Zach didn't spend any money at the first five yard sales. But at the sixth he hit pay dirt: a console game system with two games for $7! Each component was still wrapped in plastic in the Styrofoam tray compartments. Although played with, the system had been so carefully repackaged it was what dealers call "mint-in-box."

"Would you take $5?" Zach asked. The seller agreed, and Zach paid with his allowance. He still had $10 left.

Money doesn't burn a hole in Zach's pocket. He's a patient and careful shopper, and knows how to get value for his dollar. He buys at yard sales, flea markets, rummage sales, and thrift shops whenever he can. "It's the best way to recycle," he says. "It's good for the environment, and fun. It's going hunting."

"While driving home from yard sales I add up the retail (store) price on books I bought. Then I compare them to the prices I actually paid—usually 25 cents for paperbacks and 50 cents or $1 for hardcover books," Zach says. "On a typical day I might get two or three Matt Christopher books, a Gary Paulsen and maybe a couple of Beverly Cleary or Hardy Boys books, all in excellent condition. Retail price might come to $25, but I'd have spent $2.50."

"Once you see what great things you can buy this way and how much fun it is, malls seem dull. One of my favorite finds last summer was a collapsible aluminum golf cart that was just about new. [Zach plays tennis and golf.] We paid $5 for it and saw the same cart for $80 at a discount golf store the next week. Last week we bought a basket for a friend's new kitties to sleep in. We bought our aquarium complete with stand for $10 last year. My mom loves that my new jacket cost $5 instead of $70!"

Zach mainly buys sports equipment, games, magazines and books, and adds to his collection of old video games and systems. But he also keeps his eye out for "smalls"—collectibles such as the figurine that he bought for a quarter. He can resell these at profit, either at his favorite Internet auction site, or at a local consignment shop.

At his sixth yard sale of the day, Zach scores again. He finds a set of skis that were used only a few times and then outgrown. When the man selling them reduces the $40 price by half, Zach's mom buys the skis and poles for him. At