Worthwhile things to look for at garage sales

RustBeltCowgirl

With the world starting to peek outside the front door; garage sales are popping back up. Here's a nice list of things that would be useful to most of us homestead leaning people.

https://www.survivalsullivan.com/garage-sales-survival-items/

ltwickey

Great article. Was out at garage sales yesterday and saw many of these items for cheap. I alreadyvhave a good stash of my own!!

Linda Bittle

I always look for outdoor gear and have found some great bargains!

vickeym

Wish those kinds of items came up at garage sales here. On the rare occasion someone here sells something like that it is usually sold before the sale even starts or has been used and abused for so long it is badly damaged, rusted, or just plain worn out. And they usually want to much money for it as well.

Too many folks here that use this stuff. Hunting, fishing, living remote, weekend cabins and emergency prep. Wuth earthquakes, fires, and huge rapid snowfalls we are often cut off so a lot of folks here are preppers in some form they just don't realize it.

shllnzl

As gardening is part of the survival mindset, I am including these thoughts in this thread. These items also can be found at yard sales.

I have found myself repurposing all kinds of things lately to supply my houseplant/indoor garden needs. I got a few raised eyebrows as a result.

I ripped artificial plants out of containers that could contain plants or disguise ugly plastic plant containers.

I took a pretty ceramic pie plate and used it for prettier plant drainage tray. Ditto for glass or ceramic saucers. An old roasting pan can hold several plants or be used for garden transport. Cute old solid colored Tupperware may not be safe for food anymore, but it can also help protect my furniture from plant water damage or store garden odds and ends.

Almost any kind of kitchenware can be used for houseplants or gardening needs. My plant areas are prettier as a consequence.

frogvalley

@shllnzl I was just talking with my husband this morning about having to get something to put under my plants to catch the water. He reminded me that we had old plates in the basement along with other kitchen goodies that could do the trick.

I have my turmeric and ginger pots in boxes with handles so I can take them out, but I also water them in the boxes. I'm afraid one day it'll all fall apart on me, so your idea of transporting them in roasting pans is magnificent! The pans take up so much space in the cabinets that it'll free some up for other items that should be hidden away. Thanks for the ideas.

shllnzl

@frogvalley I am glad you found some use in my ideas. Buying plant accessories can be quite expensive.

Another hint for you: plastic food take-out containers can be uses as drip trays too. I have gone so far as to trim some of them so they provide a liner for wooden boxes, baskets, etc. Glass jars can be used for rooting plants. (I try to re-use items before their final trip to the garbage heap.)

My goal is to use my many plants as decoration and remove some of the other dust collectors.

A plus for all of us: We are progressing on the decluttering journey.

nicksamanda11

I pray Blessings on every garage sale that you all go to or have this year and until the end of days. Bless every plant you plant and every survival item you are able to purchase. Bless the money that it costs to buy them and bless the people you buy these items from.

soeasytocraft

I love Garage sales! I tell my hubby I'm a cheap date. Just take me out to them or better yet let me go alone as not to see the eyes rolling! 😂 I have very much missed them! Not sure if they are "legal" yet where I live. Not much need to leave home so miss seeing the signs for them.

JodieDownUnder

@RustBeltCowgirl we love garage sales. Usually look for cook ware, books, plants and pots. Bargains!

Michelle D

I love garage sales. They can be an absolute treasure trove or piles of junk but it is still fun to hunt for that diamond in the rough.

LaurieLovesLearning

It is something I love to do as well. I am not one that lingers. I'm in, I go through quickly, and then I'm out to another unless there is something to consider. Wasting time chatting long means I'll miss a treasure (or something that I actually need at a great price) somewhere. I'm a serious saler. 😄 Most of the things we own are second hand. I especially love the town wide sales!

@soeasytocraft We aren't allowed any, supposedly only to June 1st or so, but the way things are going here, I'm not holding my breath. 😔 I'm pretty sure that I won't be welcome at any either as mask wearing is very much pushed & exemptions aren't recognized by pretty much everyone, and as you all know, a mask is not a possibility for me. Double 😔😔 I do miss hunting for treasure.

soeasytocraft

@LaurieLovesLearning I'm with you!! I'm serious a garage salers too!! 😂It is a sad thing!

Alberta is pretty tight too! Double fines and I can't afford that! I am sooooo thankful to live on my acreage! More then ever! And there is lots to keep us busy so no boredom but some fun would be welcome. My family is accustomed to getting used gifts. They like it because they get more. lol

Our closest town has traditionally had a treasure hunt every spring. Last year it was cancelled. This year allowed but very few participated last weekend. I was so disappointed! Usually the streets are lined with items people are getting rid of and set out for the taking. There was very little traffic of people looking as well. Did fear play into this? Made me curious to what people were thinking about it all? Will never know. Interesting non the less.