Garage sales hooray!

Its a little early in the season still, but I've already gone garage-sale crazy. I realize that to a lot of people its uncool to go to garage sales (or uncool to admit that you go to garage sales), but I love them, especially for CLOTHES. Here is why:

#1- The price. You can usually find clothes cheaper than thrift stores and even talk the seller down on the price (if you're brave enough). I would definitely rather buy twenty items of clothing for $1 each at a garage sale than one item for $20 retail.

#2- If there is one thing I really hate, its having to spend money on wasteful things. Garage sale clothes have (usually) already been washed & dried, probably multiple times, so what you see is what you get. No "surprises" when a red shirt bleeds dye all over the rest of your laundry, or pants that are suddenly too small after you wash them.

#3- It took John about 5 years to convince me, but I have to admit, name brands are usually better quality. He talked me into buying Nike hiking shoes when we were first married and 5 or 6 years later when they still looked brand new (yes, I wore them! Lots!) I had to admit it. But I still don't want to pay retail price for them. I am very happy to buy Gap, Nike, whatever, if its at a garage sale!

#4- Kendall has been growing at an astounding rate for the past year or two. I can buy a LOT of jeans, etc for her at garage sales during the summer. I learned how to hem jeans (the right way, finally, so they don't look "hemmed"), so that helps, and I usually have enough to last the whole year. I usually spend $1 or less for each pair.

Here are my "finds" from this morning's garage sale adventures: a dress for Kendall, a jean jacket for Kendall, shoes (never worn) for me, a dry-erase/chalkboard easel! Total cost: $7.00. WOO HOO! I love it!