each month, I set out with my aunt on what we like to call our “treasure hunts.” Our adventure stories of finding hidden gems, discovering little known parts of our town, and meeting all sorts of new people fuel us through the winters while we wait for summer to roll around again.

Insider tips for garage sale success

Yard saling brings recycling in its purest form while presenting a win-win situation for sellers, shoppers, and the environment. Reducing trash and the wasteful tossing of unwanted items, yard sales define going green. Over the years I have learned some insider tips and strategies to make the most of my yard sailing weekend mornings.

Plan ahead

Preparation the night before you head out yard or garage sailing saves time and increases the odds of finding the best treasures. My aunt goes through the local newspaper, logs onto Craigslist, and writes down signs that she drives by during the week. Next, she prints a general map of the area and marks the houses down to save on time and gas.

Go to the best sounding sales first

When looking through the newspapers, certain sales stand out. Prioritize your list and make sure to hit the top few first. People tend to show up before the listed time of the sale, making getting out of bed an extra half hour early worth every bit of the needed nap later.

Carry small bills and change

Having a pocket full of change is a necessity in the yard saling world. Many items sell for nickels, and sellers generally struggle to make change for large bills. My aunt keeps a separate yard saling purse with extra change and single dollar bills so she never has to worry about waking up on Saturday morning and heading out the door unprepared.

Offer a single price for an armful

I either find everything or nothing when I browse through the driveway and front yard of a home. The best way to approach the seller with your arms full is to offer a single price. One day I had three books (each marked $2) and a brand new desk lamp (listed $5). I offered the woman $4 for everything without even having to negotiate back and forth. Sellers love seeing their items flying off the lot and often accept much smaller prices when you buy in bulk.

Have your own yard sale!

Go green as both a buyer and seller this summer! Holding your own sale serves as motivation to clean out that back closet or attic that you have been meaning to go through all year. Give others the chance to find treasures and do something good for the environment while making a little extra money to put towards the next family vacation.

Have fun, go green, and create some treasure hunting memories!