One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure

I received a notice from the Home Owners Association that our annual subdivision garage sale is coming up. It’s time to start collecting all of our unwanted or unused merchandise and make a little cash to offset that front porch furniture purchase we just made.

With two kids and a husband, the clutter multiplies fast. The task of getting things together for a yard sale may seem a little overwhelming at first. The key is to start early and start small.

• About two weeks from the garage sale date, begin to go through your things, but only tackle one room a day.
• Clean out the kids’ rooms while they are at school so they won’t be able to drag everything you’ve set aside for the sale back to their rooms. If they haven’t played with it for six months and they haven’t mentioned it, sell it—unless it’s collectible.
• Don’t wait until you have everything set aside for your sale to begin setting a price. Have your pricing stickers and a pen handy to price as you go.
• Price your items reasonably. Even if you originally paid $150 for a rocking chair, if it’s eight years old and the paint is chipped, be willing to negotiate and go in knowing you’re not going to make your money back. Be willing to let stuff go cheap. You’re trying to make a buck, but it’s really about getting rid of the clutter—be flexible.
• If you’re stuck on an item and not sure if you want to sell it, ask yourself : Have I used or will I use this item in the next six months? Do I need or want this item?
• Until the day of the sale, have a place to store your items.  If you can set up in your garage, park outside for a few days, that way all you have to do is open your garage door. If you don’t have a garage, put everything in a spare room, closet, or dining room. It may not look pretty, but you can keep telling yourself it will all be gone soon.
• Hang gently used clothes on a clothing rack. The items will look nicer and are easier to go through. You also won’t have to refold every time someone rustles through things.
• Have tables to display your wares. That way,  people don’t have to look your goods on the ground. Two saw horses and a sheet of plywood work just fine for a makeshift table.
• Put your big ticket items and toys out front. Electric cars, treadmills, and furniture all can draw people in.
• Schedule a charity truck to pick up leftovers or anything you’re willing to donate at the end of the day on the last day of your sale.

Spring is all about rejuvenation and starting anew. Yard sales allow you to make a little money, make a little room in your home, and maybe make a donation to charity. Now that spring has finally sprung, it’s time to start a little spring cleaning.