Garage Sale How-To on MomsAllStop.com

Garage Sales can be a hassle to have, but they don't need to be. A little planning can go a long way in making your next (or first) garage sale easy to do. Plus, think of the rewards! You'll get rid of all that stuff you don't use but still collects dust and takes up valuable space in your home, and you'll make some money to use towards bills, a family vacation or maybe just some summertime fun for your family.

I think the easiest way to start is to check your calendar and pick a day that is good for you and your family. Now, you can work back from that date and make some plans. A day back, mark your calendar to put up signs and get dollar bills and coins from the bank to give change for the items people are going to be buying from you. A week back, mark on your calendar to make signs (or purchase them). Two weeks back, post an ad online (there are some free ad sites listed to the in the middle of this article for you to post online about your garage sale), and in your local newspaper. Now you are ready to get your stuff together.

Instead of going through your house and looking for items all at once, break it down into manageable sections. Next time you are in your kitchen and talking on the phone, spend the time multi-tasking. Look through your cabinets and cupboards for items you never use. If you haven't used it in a year, most likely, you aren't going to use it in the future. Gather up all the items you find, wipe them down (spend a few minutes to clean up the items-it makes a huge difference for buyers), stick a price on them (using labels or just pieces of masking tape) and place them into a box. Take the box out to your garage, or some other storage area (closet, attic) and put it down for later. As you are cleaning your home, or even if you are just organizing a closet or kid's dresser, grab the things that don't fit anymore or aren't used and wipe them down, price them, and put into the "garage sale" boxes. Then on the day of the sale, all you have to do is set up your tables and place your items out.

If you keep up with this all year long, (putting items you outgrow or just don't want anymore away with price stickers after they are cleaned up) you'll next year's sale will be even easier to do.

At the end of your sale, don't forget to take down your signs. You can always save them in your box for next year.

Some extra tips:
*Put a cooler outside filled with ice and soda pop cans. People get thirsty shopping in the hot sun all day and you can make some profit this way.

*Slash prices at the end of the day to move the items that aren't selling. Some $ is better than a goose egg.

*Save yourself some hassle and don't except checks, except from people you know.

*DON'T hold anything for anyone unless it is paid for upfront. Many times, people don't come back and you probably loss the sale to someone else in that time. Also, if someone buys something large and can't take it with them right then, make a firm pick-up time for them and tell them (writing it down is even better), that if they don't pick it up at the agreed upon time, they forfeit the item and the money.

*Set up with a charitable organization to stop by at the end of your yard sale to take away what you don't sell. You'll be helping out your community and saving yourself the headache of carting it back in and restoring it.

*Start from now putting your grocery bags aside for people to use at your sale to take thier stuff home in. Also, put aside some old newspapers for wrapping fragile items up in.

*Keep your money with you at all times during the sale (fanny packs work well). Take the larger bills inside often.

*Put the large bill someone is paying you with down on the table in front of you when making change. That way they can't pretend they gave you a $20 when it really was only a $10.

*Don't let people inside your home, even for using the bathroom. It's just too dangerous anymore to do this.

*Check the pockets of all your clothing items. You don't want to sell a jacket for $5 with a $10 bill in the pocket.

*If you have broken items, place them into a box and mark them "Free-for parts".

*Fill in empty spots on your tables with other items so it doesn't look like everything has already been picked over.

*If you are holding the garage sale in your garage, think about stringing some clothesline around the walls and hanging sheets on it to cover up your belongings. It will elimate the hassle of dealing with the people who are adament about buying items you don't want to sell.

*Always price things. Most shoppers hate asking prices and will just walk away, even if it is something they want.

*Put guy stuff (tools and such) at the end of the driveway to help wives convince thier husbands to stop and also try to put your best items at the end of the driveway to lure in the people who slow down and do a "drive by" to see if anything looks good.

*Save yourself a headache and put up a "All Sales Final" notice.

*If you are selling electrical items, have an extension cord handy for people to test the items on.

*Make your own signs by using your paper grocery sacks. Use crayons so the ink won't run. Fold the top inch over and staple shut after putting a few stones in the bag so they won't blow away. Then all you have to do is drop them where you need them. Be sure to use large, easy to read lettering. Stand at a distance from them and see if you can easily read them.

*Another idea, is to check prices for some items online at Ebay and Half.com. Maybe it is in your best interest to sell some of your items here instead of what you can get at a garage sale for them.

NOTE: Before beginning, check with your homeowner's association for rules regulating having garage sales in your area and check with your city about laws concerning placing signs out for garage sales.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: DON'T STRESS!! Put a smile on and enjoy the day.