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Pack Your Bag


 

Ready? Let’s get started. Grab a tote bag. You will need:

  • Black light
  • Magnet
  • Tape measure

Curious? Then you should take a look at this piece about thrifting tips before you head out to any yard sales this weekend.

Why the owners of Twin Thrift Vintage bring a magnet and black light to every yard sale, Megan Knight, WMAR-2 News

What I learned from reading this piece is that I am not looking for the same things at yard sales as the owners of Twin Thrift Vintage. No surprise there. Ali and Jordan Virden are professionals. As dealers, they are looking for high quality items to resell. I mostly go to yard sales for fun these days - - without any particular goal in mind.

If I spend more than five dollars it’s a big day.

When I was teaching I was primarily looking for children’s books and items that could be used in learning activities and dramatic play. Too bad a black light won’t automatically tell you if things like that have been stored in moldy conditions or spent years in rooms filled with cigarette smoke. 

Anyway, it’s a fun and informative piece. It’s also a reminder that I need to visit Twin Thrift Vintage. (Just for fun and without any particular goal in mind.)

If you’re into yard sales - - whether buying or selling - - the youth group at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia are hosting one this Saturday:

UUCC's youth group (YRUU) is hosting a yard sale, that we are calling THRIFTEST.

Saturday, June 13, 9AM to 12PM at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center.

THRIFTEST is accepting requests for table spots where you can sell your own goods. Thrift items, gifts, and artisan goods are all welcome! You may also donate thrift-able items to be sold by bringing them to the interfaith center on Sunday, June 7.

Spread the word and come out to see us to find yourself/your friends and family some treasure and support our youth in their fundraising for our annual youth service trip to War, West Virginia.

Contact KPtheUU@gmail.com with your interest.

I’m not sure this will be the kind of sale to which you should bring a black light or a magnet. I will suggest, though, that bringing a tape measure is not all it’s cracked up to be. If you are in the market for anything that’s bigger than a breadbox, it is essential that you bring someone along who understands space relations and how things fit into other things. 

Without that your tape measure is nothing but a cute accessory.

I’d also suggest bringing along whatever sort of hand wipes you fancy for when you get back in the car. Yard sale shopping is often quite a hands-on experience and I always seem to walk away feeling dusty and/or grubby.

Do you brake for yard sales? Are there any other items you’d recommend to put in a savvy thrifters tote bag?

Let me know.



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  1. Julia A. McCreadyJune 9, 2026 at 4:48 AM

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