Its Been A While

This time of year is not big with garage sales.  I do see maybe a couple every weekend.  Although, the saturday before Thanksgiving was a huge garage sale weekend in Florida.  I had no idea that this was such a big weekend.  I’ll have to remember that for next year and plan ahead.

I saw a sign when I was out on one of my holiday shopping excursions.  There was a large organization selling space for a specific day for a large garage sale.  The space you would get to sell your items was going for $15.00 (not a large space).  I had never seen this idea before.  Its good in one respect, the organization gets all their money up front and don’t have to worry about selling.  The bad part, it limits what they can make. 

I know most people in our school garage sale fundraiser were more than happy to drop off their items for the tax write off.  The couple hours they gave to working was much better than bringing in their own stuff, standing around all day to sell it.  At least that was the feedback we received.

But, there are people that would put in the effort and only give out $15 for space.  They are getting advertising which is huge to your success.  As we said before, large multi-family garage sales bring in the traffic and this would bring it in.   The $15 you spend is less than what it would cost if you were to advertise a garage sale by yourself.

So, it can be good or bad, however you want to look at it.  As long as you look at it with all the information you need to make the decision. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and enjoying their family and friends.  Just remember, it’s not about giving the biggest and best presents.  Its about respect, caring, helping, and that is the best present you can give and receive.  They don’t cost anything but your time!

Happy Holidays!

Kate and Laura

NY Times Article

Like I always say…..  A garage sale is the best place to find a bargain!!

My brother Frank in Brooklyn emailed me an article from the NY Times last Saturday.  It was about garage sales and the economy.  Everyone could use a discount, bargain, or even just a break these days!  Saving a dollar is on everyones mind.  So, it kind of ties into the last blogs theme.  When it comes to saving money or just making enough to put food on the table, how sentimental do you feel about your stuff?

Enjoy the article…..

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/us/25garage.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!

Kate

Family Garage Sale

I was watching the show “Brothers and Sisters” last sunday.  They did an episode of having a garage sale.  The mom, played by Sally Field, was cleaning out the garage and office to make room.  It was all the stuff from the past.  

People place value on stuff/items because it holds memories for them.   Maybe finding a way to hold that memory without holding onto items that is sitting in your attic, garages, and basements, is a better way to help declutter or clean out your spaces.   Take pictures of the items or pass the items on to family members that can/will use them to establish new memories.  The memory you have will never go away, its always yours.  But, what good is it if th item is stored somewhere and collecting dust and not being appreciated. 

Sally Field who played the mom, her character was shocked at how she felt when all of the stuff was sold.  She didn’t think it would bother her so much.  Its a process of letting go and moving towards the future. 

One item to remember someone or something is great.  Keep it out so when you pass by it, that memory is there and you smile.

What is the point of having memories locked away in a stuffed attic or garage? 

Thanks,

Kate

A Full time Job and Friday Garage Sales

After two years of being in Florida, I am back to work full time! 

First, I need to make a shout out to the GREAT friends I made working part time at “Twice As Nice” in Dunedin.  I loved working there with Leticia and I made friends for life.  Thank you for all your support and friendship!

So, when you are working full time, you miss out on what has become a huge trend in garage sales, the Friday morning sale.  Most people will do a Friday/Saturday garage sale.  By the time you get there Saturday morning, you are picking through what is left over.  

Keep in mind when you are mapping out your sales any Saturday morning, check to see if the ad also states the sale ran on Friday.  My plan of attack is to go to the garage sales that start on Saturday then hit the ones that were also run on Friday.  By hitting the garage sales that started on Friday last, I know they will be more than ready to make a deal if I find something I want.  They just want to get rid of it at that point.  Plus, I kind of have the attitude, if it was meant to be mine, it will still be there when I get there.

Now that I have joined the ranks of the full time worker, I will miss the Friday morning garage sales.  My strategies of mapping my morning sales have changed a bit.  I’m sure everyone has their own strategy.  I would love to hear yours. 

Thanks for reading!

Kate

The Weather Continued……

Living in the northeast has its ups and downs when it comes to weather.  Winters can be frigid as we all know.  Spring, summer, and fall are seasons that can be stunning in their own ways but can bring to us several surprises. I’ve spent the summer thinking about the weather and the best time to have a garage sale.

I had a garage sale in the middle of May and it was great!  The weather was perfect and we did a Friday until 1:00 PM and Saturday until 2:00-ish (we advertised a 1:00 PM ending).

Later in July I did a one day garage sale with my sister Maria and a friend.  It was a very hot day.  We each sold some stuff but not much.  I think we may have sold as many waters and cookies as items!  I wondered then if the heat was a factor that kept people away.  I kept thinking as the morning wore on—and at times it did feel slow between little rushes of people-that I wasn’t sure I would want to be going to garage sales–getting in and out of the car and heat.

Now we’re into September and I see a lot of things I could put together to make another sale…the weather is starting to overall cool down and is mostly dry unless like yesterday, a tropical storm or worse a hurricane makes it up the east coast.

Whatever region of the world you live in–one thing you should definitely pay attention to is the weather as you plan your sale.  Look at whether or not it’s going to rain as well as the heat and humidity index also.  You can have the greatest merchandise to sell at your garage sale, however if the weather isn’t the right combination to get people out, you won’t reap the profits!

For some areas the regions are what they are—England can be quite rainy and many countries are just hot & humid all year long.  Find the best day and go for it!  In the northeast–if you have a choice, seasonally speaking, I think garage sales are better in the spring and fall—summer is my third choice! And well as we all can surmise, winter would be out of the question for the northeast—But probably not in Florida!

Have a great day and remember having a garage sale is good for you!    

Laura

Garage Sales and Hurricane Season

We went out to some garage sales yesterday.  There was not one cloud in the sky, it was about 90 degrees and the humidity was low.  It was a beautiful day here.  I looked at my husband and said “Calm before the storm?”  There is one headed our way.  But, we have been here for two years and we have every supply you could possibly need, except for a generator.  So far we have been lucky. 

 During the height of hurricane season, there aren’t as many garage sales happening.  There were a few.  BJ, my husband, bought a fishing pole for a couple of dollars.  He was really happy about it. But, we were done garage sale-ing within 45 minutes.  I didn’t find anything I have been looking for.  I’m on the hunt for some furniture pieces for our home.  With big furniture items, it will take some time.  That’s the best part, I know I will find them and I will have fun with my family on Saturday mornings while I’m looking. 

So, as things slow down here during hurricane season, I know they will pick up again soon.  That’s one of the best parts of living in Florida, year round garage sales.  I talked to Laura in NY, and with school starting (my kids started in mid-August) she hasn’t seen any garages sales around her neighborhood.  Although they don’t normally worry about hurricanes in NY, they are getting some residuals of “Hanna”.  With rain all weekend, I guess hurricane season affects garage sales in more than just the southern states.

Thanks for reading!

Kate

(Happy Birthday Nicole and Erin!) 

Remembering Our Fundraiser!

Laura and I were just remembering the night before our garage sale fundraiser.  Once everything was in and we were finishing hanging the signs, we had a 2 hour preview for volunteers and families of the preschool to do their own shopping.  They had first pick of the merchandise, the baked goods, and got their tickets for the raffle.

It turned out to be a social gathering.  Laura and I had a great time talking to everyone about what was donated and how much we hoped to raise the next day.  We raised more than we originally expected.  It was a great feeling after the sale was over to give the Board Members the update on how we did and how much we made for the budget for the year.  Knowing we helped contribute to the success of the school that year was such a great feeling.

Whether you are thinking of doing a church fundraiser, or any youth program fundraiser, the feeling of accomplishment when you volunteer and are successful, is a feeling you won’t soon forget!

If you have any home or fundraising garage sale stories, don’t forget to email us.  You could be featured in our blog!

Thanks,  Kate

There You Have It

We have successfully copied and pasted our old blog posts to Wordpress. 

I want to thank you for reading our blog. 

Kate

Our Vacation (orig. post 7/26/08)

I am writing this blog while sitting on the deck of the beach house we rented in Ft. Myers. As I sit hear overlooking the water, listening to the ocean, while drinking my coffee, I am reminded that my garage sale helped pay for this vacation.

Since I am on vacation, this blog is going to be short and sweet!

Our new website is up and running!

WWW.GARAGESALEPROS.COM

Please go check out our new site!! We are very exited about it, thanks to our new business partner!!

garagesalefundraiser.com will be redirected to our new site in August.

Enjoy the new Website. Thank you to our loyal readers!!

Thanks, Kate

The Costs (orig. post 7/19/08)

The costs of a garage sale can get up there pretty high. The goal is to try to avoid THE COSTS. The ad, the stickers, the signs…THE COSTS. It’s just another reason to try to recruit friends, family, or neighbors to have the sale with you. Splitting THE COSTS will help ease the pain. Especially when the goal is to make money, not spend money.

The more stuff you have the more traffic you will have. Sparse garage sales cause the “drive-by”. You know, you have done it yourself….You pull up to the sale, slow down, and then drive away. There wasn’t much there, THE COST of not having enough stuff and not inviting other families to partake in your fun.

Thanks, Kate