There is nothing like a garage sale

Ken King
sheboygan-press.com
Sunday, August 20, 2006

Read from the Source

A few weeks ago our family had our annual garage sale.

If you have never had one or participated in one, it is really a great concept. The concept is really quite simple.

First, you gather up all of your priceless, "I can't live without it," "what was I thinking when I bought this," "it is too good to throw away," "we should keep it for the grandchildren," and "what is this" stuff you have accumulated over the years.

Second, you convince yourself that someone else might think they couldn't live without your precious items.

Garage sale shopping is smart and you can save a lot of money if there is something at the sale you could use. There are bargains galore.

It was fun watching and listening to people as they shopped the "bargains" at the King "something for everyone" garage sale.

Here are some of the more popular phrases and my interpretations of what they really meant:

"Look, they have one of these too." Interpretation: I can't believe they fell for the infomercial too. They got stuck, just like we did.

"What is this?" Interpretation: I thought I had seen everything, but here is one we didn't get caught buying.

"Can you believe all of the stuff they have here?" Interpretation: I don't feel so bad anymore. I thought we had junk in our basement, but they have us beat.

"Wow, they are getting rid of this?" Interpretation: I don't have one these and now I can have one and only pay a quarter for it.

"I think I could use another one of these." Interpretation: I already have more then I need, but I just can't pass it up at this price.

"You have a lot of stuff here." Interpretation: Where have you been storing this stuff; you have enough here to fill a house.

"This sale is really well organized." Interpretation: I can't believe you sorted this stuff out, but thanks for organizing this so I don't have to spend so much time looking through your junk. I am out of here.

"Would you take half price for this?" Interpretation: I don't know what I would use this for, but at half price I think I should have one.

"This is cute." Interpretation: What would you ever use this for?

"You have some really unique items here?" Interpretation: I can't believe you kept this stuff this long or that you got suckered into buying it in the first place.

And my favorite: "Why are you having a garage sale?" Answer: Because we are trying to get rid of this junk and it is too much to put out in the trash.

Bottom line: We had a great time, made a few bucks and now we will spend some time looking for new treasures.

Probably they will show up at our next year's event.

If you would like to know more about saving money, keep your eyes open for Money Smart Week seminars throughout the county Oct. 2-7.