Turn the task of decluttering into a fun and productive family bonding activity! Enlist the kids’ help, get them involved, and be part of this event. This will teach them a thing or two about organizing, classifying, teamwork, people skills, and money matters—lessons that will surely come in handy throughout their lives!
Time check! The date is a very important factor when it comes to the success of your garage sale, so choose the best day (on a weekend!) to have it. Factor in the weather and any other community event that might coincide with your ‘grand opening.’
Easy access. Gather the items for sale, and group them together according to type. Provide a lot of tables, racks, and boxes, and arrange your merchandises accordingly. This will make it easy for customers to view your items. Put the most popular buys near the driveway (like toys, furniture, and clothes). This way, they’re visible from the road and will pique the interest of potential shoppers.
Have your child set up his own display. Give him a table, and allow him to be as hands-on as he can (Your help and suggestions are a must!). Place his table next to you or near another adult so you can easily look after him and assist him with his customer transactions.
Make a list, check it twice. Determine what items you’re keeping, donating to charity, and putting up on sale. Search the common areas of the house first like the living room, playroom, and kitchen. Ask each member to identify the possible goods for selling, giving, or keeping, and why. Parting with his toys may be difficult for your child, so you need to help him make that decision. Ask him why he wants to keep a particular toy and what it means to him. Decide together what goes and what stays. Let your child write down his ‘wish list’—explain to him that he might just get these depending on how much he earns from selling his old stuff.
Click here to read on about gathering, organizing, classifying items, important reminders and money lessons.
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Read on to learn more about gathering, organizing, classifying items, important reminders and money lessons.
Gather, organize, classify. Lay out two big boxes and let the kids write the words “sell” on one box, and “give” on the other. Place the items in their corresponding boxes. Then gather all the items for sale and categorize them accordingly. Go through the items one by one, and work out an acceptable price for each. Give each member sticker tags and markers in designated colors, and let each one mark the prices of the goods he is selling. Clean the items before selling them, so you can command a higher price. (You’ll be surprised at how much more you can sell them for!)
Spread the word! Some important reminders:
• Your ads must be clear and easy to read. Include these important details: your address, date and time of sale, and special items you’re putting up on sale. (Name brands are definite crowd drawers so be sure to mention them, too.)
• Place your signs in strategic places in your community. Do a drive-by to check if they are visible from a distance.
• Let the growing cyber-networking work to your advantage. Place some shout outs about your sale in Facebook, Multiply, and Twitter. Plus, that send-to-all text message would be a big help, too.
The Grand Opening. On the big day, explain to each family member his responsibility during the sale. Give the older kids aprons with pockets with a small amount of change (a few bills and some coins) so they can handle and collect payments for small purchases. This will help the kids practice their ‘math’ skills and people skills when interacting with the customers.
Money Lessons. After the sale comes the exciting part: Counting your earnings! Show your child the breakdown of how much he earned. Then discuss with him how much to save, how much to shell out for his “wish list” goodies, and maybe, how much should go to charity as well.
Based on your sale’s earnings, discuss your “family wish list.” Be realistic. Consider what each one thinks, and decide as a family. And don’t forget to celebrate!
Click here to read on about how to let your child get involved, and musts for a successful garage sale.
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Read on about how to let your child get involved, and musts for a successful garage sale.
Extra, extra.
If your child is too young to handle the payments, let him participate in another way: Make him in charge of the ‘cooling station.’ Set up a small table for him to sell some ice-cold sodas, bottled water, and the like, plus a few pop-in-the-mouth treats like brownies and cookies. Help your tot with the counting and selling as needed.
4 musts for a successful garage sale:
1. Prep up. Make sure to get some needed rest the night before in preparation for a busy day.
2. Be ready to deal with haggling: Are you open to tawad and making the deal?
3. Work as a team. Assign a different role for each family member on the day of the sale. (Designate who handles the money, who’s the go-to person for customers’ question, and so on.)
4. Smile. Make it a fun experience for the shoppers. Say your hellos, good-byes, and thank yous, and be patient when dealing with them.
Photography by Miguel Nacianceno
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