The Great Yard Sale Dilemma

Every summer, yard sale signs sprout like flowers in suburban yards. There’s something appealing about the idea of gaining some space and some money by selling your unwanted stuff to people.

The reality is that yard sales take a lot of work and generally don’t yield great profits.

I recently worked with a client who was setting things aside for a yard sale. When I asked about her plans, she said that she was participating in a community yard sale at a friend’s house and that she had a charity pickup scheduled for the day after.

Participating in a neighborhood-wide event saves you the trouble (and expense) of advertising, and brings the potential of more customers than a single-family yard sale.

My sister recently put out a table during her community’s yard sale and made about $30. Considering the time it took to gather and price items, in addition to the hours spent at the table, the payoff was minimal.

If you enjoy meeting with your neighbors and haggling over prices, then you can count it as a fun way to make a few bucks. If, however, the thought of all the effort it takes to put together a yard sale overwhelms you, call a charity and make an appointment for a pickup.

Organized by Marcie^TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
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The Great Yard Sale Dilemma

Every summer, yard sale signs sprout like flowers in suburban yards. There’s something appealing about the idea of gaining some space and some money by selling your unwanted stuff to people.

The reality is that yard sales take a lot of work and generally don’t yield great profits.

I recently worked with a client who was setting things aside for a yard sale. When I asked about her plans, she said that she was participating in a community yard sale at a friend’s house and that she had a charity pickup scheduled for the day after.

Participating in a neighborhood-wide event saves you the trouble (and expense) of advertising, and brings the potential of more customers than a single-family yard sale.

My sister recently put out a table during her community’s yard sale and made about $30. Considering the time it took to gather and price items, in addition to the hours spent at the table, the payoff was minimal.

If you enjoy meeting with your neighbors and haggling over prices, then you can count it as a fun way to make a few bucks. If, however, the thought of all the effort it takes to put together a yard sale overwhelms you, call a charity and make an appointment for a pickup.

Organized by Marcie^TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter, facebook and pinterest

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

How to Handle a Move



Photo by Baitong333

This is the start of peak moving season. If you’re planning to move, you know how stressful it can be to manage all the details.

Of course, the less you have, the less you have to move. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to examine what you own and determine what deserves to come with you. You can reduce the amount of money and time you spend on your move by letting go of clutter.

Clutter is anything that doesn’t fit your life anymore, anything that’s broken beyond repair, anything that upsets or angers you, anything that you haven’t used in 10 years.

How do you determine what makes the cut? Things you use regularly, things that bring you comfort, things that you enjoy seeing and things that prompt pleasant memories earn a ride on the moving van.

You might have to reduce the number of things you bring with you, if you are moving to a smaller place. In that case, choose the objects that are in the best condition and/or mean the most to you. Ask yourself what you would buy again if you were given the choice.

Consider moving as an opportunity to start over. When you live with the things you really enjoy and use, you live more comfortably.

Professional Organizers can reduce some of the stress involved with a move. You’ll save time and money, too. Contact me if you are moving and could use some help with the process.

Organized by Marcie^TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter, facebook and pinterest

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

How to Handle a Move



Photo by Baitong333

This is the start of peak moving season. If you’re planning to move, you know how stressful it can be to manage all the details.

Of course, the less you have, the less you have to move. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to examine what you own and determine what deserves to come with you. You can reduce the amount of money and time you spend on your move by letting go of clutter.

Clutter is anything that doesn’t fit your life anymore, anything that’s broken beyond repair, anything that upsets or angers you, anything that you haven’t used in 10 years.

How do you determine what makes the cut? Things you use regularly, things that bring you comfort, things that you enjoy seeing and things that prompt pleasant memories earn a ride on the moving van.

You might have to reduce the number of things you bring with you, if you are moving to a smaller place. In that case, choose the objects that are in the best condition and/or mean the most to you. Ask yourself what you would buy again if you were given the choice.

Consider moving as an opportunity to start over. When you live with the things you really enjoy and use, you live more comfortably.

Professional Organizers can reduce some of the stress involved with a move. You’ll save time and money, too. Contact me if you are moving and could use some help with the process.

Organized by Marcie^TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter, facebook and pinterest

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Reader Question – What Do You Think of Yard Sales?

The number of yard sales on craigslist more than doubled in November 2008 from the same time in 2007. I’m guessing that the number has increased even more since those statistics were published.

Summer is peak yard-sale season and I get the same question from clients and readers: Do you think I should have a yard sale to get rid of my clutter?

I used to enjoy shopping at yard sales, but I don’t anymore because I don’t need anything. Of course, people will tell me it’s not about needing anything; it’s about what you might find! That’s a problem for fans of yard sales – filling your house with stuff you don’t need, won’t use and don’t have space for. Then you decide to have your own yard sale to dump all the stuff.

My personal experiences, along with those of my clients, has proved to me that hosting a yard sale is a highly time consuming event with little payoff. If you don’t mind spending a lot of time preparing for the sale, marking prices on things and haggling over small amounts of money, go for it. Some people actually enjoy the process; however, I don’t know anyone who has made a lot of money doing it. Unless you have desirable pieces of furniture, electronics and appliances, you probably won’t earn much.

If that doesn’t appeal to you, you can donate your clutter to a non-profit agency and possibly take a tax deduction. You can even get someone to pick up your stuff and leave a receipt.

If you are having a yard sale, consider calling a charitable organization to pick up the leftovers the next day. That way you won’t have it cluttering up your home until you decide to have another yard sale.

What do you think? Are yard sales a good investment of your time for the amount of money you earn?

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitterand facebook
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Reader Question – What Do You Think of Yard Sales?

The number of yard sales on craigslist more than doubled in November 2008 from the same time in 2007. I’m guessing that the number has increased even more since those statistics were published.

Summer is peak yard-sale season and I get the same question from clients and readers: Do you think I should have a yard sale to get rid of my clutter?

I used to enjoy shopping at yard sales, but I don’t anymore because I don’t need anything. Of course, people will tell me it’s not about needing anything; it’s about what you might find! That’s a problem for fans of yard sales – filling your house with stuff you don’t need, won’t use and don’t have space for. Then you decide to have your own yard sale to dump all the stuff.

My personal experiences, along with those of my clients, has proved to me that hosting a yard sale is a highly time consuming event with little payoff. If you don’t mind spending a lot of time preparing for the sale, marking prices on things and haggling over small amounts of money, go for it. Some people actually enjoy the process; however, I don’t know anyone who has made a lot of money doing it. Unless you have desirable pieces of furniture, electronics and appliances, you probably won’t earn much.

If that doesn’t appeal to you, you can donate your clutter to a non-profit agency and possibly take a tax deduction. You can even get someone to pick up your stuff and leave a receipt.

If you are having a yard sale, consider calling a charitable organization to pick up the leftovers the next day. That way you won’t have it cluttering up your home until you decide to have another yard sale.

What do you think? Are yard sales a good investment of your time for the amount of money you earn?

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Spring is Moving Season

Although it’s still cold in much of the US (and snow is predicted for the Washington DC area this week!) it’s nearly spring. The vernal equinox, the day the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are just about even, is March 20. That date is usually considered the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.

It’s also the day my mother is planning to move. There is a lot to do in a very short time; her move is compressed into four weeks. I usually work with clients who have a longer move timeline, so it’s been a challenge to get everything done. Just like every other move, letting go of stuff takes the most time and the most energy.

Moving into a smaller space causes you to rethink everything you own. After you consider the practical notions of space and function, you’re left with things you like that might not be particularly useful.

I use these questions to guide decision making: Do you have others that are similar? Could you borrow one if you needed it? Does it bring you pleasure? No matter what it cost originally, who gave it to you, or what size it is, you should only take with you things that will work in your new space and/or make you glad to have them with you.

Spring is a popular time for moving. If you know anyone who is planning a move, have them contact me for a moving checklist. There’s a lot to remember and the checklist keeps it all in one place.

In the meantime, I’m still waiting to see bulbs blooming, which is my clue that it’s spring.

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value

Follow me on twitter and facebook  

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Spring is Moving Season

Although it’s still cold in much of the US (and snow is predicted for the Washington DC area this week!) it’s nearly spring. The vernal equinox, the day the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are just about even, is March 20. That date is usually considered the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.

It’s also the day my mother is planning to move. There is a lot to do in a very short time; her move is compressed into four weeks. I usually work with clients who have a longer move timeline, so it’s been a challenge to get everything done. Just like every other move, letting go of stuff takes the most time and the most energy.

Moving into a smaller space causes you to rethink everything you own. After you consider the practical notions of space and function, you’re left with things you like that might not be particularly useful.

I use these questions to guide decision making: Do you have others that are similar? Could you borrow one if you needed it? Does it bring you pleasure? No matter what it cost originally, who gave it to you, or what size it is, you should only take with you things that will work in your new space and/or make you glad to have them with you.

Spring is a popular time for moving. If you know anyone who is planning a move, have them contact me for a moving checklist. There’s a lot to remember and the checklist keeps it all in one place.

In the meantime, I’m still waiting to see bulbs blooming, which is my clue that it’s spring.

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value

Follow me on twitter and facebook  

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!