Lori emailed in the following tip:
It’s that time of year again…the tables are loaded, the garage doors are raised, and minivan after minivan begins circling the neighborhood.
Garage Sale Season is here and if you are anything like me, your favorite sales come in clusters — like large neighborhoods. However, if you are also like me, that can mean circling the same houses repeatedly, lost in the twists and turns or caught in the cul-de-sacs.
One of the most frustrating aspects of shopping large neighborhood sales is not being familiar with the area; therefore, not having a clue which way to turn when approaching the next intersection. You simply cannot remember whether you have already been down that street or not, until you slow down at the next sale to discover you’ve passed that Party Sized Palm Tree sitting by the curb three times already!
Today, however, that all changed for me. With the free “Map My Run” App downloaded to my phone, not only do I know where I’ve been, I can also see where I have yet to be! The app traces the route that I travel as I wind my way through the twisting and turning streets. As I approach an intersection, I have only to stop and check the “map” shown on the app to know whether to turn right or left.
No more circling endlessly, wondering if I have covered all the different sales being offered in an addition. By seeing that I have traveled each of the streets, I know I have “seen” all the sales available. This saved me so much time (and gas!) since I wasn’t backtracking or spending time circling the same section multiple times due to not being certain which street to take to get “out” to a main road. -Lori
Jennifer says
Oh my goodness! I am a seasoned garage saler and a seasoned runner of more than 20 years who uses this app all the time—why have I not thought of this! This is the most amazing tip I have read in a long time. Thank you SO much for sharing! This will help me not get lost in huge neighborhood developments, which happens all the time.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad that you found it helpful!
Carrie Grace says
Been “dreaming” of apps like this one and the one Colleen said about, THANK YOU! Let the season begin!
Tiffany says
I previously used this app for running, but please go to the settings under the app and make everything private. Otherwise people around you using the app can see where you go, what time of day you go, and even where you start and stop from. If you use this for running that can be quite scary.
Crystal Paine says
Such an important tip! Thank you for mentioning that.
Colleen says
There is also an app called “Yard sale treasure map” that shows all of the garage/yard sales that are posted on craigslist and maps it out for you.
Sarah says
That is such a great tip!! I’m not a big garage sale-er but I’ll bet this can be used in other situations too! So smart!
Thanks for sharing!