Did Someone Say Garage Sale?

I really love this time of year. The sweltering days of summer give way to cool breezes, birds are making their way back to the South, festivals abound. Everybody wants to be outside, enjoying these beautiful days while we still can. Because, like it or not, winter is just around the corner. Pretty soon we'll have to close the windows and turn on those heaters. If you're like me, your house could stand a bit of clearing out before cold, icy winds start blowing you indoors. So, get out those boxes and start sorting. The website Get Organized Now has a lot of good tips for decluttering your home. Most of those tips involve filling boxes with items you no longer use. But, what to do with those boxes once they're full? Have a garage sale!

Of course, in order to have a good sale you'll need to advertise. Small, local papers like the Old River Peddler are an extremely cost effective means of getting the word out. Start out with an attention grabber like "5 Family Sale", "Early Bird Specials" "Moving Sale" or "My Junk, Your Treasure". The object is to peak the reader's interest. Then go on to list where, when and what. Where? Give the address and, if it's off the beaten path, brief directions. When? Day/date and time of the sale. What? List a few items you think will draw people in. Don't be too specific. Instead of saying "Bed, rocker, chair" say "Furniture". That way people will come to see what kind of furniture you have. You may not have the piece they want, but they just might buy something else that catches their eye. You may not want to put your phone number in a garage sale ad unless you have lots of help. It can be frustrating to be talking to potential customers on the phone while actual customers are asking questions.

You might want to check with your local courthouse/government regarding permits and signs. Some areas have rules regarding the number of sales you can have per year as well as rules on where you can or can't place signs. You don't want to use all your garage sale profits paying fines. I have other tips about pricing your items and displaying them attractively, but The Yardsale Queen has a great website with a whole slew of useful tips. She is definitely worth a visit if you're planning a yard sale.

Have a great sale!!!