Every year, it was the same, stressed-out story.

October would inevitably arrive, the forecast would mention snow, and suddenly I’d realize someone needed new boots. Someone else’s snow pants were two inches too short. Gloves had disappeared into the void—presumably with all my Tupperwear lids.

And just like that I was panic shopping online, bemoaning the fact the things I wanted weren’t on sale. Refusing to actually purchase until the price dropped, in the meantime squeezing kids into ill-fitting snowpants and mismatched gloves.

Eventually, I’d buy something I didn’t love, or spend more money than I wanted. We needed the gear now. North Dakota’s winter doesn’t wait for you to find the perfect things on sale.

Then last year, about this time I stopped at a garage sale on a whim.

In a pile of boys clothes was a Colombia winter coat that checked all my boxes. It’s exactly what I’d want him wearing at recess in the winter. One size too big.

The price? Four dollars. Obviously, it came home with me that day.

That garage sale changed my system. Something clicked. Instead of stress shopping when we’re on the brink of snow, I’d inventory earlier and keep an eye out while it is still warm.

Instead of panic-buying I simply started watching.

Garage sales are still happening every weekend. Families are cleaning out closets before school starts. Facebook Marketplace is full of people clearing out things their children have outgrown. Thrift stores are stocked with winter gear that hasn’t yet become everyone else’s priority—these usually come out of storage in September.

I’ve got a short list of what we need for this season in the Notes App of my phone. And I’m just watching.
Maybe I’ll find exactly what I’m looking for next weekend.

Maybe it takes a month.

The beauty is that it doesn’t matter because I’m not under pressure.

The same goes for selling.

July and August are a wonderful time to pass along the things your family has outgrown. The boots that no longer fit, the snow pants your kids wore twice because of a growth spurt, the extra mittens—those things are probably on someone else’s shopping list right now.

In our house, selling what we no longer need often helps fund what we do. One family’s outgrown gear becomes another family’s bargain, and everyone wins.

Even if you rarely shop secondhand, there’s still value in doing a summer inventory.

Maybe you’ll discover everyone is set except one child who needs boots.

Maybe you’ll realize your own winter coat needs an upgrade.

Maybe you’ll remember that your car needs a new ice scraper and your emergency kit is nonexistent.
Knowing what you need is half the battle.

Then, when you happen across a clearance rack, a garage sale, or a Marketplace listing over the next several weeks, you’ll know whether it’s worth stopping.

Living in North Dakota teaches us that winter isn’t something to fear, but it is something to prepare for. The best preparation rarely happens when the forecast says snow is coming tomorrow. It happens quietly, weeks or months beforehand, one small step at a time.

I’ve found that’s true of more than just winter gear.

The more we can do ahead of time, the more present we get to be when the season actually arrives.

Instead of spending the first chilly weekend stressed about what the kids will wear to recess, you can spend it making soup, having a cozy movie night, taking a walk through crunchy leaves, or simply enjoying that familiar feeling in the air that reminds us another summer is behind us and the adventure of winter lies ahead.

But let’s not talk about that just yet. Summer is still here. There are still garage sales to wander, Marketplace listings to browse, and warm evenings to enjoy.

So, if you’re looking for one practical item to add to your July routine, make it this: pull out the winter gear.
See what fits. Make a list. Sell what you don’t need. Then, without pressure just keep your eyes open.
You might be surprised what you find.

And if you’re lucky, maybe there’s a four-dollar Columbia coat waiting for you, too.

For more thoughts on living in North Dakota, join me online at amyallender.com or on social media @heyminot.