Usually about once a year I have a yard sale.  Sometimes my yard sale will be combined with family or friends and sometimes it’s just me.  If you want to get rid of some of the stuff laying around your house and make a little money in the process having a yard sale might be a great idea for you.

I wanted to share a few things I have learned over the years that I think can make any yard sale a success.  My first suggestion is to commit to the yard sale, plan a day and stick to it.  By planning your yard sale day ahead of time you can be sure you have time to prepare and not be overwhelmed at the last minute.  Go through your closets, storage rooms, shed, etc to find thing you want to get rid of.  I have a shelf in my storage room where I put yard sale stuff throughout the year.

Once you have your day set and you are working on collecting your items to sell at your yard sale, you will want to arrange for or figure out what tables, tarps, stands, etc that you will use to display your items.  I really like to have fun here! It’s really fun to me to make my driveway looks like a store!  I plan for sorting like items together.  I have sold several end tables & coffee tables throughout the years and I love adding a little centerpiece or decor items to make it more eye catching.  It’s amazing how many times I have actually had people not only by the table, but also the decor that I have “merchandised” on it.

Plan for your signs.  Colorful poster boards make great yard sale signs.  If you are putting up colorful signs, make them all the same color.  You might want t check with your city to see where you are allowed to put signs.  I have a fun idea if your city won’t allow yard sale signs to be hung on poles; ask people around the area (especially) at corner houses if you can put a sign in a small stake in their yard & give the a “gift certificate” to use at your sale!

Get your family involved! My kids love to sell something themselves! Sometimes they sell soda or donuts and sometimes stuffed animals! It’s fun for them to sell some of their junk to make a little bit of pocket money for themselves.

Negotiate! It’s a yard sale! Be willing to negotiate on the prices!  This is important to think about during the 2nd half of your yard sale.  How badly do you want to get rid of it?  We usually have a small table with free stuff & we will often do everything 1/2 price for the last hour.

Having a successful yard sale takes a little work, but it is also pretty fun.  It’s a great way to purge the junk and spend sometime outside meeting people!

What are your yard tips?