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After our week trip to North Carolina for Kristen’s graduation and to bring Carey & Callie back home with us, we had a yard sale. My parents’ neighborhood association was holding a neighborhood yard sale, so I decided to put some stuff out that we need to get rid of. We sold a few things, but I didn’t have the time before the sale to get prepared like I normally do. Next time I will be prepared! Here are some tips I use.

First Things First!

The number one must have for a successful yard sale is: STUFF! That’s right. If you don’t have items to sell, there is no point in having a yard sale! You can sell a variety of things from your kids old toys and clothes to the furniture that just doesn’t fit in your house anymore. From books to musical instruments. And don’t forget about your handmade items! Basically anything you don’t want and/or don’t have room for, you can sell. Remember, One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

How Much Is This?

Now that you have your items to sell, you need to price them. I like to price things a little higher than I would like to actually get for them. Serious yard sale-ers will barter with you. So if you want to get $1 for that pair of tennis shoes, price them for $2. Most of the time you will actually get the price you mark it. But there will be those that ask if you’ll take much less than the marked price. That’s when you meet in the middle, which is the actual amount you want to get! Also, don’t expect to make much money on certain things. If you paid $75 for that surround sound system, don’t expect to get that amount or more back! It’s more like you’ll get MAYBE $25 for it! Price it for $30 and you’re good to go!

When Is The Best Day?

Most yard sales are on Saturdays. Many people will hold them on Friday and Saturday. Some will even do Thursdays or even Sundays. I personally have had more success on Thursdays. Sometimes you can do several days or only one. Whatever you choose, check your weather report for the day you are shooting for. It’s also a good idea to have a backup date in case of rain.

How Do I Get People To My Sale?

We’ve all seen them! The brightly colored, incredibly tacky looking signs pointing towards a yard sale. You can’t help but look at them and venture towards the sale. What is the best way to attract customers for your sale? Big, bright yellow signs with BLACK writing and ARROWS pointing towards your sale! Other colors might be more attractive but black on yellow is the easiest to read. I like to put my signs out a day or two before my sale. To make them waterproof, in case of rain, use packing tape and completely cover the signs. Write YARD SALE or GARAGE SALE or whatever you are calling your sale. Make sure you have the date and time listed, your street or nearest intersection and if you have room list a few of the big items. Be sure to make all the signs identical (except for the arrows) so that they are easier to spot. Make sure you have room for the arrow! If it’s possible, figure out how many arrows you will need pointing left and right and make signs with both. Then just put them on something you can stick in the ground, unless you are going to staple them up.

Another way to get people there is to place an ad in your local paper or online. Some papers will give you a bundle price for 2-3 days in the paper. Our local paper even gives you a “garage sale packet”! I’m kind of excited about that! Hehe. Use the same wording as your signs. Remember, don’t list your actual address or phone number. Use the nearest intersection and city name.

What Happens To The Leftovers?

It is rare to sell everything in your yard sale. For that reason, you should make a plan of what to do with the rest of the stuff after your sale. If you are planning to have another yard sale, then just box up the stuff or stack it neatly in your garage or somewhere else that will stay dry. You can also donate things to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. That way, you get rid of stuff but you are also helping out a good cause.

Other Ways To Make Money

No one ever said you only had to sell your junk at a yard sale. When I was growing up we had many yard sales. My sister and I would always set up a lemonade stand, or in the cooler months a hot chocolate stand! You can make home made cookies or brownies to sell. Or if you really want to put a lot into it, you could do hot dogs for lunch! But let me tell you. Lemonade sells!

Happy Yard Sale!

Good luck with your yard sale-ing endeavors! My step-daughter and I will be making cookies this week to sell at our yard sale on Saturday! YAY! I’m excited. I’ll let you know how it goes.