Money Saving Quest

A garage sale is a great way to earn extra money, while getting rid of clutter. Can’t beat that!

As I set out to host one of my own, I thought I’d share some of the more helpful tips I’ve come across to make it worth the time and effort. Leave a comment to share your own 🙂

Beginning Steps

• Choose when (what day and what time) to hold the sale
  • Saturdays are still the most popular

• Check the weather forecast beforehand

• Choose where
  • The more traffic in the area, the better
  • Location is important just as it is in a retail environment

• Start accumulating items (as well as pricing and sorting them) weeks before the sale

Advertise (very important step)

• Craigslist & Facebook are excellent options to post a garage sale ad
  • Flyers on bulletin boards can also be beneficial, as well as newspaper ads
• Make sure to note “No Early Birds, please” in your ads – otherwise people will show up while you’re still setting up

Signs

• Put up lots of signs
• Make sure the text is READABLE using bold markers (sharpies); use brightly colored poster board
• Write the date/time of the sale, your street name, and an arrow pointing in the right direction
• Strategically place in multiple areas with a lot of nearby traffic (the night before)
• Don’t forget to take all signs down after the sale!

Pricing

• It is best to price as many items as you can in advance
• Price things evenly with round numbers – i.e. $2 instead of $1.80
• For easier pricing, try pricing by table with a sign such as “Each item on this table: $2.”
• Price your items to move – look at it objectively and expect people to haggle
• Place bigger price tags on bigger items
• Price and color code items prior to the sale
  • Example: “Green = 50 cents; Blue = $1; Red = $2.”
• Offer deals on quantity
• Pricing Guide

Presentation

• Mow the lawn
• Organization is key – display all CDs / books / etc. together
• Display higher end (nicer) items towards end of driveway
• Display items on tables, racks, or shelves – not on the ground or in boxes
  • Hang clothes with hangars on a rack
• Clean items that have collected dust, have stains, etc.
• During your sale, keep your tables attractive by filling in the empty spots as things get sold
• Have extension cords on hand to test electronics if needed

Other

• Enlist friends and family to help you out
• Designate one person as the money taker
  • Wear a fanny pack or apron to keep all cash and change organized
  • Have plenty of change available:
    • Example – four $10 bills, five $5 bills, 25 $1 bills, 1 roll of quarters ($10)
• Donate what is left over for a tax deduction
• Have fun and don’t forget to go out to dinner after!