How I Made $1,000 in Just One Day at My Annual Garage Sale

After finishing college, I moved back to my hometown and joined my mom and grandma in organizing a garage sale. I had a lot of leftover college stuff that I didn’t want to bring to my new place, so I happily jumped on board. This was a great way to get rid of things I didn’t need anymore while making some extra money. Our first garage sale didn’t attract a huge crowd, but we decided to do it again the next spring since I accumulated more items to sell.

Over the years, our garage sales became a yearly tradition. We switched the venue from my grandma’s house to mine, which was closer to a busy intersection and brought in more visitors. Our garage sales became a family event, featuring items from my mom, grandma, and sometimes my cousin. The best part? We make about $1,000 each time!

Let’s dive into how we pull off a successful garage sale that brings in a nice profit, and maybe you can do the same.

One important lesson I learned is about effective advertising. Initially, we just advertised in the local newspaper, which didn’t attract many people. Later, we expanded our strategy by using radio announcements and online platforms like Craigslist and local Facebook Buy/Sell/Trade groups. We also placed bright signs at busy intersections to catch more attention.

Setting up is another big part of our success. We spend time cleaning and organizing the items on tables or shelves to create an inviting atmosphere. We place big and popular items near the curb to grab the attention of passing cars. Though we usually have more small knick-knacks than large items, organizing similar things together has helped us consistently earn around $1,000 each year.

When it comes to pricing, we find a balance. We want the prices to be attractive without suggesting poor quality, but not so high that they scare buyers away. We also donate unsold items to avoid storing them until the next sale.

In short, these strategies help us make about $1,000 at each garage sale. While it feels good to make some money from items we no longer need, my main goal is to be more thoughtful about what I buy and keep, so maybe one day I won’t need a garage sale every year.

How about your garage sale experiences? Have you had great success, or struggled with low turnout? I’d love to hear your stories and any lessons you’ve learned!