Treasure Hunt

Have you been to a good yard sale lately?
It's that time of year when my sisters and I head out on Saturday mornings for yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets. We kicked off the Odessey 2009 this past Saturday, and roamed around the Shaler/Hampton/North Hills area. Signs were sparse! We weren't that prepared...no one had brought along the newspaper, Green Sheet, or Pennysaver. We were relying on those neon 8 by 10 signs stapled to telephone poles. Note to self: if ever having a yard sale, make signs bigger than a notebook sheet and use black wide markers. (Delete note to self as I will never, ever again put myself thru the rejection incurred at my one and only sale a decade ago)
We did a drive by at a few duds (you'll have that in the quest for the perfect YS storm) but why stop when all they have is baby items and you're way past that but no grandkids yet???
Somehow we stumbled onto a big sale at St Paul's United Meth Church. It was so popular that we had to park in the grass. Each of us had something we were looking for: 2 of us need crock pots, and Beth is looking for a bedside table. Having a "goal treasure" makes the hunt more meaningful. The bonus is when you find something you WEREN'T looking for.
I know, I know. Consumerism, accumulation of things.....not good things. But I have made a few guidelines that keep me from falling into the trap of buying just for the sake of buying.
First of all, I don't take much money. Then, if there is something outside of 20 dollars, I really have to think about if I want it bad enough to go get cash and come back. Second, I try to buy something I know I will need to go to Target/Rite Aid for anyway.
This Saturday I got a really good working iron for $2!! (I needed one) I also got four pots of never-used lip gloss for $1 (I would not have bought used lip gloss, I promise). I got Avon make-up remover (never opened) for $1 and a comb and brush set in the original packaging for $1.
No one got their goal item this Saturday, but if we had, what would be the motivation for next Saturday?