That’s Swell

I love garage sales, don’t you? The wonderful thing about the Fox Valley is there are a TON of them (much more than Pekin ever had). It’s a great way to clear out the junk and make some cash while you’re at it!

If you’re like me, and live in an apartment so you can’t have your own yard or garage sale – then try having a “virtual sale.” Either post them all on your blog or website (if you have ‘local’ readers), or email the employees at your work with pictures of what you’re selling and prices (we just bought a new table/chairs from someone at work like this).  Or organize a “swap” for your apartment building (our manager organized one for our building, going on this weekend!), you won’t make any money, but you can get some free stuff and get rid of the clutter. And after the “swap” whatever is left the manager is taking to Goodwill for us! The last option would be to hit up the pawn shop (if you have anything of value, or even CDs and movies), we have a TV and an old guitar we’ll take to the pawn shop to get quick cash for.

Some great tips on throwing a garage sale:

• Real Simple Magazine’s Tips
•  Frugal Village Tips (throwing and buying)
• Mommy Savers Tips
• Garage Sale Tips Pt. 1 and Pt. 2
• Get Rich Slowly recommends a group sale – 10 Tips
• Organized Home’s Tips (Advertise!)

My garage sale purchases so far (it’s still early!):

• Antique Dining Room Table (can seat up to 10-12) and 4 chairs (bought from a ‘virtual sale’) – $150
• 1 metal/wood chair – to use as my desk chair since it’ll be in the living room I didn’t want a giant ‘roller’ one – $9
• Blue Queen Futon Cover – $15 (perfect condition! we just bought a futon, so I needed one, and I needed a blue one too!)