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NEW! - Keywords For This Page: Downsizing - Moving - Garage Sales
Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.
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BEGIN BY PREPARING YOUR SALE ITEMS
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- sort items into categories (kitchen, books, kids, clothes)
- clean and repair items as you go
- price items and label with a description when applicable
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CLARIFY YARD SALE REGULATIONS
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- call city or county government for local yard sale regulations
- find out about "signage" rules (size, shape, placement)
- find out if you need a permit to hold a yard sale in your area
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DECIDE ON NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING
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- call for prices and deadlines (don't forget "free" and local papers)
- include date, time, address, directions, and items of interest
- run your ad at least 1 day before and day of your sale
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DETERMINE YOUR YARD SALE POLICIES
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- determine the length of your sale (number of days and hours)
- decide if you will accept checks or hold items for people
- decide if you will allow early birds or let people in your home
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GATHERING YOUR SUPPLIES
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- decide if you will allow early birds or let people in your home
- "checkout" items (cash box, extra bags, tissue / newspaper)
- "try-before-you-buy" items (extension cords, batteries, bulbs)
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MULTI-FAMILY SALES
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- ask friends, neighbors, and family to join in
- have each participant mark his / her items differently
- keep track of each person's sales in a notebook
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PUTTING UP SIGNS
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- put posters at major intersections and along your road
- put up fliers in local stores, laundromats, and churches
- include address, hours, arrows, and major items of interest
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SETTING UP YOUR CASH BOX
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- get change ($20 in coins, $50 in ones, $40 in fives)
- create a list of "minimum prices" you will accept for each item
- make arrangements for a charity to pick up your leftovers
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SETTING UP YOUR SALE AREA
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- make sure nothing is blocking traffic flow
- display like items / complementary items together
- make sure everything is clearly visible
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TIME TO ASK FOR HELP
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- make arrangements for a charity to pick up your leftovers
- recruit helpers (at least 2 people to stay the length of the sale)
- educate helpers about your pricing / negotiating
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WEEK BEFORE THE SALE
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- put up fliers in public areas around town
- place your newspaper ad
- gather supplies, get change, and confirm "helpers"
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WEEK OF THE SALE
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- put up directional signs around your neighborhood
- block off any areas you don't want shoppers to enter
- get a good night's sleep
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WHAT TO DO DAY OF THE SALE
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- start setting up 1-2 hours before sale scheduled to start
- put one person in charge of cash box -- never leave unguarded
- have fun -- let your kids sell snacks and play some peppy music!
Copyright Ramona Creel, all rights reserved-- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.
Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.
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