September seems to be the start of Yard Sale season around here.  Maybe there’s a link between Monday Night Football and the need to get rid of garage clutter?  It definitely bears further study.

Use it to your advantage, PennyHuggers!  Yard sales (and Ebay, and Craigslist) are the perfect venues for bargains, and here are five of my favorites to look for.  Why are they my favorites?  Because often these are items that are in almost-new condition; they were given as gifts, or purchased in a misguided moment of “I bet if I had one of those…“

Kids’ Toys. The big ones, the ones you wouldn’t dream of buying full-price.  You know, the Grandparent toys.  Chances are, you can get that RC helicopter/giant train set/Barbie playhouse for a quarter of the price.

Exercise Equipment. Stationary bikes, elliptical machines, free weights, and every abdominal exerciser ever advertised on late-night television.  Usually these have been bought in a fit of New Year’s Resolution, and have been sitting in a big pile of Buyer’s Remorse in a corner of the garage, waiting for you to snap them up.

Kitchen gadgets, small appliances, and baking items. I’m a gadget fan, and if you can find a time-saving device at a great price, make it yours!  Bread machines, waffle irons, food processors, and stand mixers are all frequently found at yard sales, often still in the box.  Baking items like specialty cake pans or cookie cutters can also be found.

Seasonal items. Look for snow gear, sleds, pool accessories, picnic items, and lawn games like horseshoes and croquet.

Books, music, and movies. Take advantage of your neighbor’s new Kindle and Netflix subscriptions to pick up some new entertainment.  Cookbooks are always a fun find at yard sales – that’s where I got my WWF cookbook (no really, check out The Rock’s Smack-aroni Salad recipe), and also my 1910 Fannie Farmer Cookbook, which is one of my prize possessions.

What’s your favorite pre-owned bargain?