Welcome to our second edition The Monthly Organizer! I apologize that it’s been so long since the first edition. Recovering from an operation took more time than expected, but I’m back.

I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.

How is your ideal life coming along? If it’s not progressing as quickly as you would like, that’s OK. Even small steps keep you moving forward.

Let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

Organizing Your Yard Sale

“Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them.” Napoleon Bonaparte

It’s that time of year. Congratulations if you have decluttered and decided to have a yard sale. The next step is to plan it and get organized. If you’ve never had a yard sale before, check out a few beforehand. It may help you determine appropriate prices for your items. Maybe you’ll decide that a yard sale is not worth your time and effort.

Planning

Determine the date and time. Choose an alternate date in case of poor weather.

Decide whether you will advertise in the paper or put up signs in your neighbourhood. Post a store-bought sign, or let your children put their creative talents to work.

Ask friends, neighbours and family to join your sale. Larger sales tend to attract more people.

Make sure you have sufficient help on the day of your sale.

Preparation

Sort items into categories—toys, books, household items, furniture, clothing, etc. Display similar or complementary items together.

Ensure that all items are clean and in good, working condition.

Determine whether items will be priced individually or have a price sign for each different section–$1, $2, $5, $10, $25.

If other people are joining your sale, each person should mark his/her items differently, or you can keep track of each person’s sales in a notebook.

If you decide to donate a portion of your sale profits to charity, put up a sign to tell your customers.

Supplies

• Cash box and change–coin and small bills
• Newspaper or tissue paper to wrap breakable items
• Bags or boxes
• Extension cords, batteries or bulbs
• Tables
• Plastic cloths—in case of rain

Note:  Remember to get a good night’s sleep the night before your sale!

Sale Day

Allow yourself sufficient time to get everything set up before your scheduled start time. Set up as much as possible the day or night before your sale.

Delegate one person to be in charge of the cash box. Never leave it unguarded.

Be prepared to negotiate the price. Remember that you want to sell as much as possible!

Have fun! Let your kids sell coffee or cold drinks.

After the Yard Sale

Drop off any unsold items which you are donating as soon as possible once your yard sale is finished. You don’t want your left-over items collecting dust!

Be as kind to the environment as possible. Good, usable items should not be thrown in the garbage.

Talk to your friends, neighbours and family to see if there are items which they can use. Remember–you don’t want to add to someone else’s clutter!

The list of charitable organizations accepting donations or businesses accepting items for sale is almost unlimited. You should call ahead of time to ensure that your items will be accepted.

Online

Sell items online at www.eBay.com, www.craigslist.com, www.freecycle.com or Kijiji. There are businesses who will sell items online for you if you don’t want to do it yourself. The cost is a percentage of the sale price.

Recycling

Reduce what you send to the landfill by recycling as much as possible. Old cell phones can be donated to e-waste programs. Ink cartridges can be refilled or donated for school programs.

Junk Removal Companies

Contact a junk removal company ahead of time if you have a large quantity for disposal.

And last but not least–don’t forget to reward yourself for all your hard work!!