Pro Tip: Declutter By Having a Garage Sale Before You Move

Planning a long-distance move? Use it as an opportunity to get rid of things you don’t need and start off in your new home with less clutter! Face it: You’re never again going to wear those jeans you’ve been saving since college. That project piece you found on the side of the road 7 years ago? You haven’t even started sanding it—it’s time to let it go. Decluttering feels good, and when a yard sale is one of the methods you use to get rid of unneeded stuff, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of making a few bucks in the bargain! Before the Indianapolis movers pull up to your home, lessen your load with a yard sale!

What to Keep and What to Sell

There are many methods of deciding which items to get rid of and which to keep. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

  • Clothes: If you haven’t worn it in a year, it goes.
  • Knick Knacks: If it has been in a box for more than a few months, it goes. If it’s been on display, but has no sentimental value and doesn’t enhance the look of your space, it goes.
  • Books: If the only time you touch the books is to dust them, let them go.
  • Old Electronics: You do not need a drawer filled with 100 chargers for your old flip phones. Get rid of any electronics you no longer use.

One method of decluttering involves holding each item in your hand. If it brings you joy, you keep it. If not, slap a price tag on it and sell it at your yard sale.

Tips for the Big Day:

A garage sale is a bit of work but, if done right, you can make a bit of money while also enjoying the freedom that comes from getting rid of things you don’t need.Keep these tips in mind for a successful yard sale.

Plan for a Rainy Day

You cannot control the weather, so have a plan just in case in rains. This could be setting up in your garage or under a carport or using pop-up gazebos to keep things dry. If you’re selling a lot of your belongings, you can even hold the sale inside your home.

Price to Sell

Yard sale shoppers are looking for bargains, so you need to keep that in mind when pricing your items. About 50% of what the item would be worth new is a good starting point, and that will also leave you a little room to negotiate.

Enlist Some Help

You can’t keep an eye on everything and help shoppers at the same time, so get some help from friends or family to ensure no one steals your goods and that you can manage things if you get a good-sized crowd.

Keep it Legal

Check your city’s rules about permit requirements for yard sales. Most cities do have someone who’ll visit yard sales to ensure permits are properly displayed. If yours isn’t, you can be fined.

Advertising

Signs on the side of the road may help a little, but serious yard-sale shoppers scour sites like Craigslist and NextDoor to find yard sales. Start posting about your sale about a week in advance, and be sure to mention a few of the better items you’re selling to entice people to stop by.

Leftovers

Donate items that don’t sell to a local charity. Many organizations will be happy to send a truck by to collect things, or you can simply drop them off at a charity-run thrift store.

Have You Found Your Indianapolis Mover?

When it comes to long-distance movers, Indianapolis residents have learned to trust Wheaton Moving & Storage. Since 1960, we’ve provided reliable moving services and don’t settle for less than 100% customer satisfaction. Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, contact the moving company Indianapolis has counted on for nearly 60 years! Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate!