Find Educational Items for Pennies on the Dollar at Yard Sales
"Have you picked up the latest whatcha-ma-callit for junior? Everybody's getting one and you would hate for your child to fall.......behind. " Do you hear this from friends and relatives? There is always a book, video, computer software program, curriculum that comes knocking on your checkbook door. One thing you may not be aware of is many of these items can be found for much less right down the street, in your neighbor's front yard. Here are ---- items you might think about looking for next time you're out "saling".
1. Computer Games--Educational games such as Jumpstart, Cluefinders, and Reader Rabbit are examples of what I've found at garage sales. A hazard is that the game may not work, so it's a good idea to ask the yard sale proprietor about the cd rom and possibly check on it.
2. Young Adult Novels-If your kids read plenty of books, other than finding them free at the library, you may be able to find what you need for a mere quarter to fifty cents. Sometimes that quarter book will only last an afternoon because your voracious reader finishes it quickly, but imagine how you'd feel if you just shelled out $5.95.
3. Children's Books-This is my weakness. Not only do I buy them for my kids, but I also collect antique readers. I don't know what I'll do with them, but I really enjoy looking at the artwork and stories. Most of these books I've picked up for less than a dollar.
4. Learning Toys-If you have young children, hit the yard sales before you go to that large toy store. You will probably find the same thing, slightly chewed, for a tenth of the price. I have picked up everything from Sit-and-Spins to See-and-Says for usually only about a buck. My best bargain was a Fisher Price hard plastic pool with a slide. My kids swam in that for eight years, and seeing as I paid $8 for it I can hack that in pool fees. If it isn't that low, don't be afraid to ask for a better price. Remember, the later in the day, the higher the temperature, and stronger the chance of rain, the easier it is to negotiate.
5. Educational Games-I really, really wanted to buy a "Learn the States' type game for my kids. The problem was it was $20 in the catalog and I was, as usual, over budget. I found another game of this sort at a garage sale for a dollar. It was a great game and now my kids have U.S. geography down pretty well. Now I have to find a "Learn the World" game!
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