Always wear comfortable shoes when you go to an estate sale; so today I chose my new pirate shoes as this sale had a fashionista theme to it. No, Tim Gunn from Project Runway would not be there but no telling who might look at your feet. These shoes are a replica of a $200 pair that I got at Wal-Mart for $19.99. What you do not see are the layers of band-aids under my socks that keep my feet comfortable.

Always bring along enough money to spend, even if it is only small denominations. Hopefully they will breed when you put them back in your wallet.

        Take the credit cards out of your wallet and air them out to prevent overheating later on.

Add the Godiva Chocolate Rewards card to your wallet. If you don't find anything you can drown your sorrows with free chocolate. After all they do owe you that free one every month.

Bring along something for good luck. I brought my Jesus bag with me for a possible higher intervention.

Ignore the words of,

"This is not the time to take pictures!" as you begin to document your journey.

Those who were not ready before you were or had to go get cash first should not have anything to say.

Wear a smile on your face like our eager shopper below.

When arriving at your destination everyone should throw their hands in the air and shout,

"First!"

Whether you are first or not remains to be seen.

When people begin arriving and someone who looks like "Miss Europa 1982" tells you there is a "LEEST" to sign, just nod your head in agreement and sign the "LEEST".  So what if she is first, you will take care of her inside.

Be aware of your surroundings should you have to exit the place quickly after you deal with "Miss Europa" and notice that the next waterhole hole is 897 km away. You know immediately that this will be one fantastic sale because the late owner knew the metric system.

Working like I had rocket fuel in me I scored some lovely sewing patterns and fashion books. Sadly I had to deal with "Miss Europa" and wondered if she would leave faster if I told her about the pub 897 km away.

This is Rusty of Rusty's Real Deals and she really is the REAL DEAL. Rusty not only runs estate sales but she blogs too. We love sister bloggers and both agreed that "How to be a Good Wife" should be one of my next blogs.

Rusty has most excellent buttons that she sells too. One always has to ask themselves the following question when you exit these sales with lots of purchases.

Are we collectors or are we just one step away from being a hoarder?

If the horizontal space in your home has disappeared and you are now living vertically, it’s time to stop collecting! Well maybe!

As I told a loved one after I saw a room full of his Home Shopping Network purchases:

"You know we can throw a token on top of your casket when we bury you but there is no way all this stuff is  going to fit!"

So make sure whatever you buy can be eased into your final resting container or they will instantly become items at your heir's future "Grandma Finally Died" Estate Sale. Because as much as I hate to say it; this will eventually become the 'real deal'! Just ask Rusty!

Rusty's Real Deals

Images and text by Linda Seccaspina 2011