Whenever someone asks me my favorite way to save money and score vintage gems, I give the same answer every time: yard sales! I’ve been hitting garage and estate sales since before I could talk, and I still think there’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning. The slow-paced treasure hunt, the friendly chats with neighbors, the thrill of a $2 score—it’s frugal fun at its finest. Here’s how to get in on the joy of yard sailing.

$0.25 binoculars for the win.

How to Find the Best Yard Sales Near You

The Craigslist App
  • The easiest way to find yard sales is to let your phone do the heavy lifting. Search for “garage & moving sales” on Craigslist, and view nearby sales on a map. I find it easy to wake up, take a peek at the app, star my favorite sales, and hop in the car. 
  • Base your route on a neighborhood you would like to explore, a sale that looks particularly exciting (“multi-family” is usually a safe bet), or stick close to home so you can say hello to your neighbors.

Yard Sale Tips for Beginners (and Seasoned Treasure Hunters)

  • Find a like-minded friend, empty the trunk, and grab those extra booster seats. Yard sailing is better with buddies. 
  • Do not forget cash! You can stop by an ATM or grocery store on the way. 
  • Be on time. Most sales start at 8 or 9 am, but a few may start as late at 10 am. If you arrive before the official start time, however, always ask if it is okay to start shopping before you begin browsing. The best items do go early, so expect diminishing returns with each subsequent sale.
  • Eager to hit the yard sale circuit but reluctant to give up your Saturday morning family time? Go on Friday morning instead if you can. There are plenty of sales on Fridays in Portland, and, as a bonus, smaller crowds.
  • Don’t have an agenda. Unless you are like my neighbor’s daughter who once put “lava lamp” on her list and found two, you will be much happier if you let the sales offer what they will. Ditch the list, and be surprised.
  • Kids will love how far their meager allowance will go. Where else will you find a pair of binoculars for twenty-five cents? On the lava lamp trip, my kids came home with eleven toys and spent less money than I did on our post-shopping bagel lunch.
  • I know. Eleven seems excessive. I was basking in the glory of being a yes-mom for once, but you can totally set limits or a one-in-one-out rule before you begin.
  • Don’t buy things you don’t need, but if you do, don’t forget about Buy Nothing as a fun way to pass them on. 
  • Don’t be shy. Sellers are generally happy to answer polite questions about pricing and quality.
  • Considering a purchase? Hold on to it while you decide, and be sure to pass this advice on to your kiddos to avoid any broken hearts.
  • Many garage sales include lemonade or cookie stands, so be prepared for requests for sweet snacks at 9 am.
  • Love an item but think the price is too high? Swing back by at the end of the sale. If it is still there, the seller will be more likely to reduce the price.  

What’s the difference between an estate sale and a yard sale?

At an estate sale, you actually go inside the home, and just about everything is for sale—every room is a treasure hunt. These sales often have the best finds, but they can also mean long lines and big crowds, especially on the first day. If you’re looking for a chill, low-stress shopping experience, yard sales and neighborhood sales are the way to go.

Full disclosure: I love estate sales. But they almost always make me a little weepy. There’s something about walking through a home filled with a lifetime of purchases, spotting familiar things (hello, sourdough crock), and realizing how much of a person’s story is wrapped up in their stuff. It’s beautiful and a little bit heavy.

Yard sales, on the other hand, are pure fun. No pressure, no big emotions—just great deals waiting on a lawn. That B.O.B. stroller you’ve been eyeing but couldn’t quite justify? Someone’s kids have outgrown theirs, and now it’s sitting in a driveway for a fraction of the price.

And then there are neighborhood sales—the goldilocks of secondhand shopping. Dozens of sales, no lines, no big feelings. Just you and the kids, your coffee, and a street full of treasures. If you’re more of an occasional yard sailor, Portland Living on the Cheap curates a fantastic roundup of upcoming neighborhood sales to add to your calendar. Since I go almost every week, I just rely on the Craigslist app—they pop up automatically, and it’s the easiest way to stay in the loop if you’re a regular like me.

Make Memories

Some of my favorite memories with my mom are the early mornings we combed for deals at yard sales, and now I get to carry on the tradition with my own daughter. Yard sale shopping is that rare kind of frugality that actually boosts your popularity with your children.

Discover new neighborhoods, delight in the thrill of the hunt, and enjoy hours of happy playtime with the day’s spoils. And don’t forget to brag about that $2 fire truck tent you found.

Plus with all the money you’ve saved, you can splurge on something fun like Hopscotch tickets!