by Kimberlee King

Created on: April 23, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Ahhh, Spring is in the air; trees are budding, flowers are blooming, the temperatures are rising to a comfortable level and visions of spring cleaning start dancing through our head. For some reason the renewal of the earth makes us want to do the same in our homes and start anew with a fresh clean home.

While you are doing your spring cleaning why not turn your castoffs and outgrown clothes into a tidy little profit for yourself by holding a yard sale. I used to think that yard sales weren't worth the trouble to hold one until I did and made over $800.00 in one day! Follow these strategies to make money with your own successful yard sale. While doing your spring cleaning gather up all unwanted items in boxes for your upcoming sale.

Let friends and family know you are having a yard sale in case they have any items they would like to donate to your yard sale. The more varied you selection of items the better. Don't worry that you think the item is junk, you will be amazed what people will buy at a yard sale, there is much truth in the adage one person's junk is another's treasure.

Time Your Sale Right-The busiest times of the year for yard sale shopping are Saturdays during the spring and early fall but you can make more money by holding a two-day yard sale that starts on Friday. You can also get the jump on your competition by having an earlier start time than other yard sales ensuring it will be the first stop for shoppers. Most yard sales start at 8am. Consider beginning yours at 7am. Don't discourage early bird shoppers, their money is welcome too!

Publicity is so Important! If you do not advertise your yard sale no one will come. Print up fliers on your home computer or have them copied at a local copy shop such as Office depot. Include time and place and several of your item categories, don't be too specific about the items, you want shoppers to be curious. Post them on local bulletin boards, store windows and even hand them out door-to-door a few days before the sale.

Most local newspapers offer free yard sale ads. Don't forget free on-line ads either, Craigslist.org and Garagesalehunter.com are two great sites to publicize your yard sale on.

Present an organized Sale- Group like items together since shoppers may come with a particular item in mind and may not wish to sort through a jumbled chaotic mess. Stack clothes on tables organized by size and season. Placing anything but furniture on the ground discourages shopping especially for older people who may not wish to squat down to browse. Have plenty of bags on hand and give them to customers holding more than one item to encourage them to spend more money. Arrange any toys away from traffic areas so mothers don't feel the need to hurry away because of worrying about their children's safety.

Pricing- the most dreaded part of the yard sale, do this ahead of time so you will not be so rushed in the morning set-up of your yard sale. Price things in $1.00 increments to eliminate the need to make loose change. Consider pricing small items at two or three for a dollar. These small ticket items are where you will be making the most money. People that don't want to spend thirty dollars on one item feel they got a great bargain when buying ten items at $3.00 a piece. Be open to all offers, after all this is stuff you don't want anymore anyway. If you plan on holding another sale put your unsold items in storage boxes until then; otherwise donate them to a charity such as the Salvation Army or the Goodwill. Often if you call them they will send someone to pick up your unwanted yard sale items and you get a tax deduction.

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