Is a yard sale worth it?

**mmy2grls** · 02-20-2008, 03:26 PM

As I decluttered my house I have a room full of stuff to get rid of yet. I have no way of getting this stuff out of my house until spring. I have 12 garbage bags of clothes to get rid of. I was dropping off a couple bags a week at the pantry in town but they have limited drop off hours and i'm sick of having bags riding around in my car for weeks while trying to catch them when open.

Since I have all this stuff stashed in a unused room I may keep it and have a yard sale. I live in a good spot for one and I know my mom and others have stuff to get rid of and to help out.

I never had a yard sale but it seems like it's going to be a lot of work. Even if I could make an extra $20 I would be happy.

Would it be worth it to hang onto the stuff for a yard sale? I can't really afford to waste the gas drivng around getting rid of stuff. I posted on freecycle but no one ever showed and I wasted time when I could be working waiting when no one showed.

**mikandmari** · 02-20-2008, 03:56 PM

I've had a couple of yard sales and made out very well. I think they are worth the effort, but I'll do pretty much anything for few extra $$$

.

I guess a big factor is if you need to advertise, and how much that will cost. My local paper charges about $25 for a yard sale ad! And they wonder why they are losing business as everyone flocks to Craigslist! So I waited until our community had it's annual yard sale... they paid for the ad, and I hung a sign at the top of our street.

I priced stuff dirt cheap, so most people didn't haggle. The few that did (usually the older men) I just told no, it's already marked at next to nothing. They grumbled and bought the stuff anyway! Old goats!

If you have your sale earlier than spring, you might get a good turn out. Hard core yardsalers can't wait for spring, and you won't have much competition. Have fun$$

**sweetlittle** · 02-20-2008, 04:28 PM

MikandMari, I totally agree. I've only had two yard sales. The work and the space just isn't worth it to me anymore. But....For my second sale I hung up signs all over stating "Everything 50 cents unless marked" This was a great time saver and so easy to make change! I just had maybe 10 or so items that were more or less than 50 cents so it was a great deal all around for me. Good Luck!

**Holly** · 02-20-2008, 04:37 PM

Its worth the time and the effort.
You can advetise on store bulletin board, freecycle, laundromats usually have bulletin boards.
Tell you family to spread the word. Tell friends and church members.
You can advertise very cheaply that way.
Good Luck and let us know how you do.

**nuisance26** · 02-20-2008, 06:14 PM

~YES! Last year I worked about 10 hours for $80 but I thought I did great considering that all the stuff I was selling I'd gotton used or free in the first place. Go for it!~

**Missy** · 02-20-2008, 06:29 PM

I'd give it a go as soon as weather permitted. And if you set a goal date, try to see how much more you can add to the yardsale list too. The more you have out there, the more $$ you can make!

**monkeymia** · 02-20-2008, 06:31 PM

Ive never had a yard sale but I hope you make a lot of money if you do.

**Hannahs mom** · 02-20-2008, 06:41 PM

I have yard sales three times a year - Spring Break (end of March), 1st weekend in July, and fall break (begining of Oct). I live in a rural area in a small county and end up making about 200-250 a year, so it's worth it for me. If you decide to have one, put out everything you have, even if you think it's junk. I made a lot of money on things I would consider trash. I once sold a rusty sifter for 8.00! The person thought it was an antique. I told them I had no clue, but they had to have it anyway. And, this just happened to be in a box off to the side that I had planned to throw away so they just shot me an offer.

**mmy2grls** · 02-20-2008, 06:56 PM

I can put a sign up by the major road by my house and advertise for free. I talked to my mom and she wants to have one also.
I liked the idea of having one set price so everything can go quicker.

I just have to wait for warmer weather now..

**Darlene** · 02-20-2008, 07:45 PM

Yes and they can be alot of fun too. Go for it!

**ladykemma2** · 02-20-2008, 08:35 PM

i couldn't be bothered, i just leave the stuff outside the donation center door.

**Jskell911** · 02-20-2008, 08:50 PM

I, too, have been working hard to declutter. We want to teurn our computer room into a spare bedroom. I am putting items in totes in the basement for a yard sale. Last year I had a kinda spur of the moment one and made well over $100!!! When it was over, I donated some stuff. The rest I put at the curb w/ a free sign.

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-20-2008, 09:10 PM

I think it would be soooo worth it to have a yard sale since it sounds like you have tons of stuff to sell AND I am sure you would make over $20 so that's a plus.

Whatever doesnt sell at the yard sale you could always donate. Good luck and when do you plan on having it?

**luv-my-lexi** · 02-20-2008, 09:22 PM

I think you absolutely should have a yard sale. Yes it is work, but I have one a couple of times a year and ALWAYS make several hundred dollars. If you have close neighbors talk them into having one that same day. If you can get several in your area it always draws more people to shop since they have several they can hit. We usually do ours on a Sat. from about 7:00 a.m till 2:00. It is "junk" to you so you might as well make some money off of it!!

Good Luck

**momofslg** · 02-20-2008, 09:27 PM

I had a yard sale last June and made $350.00 and my sister made $45.00 and mom made $100+. I advertised on Craigslist and put listed our big items and sizes of clothing too.
I had many people email me before hand to see if I'd sell early, and I no so I could be fair to everyone. The first guy who wanted my big item not only bought that but he bought $20 worth of other stuff too.
I looked at it this way, I no longer want the stuff, someone else might, and anything that doesn't sell I can always donate and get a tax write off.