a new way to bond with kids: garage sales and thrift stores

via mkyIR

NOTE: I am a huge fan of thrift stores and garage sales, so when Rich contacted me about writing a guest post with a Gen X angle, I said yes! I really agree with his premise about bonding, too. One time, Juliette and I found a green Fiesta cup and saucer at a thrift store. She found the saucer and I found the cup in separate parts of the store. It was great fun, a great memory and a story we tell over and over about how we practically ran to one another in warm embrace while Journey's Open Arms played in the background. hahahahahaha!! =)

Guest Post by Rich from Garage Sales Tracker

The winter time is great as it brings all the family together for the holiday and you get to catch up on all the exciting trips and things the family and children are doing.

The bonding doesn’t have to stop at dinner the family can get together and go shopping while enjoying the thrill of a good bargain.

In the summer time, it’s great to get the family and neighbors together for a yard sale to sell off all the old items that the family no longer needs and the hand me downs have been handed down as far as they can go.

With the warmest days coming to an end and garage sales starting to pack it up and move inside you can turn to Flea Markets, Thrift Stores, and Consignment shops which will help keep your pockets filled in a tough job market while finding the retro Generation X finds that you so adored in what may seem, not so long ago.

While you may not find a piece of the Berlin Wall. It is very likely that you will find Atari, Nintendo, Bon Jovi memorabilia and a Ramones Record. The prices are amazingly low thanks to the low overhead costs and the bonding experience with the family is unforgettable, I know I still remember going to the Old Paris Flea Market with my parents when I was a child and yours will remember the experience as well.

When you see these classic items you can tell the family about your first concert and the fun times you used to have riding around in the Chrysler listening to the Grease Soundtrack and how much fun you and the friends had back in the good old days.