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	Yard Sale Checklist
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

• sort items into categories (kitchen, books, kids, clothes)
• clean and repair items as you go
• price items and label with a description when applicable

• call city or county government for local yard sale regulations
• find out about "signage" rules (size, shape, placement)
• find out if you need a permit to hold a yard sale in your area

• call for prices and deadlines (don't forget "free" and local papers)
• include date, time, address, directions, and items of interest
• run your ad at least 1 day before and day of your sale

• determine the length of your sale (number of days and hours)
• decide if you will accept checks or hold items for people
• decide if you will allow early birds or let people in your home

• decide if you will allow early birds or let people in your home
• "checkout" items (cash box, extra bags, tissue / newspaper)
• "try-before-you-buy" items (extension cords, batteries, bulbs)

• ask friends, neighbors, and family to join in
• have each participant mark his / her items differently
• keep track of each person's sales in a notebook

• put posters at major intersections and along your road
• put up fliers in local stores, laundromats, and churches
• include address, hours, arrows, and major items of interest

• get change ($20 in coins, $50 in ones, $40 in fives)
• create a list of "minimum prices" you will accept for each item
• make arrangements for a charity to pick up your leftovers

• make sure nothing is blocking traffic flow
• display like items / complementary items together
• make sure everything is clearly visible

• make arrangements for a charity to pick up your leftovers
• recruit helpers (at least 2 people to stay the length of the sale)
• educate helpers about your pricing / negotiating

• put up fliers in public areas around town
• place your newspaper ad
• gather supplies, get change, and confirm "helpers"

• put up directional signs around your neighborhood
• block off any areas you don't want shoppers to enter
• get a good night's sleep

• start setting up 1-2 hours before sale scheduled to start
• put one person in charge of cash box -- never leave unguarded
• have fun -- let your kids sell snacks and play some peppy music!

 

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box and a link to www.RamonaCreel.com.

Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her  Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.

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