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Begin with a Successful Garage
Sale
Your move to a new home is an ideal time to sort
and throw away. A terrific way to dispose of your discardable items
is to have a garage sale—convert your clutter into cash. Even if you
find it difficult to decide what has to go, just jump that hurdle,
bite the bullet, and let some of your “STUFF” become someone else’s
treasure—for a price, of course.
Sort
Organize the possessions you’re taking with you in
cartons according to their new storage locations—attic, garage,
closet, etc. Using a large marker, write the destination on the
outside of each box.
When you attack an area, you might have 3 boxes—1)
to be moved, 2) trash, and 3) garage sale. Some guidelines to
keep in mind when you are weeding out are:
When you no longer notice a decorative object
(such as a picture), it may be time to get rid of it. Consider how
each item will add to your new home—or distract from it.
Ask, “Have I used this item in the past year?” If
the answer is yes, it is worth keeping for another year. If no,
put it in the garage sale box. If it has sentimental or monetary
value to you, keep it.
Give yourself a simple quiz: Do I really want that?
Am I likely to ever use it again? Am I tired of that? Is it really
worth saving for my kids?
Caution! Do not dispose of someone
else’s things without asking. Suggest and encourage, but don’t
just take over. A great incentive to children is the assurance
that they can keep all money for their “stuff.” This makes the
parting much easier.
Be ruthless with our own
possessions. Operate on the premise “When in doubt, put it out!”
It takes up valuable space, and you’ll just wind up cleaning it
and moving it around. Don’t hang on to clutter.
If you don’t think you have enough
to hold your garage sale, consider inviting a friend or neighbor
to join you.
Advertise
Select your date (Saturday seems to be
sale day in most areas) and check to see that no major holiday or
sporting event will conflict. Run an ad in the local newspaper
giving general location in large letters; (as appropriate)
furniture; infant and kids clothing (clean), housewares, and much,
much more; date, time, and address. It would be best to omit a
telephone number. Post notices at area supermarkets perhaps with a
tear-off giving the address to be used as a reminder.
The day before the sale, hang notices
giving directions from the nearest main streets. It’s a good idea to
select a color to use for all signs. Make the arrows large
and easy to spot. Use a paper which will remain flat in the wind. If
rain is expected, laminate or cover the sign with plastic wrap. Most
people find their way to a garage sale by following
signs.
If you have furniture, infants’ and
children’s clothing, or maternity clothing, state that in your
advertisement. Let your neighbors know about the sale and perhaps
invite them to include items—the traffic will seem less of a
headache to them if they have been forewarned and asked to
participate.
Organize
Group similar items together—clothes
hanging on racks (not clothes lines which sag, perhaps a dowel
suspended by ropes from the ceiling), books in boxes with spines
visible, children’s items together, miscellaneous items on card
tables. The number one sale enhancer is CLEANLINESS. Crumpled,
musty, or dusty items are practically worthless. Wash clothing and
iron those items which are very wrinkled. Clothing should be marked
with size and grouped according to sex and size. Clean items
sell faster and bring a higher price. Strive to create the
impression that an item has been used, but not that much!
Mark the condition—if an appliance
doesn’t work, state this on the tag. Have a heavy duty extension
cord handy for testing before the item leaves your garage. Also a
tape measure may be helpful for your customers.
Make a trip to the bank for small
bills and change. During the sale, keep the cash with you—not in a
cash box on the table. Save bags and boxes for your customers to
use.
For security and safety reasons, limit
your sales area to the garage and yard ONLY.
Keep in mind that “one person’s junk
is another person’s treasure.” Everything will sell. You may have
just the item someone else is needing.
Put everything you plan to sell in one
area so that you get a feel for exactly what you do have.
Pricing
Price ALL items with tags or
tape (if others are participating in your sale, use a different
color for each person). After initial interest, the first thing a
customer looks for is the price. When in doubt, price lower. You
will probably make more money if you start with a specific price on
each item and be flexible when your customers start
haggling.
As a rule of thumb, clothing in good
condition could be priced at one-tenth of original cost—a dress
purchased for $100, priced at $10 if in good condition. If an item
was purchased at an exclusive store, indicate this on the price tag.
Small appliances and furniture could start at one-fifth of current
new selling price. Paperback books 25¢; hardbacks, 50¢ or $1;
reference and special books can be priced individually and placed in
a separate location. You may have miscellaneous items which can be
grouped in boxes marked 25¢, 50¢, and $1.
Be prepared to bargain; after all, you’re trying to
get rid of everything. Bargaining is a big part of garage sale
shopping. Let the buyer name a price which you can
counter.
Reduce prices during the last 2 hours of the
sale and make the price reductions visible.
End of
Sale
Donate leftovers from the sale to your favorite
charity. Take down all posters. Celebrate your trimming down of
clutter and your profits!!
Check the library and the World Wide Web for
information about conducting a garage sale. One Web site offers a
book, How to Have Big Money Garage Sales, for purchase. The
local library has a video How to Have a Moneymaking Garage
Sale starring Phyllis Diller which is entertaining as well as
informative.
Gather the treasures—convert into cash—have a happy
garage sale!
NOW GET READY TO
MOVE
Prior to Your Move . .
.
Give away, sell, or discard
unnecessary possessions which may be left from your garage
sale.
Advise post office and complete change of address
cards for financial organizations, medical practitioners, credit
card companies, periodicals, etc.
Obtain school records for new school.
Notify insurance agent and transfer or arrange
coverage for new home.
Send out items for cleaning or repair.
Dispose of flammable items.
Arrange to have all utilities shut off at your
old house and connected at your new house. Have meters read.
Stop
newspaper delivery.
Arrange telephone cancellation or transfer for
the last possible moment on moving day.
Clean drapes, rugs, and floors.
Defrost and clean refrigerator, clean stove.
Organize work that has to be completed at your
new home.
Obtain appraisals for any items of value in case
you need to make an insurance claim from the moving company.
Photos or videos are great! Ascertain that adequate insurance for
all household goods is in place while goods are in transit or
storage. Plan to carry all jewelry, valuable papers, and currency
with you. Even photograph albums which are irreplaceable could
fall in this category.
Storing and Packing. . .
Discontinue services such as cleaning, pool
maintenance, garbage pick up, etc.
Needed—packing paper, pads for inventory,
markers, heavy twine, masking tape, boxes, and containers.
Empty gas tanks from lawn mowers, gas grill,
etc.
Remove batteries from appliances and toys.
Mark boxes clearly specifying room for
placement.
Set aside items you will carry in the car.
Keep your telephone book with you.
Tie or tape brooms and mops together and bundle
your curtain rods.
Clearly mark all fragile and delicate items.
Carry all jewelry, valuable papers, and currency
with you.
Ensure that tops on all liquids in bottles are
secured.
Crate glass table tops, large mirrors, and any
valuable pictures.
Pack all books on edge in small boxes.
Limit carton weight to 60 pounds.
Lamp shades should be packed in individual
boxes.
Make sure heavy china items are placed at the
bottom of the box with extra padding.
Small items should be placed in a smaller box
inside a large box.
Dismantle large power tools before moving.
Remove fixtures that are fastened to the
wall.
Pack clothes and drapes in a wardrobe supplied by
the mover.
Avoid overloading drawers when packing items in
dressers.
Do not pack cleaning products in boxes where
food is packed.
Do not use newspapers for packing as the ink
may stain.
Do not leave shelves loose in stove,
refrigerator, microwave, etc.
On Moving Day . . .
Have friends or relatives take care of the
children and the pets.
Check and number all boxes.
Check each carton for loss or damage.
Prepare a list of damaged or lost articles.
Set up bedrooms and kitchen first.
Keep a tool kit handy.
Pointers for arranging your move . . .
Obtain two or three estimates for your move and
compare the services offered.
Have the contents of your home viewed by a
qualified estimator and obtain a written estimate.
Book your move as far in advance as possible
even if, in the case of a new home, your closing date is not
firm. Most movers can be flexible with proper notice.
Avoid scheduling your move for the end of the
month as this is the busy period for movers.
Prior to entering into a contract with a mover,
make sure you determine what liability the mover will assume in
the event of loss or damage. You may find it necessary to make
special insurance arrangements.
It is advisable to have your goods packed by
the mover. They are professionals and know how to properly
handle and ship your belongings. Ask the mover for the cost of
their packing service.
Confirm arrangements with the mover a day or
two before the move to avoid any last minute difficulties. Make
sure the mover has specific directions for picking up your
goods.
Getting through the emotional stress of moving is
difficult enough for adults and children, but what about pets? Pet
owners are often baffled by their pets’ behavior during and after
a move. Sometimes it’s a personality change, a regression in
housebreaking habits, or a sudden unexplained illness. Even if you
don’t notice something that dramatic, there’s no doubt that your
faithful companion is feeling stress. How do you move your pet and
keep the strain to an absolute minimum—both to yourself and your
beloved pet?
If you’re planning a cross-country move by air,
call the airlines first—before you make any reservations—and find
out which ones allow pets as “animal passengers.” Approximately
750,000 pets make airline trips every year. Most of the major
airlines will allow animal passengers provided outdoor
temperatures are within a certain range. Pets may be brought
on-board with their owners as “carry-on baggage,” or placed within
the cargo section of plane as “checked baggage,” weather
permitting. Airlines also have established regulations regarding
the number of pets permitted per flight, both on-board and in the
cargo section, as well as number of pets permitted per passenger
and size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage.
If at all possible, book a direct flight to avoid the additional
stress of plane changes.
As your moving date approaches, try to maintain
your pet’s routine—feeding, exercise, and play times. As you begin
to pack your belongings, and particularly when the movers arrive,
you may want to consider recruiting a friend to pet-sit to avoid
undue stress for your companion.
Make sure your pet is wearing updated
identification and that you’re carrying some kind of
identification for your pet, including recent photos. If your pet
escapes at any time during your move, you’ll be
prepared.
Veterinarians also recommend that you
pack a water supply from the home you’re leaving. Changing water
sources could cause stomach upset and, ultimately, dehydration for
your pet. Keep your pet’s food as bland as possible; this isn’t
the time
to experiment with new brands or varieties.
Arrange for a physical exam for your pet prior to your move, and
make sure you obtain your pet’s updated records from your vet. If
your vet can’t refer you to a new health-care provider in your new
hometown, call the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) at
1–800–883–6301 for a list of local veterinarians in your new
hometown.
Another tip: Several weeks before your move, find
out what the
regulations are in your new home state regarding
the importation of animals. These laws often vary from state to
state and even among counties.
Moving your home can be a very stressful
experience to say the least! Irreplaceable family pictures—one of
a kind china sets—business records—items you care about and do not
want lost or damaged. Pick a moving company that you can
trust.
Take CAUTION . . .
A mover whose estimate is far below that of
your other estimates may spell, T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Damage to goods you pack are your
responsibility not the mover’s, unless the mover has been
negligent in the care of the boxes.
Don’t sign documentation without fully
understanding what you are
signing. | 
