Having a Garage Sale

Spring has arrived and unknown treasures at economy prices await you every weekend at yard sales, garage sales, flea markets, church and school bazaars, crafters fairs, etc., in your hometown and across the country. "Turn your trash into cash." "List and locate what's happening this weekend." Di d you know that yard sale visitors have found a Rembrandt hidden behind "just a picture in a frame"; they have found original signed contracts of a famous golfer (worth thousands) agreeing to endorse a product; and they have found genuine gems, also worth thousands, that have been sold as costume jewelry.

And don't forget just the common, everyday bargains waiting to be found for your child to play with, for you to take up golf with, or skate with, or play ball with, to cook with, to wear, to resell at your own yard sale or flea market. The list is as endless as are the possibilities for saving money.

Yard sales are easy and yard sales are fun. Start now and plan your springtime yard sale. Turn it into a project. Look forward to the day of the sale and making extra money, cleaning out your closets, garage, attic. Ask a neighbor to join you and bring over their "trash." Ask a family member and make it a family affair. Ask the whole neighborhood and coordinate a block party. Make signs and posters -- promote your sale as the "end all" of all yard sales.

Here are a few simple steps.

1. Make sure of your local area ordinances in regard to having a sale. One call to your local city hall should accomplish this.

2. List your ad on "the Net."

3. Start to collect your stuff. Sort it. Price it. Store it. Advance planning and preparation is the key.

4. On the day of the sale start early, and I mean early. Believe it when I say, if you plan your sale for 8:00 a.m. you'll have people there at 7:00 a.m. hoping to see your bargains first.

5. Have plenty of change stored in a safe place, like maybe a "fanny pac."

6. Clean up and donate your unsold items to charity. You'll feel good and be helping others at the same time.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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