How to Save Money » Frugal Living

5 Things You Should Always Buy at Yard Sales

Always Buy at Yard Sales

It’s officially yard sale season – the time for great bargains!

I must see yard sale signs up every weekend now. I’ve already been to a few of them and picked up some fantastic items very inexpensively.

There are many items that I always look for at yard sales. Items that are always cheap and always useful.

Below is a list of 5 things you should always buy at yard sales.

1. Baskets

Baskets are a great organizing tool that can be used all over your home. Use them for storing toys in the playroom, towels in the bathroom, magazines in the living room. The possibilities really are endless.

You can usually find baskets priced anywhere between $0.50 and $5 at yard sales, depending on the size and quality.

2. Clothing

Most yard sales include clothing of some sort and it is well worth your time to check out those items. Many sellers price the clothing very reasonably. Depending on the brand, I find that most clothing is priced around $1 per piece.

You can often find brand name articles of clothing at yard sales, priced much lower than what you would pay at any clothing store.

 

3. Toys

I bought most of our children’s toys from yard sales. You really just can not beat the prices! I have found some fantastic deals on toys – including a brand new picnic table for $10, a Fisher Price baby gym for $5 and a set of stacking blocks for just $1.

Toys are something you should never pay full price for. They can always be reused – buy them from yard sales and thrift stores to save some serious cash on these items.

4. Glass Jars

I love purchasing glass jars from yard sales because they are so versatile. You can use them for organizing craft items, canning produce, or even as a small vase for some flowers. Coloured jars are also fantastic for decorating.

Just like baskets, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can do with glass jars.

You can expect to find these jars for around $0.50-$1 at most yard sales.

 

5. Books, CDs and Movies

Other items that you can find at most yard sales is books, CDs and movies. When people read, listen to, or watch one of these, they often don’t do so a second time – so they sell them.

These items are easy to find at a very low price if you’re looking at yard sales. For an even better bargain, ask the seller if they would consider giving you a discount if you purchased more than one. Most sellers will say yes (I have never been turned down).

When you’re shopping at yard sales, look for these items. They will likely be some of the best deals you find all day.

Also, don’t forget to pick up lemonade or baked goods from cute little kids that have their own sale going on. You can really make their day for not much money at all.

What items do you always buy at yard sales?

Comments

  1. Lauren B

    Especially when it comes to clothing, I noticed how cheap used clothing is sold for I was helping my family out with their most recent garage sale. There were items that I had never worn and even had price tags still on them but couldn’t be sold for a dollar or more. It’s almost equivalent to thrift store shopping.

  2. Pamela @ FabulousSavings.ca

    Can you believe I’ve never shopped at a garage sale? Don’t know why, I just never have! But thanks to your list, I know what kind of items to look for 🙂

  3. Carrie H

    Great ideas – love buying jars too

  4. Carrie H

    My two sence _ take lots of small bills instead of $20 or $50

  5. Shelby

    I always pick up picture frames for a dollar or two. Great for photos or your child’s artwork.

  6. Ang

    I agree that this is a great idea to save money, but please please be careful of bedbugs. Even some of the nicest hotels and boutique stores are having a problem, not to mention thrift stores, apartment buildings, motels, and single family homes 🙁

  7. Jocelyn

    I always look for bins with lids as well at garage sales, they are great to store lots of different things in. Garage saling is definitely way cheaper then thrift stores are now a days. And don’t forget you can make offers at garage sales!

    Thanks Cassie for your great ideas!

  8. anita

    other things my mom and i like to be on the lookout for are kitchen (or any) gadgets, utensils, sreving dishes/utensils, pots and pans, pictures for your walls and finds that could be antiques. a few weeks ago my mom picked up some flowering preannuals for my yard.

  9. Shannon

    I like your suggestions. You should check out my garage sale Saturday June 9. Its in Mississauga near Glen Erin and Folkway on Martlen Cres. starting at 8:30. I’m selling all the things you mentioned. Especially brand name clothing and a lot of the dresses I paid over $100 for and now they don’t fit anymore after having a child:(

  10. Donna

    You forgot the #1 ALWAYS purchase…

    Tupperware! Brand name Tupperware has a lifetime guarantee usually.

  11. Erica

    you are only getting a good deal at a garage sale if you pay atleast 1/10 the original store purchase price. garage sales are great for true bargain hunting. old furniture that can be refurbished for not much is a fun one.

  12. Wendy

    Yes, Tupperware! Because you can always get a replacement lid from a dealer!

  13. Myrna

    You all would love what we have in our town… It’s called a Take It or Leave it center. We load up anything that we don’t want, drop it off and can also take whatever we want or need from there. It’s like a “free store” lol. There’s always tons of baskets, jars, movies, books, frames, and so much more. 🙂 It’s great when you have kids, and too much toys. My boys rockband set stopped working and they were pretty sad.. then they found a whole set with 3 games there. I think that made their year lol.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*