7 Tips for a Successful Garage Sale

Let's face it. . . We all have junk. Most of us have tons of junk! As a recovering hoarder, I have plenty of items that need rehoming. After a while, my OCD side overtakes the hoarder and I spend an entire day frantically clearing out every last nook and cranny. When this day comes it means one thing. .  . Time for a sale!
 

I love to wheel and deal. And I really love to make money! Garage sales are the perfect avenue for me to easily de-clutter my house and make a few bucks.  I've had 3 garage sales in the last 2 months and I've made around $700. This is easy cash! Since I've had 3 great sales this year, I  think of myself as an expert garage seller. . . My friends think of me as a garage sale addict and are currently seeking group help for me.  Anyways, if you follow my 7 tips below, you too can have a successful garage sale!

1. Pick a great location

You need to have your garage sale in a place with high traffic. The more people who drive by. . . The more shoppers you will have. I'm not suggesting you move your garage, but you should consider asking someone if you can have your sale at their house.  You will be surprised how willing your friends and family might be to let you borrow their drive way for a couple of hours.  Heck, they will probably throw a few items of their own out there. I live off the beaten path so I always have my sales at my mom's house.

2. Advertise

Make sure you have a large, eye catching sign posted the day before and the day of the sale. If your traffic slows down, make a run to check your sign. I also recommend advertising on local Facebook buy/sell/trade pages. This has brought me tons of shoppers!

3. Don't waste time pricing 

You don't want to go too crazy labeling your items and pricing each piece. You allow yourself more flexibility with pricing if nothing is labeled.  If someone comes up early in the day, with excitement in their eyes over my old paper towel holder, then I want to be able to ask top dollar. . . On the flipside, when I'm about to close up shop, I'm going to practically give away anything someone picks up.  There are a few exceptions to this rule.  Some items will be easier to group and label.  For example, I usually have a set price for clothes and I post a general sign near where they are hanging.

4. Organize and display the junk 

I love sales at department stores, but I hate when I have to dig through the stuff. Garage sales are the same way. Why would someone want to buy something you have carelessly thrown out on a table like trash? You want what you're selling to look appealing.  Always, always, always hang the clothes!  Did I say hang the clothes? Always hang the clothes!

5. Give toys away
The way to a man's heart may be through his belly, but everyone knows the way to a mom is through her kids.  If you can make the kids happy, then mom is more likely to stay and shop.  I gather a few small toys I don't mind giving away and when I see shoppers with kids I always give a toy to the child. 

6. Wear a waitress apron

I know it sounds silly, but I can't run a garage sale without my apron. I know several people who recommend a fanny pack, but seriously?!?! That is just not happening. I would rather look like a waitress from a diner than Richard Simmons. I keep all the cash there, my cell phone, a marker, and tape.

7. Have a Flash Sale 

When you've had all the fun you can stand and you are ready to pack it up, make your final markdowns. Most of us box what's left and take it to the local donation station or to the curb for trash pick up. If you were willing to give it away for free, why not make a couple bucks? At the end of the day I have a $1 sale. . . Anything left is only a $1. . . I truly mean anything! At my last sale I sold a chair for a $1. The way I see it is; making $1 is better than nothing. I send my husband out and he puts up a new sign "Garage Sale - EVERYTHING ONLY $1." Last time, I seriously had people running to my driveway within minutes of my husband marking the sign. 

Alright people, go make some sales! What are you going to do with all that hard earned cash? My garage sale is funding our summer fun. We can go to the pool or out for sno cones guilt free all summer! 

"That" Mom - 10 Problems Only Teacher Moms will Understand

 

Lately, my newsfeeds have been full of several different versions of a "that mom" article. The titles boast "which mom are you at the pool?" or "what do the other moms at the park really think?" Curiosity always gets the best of me as I take the bait and read the descriptions. They usually provide a few chuckles and an amen or two. My only problem with these articles is I never find a single mom I can completely relate to. Of course there are always a few things I can see in each one, however I think there needs to be a new category. . . Teacher mom. Any of my teacher friends I'm sure could agree. We are a unique group of ladies and bless our poor children. Lord only knows being a teacher's kid is almost as hard as being a preacher's kid.  When I go to the park, the only mom I am is the teacher mom and here's how I know. . .

Top 10 Teacher Mom Problems:

1. I automatically think it's acceptable to talk to all the kids at the park.  I never seem to scare the kids, but sometimes I get a funny smile from the helicopter mom hovering 2 feet away.

2. I'm secretly observing the children as they play; trying to diagnose any learning issues I may see. 

3. I have to literally sit on my hands to keep from pulling out the whistle, still attached to my keys from school, when I see the boy climbing on top of the play equipment.

4. I can't help but mediate. When 2 kids are fighting. . . I must get involved. I think this is part of the teacher oath - ya know like the Doctor's Oath.

5. I cringe as I overhear other moms talk about their child's experience at school. And of course I'm thinking in my head how I could fix it.

6. I feel the need to offer encouragement when I see parenting done right! I just can't turn off the positive reinforcement. . . It's built in I think. Plus, I could teach their kid someday and I want them doing parenting right when their kid fails to turn in their homework for the 3rd time in a row!

7. I know people! Sure, we all run into people we know when we are out and about, but this is totally different for a teacher. I'm suddenly very aware of the short shorts I'm wearing and wishing I had picked a top with a little less cleavage for today.

8. I just can't turn off my need to discipline. Since disciplining other people’s children tends to be frowned upon, I resort to using the teacher look - it does the job most of the time.

9. I feel like a kid magnet. It's like when all the animals came to Noah. I can't just play with my own little one because I'm busy entertaining, doctoring, supervising, and disciplining 10 other kids.

10. I'm on duty. . . Recess duty. My eyes naturally dart around the perimeter of the playground as I closely monitor our surroundings and make sure everyone stays safe. No kid is getting taken or hurt on my watch!

Just remember, whatever mom you are, we are all just doing the best we can to be the greatest mom to our little people. Each of us needs a little grace sometimes. Scratch that. . . I need a LOT of grace! So next time you see me, the teacher mom, at the park with my wild child, please overlook my parenting skills and see in my eyes the love I have for my child. . . I want to be "that" mom.

Time to Slow Down

Summer. . . sweet summer. . . For most, summertime means relaxation time.  For me, summertime has always meant catch up time.  As a teacher, I have found there is a common misconception about summer among individuals outside of the realm of education.  They imagine I will spend my dog days of summer lounging by the pool, sipping lemonade, and enjoying the quiet.  Many of these same people would argue I should be in my classroom teaching year round since they have to work year round.  I can't imagine life without summer. . . come to think of it, I have never experienced it.  I LOVE summer!  I am quite confident I wouldn't survive a career that didn't include at least a 2 month hiatus of some sort.  I spend the school year running at full speed, barely keeping my head above water, juggling my endless responsibilities.  All the while, I am secretly making a list of the countless things that have gone undone.  The scrapbook for my daughter, the closet that needs to be cleaned, the garage sale I have been collecting items for, the papers to be filed, the toy to be fixed, the doctor appointments, not to mention my hair that is completely out of control!  Anything that was pushed aside during the year is left to be completed, you guessed it, during summer vacation.  I take great satisfaction in marking things off my "Summer To Do" list that stays neatly tucked in the back of my planner. Each year the list seems impossible to complete and in truth I know it is.  However, this year is going to be different!  I am more determined than ever and I have a new plan to make sure this happens. . . wait. . . actually I don't.  I'm sure this summer will pass by in a blink just as the others have done before.  Ultimately, I will be forced to pick and choose what must get done and what can wait for next summer.  This is the plight of a teacher.  I'm pretty sure "Don't put off next summer, what you can get done today" should be my motto. 

As I ended my day today feeling accomplished, I was reminded of the real reason I find summer amazing. . . time. My real plan this summer is to slow down a little.  That should have been the first thing on my "Summer To Do" list.  While I love the hustle and bustle of a busy school year, I know life is passing me by as I cruise from one event to the next.  I did end my first "official" day of summer feeling accomplished; however it's not because I was able to mark through a single item on my list.  I  feel accomplished because I took the time to enjoy the little things.  Not once did I rush my daughter, I was patient, I played in the backyard with our dogs, I even cut roses from my rose bush and brought them in to enjoy.  Sure, I wish I could say everyday was like that, but that's not reality.  Time is a luxury that we don't always have, however I have decided that when I do. . . I'm going to take a deep breath and enjoy it!    

I know I am not alone in feeling this way.  I'm sure I can speak for countless moms, wives, daughters, sisters, and friends in a wide range of professions.  We all need to take the time to slow down.  While it is easier said than done, trust me, it's so worth it!  Next time your little one bends down to play in the dirt or search for a rock while you're out running an errand, take a minute to slow down and let them enjoy life.  I know one thing for sure. . . you might not now, but one day. . . you will sure wish you had!