Preparing for a Garage Sale Doesn't Have to Be Stressful

Spring is right around the corner and that means GARAGE SALE time! Do you have tons of stuff to get rid of, but aren't quite sure how to get rid of it? Having a garage sale is a great way to earn you quick cash and get rid of all the junk you no longer want. Believe it or not, there are people out there that would consider your junk their treasure. There are a few simple and easy steps to help you organize a garage sale without stress.

You have made the decision to have a garage sale, your next step is going to be gathering all the stuff you want to get rid of. I use a simple rule when deciding what to get rid of; if it had not been used it or wore it in a couple of months I probably won't miss it if it's gone. Clothes that you have packed away or stashed at the back of your closet can also go into the sale pile. If your children have clothes they have outgrown or toys that they no longer play with and are still in reasonably good condition, add those items to your "it's got-to-go" pile.

Once you have all your sale items gathered, your next step will be to price them. You can find pre-priced stickers at many stores. Make sure you price everything! I hate going to a garage sale and having to ask for prices on everything. It's annoying and people are liable to walk away from your sale because of this. Although it may be hard to sell something for $5, when you may have paid $30 for it, price your items low. Reasonably priced items tend to sell quicker because people consider them to be bargains. Remember, this is stuff you want to get rid of, you don't want to pack it back into your house.

Promoting your sale is a key strategy to having a successful garage sale. I always advertise my garage sales in the local newspaper several days to a week before the sell. Another good promoting tool is making up fliers and hanging them in local businesses, it's free advertising! On the day of your sale, hang up signs around town and on major streets or roads to direct customers to your sale. Use bright or neon colored poster board on your signs, this will stand out and catch people's attention.

On the day of your sale make sure you're organized. This will set the tone for the sale. If things are organized the sell will run a lot smoother. Set up before the time you have stated your sale would start. People that come early are normally the one's that buy and not just look. If you get half way through the morning and still have quite a bit of stuff left, offer half price on everything. This is a sure way to move your stuff fast.

Once your garage sale has ended you will need to decide what you want to do with the leftovers. You can donate the items or throw them away, it's your choice.

Another tip for making quick cash at your sale is to offer baked goods and drinks. If someone see's something that looks delicious and tempting, chances are they will buy it. If it's a hot afternoon and people see you have bottled water for sale, consider it sold and cash in your pocket!