As I’ve so often mentioned, we scour flea markets and garage sales. I cannot over-emphasize the quality stuff you can pick up for pennies on the dollar. Of course, areas differ in their embracing of these sources. The Bay Area is an embarrassment of riches with people coming and going, upsizing and downsizing. If you have access to these, do give them a fire.
Signed “Second Hand Rose”!
Yes, also that!
I’ve been to a garage sale here and there and a flea market. It’s not really my style. I don’t like pawing through other people’s cooties. Yes, I know. But I guess I prefer to buy things new, and then sell them when I’m done, rather than buying the used stuff. And my H would have a conniption if I decided all of a sudden that this was my new Saturday thing. I don’t think you could drag him for any amount of money to such outings.
Allston, MA just had their “Allston Christmas”. It’s how college students furnish their apartments and rooms with all the stuff left behind by kids who rented through June, and the slum landlords just leave it there. The stuff sits in the apt and the kids moving in in late August/September 1st have to bring it to the sidewalk before they move in.
I do use the binder clips a lot but I also bought this “spring” clips from my local big box store (Home Depot) - they are great for chips but I also use them to close pastry bags/etc. they are just a stronger pinch than the binder clips. They come in various sizes (some quite small)
Those look like jumper cables!
I do understand this. I guess. And it is, actually, often our Saturday and/or Sunday activity. While we could well afford to buy our needs and wants at retail, we find amusement with the variety we find at these events. Our problem now is that we want and need little and walk away empty handed most of the time. We also have acquired a coterie of dealers who are rather dear to us. Our several vegetable dealers from whom we buy special produce, like pristine squash blossoms, better than I can find at my carriage trade market, cactus paddles and very fresh chilis, or like Sunday, purslane. Our very dear coffee dealer who has prevailed after diabetes amputation of both legs but who thrives to the point that University of California has asked him to be a mentor to trepid patients. A lovely couple who happily accepted a half dozen bushel boxes of antique china and ornaments when I cleared out a china closet. Another couple from whom we’ve bought and given back several grand-kids worth of toddler equipment. And the piles of children’s clothing from which I’ve plucked scores of $40-50 pieces of Hanna Andersson and Mini Boden for $1. Again, we could well buy these at retail but this is so much more amusing.
Or as our son who went to school in NYC taught us, when you move or have excess, you “lamp post it”.
People have different amusements and that’s wonderful truly. If I spent my free hours perusing wares, I wouldn’t have the time to walk on nature trails, or be with my family (who would not enjoy or partake), or work in my garden, or read. Those are the things I love, and with a full time job and a growing family and house to care for, I have less free time than I’d like…
Well said. Retired for 30 years, we have daily spare time if not years ahead. And of course it is important for each of us to find recreation that recreates.
Facebook marketplace was the yard sale of the pandemic, as it is for those of us in urban areas.
I’ve never bought anything from there, but my family gave away or sold at a fraction of cost many, many things last year - from garden plants that were being disposed of due to redoing the yard to various electronics from cheap to not so cheap.
It’s nice when things continue their lives.
I dream of retirement 
But first there are 2 kids to get through high school and college and a mortgage to pay off!
I’ll put in a shout-out for Freecycle here.
Never heard of this. Thanks so much. While not actually downsizing, we are at a point where we are letting go of things we aren’t using. Husband calls it making “elbow room”. It kills us to toss good stuff that we know someone somewhere needs. “Freecycle” might be the answer.
Our freecycle page is all greedy souls asking for free stuff.
Our CL free page is more ethical, believe it or not!
I used to sell at Marin and there was a lady who had a used kitchen/cooking store in West Portal who would always buy everything I brought, whether from KC or Oregon.
She loved cast iron.
Can’t remember the name now 
That would most probably be Judy Kaminsky, owner of Cookin’, now on Divisidero. At present, she sells much of her stuff to chefs and professionals, but is open to the public if serious shoppers, as opposed to what she calls “date shopping”, lookers and touchers. Judy has an extraordinary collection that she has brought back from France as well as estate sales and as you report, flea markets. (Marin was indeed a very special time and place!)
We would start west from KC, buy stuff all along the way, then sell it all at Marin, Ashby, and Laney, then head back and do it again.
The time of our lives, looking back.
Laney still rocks.
Got my wedding ring at the Marin City flea market 46 years ago!
