Yachter,
I don't go to yard sales too much, at one time I did but I rarely found any treasures, or if I did they were too big to go in my small car. Note to self, buy a truck next time LOL

You are so lucky to be in such a great area, I'm looking forward to seeing the goodies you get this year.
Make sure and post us some photos.

I started curb shopping because of my bro wanting a bookshelf he saw in a neighbor's trash. After that, I was hooked. I've found some excellent things, including an antique chair. I must "curb" my shopping though, way too much crap and no where to put it anymore. A did see a "garage sale" sign a few streets a couple of weeks ago. I missed the sale though. I'm getting antsy about getting out for yard sales too. Hurry up Spring!!

Sal

I think I would go if I had a "partner" to go with me--more fun that way. I like the ones where they have lots of houseware things, but so many around here are mostly clothes--I want the fun stuff. (Although I don't need more stuff either Crafty--and with this forum and GJ, I'm afraid to part with anything, because that might be just the thing I'll NEED for a projet later! LOL

I usually don't go to yard sales and don't do flea markets too much, but I really should go more often. I am not a morning person, especially on the weekends. Maybe when I see the great buys you other ladies bring home I'll be more motivated. Yall be sure to share your goodies with all of us.

Yachter, if I lived in a town like you describe, I'd be hitting every one of the yard sales!

I used to go, but like luvstocraft said, it always seemed to be mostly clothes. Usually I'll hit the thrift stores and if we go out of town, I'll go to the flea market.

Luvs, I agree , you need someone to go with you to yard sales, more fun. And a voice of reason...no that's junk, or yes you def need that!!!

As I said, my friends are waiting for MY yard sale, but they are a lot of work!! I haven't gone to many, but after this forum, might hit a few.,. They usually start around here in late April.

Sal, curb shopping is fun, and again you need someone with you! I think I mentioned on this forum that last Sept on the way to the ocean, there was a ton of stuff with a sign FREE. DH is def not a yard sale person, and didn't want me to stop. I said if the item I wanted was there on the way back, I was taking it. It was!! (road is a country road, little traffic) I got a beau little wicker rocker in perfect cond with a cushion. Looked like it was never used. I washed it, and the cushion, gave it a quick coat of Krylon, and it is perfect!!

I live in a Resort community, and many times the people who rent for the season, leave stuff behind. Labor Day if you go to the ocean you can get all the chairs and umbrellas. The Yuppies leave their perfectly good beach chairs and umbrellas there, because they have to move out and can't fit them. They buy new ones every year!!!

Kathleen, that is great! Now you never have to buy beach chairs anymore.

Yachter, how great to be in a more affluent area and get better stuff--you seldom see a yard sale in the more expensive areas here--either they are too busy, get more as a charitable donation, or it's "just not done." We do have lots and lots of them in the other areas tho. I still prefer just hitting a few TS when I'm in the mood, or better still a church rummage sale! Last one I went to had so much good "stuff" and I went on the last day and everything was like 75% off! Had so much fun! Of course, if you go the first day--i"m sure there is a better selection. Luvs

Luvs, I don't need anymore beach chairs, you can't decorate the table with them!
I will be hitting the church sales. I usually work at the one at our church, and donated lots of stuff, and lots of craft items I never got around to using. The dishes they had were junky though, chipped, etc. I don't like chipped dishes!!!!

I'm with Luvs and Sandi...wish I had someone to go with, and am NOT a morning person. I'm sure there are some good yard sales in the area I live in now too, I really should check it out. As if I don't have enough STUFF now.

I just wish we had good curb shopping in Phoenix. Laws a pain on that. You can only put items out 4 times a year a week before trash pickup day. And there are very dedicated trash hunters out there grabbing it to sell mostly (guys in big old hauling type trucks). I'd probably be leery going alone very early or after dark.

Karen

Oh my gosh, you ladies don't have good yard sales? I'd die if they stopped around here. I've gotten so many "brand new" items that I can't even count them anymore.

If a relative or friend mentions they need something, by gosh, I'll usually find it within 2 weeks of them asking.

We also have a lot of salesmen around here as there are always a lot of salesman sample sales in our area. The things are great, brand new & not a thing wrong with them and really cheap prices.

I will post pics when I start going again this year. In the spring, the big expensive subdivisions have whole subdivision sales, usually anywhere from 25 to 50 houses in the same subdivision.

We tiled our whole bathroom with tiles I got "brand new" at a sale for about $10, these are the big ceramic tiles, also redid our bathroom floor in marble from a sale, the man was a tile setter & had tiles leftover from jobs, he charged us $15 for all of them and that included three boxes of smaller tiles, some I ended up using in my kitchen when we remodeled. You never know what you'll find & where you can use it. We had those tiles for two years in our basement & then realized the smaller ones were great for the kitchen.

Also, I found carpet squares, brand new for my son & dil's basement, did the whole basement for $20, that was about 7 years ago & the carpet tiles are still in great shape.

I am not a morning person at all, that is why you see me posting on here at nite, but when sales start, it is totally mind over matter for me as I know if I sleep in, I'm missing out on some great finds!

I have a friend that used to go with me, then she started working & lost interest, so most times I go alone, but can set my own pace that way too. She used to get all upset if she didn't find anything good that day & then it would ruin my mood too!

This way, if I do good, I'm happy and don't have to live with any guilt that she didn't have a good time!

Not very good YS in SD either, but when I go visit my girlfriend in IL, I usually send back at least two stuffed boxes. Usually what i've saved on the 'treasures' I spend on shipping, but get the best bargains. I'd say my biggest was a beautiful etched glass/scalloped bottom hanging light fixture for $5! I have it hanging in my MBath vanity area. Yep, packed that sucker up TIGHT! I've only had one thing get broken and it was a Haeger Pottery pink vase. I was a little bummed.

Like Luvs, it's no fun to go alone. ;o)

patty_cakes

Patty, then you have to visit Illinois more often! I knew Illinois was good for something, not much, the weather is horrible, but the yard sales are fantastic.

My SIL comes up here from Ky. to yard sale with me too, she always goes home with a van full!

I live in one of those neighborhoods where people just throw stuff out and go buy new. I'm starting to see things getting thrown away that really should be donated r given away. My almost five year old has been asking for a job. I'm tempted to curb shop some of this stuff and have a garage sale with it later this summer. The kids can keep the money if they'll help me clean it up and sell it.

Yesterday, I picked up a little white pressboard bench. It's probably $25 new. I asked the lady if I could have it. The screws holding it together were bent so I replaced them with long wood screws. I washed it up and stuck it in dd's room for her baby dolls to sleep on.

Yachter, I visit my girlfriend every year, either summer or fall, depending on what's going on in my life. LOL I always look forward to going to those sales.

She also has stores that I don't have here like Hobby Lobby~I love that store! I can't understand why CA doesn't have them~bummer!

Adella, I wish I were so lucky~no curb shopping here. When I go to the flea market, people will leave things they don't want to pack up and take back home. My best find was a twin headboard/footboard(one finial missing)that I plan to make a bench out of.

Haven't been for awhile so it must be about that time to go again!LOL ;o)

patty_cakes

Hi Adella, glad to see you joining in here. It really is a shame that some very useable items get put in the trash. However, I have had neighbors who were moving and the TS would not take all of their items--didn't want furniture pieces of all things! Told them they should have tried another TS. They ended up setting them out at the curb with a FREE sign on them--yep, they disappeared!

Patty, your flea market sounds like the kind I like--so many here now are just socks, perfumes, shoes, etc. I prefer the ones that have more "junk" to search through for a treasure! ;o)

Luvs