Spring cleaning doesn't have to be the only time you clear cluttter. The summer is a great time for a yard sale, and your home office isn't exempt from the opportunity to get rid of unnecessary stuff while also putting extra cash in your pocket. Here are some tips to help you plan for a successful sale:
Start by weeding out. Having a yard sale is a great motivator to eliminate chaos. "One man's trash is another man's treasure," so remember, items you think are not worthy may be just what someone else is searching for. Nothing is off limits for the non-discerning yard sale shopper!
Price as you go. As you're sorting and deciding what can go into the sale, keep stickers handy to price items as you set them aside for the sale. People are coming to your sale looking for super bargains, so remember to price items as low as possible.
Get the word out. Advertise your sale online at a site like eBayClassifieds.com. Tell your Facebook friends and tweet about your sale. Don't forget to hang a few signs up in the neighborhood and at busy intersections nearby.
Contain items. Rather than pricing every single item, place groups of items in a bin or container and label: "All items here $1."
Mornings sell most. The sale doesn't need to be a marathon day. Most shoppers come early, so start and end your sale early.
Donate. Plan for a pickup from a charity as soon as possible after the sale. Here is a list of Chicago area organizations accepting donations.
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Office items sell too. Do you have an old office chair, file drawers or bookshelves? If priced right, they are good sellers at a yard sale. So think beyond the clothing racks and kitchen and venture into all areas of the home and office.
Monica Friel is president and founder of Chaos To Order - the Chicago area's premiere organizing company since 1990. Friel manages and trains a staff of professional organizers who specialize in everything from household clutter to corporate chaos.
