“Time is money, says the proverb, but turn it around and you get a precious truth. Money is time.”
Okay, I’m going to make this one short (which is difficult for me 
). Here’s my unabashed opinion on garage sales (or yard sales, depending on where you live). We spend weeks purging our houses (which is great), then we advertise so people know we’re actually having a garage sale.
Then, we organize all the items, price them, and put them outside for all to see. Then we sit for the better part of a nice day (because if it was raining, we would have had to postpone) and wait for customers.
In my part of the world, garage sales are very popular so you don’t have to wait for your driveway to fill up with inquisitive bodies.
Not only do we sit/stand for the better part of a nice day and try to convince people they want things that have been sitting in our basements for decades, but we have to practically give the stuff away to boot.
Garage sale regulars are always looking for the best deal so haggling is definitely part of their fun. But, we must be careful. They’ll buy it for 10 cents, but if it’s free they won’t want it. If it’s free, there must be something wrong with it.
At the end of the day we count our hard-earned dough, and realize we’ve made a hundred bucks. Wow. For some, it was all worth it. For me, never. Give me a number like $1,000 and I might consider having a garage sale. I’m not trying to be greedy, so let me explain. Consider the alternative:
I use the S.O.S. system to keep myself at the point where I never have a basement full of junk that I need to get rid of. Now, admittedly, moving 4 times in 7 years has helped me to succeed in doing this. But, let’s not forget that it takes organization to move.
But back to my alternative. I don’t have a lot of junk. When the seasons change I usually have a garbage bag full of clothes that are now too small for our kids, and some that are just plain outdated.
There also may be some furniture that we’ve either outgrown, or it’s old and needs replacing. Even so, a garage sale never enters our minds. We call an organization that gives to the needy and they’re more than happy to come pick up our stuff (especially since I don’t put anything out there that belongs in the garbage).
Are my husband and I extremely giving and unselfish? Maybe . But the truth of the matter is we value our time way too much, and the gain is not worth the effort when it comes to us and garage sales.
By the way, if you still like the idea of a yard sale, here are some tips to help you get organized.
So, I’ve given you 2 avenues to consider navigating when you find yourself knee-deep in clutter. Which is better for you?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey ,
Ok here what I do when I see a yard sale .Some times I really find gr8 deals on good new books . Yes they are the cheapest during Yard sale and yes after reading them I just donate them to the local library which is always in need of books . I like those yard sales for that reason only and only .
Regards
Sudeep
Hey Sudeep! I know, tons of people love this about garage sales. I’d just rather be at my computer writing then looking through someone else’s used stuff! However, I must admit that when my kids were babies I frequented a few yard sales and found some good deals.
When my mother organizes a yard sale, she makes at least $500, in some cases $1000, but she only does it once a year. She lives in an area with a lot of car traffic.
I have tried to do it in our area but I didn’t make anything due to the fact that we live in the hills and most people dont or cant travel that far for a yard sale. For ME, its not worth it.
I’m a fan of doing the ROI. I agree, just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it. I value my time.
Yeah, the money’s definitely not great from garage sales, but I usually do them with my family just to get rid of stuff. My family usually has a joint garage sale– meaning mom, dad, brother, grandma, aunt, cousin, and myself. Divide the time sitting outside throughout the day and you get an hour of boredom, but an extra 30-40 bucks in your pocket. Plus, an uncluttered living space.
I guess we just see the sifting through old goods as something we’d have to do anyway, whether we sell it or throw it away after sifting.
@Carla Wow! Definitely worth the trouble. Like I said, Give me a number like $1,000 and now you’re talking!
@J.D. For some people it’s worth their time, but I think everyone should consider their ROI before embarking upon a garage sale. I’m with you.
@Kayla The way you do the yard sale seems productive for several reasons. One, it’s a family thing; two, you tag-team the time spent “working” the sale; and three, 30-40 bucks isn’t bad for an hour’s work. You’re right. You have to de-clutter anyway!
We take the stuff to Goodwill. The money goes to a good place (Goodwill uses the money they make to fund employement programs), we get a tax deduction, and we don’t have to sit outside waiting for people to show up. Win, win, win.
Exactly, Cosmo. I couldn’t agree with you more!