Summer means yard sale bargains await. Go shopping and save a bundle on the tag sale trail:

• Get organized. Make a list of things you’re looking for — whether it’s vintage shirts, serving dishes, or power tools — to stay focused while you browse. Then plan your route from the newspaper or sites such as Craigslist.org and Yardsales.net. Remember not to overdo it; after a couple hours, shopping judgment can get clouded.

• Do dicker. Marked prices are rarely set in stone, and haggling is expected. Decide what an item is worth to you, then make an offer. To stretch a buck, ask for a combination discount such as 5 for a dollar instead of 25 cents each.

• Choose wisely. Only buy things you really like or need. Don’t settle for an item just because it’s inexpensive — it may become clutter. Risky buys also include broken things you think you might fix someday and baby items such as cribs and carseats that could have recall or safety issues.

Try your luck at a yard sale this weekend to see how much you can save.