Six years ago when we moved to Lancaster, I developed a love for going to yard sales. Is it the thrill of the hunt or the reward of the good deal? I’d say both. Not only is yard-saleing a hobby that I enjoy but it has become a means for me to get what I need for our family by stretching our budget much further. I keep telling Steve how much he owes me for all that I’ve saved us. For some reason I still haven’t seen that money. Anyway… a few people have asked me how I do it. How do you find all that good stuff? There is no secret, it’s simply trial and error. But there are a few things I’ve learned along the way and thought I’d pass them along. I realize this post will only be of interest to a select few but I hope it’s helpful to someone!
Buy a map The $12 that you spend on a map of Lancaster County will go a looooong way towards your success. My map is shredded and ripped and falling apart. I need a new one. You can find them at Turkey Hill and other stores.
Go often To be a successful yard-saler, you simply must go! I usually prefer Friday morning, but some like Saturdays. You can’t just go once or twice a year and then say, “I never have any luck when I go!!” Get out and go often. Many times a sale will be a total bomb. Don’t be discouraged or think of it as a waste of time. Try again, you will certainly hit a good one at some point.
Go early It really is true that the early bird gets the worm. The best is if you can get up super early and go before your husband leaves for work! I often do that, go to just a sale or 2 before Steve has to leave.
Don’t be afraid to take your kids If going w/out your kids is not an option, take them along! You can find them all kinds of treasures, many times in the free box. My older girls have become good shoppers, often finding things that they have been wanting. We have gotten many good board games, books and toys because of their shopping eyes!
Most sales are in the spring and fall There are not too many sales over the summer months, you will find them mostly in April/May and Sept./Oct.
Be a smart ad reader I read the local advertiser and Intel (you can access that one on-line: lancasteronline.com) weekly to catch the sales. The tricky part about ads is that some people over-advertise and then others under-advertise. For example, not every ad that reads (Brand name kids clothes-excellent condition) is such. Most of the time it is true, but not always. I think that I have found the most success at the ones that tend to under-advertise. For example, if the ad simply reads: kids clothes, primitive decor, Longenberger baskets, etc. There is the clue. Although you may not decorate with primitive decor, most people who put money into their house by buying things like Longaberger baskets will most likely have spent money on nice kids clothes as well.
Also along these lines, many people think that the best yard sale are the development sales. Although these are good for some reasons (taking kids along) I find they are usually over-crowded and picked over.
Stay local (most of the time!) This is especially helpful if you have to drag your kids along or don’t have a lot of time to kill. I have never yard-saled in Lititz or Elizabethtown. I often see good ads for up there, but they are just too far away for me. I will occasionally venture out further if I have a lot of extra time or am going with someone.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions This has probably been the key to my continued success in regards to my kids clothing. If you find someone who has clothes that you like and are the size that you need, ask them if they have the sale every year, when they usually have it, etc. Then hit it again next year! They want you to buy their stuff as much as you want to buy it. Don’t be shy, even ask for their phone number or e-mail address!
Have an eye for restoration That ugly table could be really cute with a coat of paint. What about pulling the out-of-date flowers off of that wreath? New knobs and paint for that dresser? My recent good find was a solid wood, silver end table for $2. I painted it black and it looks very sharp! It still needs a handle…
Shop ahead I usually buy a year ahead for my kids clothes. When all is right with the world, I have bins in order in the basement and if I purchase something, I wash it and just throw it in the appropiate bin. When a new season comes around, it is so nice to just pull out the bin and have my child fully clothed!! Here is a pic of my actual basement:
Not every find is a good deal! Just because it is at a yard sale does not mean it is a good deal. Most people in our area price very fair, but not all.
Beware of over-buying This temptation strikes me most often in the area of my kids clothing. To see many cute things for only 50 cents, how can you possibly pass it up?!?! Or, I”ll open up the winter bin and realize that they have 3 pairs of khaki pants. The more organized I am at home, the less tempted I am to over-buy.
I know that there are many other ladies in the church who have been more successful than I. Anybody else have any tips?
I have benefited from living in the light with others in many areas of my life including my sin struggles and my marriage. But one area I can grow in is being intentional about asking others for input in my parenting. Why am I eager to talk to others about many areas of my life, but not parenting? This ultimately comes down to pride in my life; wanting others to think I have the parenting “thing” down, and am a “model” father! It’s such a sinful desire and I know that God wants me to grow in being more transparent in this area by his grace. 
Recently I read a timely blog article from Stephen Altrogge (theblazingcenter.com) on unbelief. It’s really something we all deal with. I find it in every dark corner of my sinful soul. It reveals itself in many ways but especially in self-pity. “Why is this happening to me?” “I can’t believe this!” “Can’t anything go right?” Do any of these statements sound familiar?
