Want to clean up and make money at the same time? Have a garage sale. You don't even need a garage, just a yard or a space to display your treasures. Here are some great tips to take the stress and the work out of your next garage sale.
The first step is to organize
Gather everything you want to sell and begin pricing. To simplify my sales, I use printed signs: "All Clothing $.75 each or 2/$1.00." I used to spend tedious hours marking every little thing, and half the time the stickers would fall off anyways. This also works for toys, books, dishes, silverware, tools, etc. When I'm setting up, I mark three boxes for toys: $.25, $.50, and $1.00. As I'm sorting I just toss the toys into the appropriate boxes.
Beg, borrow or make tables to display your wares. People enjoy an area that is easy to move around in, with enough room between tables to allow more than one person to look at a time. Over the years, I've collected two camping tables, four card tables and a few miscellaneous ones. TV trays work well too. Just be careful if you slap together a makeshift table.
I thought I was very clever one year by using 4-foot by 8-foot panels nailed to sturdy pallets for tables. Everything was fine up until the day of the sale. One of my "tables" tilted and shifted until the whole thing crashed to the floor, along with glassware, dishes and other breakable things. Luckily no one was hurt and I was able to prop up the other tables until the sale was over.
If possible, hang clothing. It is so much easier for people to look through, and needing to constantly straighten piles won't frazzle you. I hang sturdy wooden closet rods from the rafters with strong rope. My husband picked them up for me at a home improvement store for about $.50 a foot.
Now you are ready to advertise
Pick a date and place an ad. A typical 15-word ad in our local newspaper runs $4.00, well worth the potential customers it will bring your way. An eye-catching title will make your ad stand out among the hundreds of similar ads. Some phrases I have used are "Bargain Bonanza," "Spectacular Sale," "Thrifty Treasures" and "Gigantic Garage Sale."
Put up colorful signs leading to your sale. Try to place them on or near major traffic routes and always use a large arrow pointing the way. Many people just look for signs and don't bother to read the address. Balloons are inexpensive and add visibility. Put a ladder or sign at the end of your driveway with lots of balloons. Last year over half of my customers told me they followed my signs to my sale.
On the day of your sale:
Try to open a bit early. Often people will line up, anxious to find a bargain. Decide if you will be willing to negotiate, because someone will probably ask.
Greet people, if possible. A friendly smile can put people at ease and make them more willing to buy. If you have a lot of stuff left toward the end of your sale, put up half-price signs. You may want to adjust your prices a bit on your more expensive items. To save time, I have a few signs printed ahead of time.
Take down your signs and balloons. My kids have a blast with them. I reuse my sturdy signs each year.
A successful garage sale empties your crammed closets, overflowing storage shed and cluttered garage and, most important, fills your wallet. Following these simple steps will leave you with a smile on your face as you head to the bank.
 | Home organization demands ongoing time and effort. If you find a storage and shelving system that works for you and develop a realistic organization routine, you'll be more likely to keep your home uncluttered. |
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 | Keeping your kitchen organized is the best way to keep yourself organized. Rummaging through the cupboards in search of the right bowl or the correct cereal can cut into your time in a big way. Knowing what you have and where it is really is the key to being organized. |
Garage sales are a great way to make money and empty your closets. |
When homeowners decide to remodel their existing home, or build a new one, they often complain that their current house lacks adequate storage space. Most people find that the inevitable clutter that comes with hectic living can quickly take over a home, whether they live in a small apartment or a sprawling mansion. |
