Shop on a budget at garage sales and auctions near Des Moines

My first full-time job in journalism paid $10 an hour. Cash was tight, but garage sales saved me.

What happened: I furnished my first apartment, and then my first home, for just a few hundred dollars.

• I learned where to find the very best sales in the metro and — even after I got a few promotions — I've continued to bargain hunt.
• Like my shirt? It's probably yours.

My advice: Shop in areas you want to emulate in your life. If you've got kids, for example, focus on sales near schools.

• Here are some of my favorite neighborhoods for garage sale shopping:

Beaverdale

• It's my Goldilocks of garage sales. I've found some treasured items, like original artwork, for great bargains.

South of Grand

• Loads of great stuff but not always the best for deals. These folks know when they're selling a Picasso.

Urbandale

• Great for housewares linked with newlywed sales — merging households that don't need two crock pots. Score.

Plus: Auctions are another great way to snag some of the best deals, especially if you're willing to do a little research and be patient.

A few tips: Don't show too much emotion. Bidders feed on energy and will take a second look at an item if they sense excitement.

• Set your limits. Estate auctions, especially, can be emotional and result in out-of-control bidding.
• Research. Many auctions publish photos online. You can set calendar reminders and alerts for specific treasures on sites like AuctionZip.