I did not grow up going to yard sales, thrift stores, or antique stores. It’s likely that if anyone had asked me to join them, I would have thought that looking through other people’s junk was boring. Fortunately, that changed when a college friend took me to Angel’s Antiques for the first time and I was hooked. I remember once blowing my monthly budget at Angel’s and eating cereal for every meal until my next paycheck – I guess I was making up for lost time.
Now, as a mom with 3 kids to clothe on a budget, I find yard sales and thrift stores to be a genuinely fun and also practical way to provide for our family’s needs.
Last summer, my daughter and I started to make a routine of heading out early on Saturday mornings to see what sorts of treasures we could find. What initially began as a way to get out of the house, turned into something we both look forward to – and the more we’ve been able to do it, the more value I’ve found in it.
First of all – it gives us some quality one-on-one time together. We talk about sale related things, like how to spot the signs, and where we should go next. One of the biggest lessons I learned in 2019 is that I am a more patient and focused mom when spending time with my kids individually, rather than trying to carry on three conversations at once while also playing referee and trying to fold some clothes. Go figure.
Once we park, walk up, and are at the sale – I’ve been working with her on building confidence in communicating with adults such as asking for prices, answering questions, and making small talk. We also work on some math. She always brings whatever money she has (even if it’s a few pennies) and we review how many of each kind of coin goes makes up a dollar, how much you have left over once you’ve bought something, etc.
I don’t know that I have hard evidence of this, but we are also working towards being good stewards of our money. Sometimes she finds a want (not a need) and doesn’t have enough money for it – which leads to a conversation about saving. Or when she wants to get something that would use all her money – I lay out the pros and cons in an age appropriate way, and let her decide.Now if something is really wacky, wonky, or an exact replica of something we already own, of course there are some limitations.
Lastly, I do have evidence that it has built her generosity. She will ask my husband if he needs anything before we head out, or will look at boy toys to see if she can find something for her brothers and will spend her own money to get it. One of my proudest moments was when she picked out and paid for a gift for a younger cousin “for Christmas,” and really put thought into what the cousin would enjoy about it.
If you already do this – maybe we’ll see you at a sale soon!
If you are interested in getting started I would recommend two things: coffee and snacks (so mama doesn’t get hangry) and setting expectations before you go, such as “We have time for 2 stops” or “We have $5 and when it’s gone, we’re done.”
Would love to hear other yard sale tips you have!
