Trash or Treasure?

Lately, I've had an incredibly strong desire to purge our home of lots of "unnecessaries".  Couple that with the need to pay down debt, and guess what you get?

That's right.  Yard Sale!

Yard sales of my childhood were fun times to practice simple money skills, bartering, simplifying, and working the merchandise.  Also, a chance to sell my rocks.  You thought I sold lemonade?  Think again.

I've been gathering books, old toys, clothes, and other knick knacks that are not adding to our life.  It's my hope that when we do make a move, this will allow us to make it swiftly and with less headache.

I am finding that organizing a yard sale as an adult is much different from childhood.  In fact, it's a lot of work!  I want to do it right, and make it worth our time.  I found this article from Money Saving Mom really helpful.  The Small Notebook also inspires me to live simply and with less stuff.

Do you feel weighed down by the material possessions in your home?

Have you considered downsizing for sanity?

Zen Habits has a great article on how to purposefully purge.  He challenges you to pick the 100 items you cannot live without.  Then, you work hard at cutting out the fat from your life.  Do you really need the three pairs of black flip-flops or 1997 text book?

Yard Sale To-Do List

• Signage!  Get the word out with good ol' sharpies.
• Advertise on Craigslist with specifics we are selling.
• Team up with other families or friends looking to sell too.
• Organize the goods in an appealing manner.   Since we have some gently used clothing, I'd like to borrow a stand or make a cheaper solution to display them.
• Do some research for what a good sale price would be on our nicer items.
• Consider a two-day sale to really move items out.
• Sell baked goods! Not rocks.