Top 10 Items to buy at Yard Sales
Everyone’s needs are different regarding what to look for at garage sales. But here’s a top 10 for Yard Sales of what I have hunted for during the summer months in the past.
1. Baby & Kids Wear
When You Have Babies or Kids that wear up to size 6 – Save Your Penny and shop at Garage Sales. You’ll find lots and lots of helpful quality items on these.
You can pick up gently used items for $1 or $2 at most $5. And with so many garage sales – You’ll come home in no time with a whole new wardrobe for your kids.
When My kids were this age and more minor, I would shop almost every weekend and buy tons of clothing for them. But I found once they got into a size eight or higher, there were fewer of them to buy and harder to find “Gently Used” after this. I once picked up a BARNY dress and matching hat for my daughter at a garage sale, and for two whole summers, she wore it almost daily… I had to wash it while she napped. I’ve picked up Osh Kosh for $5 and $ 10.00. It did help me financially when my kids were small and I was attempting to be a “Stay at Home Mom.”
2. BOARD GAMES.
Another Item You always can easily find at garage sales is board games. You can easily find board games for $1 or $2 may top $5 depending on the condition and the seller. Perfect for a Rainy Afternoon activity with your kids. Or if you are like me – For the Camper or Cabin – this way, you’re not packing up your house so much by trying to ensure the kids are entertained. Also, you can easily find Kid’s Puzzles – and sometimes adult 1000 pcs puzzles.
3. DVDs & Movies
Just Remember, when buying DVDs at Garage Sales – Walmart generally sells old releases for $5.00, so Never pay more than $2.00 for a Normal DVD unless it’s a new release or whole series of some sort. But again, this is an easy pick-up for cheap. So perhaps you are into Grey’s Anatomy or Game of Thrones, and you want all the seasons – Keep your eyes peeled. Or, like when my kids were small – I would pick up Cartoon DVDs, including Disney, for dirt cheap back in the day, and then I didn’t cry when the kids broke them ( VHS back then ) or in today’s lifestyle – Scratched. I know everything is now downloaded. But DVDs are still handy for camping or places you frequent where Wifi is not an option.
4. Electronic Games.
Whatever you have at home, be it a Nintendo Wii or PlayStation or Xbox – you’ll find many garage sales containing games. I have seen some games for as low as $5.00. 5.00. You have a system and someone who enjoys playing now, and again, it’s always good to check out a great bargain when you need to keep your kids entertained or use it as an opportunity to teach your child about money.
5. Books
The best place to buy books is at garage sales. Please pick them up for 25 cents up to $1.00, depending on the seller. I usually go for a few years to get books. I tend only to read when on vacation or out at our cabin. So I often buy 5 – 10 books a year at garage sales, which will do me for the summer months. You’ll find books for every age and every topic. You’ll have to hit a few to find some you like.
6. House Hold Appliances
Do you want an air fryer or an Actifryer? Save your money and hit a garage sale. Depending on the seller and condition, I have seen them go for $5 to $20. You’ll often find blenders or coffee machines for dirt cheap. The state may not be there. But if your kids are in college or starting to think about moving out, You may be able to save them some money by buying some second-hand stuff to help them out.
7. Sports Equipment
Are you thinking of taking up Cross country skiing, or perhaps you tinkering with the idea of starting to go camping? Well, start garage sailing, and chances are in a few weeks, you’ll have spotted the items. Lots of times, you’ll run into Moving sales – where you’ll find decent treadmills, but I see you’ll be better off with Kijiji or something for something more modern technology. But there are always golf clubs or skis at some garage sales, and you’ll have to get lucky and find something you like and fit. But it is doable. Little Kids Life jackets are another one that you can find at garage sales. Perfect for pools or the lake.
8. Christmas Decorations
Talk about “Christmas in July.” But for some reason, I always see Christmas Decorations in my adventures of Yard sales. I bought a gorgeous Blue Santa last year for $5.00. It was still in the box and was originally from some Home Party Company.
9. Furniture /House Hold stuff
You’ll often find “Moving” sales that are unloading their whole house. You may be able to pick up a bed frame or coffee tables, shelves, or the apparent chairs and tables, TVs, computers etc. it’s finding something you like enough to buy is the issue, but there’s always an abundance of these things at garage sales. Or perhaps you’ll find silver wear or leftover crafting stuff. The beauty of garage sales – It’s a Treasure Hunt – You never know what kind of goodies you’ll find next.
10. ArtWork.
I’ve bought tons of artwork at Garage sales. Some time’s, you’ll find things unframed – that are worth way more than priced. I have two pieces in my living room originating from a garage sale.
One I bought was an Artist signed print – not framed – They got the edition as a wedding gift, and the frame got busted during a move, and they never had a chance to replace the structure; they put it in their garage sale. I paid $20.00. I could have sold it at the Frame shop for $400.00, but I declined and spent $400 getting it framed instead.
Another Time My husband bought a $20 unframed art picture and had it framed, which increased in value as the author signed it. I don’t remember the deal, But I think at the time, it was $200.00. I also bought two framed knock-off framed prints for $5 each that go well in the bathroom for decor.
The Frames are heavy-duty and in heavy glass. I bet the frames alone were worth $40 or more.
Related Article: Garage Sale Tips & Tricks to Make More Money
I don’t make yard sales like I once did. I was a Queen at it once upon a time. I would go every weekend I was home. I’m trying to downsize myself, So now I try to only yard sales for used books, and I attend about 3 Saturday mornings or Friday nights to it per year, but when my kids were small – I would go Thursday local and spread out a bit more for Friday Night, and I used to be done by 11 am on Saturday. I used to swear that everything good was gone by then, and no point in looking after that time. I loved the Thrill of the Hunt!
