by Shelby Windham

Created on: June 09, 2009

It's a tough economy. We're all feeling the crunch these days. And through learning to deal, I have come to appreciate purchasing second hand goods. You know what they say...one man's trash is another man's treasure! This is so true. Let's look at a few excellent ways to do this, the first two being Flea markets and yard sales.

I get such a thrill from going to the flea market. Also known as "The Dirt Mall", flea markets are full of used items of all kinds and a few new things as well. It's a bargain hunter's delight.The flea market where I live is named Sadie's and it's absolutely huge. I always wonder when I pull in what I will find. If I'm going to read anyway, I might as well read a second hand book bought for a dollar. If I'm going to put up new drapes, I might as well search for perfectly good drapes at Sadie's that I can purchase for less than five dollars as opposed to getting them at a department store for up to ten times as much. The bird bath in my yard, worth thirty dollars retail, I paid eight dollars for. The little antique Ireland spoon rest on my stove, priceless; I paid one dollar for it. And the piano in my living room, manufactured in 1899, I got for the price of the gas to go get it. You can almost always talk the vendors down in price at flea markets; they are anxious to make money and keep their products moving.

Yard sales are another favorite of mine. Similar to flea markets in that you are buying second hand goods, you will often find lower prices at a yard sale. Someone has spring cleaned their house. Someone is moving and has to get rid of some of their things. They usually just want this stuff gone and out of their hair. I have purchased a 7 foot Christmas tree for a dollar. I have purchased toys, poker tables, cappuccino machines and jewelry boxes for next to nothing. The way I see it, aside from the ridiculously low prices I'm paying, these items deserve to be used and cared for. Often, they will end up at the road after the yard sale if they aren't purchased.

Here's another opportunity. I have arrived late at many a yard sale to find that the remains have been put out to the road. Upon asking, the homeowner will usually tell you to just take what you want. Lamps, toys, furniture. Free. They're tired from selling and were throwing it out anyway.

One way to find a flea market/yard sale situation is to pay attention to the storage facilities in your town. Often, when someone hasn't paid their storage fees for a certain amount of time, their items become the property of the facility. At this point, they are put out for sale in order to make up for the lost rent. I call these facilities once a month and ask if they're planning any sales. You can usually find better items in this way than you can at the flea market or a yard sale, because the person storing these things had the intention of keeping them.

So get out there! Don't pay retail if you don't have to! There are plenty of wonderful good just waiting to be taken home with you for a fantastic price.

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