The signs point you in the right direction and cars battle for street parking. Yard sales are “thriving” alongside an economy that is not. Neighbors are bargain-hunting and everyone knows when and where to find the best sales in town: at the Saturday morning yard sales. Here are some treasure-hunting tips to make sure you get a piece of the pie:

1. Shop early for the widest selection and late for the best bargains.
2. Pick up what you want and, if it’s too big, let someone know to hold it for you. Otherwise, you may go home empty-handed and sad-faced.
3. Know what you’re going to do with the purchase so you don’t end up with a garage full of stuff for your own yard sale – unless that’s actually your goal.
4. Ask, ask, ask, “Is this your best price?” or “Will you take $25 instead of $50?” It’s a yard sale!
5. Think, REDO! Ask yourself, “If that table was stripped and refinished, would it fit in the living room?” Or, “If I painted it blue, would it look amazing by my bed?”

Don’t take an item at face value. Old furniture just needs a little love. Look beyond its dingy, peeling surface and see the creative potential there. Here are some buyers who did just that and ended up with more than they bargained for.

NOW and then:

And sometimes, there are a lot of “thens.” This pile of debris inspired its designer to THINK a little harder than most. But, man-oh-man, was the brainstorming worth it. Look at the NOW. One creative gentleman turned this pile of discarded furniture scraps into a one-of-a-kind asymmetrical piece of furniture for his daughter.

And as a final bargaining tip from BetterBudgeting.com, “If you have an expensive car, use a different one for garage sales. If you drive up in an expensive car, or wear flashy jewelry and fine furs, there goes any leverage for negotiating.”

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