Garage Sales: Formerly Your Trash, Now Mine.

I'm excited about spring for one very specific reason. I LOVE GARAGE SALES! Specifically I love town-wide garage sales. This weekend, my home town will be opening it's garages and I'll most definitely be there. I have a mission this time, however...we need a couch. I won't be specific, but ours is past it's use by date. Not to mention it is the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE couch I have ever been on.

Anyways, odds are I'll come home with more than I need, and that's why Das Bear is coming. He's a slick negotiator. He brings out his "hotel face" and manages to sweet talk everyone into giving us a great deal. Sometimes I even feel bad for the person- they have no idea what they are going to be up against. ;)

I am a sucker for 80s and 90s kids toys as well. I don't need them, but I'll gladly put them on my collection shelf. My Little Ponies and Cabbage Patch Dolls and Troll Dolls are my kryptonite. What can I say? I have some fond memories of all but the troll dolls. (Mom said NO TROLL DOLLS because apparently they are hideous.)

Another thing I will always buy is sarongs and colorful sheets. I stay much cooler in the summer wearing sarongs and dresses, and the colorful sheets are great room dividers. Also, I love incense and oil burners. I am a sucker for incense! Yes, I am a bohemian hippie style girl!

You can also tell a lot about a person by what they are selling. (I've touched on this before.) I have found some very strange things at garage sales, some which were on the tables with the kid toys. Once I found a self pleasure item in a free box full of plastic toys. Would not touch that with a ten foot pole.

Often the best sales are at the sketchiest looking houses. These are the people who know they won't get much foot traffic, so they price things accordingly. Never pay more than 50 cents for clothing- unless it's designer, couture, or a gown.

I've been known to stretch a 20 dollar bill until it screams. I will sort through a freebie box all day long. I am the freebie queen. My secret to stretching your garage sale cash is to add up everything in your hands and then offer half to the seller. Less than half is insulting, and you can always negotiate to a price you are both comfortable with.

Wear sunscreen and a hat. Nothing ruins a good sale more than being physically miserable. Drink plenty of water or buy at lemonade stands. Also, don't be afraid to pay what something is worth, not what it is priced.

Well, I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best deals on Saturday...wish me luck!

Love and Laughter,
-Kat Lady