By Jennifer Howard

Many of us have items in our home that have been kept long beyond their usefulness.

These items often clutter our houses and yet we wonder what to do with them.

Many times, clothes, furniture or odd knickknacks are still in good condition, yet we no longer have a use for them or we want to downsize.

Checking out local yard sales and resale shops might help you save substantially, and even earn a little extra cash.

Yard sale shopping is a great place to find items you need at a bargain price too.

If you are searching for yard sale bargains remember to start early. The statement, “the early bird gets the worm” is definitely true at a yard sale.

Lots of yard sales will often open before the advertised start time. And by starting early, you will get the greatest pick of merchandise.

Other things to keep in mind when shopping yard sales:

— Don’t be tempted to buy items you don’t need just because it’s a good deal.

— Negotiate. Don’t be afraid to ask a seller to lower the price. Negotiating the price is part of the fun of yard sale shopping.

— Always carry cash in small bills. Large bills, especially early in the day are difficult for a seller to break.

And don’t forget to ask a friend or family member to yard sale with you. Shopping is more fun with a partner, and they can also be an extra set of eyes to help you search for the items you are looking for.

At 6 p.m. Thursday at the Clark County Extension Office, Kay Denniston, Bourbon County extension agent, will speak about the basics of yard sales and consignment shopping. She will share helpful steps in planning and hosting a yard sale, help you identify personal items you can sell and which outlet to resell to. Be sure to join us.

For more information, contact the Clark County Extension Office at 744-4682 or visit us on the web at http://ces.ca.uky/edu/clark

Jennifer Howard is the Clark County Extension Agent for family and consumer sciences.