Garage Sales - Have Fun - Save - Find Treasures

Spring is coming, and soon garage sales will be happening in towns and cities across the country. Do you enjoy garage sales? Do you feel that surge of excitement as you enter a yard or garage to check out what treasures wait for you to examine and possibly purchase? You never know what you may find. There are so many items, and you must check out most of them, especially what interest you most. Checking out garage sales can be time-consuming, whether it is a shopping experience or a hobby.

I love antiques, and that is one thing I look for at garage sales. Of course, I am not an expert as to what an antique is, or how old it must be to be such. If one buys antiques for display in the home, they should be in good condition as well as having been created in a specific time or number of years before the current date. Another thing is cost; I cannot afford to buy antiques that are for sale as real antiques. That is why I like garage sales, and the variety of items offered at unusually low prices.

If you have ever watched "The Antiques Road Show" on TV, you may have noted how many people tell how they found their specific antique piece at a garage sale for an extremely low price. When the person evaluating the 'antiques' tells them what their items are worth at this time, some of them are in a state of surprise and gratefulness.

Taking in garage sales is a lot of fun, as well as a way to save money and often find nice cared-for furniture, art work, lovely frames, books and even clothes. Kitchen and other appliances can often be found also. If you find an electrical appliance that looks okay, ask the owner to plug it in to make sure it will work as it should.

Some people go from one garage sale to another, and they buy just about everything. These people probably have a business of selling used items of most any kind. Also, they have some kind of store with a name such as 'A New Beginning,' 'Gently Used Stuff,' and other names that hint that the products are not brand new. Shopping in one of these places is like a lot of garage sales in one place. The items are usually in good to fair condition, but prices are a little higher than at a garage sale.

I have found some wonderful items at garage sales. One is a small rocking chair. This chair is made of solid oak, and has cushions for both the seat and back. It is very comfortable. The two cushions could be recovered in a different fabric and colors in case you want to paint the room it's in and change colors. My cat, Annie, loves to sleep in this chair.

I also found a chair for my porch; it is made of metal, with a cushion for the seat and back also. The cushions are covered in bright colors and lighten up the porch.

We have also found a couple pieces of exercise equipment at garage sales. We have a sort of exercise bicycle that is a little different than the old general bicycles. We purchased this one at a garage sale. It works well, and will give you a good workout if you stay with it for awhile.

You can find just about anything you may be searching for at garage sales. I have found some beautiful serving dishes, art work (sometimes copies), but if they are in good condition, that's fine. I have also found linens, ornate frames, vases and so much more.

Think about gifts for friends and relatives the next time you go to garage sales. Often, you may find just the gift for a special friend - something they have mentioned wanting for a long time. Also, you can find potted plants and other plants ready to be replanted outside. These would be great gifts for gardeners at perfect prices. Children's toys and stuffed animals are also often found at garage sales. Some adults collect the stuffed animals, and even fix them if they are in need of sewing or a new hat or gown. You can give them a personal touch in this way.

Ask a friend or relative to go 'garage saling' with you, and find how much fun it will be. Perhaps you might stop for lunch on the way home, or for a cup of coffee or a snack with a preferred drink.

I'm looking forward to spring and 'garage saling' soon.

Sources:
Personal experience