"One man's junk is another man's treasure". If you don't believe the old saying, take a cruise one Saturday morning and view the people combing your neighbor's driveways. Better yet, read the classified ads.You will quickly become a believer. Selling 'junk' in the yard has never gone out of style and with the current economic developments, it has become downright advantageous. There are professional garage shoppers who make a killing on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I am not one of them, but I have been known to snatch up a find or two.You would be amazed as to what the vigilant 'shopper' may hit upon. Remember, one man's junk, may not be junk to you.

Garage sales are not the only source for great discoveries. A couple of years ago when attempting to furnish a new house, I came across a classified ad claiming to have a refrigerator, stove,dishwasher and microwave for sale. I could not believe that someone would be selling brand new matching appliances. The person responsible for placing the ad had moved into a new home. When buying a house from a builder the appliances come as part of the deal. The buyer in this case wanted to keep the original appliances from his old house. I saved a bundle of money on brand name kitchen appliances complete with warranties. In a similar manner I furnished my living room from an estate sale. Someone at some time had enjoyed those very gently used couches. However the furniture became junk to the relatives of the lady who had once chosen them new. It was easier for the family members who lived in another state to sell them, less than their worth I might add. The heirs junk, became my treasure.

Though I know first hand the advantages of perusing the classifieds for area garage and estate sales, I must admit, my participation is willy nilly at best. It is often on a whim that I visit. There is something about that collection of junk strewn about a yard that beckons me to stop and check it out. It is my 'road less traveled'. It is not until I am in the market for a specific item that I become serious in my pursuit. When this finally occurs it is imperative that I am diligent. The item I am purchasing must be in nearly mint condition. I am willing to paint but have concluded, if the work required is more than painting, the object loses appeal. Upholstering, slip covering, tightening, and gluing though not all that challenging is time consuming. It is more likely the piece will sit as an eyesore. It is a matter of time management. Though I can imagine the great possibilities, I have to skip the purchase.

A rule of thumb; the object has to speak to me. It must whisper my name. I must love the object and have an honored place in mind for it. If I do not adhere to this rule, it is likely my living space will be defined as so many square feet of contiguous junk under air. In the words of the great philosopher, Dirty Harry, “a man has got to know his limitations.” I can pick up that glittery ceramic thing-a-mabob or the googlie eyed sea shell figurine for just cents. But in some cases “another man’s junk” is just that, another man’s junk.

(" Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven..., where your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will be also." Matthew 6:19-21)