As we purge, do spring cleaning, organize and purge some more, we are left trying to find something to do with all the items we’ve decided we no longer need. Donating to charity is great and many of us go this route first. However, there are times when we feel like we need to get something back from the items we intend to discard. Consignment shops work too, as does Freecycle, but this time of year, you may also find yourself considering the benefits of a garage sale or yard sale.
It can seem a bit overwhelming, but if you stay organized, you can have a very successful sale. You might also want to recruit friends or family members to make it a big blowout sale. Be sure to check ordinances in your area ahead of time to see if you need a permit etc. and also make sure you advertise your garage sale or yard sale.
Here are some of the benefits:
*The most obvious benefits are clearing many items from your home or property that you no longer need or use, and getting back at least some of the cost of those items.
*Believe it or not, garage sales and yard sales can also be good family events. Working together is a great way to keep families close. You also have the opportunity to teach your kids how to deal with other people and with money.
*If you’re considering some type of retail or other sales business, a yard sale or garage sale is great practice. You also get some practice in merchandising your items, or in other words, presenting them in an attractive manner.
*A yard sale or a garage sale is also a good way to get people in the neighborhood out and about. People you may not yet have met or whom you don’t see much may stop by and say hello in this casual environment.
*It’s also a good opportunity for you to visit with others, if you tend to spend a lot of time in the house. Many who work at home, don’t get out into the community as much as they might like to. It can become a bit of a vicious cycle, because the less social one is the easier it is to become even less social.
*Visiting with others from your community is also a way to learn new things about the area or find out about events you may have otherwise missed. You may also learn of pending marriages, births, and sometimes, you’ll also hear sad news such as learning a neighbor is ill or is having other problems, but such things are important. You may miss the opportunity to send a card or offer prayers, if you’re unaware.
*There are plenty of reasons to have a garage sale or yard, maybe even as many as there are reasons not to have one. So, if you’ve been thinking about it, go ahead. If it doesn’t turn out well, you don’t have to do it again. On the other hand, you might just start looking forward to having a good sale each spring.
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