We have a few weeks before arguably San Francisco’s largest single day garage sale kicks into high gear. Now’s the time to scour your closets and cupboards, bookcases and basement for yard sale finds.
Consider asking yourself this soul searching question: “Have I cooked with it, worn it, displayed it, used it or read it within the last year?” If the answer is no, it’s on the sale rack.
Or maybe try the logical route : At least 10 or 20 percent of all books, videos, clothing, or bric-a-brac must go.
Remember folks: the goal is to clear clutter and make room in your organized home by finding new homes for items you don’t use, need or love.
Kick those kids into gear, too. Offer to sweeten the deal by cutting them in on the profits.
Challenge family members to contribute, and sweeten the deal by offering a cut of the profits. Children will be much more amenable to parting with outgrown toys if they see that there’s something in it for them, in the form of cold, hard cash.
Consider a Garage-a-trois! It’s always more fun with friends! When it comes to culling clutter, three households are better than one–and a block party style sale will get oodles of traffic to your street.
When collecting yard sale candidates, be sure to give them a temporary home: a dedicated place to hold your growing collection of garage sale goodies. A guest room, space in the garage, or a seldom-used dining room is a good place to create a garage sale staging area.
You’ll need room to assess, clean and price your inventory, so choose a location that has space to work. A supply of records boxes with lids, found at the office supply store, will help contain and sort the growing stash of sale items.
Once an item’s selected for sale, be stern! Store yard sale inventory in black plastic garbage bags or records boxes with lids to deter seller’s remorse. No fair reading, looking or cooking; once an item is in the yard sale staging area, there is no appeal, no mercy and no second chance. Give that wedding-gift s’mores maker an emotional divorce. It’s no longer junk or stuff, it’s inventory!
Copied in earnest from: http://organizedhome.com/get-organized/garage-sale-tips-clear-clutter-yard-sale