While rummaging through my garage looking for something I needed, I noticed a pile of items that had been sitting untouched for years, things we no longer used, like a baby crib, a car seat, old shoes, and more. That’s when I decided: it was time for a yard sale.
I headed to the dollar store, picked up some poster boards and a marker, and made a few “Garage Sale” signs. By Friday night, I had sorted through the clutter and pulled out everything we didn’t need anymore. Early Saturday morning, I laid it all out on the driveway and placed the signs strategically around the neighborhood.
Soon, people started showing up. Some parked and browsed, while others just drove by, scanning the setup from their windows. Most folks knew exactly what they were looking for, if they didn’t spot it right away, they kept moving. But for those who stopped and bought something, I gave them a good deal. Honestly, I’d rather see these items go to someone who needs them than haul everything back into the garage.
By around 2 p.m., we wrapped things up. I packed up the unsold items and donated them to Goodwill. In the end, we made about $125, not bad for clearing out years of forgotten stuff.
It reminded me of when I first arrived in the U.S. years ago. I had friends who came ahead of me, we used to work together back in the Philippines, and they’d tell stories about scoring great finds at yard sales. When you’re new here, you start from scratch. You’ve got limited pocket money, but you need everyday essentials. So every weekend, I’d drive around looking for “Yard Sale” or “Garage Sale” signs. After a few hours, my little two-door car would be packed with all sorts of things, some useful, some bought by mistake.
Sometimes I’d bump into friends doing the same thing. We’d laugh, compare our hauls, and swap tips on where to find the best deals.
Life when you’re FOB, Fresh Off the Boat. It’s a hustle, but it’s also part of the adventure. 😊
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