Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of things you no longer want or need. Since you will be sorting through and packing all of your belongings, it’s a great time to set aside anything you don’t plan on taking with you. While you could always donate, recycle, or throw items away, you also have the option to hold a garage sale and make some extra money selling those unwanted items. Moving is expensive and a pre-move garage sale is a great way to make a little extra cash. In addition to making extra money, a garage sale is a great way to reduce the number of items you have to pack.

The less items you have, the easier it is to pack and stay organized throughout the process. That said, hosting a successful garage sale does take a little bit of work and planning. Consider the following tips for planning and organizing a profitable garage sale before moving day.

Gather Your Inventory

The first step in organizing a garage sale is to gather your inventory and decide exactly what you will be selling. Go through each room in your home, including closets, attics, and storage areas, and pull out any items that you no longer want or need. Go ahead and recycle or discard anything that is broken and hold onto items you plan to sell.

You may also come across items that you would like to keep but you don’t necessarily want to move with you. A storage unit is the perfect solution for these items. As you gather items to sell, sort them by category such as furniture, clothing, sports equipment, tools, electronics, etc. This will make it easier for you to see your inventory and set up your garage sale.

Price Your Items Right

Obviously you want to make money, but if you price items too high, you’re going to have less buyers. Be sure to set fair and reasonable prices for your items. Remember that people come to garage sales looking for a good deal. You also want to keep in mind that your main goal is to get rid of as much as possible. In order to get rid of items quickly, you need to be sure they are priced right.

Set a Date and Time

Be strategic about the time and date you choose for your sale. A weekend day, especially a Saturday, is best because people will be out looking for garage sales. It is also ideal to hold a garage sale on a day when the weather looks nice so you might want to check your forecast a few days in advance before setting your date. You should also be prepared to start your sale early in the morning and go through the afternoon. Be sure to check with your local authorities before setting a date to be sure you are aware of any rules or restrictions.

Advertise Your Sale

You want to be sure and advertise your garage sale so people are aware that you will be having it. This is a very important step and will help to increase the number of shoppers that come your way. There are several ways to advertise your garage sale:

• ●Spread the word with family, friends, and neighbors
• ●Put up signs around the neighborhood and on street corners
• ●Advertise on social media to reach a bigger audience
• ●Put an ad in your local newspaper

Keep Things Neat and Organized

You don’t necessarily have to look like a professional store but no one wants to shop if your sale looks like a jumbled mess. You want to keep your items neatly displayed and organized so it’s easier for shoppers to see your inventory. For example, hang clothes on a clothing rack rather than dumping them in boxes. Set up smaller items on tables where shoppers can easily see them. Have an extension cord available to plug in electronic items. Also, make sure every item is priced and the sticker is visible to buyers. You can even create a welcoming atmosphere by playing some music in the background and serving light refreshments. If people feel comfortable, they will stay longer and spend more money.

With the right planning, you can organize a successful garage sale before moving day. Not only will you alleviate the number of items you have to pack, but you will also make a little extra money that can be used to offset your moving expenses. When the sale is over, you can donate the items that didn’t sell instead of packing them.