Shopping
Malls
Coral Ridge Mall, Sycamore Mall, and Tanager Outlet Center (Williamsburg, IA) each have over a dozen stores.
Rummage Sales, Yard Sales, & Garage Sales
All of these different names mean the same thing. A rummage sale can be loosely defined as a sale of donated items. These sales typically take place in people’s garages, or front or back yards of their homes.
At garage sales you can find inexpensive items that you may need. When individuals acquire a whole bunch of “stuff” they don’t need, they often times sell it in a garage sale. This is a great way for shoppers to find practically new stuff for very low prices. If you have a young family, and are looking for good quality, low priced clothes and toys, then a garage sale is the place to shop. Clothes sizes ranging from age newborn to age 10 can be found in very good condition. You can also find clothing for yourself, household goods, furniture, bicycles, exercise equipment, et cetera. Garage sales are always quite varied in terms of the items you can find.
Garage sales are most prevalent from spring through fall and typically run from Friday to Sunday. If you are not presently subscribed to a local newspaper, purchase a local newspaper the day before you plan on shopping garage sales. Garage sales are listed in the classified section of local newspapers. You can also check the websites of local newspapers and access the classifieds on-line.
A local street map is helpful to have when shopping garage sales (even if you are familiar with the area). This helps you to “map” your shopping destinations. When trying to find garage sales, you will want to read through the garage sale ads in the classified section of the local newspaper. When identifying garage sales that you may be interested in visiting, it helps to group the sales together according to location. Once they are grouped together, put them in some sort of order. (You may start in one location and then migrate around your city). This is the most time efficient way of going to many garage sales.
When shopping garage sales it is important for you to have cash with you. Most people running the sales do not feel comfortable accepting personal checks. Sometimes when you find a higher priced item (a price that exceeds the amount of money that most people normally would carry), a seller may make an exception. When you shop garage sales, it is helpful for you have small change (nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar bills) because not all people running the sales will have an excess amount of change readily available.
Other Economical Shopping Options
Sharpless Auctions is another place where you can find low priced items. Sharpless Auctions holds auctions every Wednesday evening with items for sale ranging from automobiles to living room furniture. Sharpless Auctions on occasion also has large “garage sales” in their facility.
Second-hand or thrift stores are great places to find low priced clothing, furniture, bicycles, and other things you may need for your house or apartment. If you are looking for something in particular it helps to visit your favorite stores every day or two, for often stores get new donations (that is, new items to sell) every day.