Yes, we do live in a new world of Craigslist ads, Kijiji posts and Facebook groups, but nothing quite beats a garage sale. Particularly if you’re moving, it’s a fantastic way to get rid of a bunch of unwanted items all in one day. Here are some of my top tips for garage sale success.

1. Ask Neighbours to Join

Make it a multi-home/multi-family event if you can. The bigger the affair, the more items for sale, the larger the attraction. Plus, it’s likely your neighbours have items they also want to get rid of too, so you may be doing them a favour!

2. Advertise Well

Place signs in your neighbourhood, list it on Craigslist and post it on social media. Also, be sure to tell your family, co-workers and friends. Bonus: if many families are involved, it means word will spread even further.

3. Spend Time Prepping

Don’t suddenly tackle this project the night before. Days or weeks ahead, lay aside all the items you know you want to sell and have them ready to go. Decide on a price for them (bundling is often a good idea) and label as many as you can.

You’ll need a variety of things at hand on the big day: water bottle, cash to make change, calculator, pen, tape, tags, elastic bands, wrap and plastic or paper bags. Also, you may need tarps or umbrellas depending on the forecast!

4. Be Ready Early

There are a lot of early birds out there! I’d suggest being ready about an hour earlier than advertised.

5. Don’t Bring it Back In

This one is important! Whatever doesn’t sell, don’t bring it back into your home. Pack it up right away and drop it off at a charity. Check out my Resources page for some options.

Whether you’re preparing for a move or just decluttering, garage sales can be a bit of work. But it’s over in a few hours, you’ve lightened your load and you’ve made some money. Way to go!

If you need assistance for garage sale success or would like a downsizing consultation, Out of Chaos is here to help. Simply contact us at info@outofchaos.ca or 604-813-8189.