The Unexpected Place You Can Almost Always Find Affordable Light Bulbs

Light bulbs probably aren't at the forefront of your mind when creating a household budget, but after some major price increases over the last few years, they should be. The Department of Energy has established regulations that phase out incandescent bulbs and compact florescent light bulbs (CFLS) and will enforce new rules on LEDs, requiring them to produce 120 lumens per watt (up from the previous standard of 45). These efficiency regulations have upped the price of light bulbs considerably. Of course, these new ultra-efficient bulbs will end up saving you money down the road, however, the distant-future savings can be hard to consider when paying double for a box of bulbs. Fortunately, there is one unexpected place you can almost always find affordable light bulbs: estate sales. 

Estate sales are the gem of the secondhand market. While yard sales and thrift stores are mostly filled with discarded items the owner no longer needs, an estate sale is filled with an entire lifetime of valuable treasures. They are a great place for finding one-of-a-kind vintage decor and furniture, but everyday household items are something you should also look out for at estate sales, especially if you want to find a deal on those must-have items. Light bulbs are one such underrated estate sale find, and like batteries and toilet paper, most homes have them on hand constantly.

Scoring light bulbs and other money-saving items at estate sales is not as simple as stumbling upon a sign in your neighborhood. Because estate sales are typically run by professional companies, they advertise the sales ahead of time online. Once you've located an upcoming sale, plan to get there before the doors open. You may be shocked at the number of people who will queue early! However, if you don't have your heart set on anything in particular, the best time to hit up an estate sale for the lowest prices is near the end of the final day.  

Most people will be there for a specific item, like furniture or artwork, or to peruse the clothing, kitchenware, and decor. While they head to the main living areas, you should make a beeline for the more utilitarian rooms, like the garage, basement, or laundry room. This is typically where the household items like light bulbs are kept, and those areas are usually the last stop for shoppers. 

If you find an unopened box of bulbs, do a light shake and listen for any sounds of breakage. For an opened box or loose bulbs, a quick examination should reveal any that are burned out or broken. Light bulbs have a very long shelf life, so any intact bulbs should work, regardless of age. Keep in mind that old bulbs, especially incandescent bulbs, are often much less efficient than modern options. Incandescent and halogen bulbs also generate lots of heat as they produce light, which could become dangerous.