As those of you who work in the healthcare industry know, the money's not that great...unless you're a doctor. So, many years ago I started searching discount stores, consignment dealers, and yard sales every weekend. At first just to find bargains on the name brand clothing my kids liked to have. But now I think I have a problem. I'm addicted! Not to shopping for clothing anymore, but for the out of this world bargains! Gotta, make ends meet somehow, right? There's a lot of money to be made off other folk's junk. People really don't know what they have. They just get tired of looking at it and get rid of it. That's where I come along. I buy their junk dirt cheap, clean it up a little, and sell it at auctions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I think I'm addicted to seeing if it does.
Some of the most profitable items I have run across in the past several years were Coca-Cola items. The most notable: Some lady advertised her yard sale stating in the paper she had "collectibles." That was the "draw-in" for me. Boy, did she have collectibles. She said she just got tired of having to dust all "that junk" and decided to see if anyone would want it. I was the first one there that morning. In fact, the sun wasn't even up! That's the ticket! Just like the phrase states, "the early bird catches the worm!" It does annoy the heck out of most people for someone to drive up before they even start. But, if you're nice enough and offer to help them set up, you get a free preview of what's to come. Most people are grateful for the help. As you're helping them lift boxes or set stuff out for them, keep your eyes out for the grand prize! I did that morning and boy, did it pay off. The elderly lady was struggling with a very large, obviously heavy box. I dashed over, offering to carry it to the table for her. One look and I knew there was no need to unpack that box! Inside were six Coca-Cola cookie cannisters. I asked how much she would take for the entire box. She thought about it for a moment and said, "Do you think $20.00 would be too much?" So, what do you think I said? You guessed right! I fished out a twenty, handed it over, and took the box to the car. I bought several other pieces of Coke memorabilia from her, all less than 2-3 dollars each. After a good cleaning, the jars were sold that very night at an auction for a total of $120.00. The other Coke stuff brought an additional $40.00. See what I mean? Get out there and help these old folks set up their yard sale!
I'm still looking for that "big money maker!" Right now, by the time I use up a tank of outrageously priced gas traveling about looking for the big bargains, I'm pretty much breaking even. One day, my golden pot of money will be found sitting 'neath some old rusty, dusty rainbow!