ORGANIZE A GARAGE SALE!

Let go of all of the “stuff” in your home, garage and basement that is not being used and get some $$$ for it!

TIPS FOR A GREAT GARAGE SALE:
* Best time of the year for a garage sale is SPRING or FALL.

* LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – The higher traffic volume you have (busy intersection, main road to town, etc.), the more customers you will have.  If you live in the outskirts of town like I do, your traffic volume will be lower.

* Ask your friends and neighbors if they would be interested in having a combined garage sale.  The more “stuff”, the better.

*  www.garagesalesource.com under “Garage sale pricing” will help you price your possessions.

*Allow plenty of time to price your garage sale items ahead of time with tags or stickers.  Placing specific prices on your items brings in more $$$.

* Advertise in your local paper and/or with large, bright signs at the entrance of your subdivision and near main streets near your home.

* Display your garage sale items with “like” things together.  For example, dishware, girls clothing, electronics, etc.)

* Be willing to barter for most of your goods.  Hey, it’s a garage sale!

Items that DO sell: All baby stuff (strollers, pack-n-play, learning toys, children’s books, etc.); toys; tools; electronics; computer games; children’s clothing; comforter sets in good condition; cookbooks; dishware sets; jewelry

Items that DON’T sell well: Christmas items; men’s clothing; shoes

Open your door early for those “really serious” garage sale hunters!  You will sell most of your items before Noon.

The more work you put into your garage sale ahead of time, the more money you will make!

Find moving and packing tips!

Do you have a move coming up soon?  Are you in the middle of packing or preparing for a move?  If so, then this month’s organizing focus is just for you!

Packing for a move can be overwhelming.  Planning in advance can alleviate a lot of stress.

Below are some moving and packing tips that will help you get through the whole process more easily.

1. Plan ahead!  Determine how much time you actually have.  It is to your advantage to plan your packing process so that you have as many days, evenings, and/or weekends as you can for organizing and packing your belongings.  You may have three months, one month or just two weeks.  Even if you are in the process of selling your home, you can still de-clutter and begin the packing process.

2. Begin accumulating boxes, packing paper, packing tape, etc.  You don’t want to be in the middle of packing a closet and run out of boxes or tape.

3. Purchase several “endrolls” (the plain rolls of paper used to print newspapers on) from your local newspaper distribution center to be used as packing paper for dishware and all of your breakable items.  I can get quite a bit of paper, which has been left at the end of the roll for a minimal cost.  You won’t have the black newsprint on everything from newspaper either!

4.  Begin packing one room at a time.  For example, begin with a guest room, or a room that may not be used on a daily basis.  Begin with the closet items and work your way around the room packing all of the items that can be packed in a box.  As you go through this process, take the time to weed out the items that you have not used in the last year, or do not need any longer.  Begin a box for donations, garage sale items and items to be tossed.

5. Packing/wrapping breakables:

Pack your breakable items in small to medium-sized boxes.  This will help prevent breakage.  Use packing paper or bubble wrap for each breakable item and wrap each item separately.  Use the packing paper to make a bed in the bottom of your box, acting as padding before placing breakables in the box.  Leave a small amount of space at the top and on the sides for additional packing paper padding.

6. Label each box with a black marker in the same place for each box (i.e., upper left corner), specifying the contents of the box and the room that the box is for at your new location.  Be sure to specify if the contents are fragile.

7. Pack items that are”alike” together, such as towels, linens, pots & pans, silver, books, toys, etc.

8. Keep important papers (passports, birth certificates, etc.) with you, instead of loading them into your moving van.

9. Pack pictures and mirrors individually with packing paper (endroll paper) or bubble wrap.  Large pictures should be packed in a picture box using crumpled packing paper in the bottom, sides and top to prevent any movement.  The picture should not move or shift in the box.  Smaller pictures can be packed in sturdy boxes, wrapping each one separately with packing paper or bubble wrap.

10. Wardrobe boxes are great for packing your hanging clothes in, especially if you are moving a long distance.  A less expensive option is to use travel hanging bags that you may have on hand, which will protect them from dust and dirt during your move.

Store your packed boxes in the garage, making it easier and faster to load the moving truck on your move day.  This also de-clutters each room as it is packed and helps each room look larger, if you are also in the process of trying to sell your home.

Allow your kids to help in the packing process by providing them boxes to put all of their toys, games, etc. in and label accordingly.

The best moving and packing tip is to de-clutter and get rid of the items that you do not use or need as you pack your home for a move.

Being organized and focused on one room or area at a time throughout your move will help you have peace of mind and it will allow you to see how much progress you really have made!

Pack with a purpose!