Finding The Good Junk — Wherever!

Photo by greenfinger

I like visiting places in the real world — when I have the funds, but being able to go places virtually has expanded my view of what’s out there in the world (even more so now, due to my finances being low.) But I’m actually more of a homebody, and I like maintaining a home.

The summer is winding down around about now, and a lot of people may like to leisurely peruse the aisles of various “junk” venues to find more stuff to bring in. I think it’s something a lot of people like to do around this time of year, before they do the heavy duty shopping for new things at Christmas time.

In my place I have an…

ec•lec•tic (adj) ~ noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration, landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during a certain period, that derive from a wide range of historic styles, the style in each instance often being chosen for its fancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography, the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of the client. (Dictionary.com)

Photo by Ladyheart

…mix that has evolved over the years. I use to really like having garage sales (similar to yard sales, tag sales, estate sales, etc.) I’d have one every year — occasionally two: 1) I’d help the kids set up a lemonade stand 2) we’d make signs and put them out, 3) get all our stuff tagged and ready, 4) put ad in newspaper (normally it would be a two day event and sometimes three days), 5) get change and set everything up early that morning.

There would be brisk business at certain points (early in the morning and at the end of day), but it would usually be a lot of fun. Neighbors would drop by to buy a few things here and there. They would get a little extra discount. Plus we raised some extra cash. It’s a good way to spring clean, and the things that didn’t sale we would donate. I’m not sure if people are having as many garage sales now, due to places like eBay being on the scene.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

I haven’t sold on eBay yet, but one of my sons has sold several things, and bought various things — even a car — that I didn’t advise him to get. (It was his first major purchase along with his brother — plus being their first car.) Oh…I forgot…I bought one item…a pair of Nicole shoes costing all of $7.00, a pair…with shipping and handling it came to $13.00.

Well, it turned out the car was a lemon, but he was able to get most of his money back, except $100 and keep the car (The vehicle cost $800.00 — a 1991 Toyota Camry — the Townhouse Association, where we live, had it towed away, because it didn’t have a parking pass.) Moral of this story: he won’t buy anything like that again and he’s much more cautious with his money. He ended up buying a car from a co-worker for $500.00 (another Toyota — a Celica) and had it painted up a dark grey with shiny new hub caps. It’s a really clean looking car now, and he learned to make wiser decisions.

Courtesy of HowStuffWorks

My sons have never experienced a brand new car, and I have only experienced having a new car — once — when I was small, and my family bought an olive green, 1960 Chevrolet Impala. (Our car was similar to the picture above.) That was a really cool car — now that I look back at it. Why do I mention only having used or pre-owned vehicles, well, because, it’s a way of life for us. Albeit, you can get clunkers and useless stuff from time to time, but it has taught me to appreciate what we get and take care of things in order that they can last.

More and more people these days are doing the thriftin’, recyclin’, junkin’, vintage shoppin’ or whatever you want to call it mode for finding bargains — be it cars, homes, stuff to put inside or for finding unique things to wear. “Junkin” I like to call it — has become a way of life for me. Although, I take a rather low key approach to it, and that’s the way I like it.

Again, for me, it’s all about taking the KISSS aproach to doing things (Keep IT Sweet, Simple & Savvy) or another way of saying I have to keep things really, really, really simple! I’ve done flea markets and garage sales before, but I find that all rather exhausting! I found a thrift shop that I frequent, sparingly, but regularly — that I call the ‘MOTHERLODE’. This is the modus operandi that I take to shopping.

paperprintout.com

Here are some places that could be considered “junk havens” or “junkers’ paradises”. They just finished having the 127 Sale. It happens in August every year. Also, I’ve been to the, world famous, Rose Bowl Flea Market, before — many moons ago — it is something to see and can be quite overwhelming:

• 127Sale: “World’s Largest Yard Sale”
• Flickr: Photos from the 127 Sale
• Official Site: Rose Bowl Flea Market
• Flickr.com: Photos from Rose Bowl Flea Market

Check out these sites with some amazing things made with junk:

• Carter’s American Junk: This is Fun
• Country Home: The Junk Gypsies
• JunkMarketStyle: Some Great Ideas

Flea Markets Around the World:

Travel Channel: “World’s Best Flea Markets”

Some Free Printouts for your next garage sale and other useful templates:

• Paperprintout.com: Free Garage Sale Sign Printouts
• PennysaverUSA.com: “Garage Sale Tips…”
• WikiHow: “How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale”

A few tips on the art of haggling (It’s definitely something I need work on):

• About.com: “How to Haggle” Video
• How to Haggle: “read it, follow it, and save”.
• WikiHow: “How to Haggle”

Okay, granted I’m not a heavy duty “junker” like some of those out there, but, nevertheless, it kind of gets into your blood and becomes second nature. I have a few antiques in my collection of stuff, but I’m not generally going after high end stuff. My adage is — ‘if I like the way something looks, it’s useful and it’s not hurting my pocketbook – then it very well may be a keeper.’ What about you — Do you like to go “junking”? If so, what kinds of places do you like to frequent?

Tags: junkin, nest, reflection, savvy, simple