A little glimpse into who I am. What makes me tick.
While on our 3-day getaway this week, when Lance was in his meetings, I had the opportunity to do whatever I wanted. Shop uninterrupted wherever I wanted. Alone.
For a gal who’s usually limited to Dillons (groceries) and Walmart, you’d think I’d be excited by the retail madness of a mall, Target, Kohls, shoe stores, toy stores, and specialty stores that a small city has to offer.
Well, I did shop (the clearance) at some of those places. Even walked away with a $3 Carters outfit for my new nephew, some underwear (why must it be such a big deal to buy myself a few pair of nice panties?!), and a $13 pair of denim Bermuda shorts for myself. (Um, the first pair of shorts I’ve purchased in at least 5 years. Oh, yes.) But that was it. That’s all I bought… at the stores.
What really gets me excited? Scoring a buy or 27 at garage sales! Woo-hoo! Here’s what I found:
Filling the trunk with fantastic finds!
- dalmatian dog Halloween costume for my nephew ~ $1
- bowl with suction cup for my nephew ~ 50¢
- big, unopened pack of construction paper ~ $1
- bag of 4 itty-bitty, shaped “add water and watch them grow” towels ~ $1
- reusable Dillons shopping bag ~ 50¢
- butter dish ~ 50¢
- potato masher ~ 50¢ (I use my hand mixer to make mashed potatoes, but now that I make my own refried beans… I’ve been on the lookout!)
- brand new with tag baby lovey toy (with the plush animal attached to the soft little blankie)~ $1
- adorable swim outfit, trunks and cover-up shirt, for my nephew ~ $1 (Wow! That little guy really scored on this trip!)
- 10 VHS movies for my kiddos ~ 25¢ each!
- plush Spider Man chair with tags ~ $5
- child’s Home Depot tool kit filled with tools ~ $8
- bedside table (our oldest has been asking for a table with a reading lamp so she can read at night) ~ $2.50
- pair of football/baseball shoes for my little guy – 75¢
- wide mouth, quart-sized Kerr canning jar – 25¢
For all of my garage sale loving friends, I must tell you the bedside table story.
I couldn’t decifer the sticker price (it looked like she had written one number over the top of another number) so I went and asked.
“$4.00″
I browsed a few minutes, and then returned to the lady. “Would you take $3?” (It used to embarrass me too much to ask them to go lower. I’m learning.)
She replied, “How about $5.”
“But you said the sticker price is $4.”
“Oh! Yes. How about $2.50 then?”
$2.50! I asked her to go down to $3!
“Sounds good.” I paid and got outta there before she changed her mind!
Can’t wait to tell you more about my fantastic finds and what I plan to do with the loot. You know there is a plan, right?!
What about you? Are you a garage sale fiend? What was your best ever bargain?
This post is linked to Super Savings Saturday.
Great finds. I have really enjoyed your blog keep writing
Wow, you really scored, what great finds! I can hardly go in a retail store any more. Just about everything except my groceries comes from yard sales, and it’s way more fun too.
I was thrilled to pick up a few things at a rummage sale this week (wrote about it here) – my all-time favorite find was an antique Singer sewing machine table (no machine, but it had lots of random sewing stuff inside). It was $20 – I didn’t even try to dicker it down, and I think I probably should have. It held my “prayer corner” stuff for quite a while and is now holding sewing stuff . . . I think I liked it better with the prayer stuff, though!
Sounds like you had a fun trip!
Suh-weet finds, Amy!
What a blessing!
Great job, Amy!! You inspire us all!!!
You aways score big when you go out shopping:-)
I had every intention to get out this morning and go to some garage sales, but um… yea, I slept in!!
( Maybe tomorrow…
Very fun!
I don’t usually go to garage sales here–there just isn’t much to find (why people think someone will buy their old paint that has been sitting in their garage at 115º for 3 years beats me).
I have a friend who goes on vacation in another state with my list, and comes back with all sorts of clothes for my boys (she leaves for 3 months; she’s retired).
So I have a personal (garage sale) shopper
I love the tools; my boys would love those! Great find!
@The Prudent Homemaker, I haven’t been garage-saling like that for years. There’s just not much around here, and it’s hard to go with the kids.
A personal garage sale shopper would be a dream!
Since we’re learning about canning food, we’ve been on the look out for canning jars. We’ve just gone to a few garage sales and on our first trip found several boxes of canning jars. We paid $14 dollars for over one hundred of them–a mixture of sizes, too. Some even came with the rims that are reusable! That was an exciting day!
I love yard sales. Like Queen of Fifty Cents, I pretty much only buy groceries in regular stores. For the most part anyways.
I’m shy about asking for lower prices too. But I’ve begun to do it frequently and 99% of the time, the answer is yes!
My best find this year so far was a red vintage Pyrex bowl. I found it in the FREE box!
I LOVE yard sales! You really found some great deals! I’m glad you had a good time on your “vacation”!
Boy you did great! Good for you. In these days of economic downturn, we are all looking for ways to save and be good stewards. Blessings.
I completely clothed my children from birth to about 10 (hard to find clothes after this age) at garage sales, plus got most of their toys, etc. there, too. I get all of my clothes there, too. Garage sales are the BEST!!!!!
Your table conversation is cracking me up. That’s hilarious!
Your garage sale finds sound fun!
Blessings,
Michele
Amy I am looking for #13 Kerr canning Jars. wide mouth qts only can you help? 7-8-10 thanks manny
Have you tried Craigslist?