Somehow I can tell that Matt had a deprived childhood. Or maybe one that was too rich. In either case, he doesn’t understand the Zen of garage sales, that much is obvious.

The Zen, my friend, is not in getting an ‘antique’ from the 1950s or a third-hand copy of the original Atari release of Pac-Man, but in the hunt and the entire day spent in the outdoors with people you want to spend time with. Oh, sure, there are those occasional treasures out there. I’ve picked up an original Chinese lunchbox from the transcontinental railroad for $20. At last check, it was worth around $700.

But those kind of finds are rare. So, you don’t go out expecting to find them. If they happen, that’s good. Being with friends and loved ones far from the ringing phone and the deadline, well, that’s just about great!

Happy garage sale!