I went to a bunch of garage sales this past week, and we found some pretty good stuff, guys! I wanted to share a little bit of our best finds with you all, for your own bargain-hunting inspiration.

First up, books for $14.75.

I know $14.75 sounds like a lot to pay at a garage sale. You’re probably thinking, “That doesn’t sound like a very good bargain, Melissa.” But, what would you say if I told you I got 21, hardback and board books, for $14.75?

Much better deal, huh?

I am still in disbelief over this one, really, because these books are in like new condition. Some of them are in such good condition, I think they actually might be new. Seriously.

Plus, I’m talking about some “big name” books here. Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Olivia, Corduroy… Seriously, best book find ever.

Plus, to make the story even crazier, I really only stopped at this garage sale because it started down-pouring on me during my run on Wednesday and I was hoping to wait it out. I’d happened upon a ex-daycare teacher who was cleaning out her stock of books, toys, puzzles, games, costumes, supplies…you name it. She had it.

Long story short, I picked out my purchases, handed them to the nice lady at the money table, and high-tailed it home to get my money and my car, so my books wouldn’t get ruined on the 2-mile trek back to the house in the rain. I’m super excited to have these to add to the “for the future kiddos” collection.

Last weekend, when I went out by myself, I found this picture frame for 50 cents. I can paint the frame whatever color I want since it’s wooden. And it’s a good size for that price. I don’t have a use in mind right now, but I like to have frame on hand for when a project idea strikes me. (Like this one did.)

I also bought this cute little blue bottle for our kitchen. Worth a quarter, right? Right. Especially since it was brand new from Hobby Lobby, with the $2.99 price tag, and it matches the ones I already have in that color.

 

Oh, and it currently is holding a little daisy Hubs picked through the fence in our garden.  You can read about those here.

Oh, and I picked up this little shot glass, also a quarter, because we don’t have one, and sometimes when Hubs makes a drink, it would be nice to have a better way to measure than “that looks about right…”

Next on the list: this little stool.

Now, this guy was really a lucky find considering we found him at a garage sale in Weston on Thursday night when we were there for a wedding reception. On our way back to the car after finding nothing, I glanced down under a clothing rack and saw him, sitting there, looking like he needed to be saved. It’s pretty unique, I think.

I asked how much they wanted for him, and the lady said $1.00. I was already secretly sold at that point, but needed to convince Hubs so I started to talk about it out loud to him, as though I was trying to decide if I wanted it, and as I talked I turned it over in my hands to examine it more.

While I was talking, I happened to see a crack on the bottom and it slipped out of my mouth that it was broken.

Immediately, the lady said, “It’s broken? Well, a quarter then if you want.”

I said, “Okay, I’ll take it for a quarter,” while I did cartwheels in my mind. I loved this little stool, and I wasn’t about to leave it there for $1.00, much less for a quarter.

I’m picturing it painted, of course, with a cushion on top as a foot stool in the downstairs living room, guest room, future nursery, or even our bedroom. We’ll see where he ends up. Right now, he’s in the kitchen with one of our outdoor cushions on his head.

On our way out, again, I asked Hubs if he’d seen the old games on the back table and he said yes. I mentioned I really liked the wooden Chinese checkers board and he said he also thought it was cool. On a whim, I turned around and went back to ask how much it was. (There was a lack of tags at this particular sale) and the lady said we could have the entire box of games for another quarter.

Sold! I think I’ll call this garage sale treasure post “Quarter Edition.”

Here’s everything that was in there:

The wooden board is my favorite, for sure, although the vintage-looking 70’s cardboard version is also pretty cool.

 

And these wooden checkers are pretty sweet.

 

They even have an awesome old, character-filled box.

We are thinking we’ll use the board to make a side table or something, someday down the road. In the meantime, it’s just really cool and would look great sitting out.

I figured we could get some marbles relatively cheap somewhere, but knew that would be an added expense. Imagine my surprise when the ones inside the cheapo cardboard version were real glass marbles and not plastic.

Oh, for the glory days when nothing was made of plastic…

Anyway, isn’t this a cool find? I’m super excited about it. Hubs and I actually already played once, and after explaining the rules to him (he’d never played before), I lost, of course. Hubs wins everything. It’s like I’m Chandler and he’s Monica, always right and always the winner.

What have been some of your best bargain finds lately? Which one of these purchases do you think was the best deal? Which is your favorite? What about your favorite book? Come on, play along and leave a comment!