Marble Pedestal: Garage Sales

Summer is upon us and with that comes the endless amount of garage sales. It seems that every summer Edmontonians welcome strangers onto their front lawns to buy items they once cherished.

This summer will be no different. With COVID-19 restrictions easing up for the summer it is the perfect time to start hanging up your garage sale posters around the neighborhood.  However, there are still precautions in place. The city of Edmonton has released a short list of guidelines for those people hosting garage sales this summer. 

Along with being an amazing way to reduce clutter in your homes, garage sales can play an important role in shopping more sustainably. Instead of going out and buying new items that we might only use a few times, buying used goods is an affordable and sustainable alternative. Whether you choose to buy second-hand clothes, toys, or anything else, you are partaking in a small action that will greatly help the environment.

Also, to mention the obvious, garage sales are an excellent way to make some extra cash in the summer. You get to rid yourself of items you don’t use and make money off of it. Two wins. However, if you are like me, it will be a lot easier to go buy things from other peoples sales instead of having your own. In which you will not be saving any money this summer but you will be acquiring some great trinkets and treasutes. 

Garage sales are also the perfect way to meet wonderful strangers. If you are looking for an opportunity to get to know your neighbours more, these sales are a great place to start.

The expression “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” is really exemplified in garage sales. Browsing through items that belonged to strangers and finding value in things you didn’t even know you needed is a great feeling. It’s also a fantastic way to spend a summer afternoon with some friends. You might even pick up a new hobby or start a new collection.

Whether you decide to go hunting for local garage sales on Kijiji or have one of your own, this summer let’s open our minds to reusing more.