Sean Gallagher

You see them on occasion while driving around or walking in your neighborhood: Signs promoting an upcoming garage or yard sale on a Saturday.

I remember my parent’s holding one when I was 7 or 8 years old. It rained, but luckily, it was a garage sale and everything being sold was set up in the garage. That’s where I discovered an old Cleveland Browns button, which is where I learned about the original team after it left for Baltimore.

Getting back on track.

My girlfriend’s neighbors had a yard sale recently, and I was invited to bring stuff I didn’t want to it. So, after investing in new plates and bowls on Prime Day, I grabbed five dinner plates that were part of a set, along with a saucer that had not been chipped or cracked due to my carless handling, along with a lamp and its shade, hoping someone would want them. Each plate was $2 dollars, with the saucer $1. I was also willing to let the whole box go for $10, or even a lower price if someone wanted to haggle. The lamp, with shade included, was also $5, and like the plates, I’d give it away for less if someone thought it was too much. I just wanted that crap out of my apartment.

Once the four-hour yard sale concluded, I had looky-loos, but no sales. The fruit punch and lemonade stand set up by the kids made more money, but to their credit, that fruit punch and lemonade was really good.

I had low expectations when it came to my haul, but there’s nothing worse than realizing nobody wanted your crap. Luckily, the Goodwill is just down the street, and hopefully somebody gets use out of plates that were given to me when I got my first place nine years ago.

Had there been a better effort on my part to clean out my closet of stuff I don’t use anymore, perhaps I would’ve walked away with a couple of dollars. Instead, I made nothing, but enjoyed having a few drinks while socializing with those who lived on the street, who also had trouble moving some of their items. I learned having kids was an upside, as old toys and clothing did well during the yard sale.

But instead of doing a personal yard sale in the future, I’m better off just putting stuff I don’t want anymore outside my apartment with a “Free” sign.

That or donate to Goodwill, or try Facebook Marketplace.