So, how can I make a shopping day at yard sales or estate sales successful?  Making a plan and using these 7 yard sale tips will help make your yard sale shopping more successful. Our money is a big deal, or at least how much money we have is a big deal, right? Going to yard sales can really help stretch our dollars. People are always getting rid of things that are perfect for our needs. Plus the benefit of paying pennies on the dollar is a huge bonus.

Yard sales are a funny hobby. The old saying one man’s junk is another mans treasure is true, but you don’t want to bring home someone else’s junk either.  One of the best reason to go to a tag sale or yard sale is to benefit from the great value of used products.

People have all kinds of reasons for deciding to get rid of their things and just because it is in a garage sale doesn’t mean it is of no value.  Sometimes people move, or decide to downsize.  Redecorating or getting a divorce are just a few reasons people have sales. The words estate sale doesn’t always mean grandma died and the family is getting rid of her OLD stuff. When children graduate from college they tend to leave all of the things bought for dorms or apartments at home.  Getting rid of the “extras”  and cleaning out a room or two is a bonus for those of us that go to sales.

Yard Sale Tips For a Successful Day

If it is your first time going to an estate sale you may feel overwhelmed.  Having a few yard sale tips in your mind can be a big help.  Having some experience at these kinds of sales helps, but knowing what you are looking for is even better.

• Make A List Of Things You Need

Make a list of things you need. Making the list helps to keep you focused.  It doesn’t mean you can’t buy something that is a good purchase. The list will help you to shop without feeling overwhelmed. Really good yard sales have a lot of stuff.  Tables can be lined with tons of things.  If you are shopping tag sales or garage sales to be resourceful, bringing home someone else’s junk is not the goal. This list will help keep within your budget too.

• Choose The Time and Date Well

Estate sales can be just about any time of the month, but garage and yard sales are a little different. Most people tend to have yard sales around the first of the month.  If you live in a suburban area the first of the month is best. If you leave where there are 4 seasons, or at least 3 seasons, fall and spring are the best times of the year to go.  Something about those two times of the year motivate people to clean out their closets or redo their homes. December and January are really bad times of the year to go to garage sales. One very important thing to do is “GET UP EARLY”.  The early bird really does get the worm.

• How to Find The Sales

Your local paper is a fantastic way to find the sales.  Friday’s paper is probably the best way to find sales in your area. These days there are so many other ways to find a sale. Craigslist usually has a listing for yard sales, estate sales and garage sales. In some regions of the US they are called tag sales. Online you will need to search all names if you really want a complete list.  There are also apps that offer listing in a region. I use an app called “Yard Sale Treasure Map.”  There are others in the App Store. Some apps pick up the address from newspapers and Craigslist. You can also add to the list in the app manually. The best part of the app is the map and directions to each place.

• Mapping Out Your Route

The night before you go is important. If you have an app, let it do the work. Mine app you just make sure the address of the sale is in and the route will automatically calculate for you.  I have a friend that does this the old fashion way.  She uses a map, marks the address in certain neighborhoods with different color pens. She lives in a huge metropolis of North Carolina.  The neighborhoods are well known to her, so she prioritizes where she is going first. Mapping our your route is part of a successful shopping day.  Know where YOU should go first.

• Do  Some Research

If you know you are searching for something in particular research how much it should be.  You don’t want to take the time to get up early, map out your morning and then pay too much for something. Look in Ebay or some other virtual shopping site. Give yourself a range of how much something is worth and how much you are willing to pay.   The reason for doing yard sales is for the value. The reason Yard Sales, Tips for a Good Day is important is for the savings, right?

• Take Cash

Most estate sales that are run by a company take other forms of payments, but not someone in their garage.  Yard sales and garage sales are USUALLY cash only. So take cash and take small bills. Don’t be afraid to ask the price on unmarked merchandise and don’t be afraid to ask for a better price.  My advice the for practice is to not insult someone. I usually just say, “Is this the best price or can you go any lower?” I try my very best to be polite and considerate. If they say no I usually will get it at the price they are asking, unless it is ridiculously over priced.

The small bills is another issue.  If you asked someone to take a lower price, then hand over a 100$ bill and expect a lot of change….well I hope you get the picture.  It is just better to make an offer and give the exact amount or close to it.  Again yard sales and estate sales are different.

• Set A Budget

This is kind of important too.  When I go I predetermine how much to spend that day. Everyone has different bills and times of the month they are due. My bills are a priority, right? My house, utilities and food come first.  The value of pennies to dollars is no good if I do not prioritize what has to be paid first. So be smart with your money, that is why yard sales are so smart. You can get the most for your hard earned cash, but pay what is priority first.

• Go With An Open Mind

• In my earlier post, Garage Sales, Tag Sales And Yard Sales are like Treasure Hunts about yard sales I mentioned going with an open mind. I keep a running list of things I can look for at sales, but I ALWAYS go with a open mind. That is what makes it fun. Searching for a treasure is part of the pleasure. You just never know what you will find. Sometimes I get home and look something up on Ebay and am in shock of the value. So remember the list is to help you focus, it’s not a binding contract. 

So the seven tips for Yard Sales,Tips For A Good Day

1. Make A List Of Needs
2. Select A Good Day and Time Of Year
3. Find The Sales
4. Map Your Day Out
5. Do Some Research
6. Take Cash and Set a Budget
7. Go With An Open Mind

It can be exciting and thrilling to find something you needed and is of good value.  My husband says the game of golf is not just about the score, it is also about socializing and healthy competition. My time to go out shopping like this with a friend is also about more than the hunt. This time is for me, self care if you want to call it that and I don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy it. So think about the yard sale tips and make a plan. Enjoy yourself while you are doing it.  Honestly, Janet