Make A List

You probably make a list before heading to the grocery store, so why treat a garage sale hunt any differently? You'll enjoy visiting garage sales a lot more if you have a list of the things you really need to keep you from being distracted by all the things you don't. Nothing takes the fun out of a day of garage sale hopping more than unloading your purchases at days end, only to start wondering, "WHAT was I thinking?"

Not only should you limit your purchases to the items on your list; you should the amount you are willing to spend on each item. It's fine to be someone who enjoys visiting garage sales, but you don't want to develop the mindset of someone who enjoys visiting casinos, thinking that you've found the one box of junk with one-in-a-million find which will set you up for life, and dropping your entire garage sale budget on it.

Take A Friend Or Two

You'll probably enjoy visiting garage sales even more if you don't fly solo. Make a date with a friend (if you are both of an age to have teenage daughters, why not include them) and set aside a Saturday when you can all meet for a quick early breakfast before setting out on your pre-planned route to the nearest garage sales. The kids will love looking for metro clothes and jewelry, and you'll have someone to advise you concerning your purchase decisions.

Host Your Own Garage Sale

If you truly enjoy visiting garage sales, the day may come when you think you are up to hosting a garage sale of your own. Sooner or later you're going to need to get rid of some of your no-longer-needed items, if only to make room for more garage sale purchases. You can turn your garage sale preparations into a family affair by having everyone make an annual inventory of his or her possessions and earmark what things have outlived their usefulness. You can all share in the proceeds, perhaps putting them towards a family vacation, and the kids will be learning some valuable lessons about letting go.