I've been conducting garage sales (my own and my Mom's) for over 20 years....almost every other year!  I've always wondered why more people don't have garage sales.  We can all use an extra $500.00 +  in "fast cash", can't we?!  Don't we all have accummulations of "things" tucked away in boxes in the attic or cluttering shelves or taking up space in garages (while our cars sit in the driveway)?    My curiosity has gotten the best of me...so I took a casual survey.   "Have you ever had a garage sale?   If so, how often?  If so, how much money did you make?  If not, why not?"    Overwhelmingly, the answers were the same...."I had a garage sale once, but it was so much work for so little money, that I never had another." OR  "I know people that had garage sales and it was so much work for so little money, I don't even want to try."   Well....I'm here to help you clean up your clutter, have fun and make some "fast cash" worth smiling about...not to mention the opportunity to meet some wonderful people in your community and neighborhood!      Here's my "fast cash" garage sale tips guide that I've learned over the years...they've never failed me. 
1.  Plan In Advance And Leisurely Do A Room At A Time.....Start gathering your garage sale items well in advance of the sale (months, not weeks).  You can clean your clutter and set boxes aside to collect your garage sale items at a leisurely pace.  Take a room at a time (fit in attics, garages, etc....particularly "full" areas...in between general rooms...never all at once).  Go around the room, from one end to the other.  From your general rooms, you probably won't want to part with many items....but, you never know until you look at each item and ask yourself....."Do I really want to keep this?"  You might be amazed at what is in your china cabinet, for example, that you forgot you had, and never liked very much anyway!  That's a Garage Sale Item!   Take that item, clean it, if necessary and .... this is important....Price It Immediately!  Have a shoebox filled with garage sale supplies handy (sticky back price tags and pen).  Put it in your "Save For Garage Sale" box.    At the end of the day, here's what's really satisfying....You have a clean room (dust and straighten, as you hunt for garage sale items), less clutter...AND...money-making potential!  Attics, full garages, crammed rooms will, of course, take more time....But, I've found them to be fun and adventurous, if you think of that cruise, 0 credit card balance, family vacation,  etc. that you can acquire with that garage sale "fast cash".  It's worth it....you'll see!  Start saving lots of newspaper and bags .  Set them in your "garage sale" storage area.  You'll need them!

2.  Big Ticket Items - Sell On Ebay......If you've only bought on Ebay and never sold items....Take the time (it's easy, it's fun), on some rainy day to learn how.  Ebay has easy to follow instructions.   I began selling on Ebay for this exact reason....I was planning a yearly garage sale and had some "really nice" items....French dishes, old jewelry, lovely original paintings, old toys, etc.  They were no longer my style or decor.   I had heard about Ebay, and decided to give it a try with my more "collectible" items.   I bought an inexpensive digital camera (which I paid for with my first sale of Ebay items!), did a little research at the bookstore on the items I wanted to put on Ebay auction and ... after selling many of my "first time" items, I was hooked on Ebay!  But, I still had alot for a garage sale (hand tools, kitchen utensils, dishes, costume jewelry, an old bed, curtains, etc.).    "Ebay every other week....Garage Sale every other year!"

3.  If It Doesn't Sell At A Garage Sale, I'ts Out......This was hard for me, until I actually did it!   Convince yourself that what doesn't sell at your garage sale, is out....never to return to your home again!  Call a charity, in advance, and arrange for a "pick up" within a few days of your garage sale ending.  Believe me, when that truck pulls away, you will feel so good!

4.   Make Marvelous Garage Sale Signs.....This will bring almost as many "customers" to your garage sale as your very important newspaper ad, IF, your signs are great...not just good, but Great!  My husband makes our signs and we always have wonderful comments from garage sale buyers...many of whom came to the sale simply because they saw our signs.   If you've ever seen a garage sale sign, written in pencil, letters that were  1 1/2" tall, on flimsy paper that's curled around a pole; a garage sale sign that's on a 4-way corner with no address and no directional arrows, you will love making your garage sale signs!  First, buy at least 6 heavy posterboards (or large sides of cardboard...they're free and can be just as effective).  Buy a thick red magic marker.  Here's what you want to put on your signs:  HUGE GARAGE SALE.....your street address...the garage sale dates and times (smaller print...not small print)...and, >>>>>>>>>> an arrow that will point to your street!  That's it...nothing else!  Remember:  Large Bold letters with your red marker pen.  You will need a sign in front of your house (have a few balloons ready too); a sign at each of your street's corners;  sign(s) at main street(s) leading to your street and, if it's quite a distance from a main street to your street, a sign at mid-point to let your garage sale seeker know they're in the right direction.  Very Important....All signs MUST have correct directional arrows!  Take a drive, plan it out and have your signs ready to put up.

5.  Write A Tempting Newspaper Classified Ad....Whether you decide to have a two day or a three day garage sale, be sure you submit your newspaper classified ad in plenty of time.   This is a good time to mention your day options for a most successful garage sale....Thursday, Friday & Saturday...or...Friday & Saturday...or..Friday, Saturday & Sunday (my personal favorite).   I've found my best garage sale time is 8:00 AM (most garage sales start at 9:00...and you catch some people on their way to work) to 6:00 PM (again, most garage sales end at 4:00 or 5:00 and you catch some people on their way from work).  Some of my best "customers" were during those "on the way to and from work" hours.  It give you alittle edge and, most important, several more dollars!  Back to the classified ad....Large heading "HUGE GARAGE SALE" (attracts attention and will tie-in with the words on your garage sale signs); your address and directions to your address (very important); the dates and times of your garage.  This is the fun part....List your items generally and the items that are large and/or will attract attention.  For example: Antiques, collectibles, kitchenware, old toys,  loads of jewelry, hand tools, power tools, glassware, pans,  Hoover vacuum cleaner, 1950's kitchen table set. many baseball cards, old & new books AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! 

6.  Up To One Week Before Your Garage Sale....Your signs are done, your ad is ready to appear in the newspaper, your "items for sale" are priced and ready.  You will need enough tables to hold all of your smaller items for sale.  If you're selling clothes, plan on having at least one table just for the clothes (and/or a rack for hanging).  If you don't have enough tables (folding, preferred), it's time to borrow what you need.  You can also be creative with your "tables"....use the underside of large boxes, a board on top of two or three large planters or bricks, a ping pong table, display toys on a spread blanket, etc.  Set up tables in your garage (and fill  them with your items for sale).  Have tablecloths or pieces of fabric to cover each table (not necessary, but nice).

7.  The Day Before Your Garage Sale....This should be the first day your classified ad appears in your local newspaper.  Be sure to check it and make sure it is correct.   Set up more tables and display areas as far down your driveway as possible, on both sides (spread it out...people are much more excited about and likely to stop at a BIG garage sale that "spills" down the driveway than a small one). (You can do this earlier if you are sure of good weather).   Curb Appeal!  This should be easy....Don't forget you already have all of your items prepared and priced!  The evening before your garage sale,  put up all of your signs.  Unless it's raining, I always want my signs up the night before.   I want to relax and prepare for my Big sale early the first morning of my sale. I don't want to be driving around, putting up signs.  And...there are always "early birds" (arriving before the advertised sale start time) shoppers.  This is completely up to you...and I know people definite opinions on this...but,  I always welcome "early birds".   Set up your "selling station"...a chair or two (if you have a helper) and a small card table.  Keep a bag or box filled with the paper and bags you've been saving near your chair.  Have a money box ready (be sure to have at least $75.00 in small bills and change). This can be a tin box, shoe box...any box with a lid and easy to carry.  You will carry this wherever you go!  Do not leave it on the table unattended.  Have a paper tablet, pens and a calculator ready.  You'll tally your "sold" items.    Take a few minutes, just before your relaxing bubble bath, to doublecheck...Tables set, display areas set, work station ready, signs up.  Now, go take that bath!

8.  Your Garage Sale Begins....Rise early, prepare breakfast,  open your garage door and get ready to have fun making  some "fast cash"!