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Yard Sale Savings


Bargain Buys for the Entire the Family
By Tenna Perry


Whether sitting in a doctor’s office or staring at a home pregnancy test, there is no feeling in the world comparable to that moment when a woman first finds out she is pregnant. While it is hoped that the upcoming baby is cause for celebration, it can, even with the best of planning, be the cause of much financial worry as the cold, hard facts of expenses become a reality.

Some couples can afford these expenses without hardship. They buy whatever strikes their fancy – the newest, most expensive items available – and take extended leaves of absence from their careers. Unfortunately, a large number of parents can’t.

In today’s economy, even the most basic medical and newborn baby care expenses can be staggering. These often become exacerbated when the family depends on the incomes of both parents to survive, when the mother is single or when a military reservist parent is suddenly called into indefinite active duty. While medical care and diapers can’t be avoided, there is a very simple way that can help provide for the other needs of a growing family: yard sales.

The garage or yard sale has become an excellent way for families to save money on everything from maternity clothes to every conceivable baby item and even clothes and electronic toys for teenagers.

Saving Money
Known as "the Garage Sale Guru" and author of the soon to be released book, The Garage Sale Guru: How to Go and How to Throw, Jenn Callum of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, says, "My father was always extolling the virtues and excitement of finding a great deal, and since ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,’ it rubbed off on me." And that's why, she says, she loves to shop garage sales.

"The biggest reason for shopping for items at a garage sale is the drastic savings," she says. "Consider what you can pick up for $100 at a garage sale and how little that same $100 would buy in a retail situation."

For Sharon Wren of East Moline, Ill., shopping yard sales helps her keep costs down so she can be a stay-at-home mom.

Jo Graeber, a single mother from Anderson, S.C., is also an avid hunter of yard sales. "I raised three kids alone, and when Christmas came around, it was really, really hard," she says. "But I knew how to Christmas shop at yard sales! Yes, my kids got some new stuff in packages, too, but the bulk came from garage sales."

Plus, says Tamara Goodmanson of Port Edwards, Wis., yard sales gave her a chance to show her generosity toward her family in an inexpensive way. "We can take risks with something we think they may enjoy," she says.

What Will You Find?
As anyone who's attended a yard sale knows, items for sale can range from total junk to really nice antiques. But some of the biggest finds are maternity and baby items, which are always big sellers.

You're likely to find lots of children's clothes, and because they are outgrown so quickly, they often appear to be brand new. "I have three boys … and they change sizes so quickly or put holes in things while playing," says Goodmanson. "My favorite [item] to look for is jeans ($1 or under), but I also love to pick up toys or things for the baby."

"Last fall I happened by a yard sale, and they had some children's clothes that were perfect for my 1 1/2-year-old grandson," says Graeber. "They were like new and so wonderfully coordinated! We (my mother and I) bought $40 [worth] of the clothes, a price that I'm sure that lady paid for only two or three of the outfits. We dressed Shawn for the winter and part of the summer. We're talking Pooh overalls, name brand pants and dress shirts. We just happened to run into the right sizes and a fantastically well kept clothing mom. We're still talking about the great buys we got!"

Other items that Graeber reports finding over the years at a fraction of their retail price include:

  • A double stroller
  • Car seats
  • Playpens
  • Baby and toddler beds
  • Changing tables
  • Bathtubs
  • Swings
  • Toys

Safety Precautions
While you may find all this great stuff at yard sales, there are a few safety considerations, especially if you are buying for a baby. Items such as car seats, cribs, high chairs, etc., are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and must adhere to certain safety standards, which are often updated yearly. Many parents choose to buy these items new to ensure they have the safest product for their child.

However, if you choose to buy a secondhand product, you can still ensure it is safe by visiting the CPSC's Web site and going through their Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist to be sure the item meets all safety standards.

Other items that our experts and shoppers unanimously recommended that a buyer pass by are nipples, baby teething toys (they can degrade with time and become brittle) and anything with small pieces that could prove to be a choking hazard.

Yard Sale Tips
The first thing to know about yard sales is when and where you find them. "Saturdays are the day for garage sales, although you will still find a few on Sundays," says Callum. While street corner signs are the most common form of yard sale advertising, she also suggests looking in the local papers.

Once you're there, you may find yourself lacking in skills in the bargaining department. However, for some yard sale fans, haggling over the price of items is half the fun.

A buyer would be wise to remember that the idea behind shopping at a yard sale is to save money, so haggling helps you do just that. When you see something you want but don’t want to pay the price asked, offer an amount that you are willing to pay. After all, the worst he or she can say is no.

While to some there may be a stigma attached to the idea of buying used items, most parents are able to look beyond that and remember what great deals they are getting for their family. Even though the savings may not be enough to send the family on a vacation to Hawaii or a child through Harvard, they can create enough leeway in the budget to reduce the overall stress caused by financial worry, allowing families to spend their hard-earned money in other, fun ways.

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About the Author: Tenna Perry is a Texas-based freelance writer and mom.


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