Spring has sprung: Time for a yard sale
Posted
Apr 29 2008, 08:42 PM
by
Karen Datko
Spring marks the return of that favorite American pastime -- the yard sale. If you're thinking about de-cluttering, the always practical and thorough Lynnae at Being Frugal offers 10 tips for having a "wildly successful" sale.
You want to make money, folks, so you have to advertise, she says. Word of mouth goes only so far. Craigslist is an option. Also, we know that many newspapers offer handy kits if you buy a garage sale ad.
Put a price on everything. If you use color-coded stickers, make a big sign that explains what the code is. She adds, "I'm also of the belief that bargain pricing is better than trying to get the maximum amount out of each item you're selling."
Have lots of change. "You should have, at the very least, a roll of quarters, a roll of dimes, a roll of nickels, 20 $1 bills, a few fives, and a couple of tens," she says.
Have lots of bags: "The more people can hold, the more they will buy."
She gives detailed instructions on how to present your items, make and display signs, alter prices toward the end of the sale to get rid of most of your stuff, and how to get your kids in on the act. Her post (click here if you missed the link above) also offers several plans for the leftovers.
