The art of the garage sale: Sell your junk!

Jacqueline Davis, Intern

July 28, 2016 Publication: Oakdale Journal (LA)

Page: 4A

Word Count: 509

You're bored, you're broke, and you're NOT on vacation.

I, too, have experienced this summertime funk. So one day, my friend Alexis and I took it upon ourselves to host our first ever, Garage Sale, in hopes of making a million dollars each (okay maybe just 100, at least.)

We set a date in our calendars and searched high and low through our homes, pulling everything from a quesadilla maker to a kissy face "Emoji" Halloween costume.

We aimed for a 5:30 AM sale on Saturday, but ended up having it on Sunday morning due to us actually believing we could both go to a party on Friday night and wake up in time the next morning to set everything up before our guests arrived.

So, Sunday it was, and to our surprise, we did exceptionally well for people who barely advertised—and, due to the fact that our poorly made-duck taped signs ended up face down in the busy streets of Alexandria, after only an hour of being hung.

Despite all odds, we pulled it together; we made catchy flyers, scrounged up pieces of plywood for tables, and organized all of our merchandise into categories. And believe me! There were a lot of categories. We bought little pricing stickers from Walmart and marked everything, including our initials very small on the bottom of each sticker to indicate whose sale is who.

Some of us got way more into it than the rest: we watched in utter shock and much amusement at Alexis' dad, who walked outside with a large white poster with the words that read: Raising Money For College in big red letters. "Less is more, girls" he said as we watched him hang it up proudly behind our check out table, assuring us it will help out our sales. As it turns out, the sign was a great conversation sparker, but most importantly, a huge success. I now deem her father "Hustler of the Year" in my book.

Although some of the items did not sell for as much as I wanted them to, and though I did not nearly make as much as planned, I had an overall fun and, definitely meaningful experience. I got to meet different people from the area that I normally would not get to talk to, which was an experience in itself. And now I have a newfound respect for all garage and yard sellers alike.

If you have ever had a sale, then you already know how much work and time is put into one, and just how horrible the heat is—it literally looked like I had jumped into a pool. I vote we make night time garage sales a thing!

Not only are garage sales an easy and fun way to clean out your closet and make some fast cash, it is a great way to meet people, and recycle items that sometimes will go to waste, collecting dust.

Who knew it could feel so amazing to watch people leave with a smile on their face with items that once made you smile.

So get out there, fight off the heat, and Happy Garage Sale season!