Hosting a successful garage sale

It’s springtime, and the tulips and daffodils have begun popping up in yards everywhere. So, too, have garage sale signs! Garage sales are a great way to make a little money while decluttering your home. They’re equal parts Dave Ramsey and Marie Kondo advice — because they’re a great way to get rid of old clothes, toys, furniture, and other items that aren’t bringing you joy. And the best part is that you can get them in the hands of someone who can derive joy from them! Read on for some tips to help you host a successful rummage sale.

Plan ahead. It’s important to start planning your garage sale well ahead of time. Set a financial goal for your sale and be strategic about how much budget you’ll need to make it successful. How will you accept payment for your items? Cash and Venmo are great options. Consider how much cash you’ll need on hand to make change for attendees and stop by the bank ahead of time. Conventional advice is to have at least $100 cash available to make change. Here’s a common breakdown:

• (20) $1 bills = $20
• (5) $5 bills = $25
• (4) $10 bills = $40
• 1 roll quarters = $10
• 1 roll dimes = $5 (optional depending on your pricing)

Consult your calendar. Consider a time of year that works best for you, has decent weather, and won’t have to compete against other local events. Plan your sale for a day when people are likely to be out and about, and when the weather is pleasant enough to entice them to stop by and shop through your stuff. Make sure to check with your local government or HOA to be sure you’re following all the local rules!

Get organized. Sort through all the items you plan to sell and use this as an opportunity to declutter your home. Group similar items together and price them in a way that makes sense. Use color-coded stickers that correspond to different price points or use a pricing guide to ensure you’re not overpricing or undervaluing your items. (Hint: Don’t overprice your items! Find that sweet spot between making money and being stuck with a bunch of stuff that you need to get rid of. Keep in mind as you price things out that garage sale shoppers are hunting for bargains.)

Advertise. No one can show up for a garage sale they don’t know about! Use social media, the newspaper, and signs to get the word out. Be sure to include the date, time, location, and some of the popular items you’ll be selling. The more people who know about your sale, the more it will be a success.

Create an inviting atmosphere. Before the sale, make sure your yard looks tidy and organized. Display your items in an attractive way. It helps to put similar products together to help shoppers peruse. Consider selling refreshments or playing music to make shoppers more comfortable in your space.

Be prepared for hagglers. Since garage sale shoppers are looking for deals, many will try to negotiate with you on price. Know your bottom line, be friendly and open to negotiation, but hold your line. Unless your goal is just to get rid of everything, you’ll want to ensure you’re not selling your items for less than they’re worth.

Have a plan for the leftovers. Not everything will sell at your garage sale, so have a plan in place for what you’ll do with the items that are left over. If you plan to donate them to charity, itemize them and figure out their value for tax purposes. When donating them, be sure to get a receipt! If you have some high-value items, you might want to hold onto them and sell them online afterward — especially if you run short of your financial goal for the sale. Hint: Facebook Marketplace and eBay are great spots to list your items for folks who might be searching!

Having a successful garage sale takes some planning, organization, creativity, and a lot of work — but it’s a win-win when you can make the most of your decluttering efforts and make some extra cash in the process!