Spring is here. A time when you can cruise through any town on any given weekend and see mounds of used merchandise strewn across lawns and driveways. I’m talking yard sales, kids. An American Springtime tradition. A time where one man’s trash becomes another man’s treasure.
Any money you make can go towards your debt management efforts.
What better way to clean and declutter your home than by holding a yard sale of your own? Your living space will become more clean and organized, and you can make some extra cash. This can even go towards your debt management efforts!
Gather the items you intend to sell and mark each with a price. It sounds time consuming, but it’s better than answering a million questions about prices during the sale. You should also price realistically. That Bel Biv Devoe cassette might have sentimental value – but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a high yard sale price. (If you suspect something is a valuable antique, do some research before you price/sell it). On the day of the sale, display your items with care. The better your sale looks, and the easier it is for people to review your wares, the more likely people will buy. Then you can make more money to pay off debt.
Place an ad in your local paper that will run the day before and the day of the sale. Specify “no early birds” if you don’t want people bothering you as you set up for your sale. Seek out places for free advertising as well: library/YMCA/grocery store bulletin boards often allow you to hang these ads free of charge. For more free advertising, place a listing on Craigslist under the “garage sale” section.
Pick a day for your sale that makes sense; for example – July 4th may not be successful, since most people probably have plans. Any weekend days are usually the best. You can also post eye-catching signs in your neighborhood pointing to the sale. Not everyone checks the newspaper, and you’ll likely get a lot of people who just happened to drive by and see a sign, or your sale in progress.
Make sure you go to the bank to get enough small bills to make change for your customers. Keep your cash somewhere safe, like your pocket or in a cashbox that you or someone is always watching.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
