Estate Sales ? there are always several estates sales every weekend in the Twin Cities. You may pay more for your stuff at an estate sale, but toward the end of the sale ? things are usually discounted.

Garage Sales ? we LOVE garage sales. But make sure you are patient ... many garage sale feature kids toys and clothing. We are searching for old stuff ... old junk! You may have to stop at 10 sales before you find one that has a treasure.

Flea Markets ? there are lots of weekend flea markets around the state and several that are held three times a year. Flea markets are a great place to find unusual things ? because dealers come in from around the country. Make sure you wear your sunscreen and don?t be afraid to ask for a better price ... especially toward the end of the flea market.

Re-use Centers ? in need of some funky, old hardware? Maybe you?re searching for an old screen? Well, the re-use center is where you need to go. They have piles and piles of stuff just like that. The prices are fair and the selection changes by the day.

Salvage Yards ? another place to find junk. From old tires to wobbly wheels ? just be prepared to get dirty. You?ll be digging through a lot of junk to find your treasure.

Auctions ? Auctions are a great place to meet new friends and buy lots of interesting pieces. Prices vary greatly ? it just depends on who is attending the auction. It is possible to buy a whole truck-load of furniture and stuff for under 75 dollars. We?ve done it before! On the other hand, if you plan on attending a fine antique auction ? plan on spending a lot of money. Dealers flock to these kinds of auctions and are usually willing to plunk down some serious cash for fine pieces.

Dumpsters ? now this is more like it! Free stuff! Every time we drive past a dumpster we crane our necks to see what?s inside. If there?s someone around ? we always ask before we dive ... it?s just the courteous thing to do. Besides ? who knows what is at the bottom of that dumpster?? Always wear gloves and be careful ? many dumpsters are packed full of broken glass.

The bottom line: junk can be found just about anywhere ? at any time ... just keep your eyes open and keep that imagination flowing! Happy junking!!!