Having a Garage Sale-here's how to get the family to help
Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
by Jan Hayner
Organizing and Cleaning Tips and Hints
Let's Make Some Money and Sell Our Junk!
Like the old saying goes, "One man's junk is another man's treasure."
With the nice weather approaching, the mind turns to spring cleaning, rummage sales and making money.
Rummage sales can be a family tradition! Believe me, if the kids think that they are going to make some money, they will have everything out of the house including the kitchen sink!
Pick a few items that the kids can sell and they earn the right to keep the money; that could be old clothes, possibly some old toys or whatever.
The deal is, they have to help set up the garage sale and then help box what is left over and take down the tables before the money is counted. This way, you have their total attention through the whole rummage sale process and all of the help you need, anytime that you need it.
This is a good way to get Dad in on the deal too. True, he may be at work, unless your sale is on a weekend; if it is not, this becomes bargaining time. You will sell his old golf clubs, fishing pole or whatever, at the price that he determines and you will get- say 20 minutes in a hot bubble bath with no interruptions! See there are more benefits to garage sales than making money; you just have to use the barter system!
Don't Get Bored
It gets boring sitting there all by yourself, so if you do not have a lot of things, you might want to invite a neighbor or relative to join you.
Another fun thing is to set up a neighborhood garage sale. Maybe, just the people that live on your block would be interested in having a joint venture. All of you can make money during the day and have a picnic after it is over, to brag about the day.
Plan Ahead and Have the Food and Munchies Ready
Make something like Sloppy Joes, hot dogs or Sub sandwiches so that you do not have a big mess to clean up. Include some potato chips, nacho's or corn curls and everyone will be happy and they can all help themselves when they are hungry.
Get Ready for Clean Up Ahead of Time
Have extra boxes on hand and plastic bags to load up the clothes that are going to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a contribution center.
If you are planning to throw things in the garbage, make sure that you have things available for the recyclables. Also containers for metal, wood etc.
Designate who will take care of what area of clean up, so all of the areas are finished at the same time.
Load the car or the truck so that the items are delivered to their designated places the following day.
AND DO NOT LOOK IN THE BAGS AGAIN! Once they are loaded, there isn't any going back and changing your mind. They are gone for good!
Rummage sales can be fun for the whole family and everyone can make money by the end of the day. While you are sitting back and relaxing, you can starting thinking about what else you have that never gets used, is taking up space and has $$$value.
Jan Hayner is the creator of www.organizingandcleaning.com. She offers tips and hints on organizing your home and office and gives you tons of cleaning shortcuts to give you time for the fun things in life. Get her free checklists and monthly newsletter too!
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Great article Jan! I organize a street sale every June. We usually have hundreds of people turn out. My husband sells everything he can get his hands on if I don't keep an eye on him. When our children were little they sold lemonade, a neighbour barbequed hotdogs and sold them. It's a fun day for everyone, you make some money, and clean house!
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