Cha-Ching! 5 Steps to a Successful Garage Sale

5 Steps to a Successful Garage SaleGarage sales are a great way to make cash while getting rid of items you no longer use. But don't think they're easy. A successful sale takes thoughtful planning and time. Don't worry, though: You can do it! Here are 5 steps to a profitable garage sale that clears your clutter and fattens your wallet.







Related: 25 incredibly tiny houses from around the world


Collect clutter year-round 1. Collect clutter year-round
My family has an ongoing garage sale stash. When I come upon something we no longer need or use, and I don't know anyone to pass it on to, I stick it in a box in our garage. Once a box fills up, I start another. Without much effort at all, by the time it's the month of our annual garage sale, I usually have at least eight to ten boxes of stuff collected.






Have a plan 2. Have a plan
A successful garage sale does not happen without organization. Two weeks before the sale, I go through my home from top to bottom and clear out clutter. Two to three days before the sale, I take an afternoon to price everything and organize it. And then the day before the sale, I devote a few hours to final organization, posting an ad on Craigslist, and getting the cash and signs together. Do not wait until the last minute to pull off a garage sale. Either it will flop or you'll run yourself ragged - or both.



Related: Make a pet bed ... and 13 more genius ways to reuse an old suitcase



Team up 3. Team up
I always find friends and family to team up with when I do garage sales. Not only does this arrangement mean you have more stuff to sell and greater variety in sizes and items - it also means you have more help. Divvying up the responsibilities among three or four people makes a garage sale much more manageable. Plus, it just makes it more fun when you're doing it with friends and family!





Location, location, location! 4. Location, location, location!
If you don't live near a busy intersection, find a friend or relative who will let you host your sale at their house. There's no point in having a sale in an out-of-the-way location.








Related: 25 ways to decorate with Peeps


Timing is everything 5. Timing is everything
Find out what days of the week are best for yard sales in your area. When we lived in Kansas City, people usually held sales on Friday and Saturday. However, where we live now, Thursdays are a big yard sale day and seem to garner the most traffic.







- By Crystal Paine

For 5 more garage sale tips, visit Babble!

MORE ON BABBLE

25 incredible nooks to transform any home
The 20 most amazing tree houses from around the world
10 over-the-top birthday cakes for little girls
8 failed food products we'll never eat again
9 funny things to do with Peeps...other than eat them

Stay connected. Follow Babble on Facebook and Twitter.