I wonder if garage sales are becoming less popular, because people often turn their nose up when I mention that I buy “stuff” from garage sales. I personally really enjoy going to garage sales early on a Saturday morning. With the local paper under my arm, a handful of change, and the kids in tow, its a bargain hunters dream.

Of course you cannot buy everything you desire at a garage sale because not all second hand goods are in a reasonable condition.

Things that are great to buy at garage sales

• Books I usually buy my children books for 20c and 50c when a new book in the shop is around $10.00. How could you go wrong? who cares if someone has read it, as long as all the pages are there and it is not drawn all over.
• Brand label clothing. Children grow out of their clothes very quickly. You can always pickup some preloved and pre-expensive clothes for your child at a garage sale. You have really hit the jackpot when you find top clothing that has almost never been worn.
• Shoes. You can get children’s and adults shoes that seem to look almost new. Even if it is something to wear around the house, it will still save you money.
• Old collectables. Often people do not really know what they are selling. I have picked up a timber dressing table that was $5 because it was in pieces. It only had to be put together, which I did, and then sold it for $200. That was still too cheap! Paintings are also a good one..People have no idea about them.
• Furniture. If you were starting to furnish your first house, I really do recommend a garage sale trip to do the job. You could save thousands of dollars. And if you are creative, and think outside the circle, you will save so much more!

Things that are common at garage sales and you shouldn’t buy

• Glasses that are missing most of the set. Who wants glasses that are all odd? I don’t’ know why they are at every garage sale I go to.
• Old sheets and pillow cases that smell like moth balls. They are also usually faded. Lets get it straight, their price does not increase with age.
• Worthless pottery items
• Glass plates
• McDonalds kids meal toys. They were free with the kids meal at McDonald’s and now people want to sell them to you.. Are you crazy?
• Stained and torn clothing.
• Items that no longer work and cannot be fixed.

When my children were young they rarely received any gifts from me that were new. I bought books and toys from garage sales, always in excellent condition, and they were none the wiser. The items looked new but cost less than a quarter of the original price.

I also buy any timber furniture, in good condition or not, as you can always restore it to new condition. Once I bought a silky oak bedside table for $5 because it had paint on it. You have to be early to get that type of bargain.

Once you have been to a few garage sales and come home with some great bargains, you will never look back.

When saving money and watching what you spend can be hard when your friends are not on the same path. What kind of friends do you have and do they cost you money?

Whinging friend – These type of friends are always hanging around whinging about how broke they are, trying to get someone to say, “don’t worry I’ll pay” Don’t fall for it. They are constantly trying to make people feel sorry for them.

Stingy friend - Won’t ever really fork out for anything. The one that seems to always fall through the cracks. When you out in a group they always get paid for or shouted by one person or another. Then the next thing you know they have a new $800 mobile phone. They have no problem with people paying for them, and will never offer to pay you back. They will just say thank you.. They think that is enough.

Shopaholic friend – Steer clear of this friend if you are trying to save money. They will entice you to go out to lunch or on a shopping spree and you will end up spending money. This disease is catchy, because it can be fun to spend money. Shopaholic also like to convince everyone around them to spend money too. This way they won’t be the only one.

Party animal friend – Happy go lucky person that seems to be having a full time holiday and party. As long as you only associate with this friend every so often, there shouldn’t be a problem. This friend doesn’t care wether you have money or not. They live for the day.

Al cheapo friend – This is the guy that comes to your house for a few beers but only brings one and stays till stumps. Then he comes around for a BBQ, brings sausages to contribute, and comes back to next day to pick up the ones that weren’t used. This guy also freezes his own ice in old ice cream containers and owns his own house.

Unselfish friend – This friend will always give more than they will ever take. If you give them a cup of tea, they will give you two back. If you are like this and you have a friend the same, you will never have a problem. This person values your friendship and would never want to cost you money.

Which friend are you? I must confess I am a Shopaholic, party animal, unselfish friend.

Why is everyone keeping up with the Jones’s.

15 Quick Tips On How To Save Money

Things that make entice you to spend more money