As the recession continues, more people are selling used stuff they don’t need in order to increase their income, and other people are buying used stuff because it’s cheaper than buying new in stores. If you could need some extra cash or want to cut expenses, you could buy and/or sell stuff on weekends at garage sales, auctions, estate sales, flea markets, yard sales and other places. Once in a while, if you can recognize great bargains, you may be able to buy something for $1 or $2 and resell it later on for $10, $20 or even more.


In her 2005 paperback book, How to Make a Fortune with Other People’s Junk, G.G. (Gwen) Carbone explains how to spot bargains you can resell for big profits, how to cash in on overlooked specialty markets, and how to sell via eBay,

antique shows, private sales or your own shop. To find bargains via private leads, she suggests contacting the following: Attorneys who handle wills, probate and estate settlements, or their paralegals. • Bankers who handle trusts and estate planning. • Barbers, bartenders and hairdressers who listen to gossip. • Town dump attendants. • Funeral directors. • Furnace technicians and plumbers (because they work in basements and see stuff). • Garbage collectors. • Handymen. • Postal workers. • Real estate agents. • Visiting nurses.


When visiting yard sales, garage sales or estate sales, she suggests taking with:

1. Money in small bills;
2. Tummy pack or money belt;
3. Empty tote bag;
4. Magnifying glass;
5. Tape measure;
6. Flashlight;
7. Magnet;
8. Pen and notepad;
9. Pocket calculator;
10. Labels.