When you finally decide to clear out your closet, the donation bin is the easy answer. But for @arlene.salisbury, perfect timing changed the plan. Her mom’s neighborhood holds garage sales, and one happened to be scheduled for the very weekend she was ready to drop her clothes off. Instead of giving everything away, she held a sale of her own and tracked every dollar.
Her caption calls the result a free tank of gas. She says she was this close to dropping her clothes at the nearest donation dumpster, and that $93 beats nothing. Here is how the morning went.
@arlene.salisbury
Setting a Goal
She begins by saying she is having a garage sale and wants to see how much money she makes. Realistically, she says, she would love to make at least $200, because she has some pretty good items. But she thinks she would be happy and content with $100. Fingers crossed.
She explains the timing. Her mom’s neighborhood has garage sales twice a year, and this one arrived just as she was about ready to donate all of her clothes. When her mom told her the sale was that weekend, she was delighted. Yes, she knew she could donate the clothes, but she could also make some money. She holds up a Gymshark item she has never worn and says that, in this economy, she can make some money. All she hopes for is enough to fill a tank of gas.
Tracking the Sales as They Came
The fun of her post is that she records the progress as it happens:
- Early on, she makes another $2.
- After an hour, she has made $45 so far, which she calls pretty good.
- Then another $25 comes in.
- About two hours in, she has made roughly $91.
- Another $3 arrives, though she notes things are only starting to pick up.
At the end of the morning she counts it all out, bill by bill, and arrives at a total of $93 in three hours. Her verdict: not bad at all in this economy. It is gas money.
Donate or Sell? Both Have a Place
Her story raises a question many of us face with a bag of clothes: should it go to a donation center or be sold? The honest answer is that it depends on your time, your goals and the condition of the items.
Reasons to donate
Donating is quick and easy. You drop the bag off and you are done. It helps local charities and thrift stores, and you can usually get a receipt for tax purposes. If your time is limited or your items are worn, donating is a wonderful choice.
Reasons to sell
Selling takes more effort, but it can turn closet clutter into real money, as her morning shows. Items with tags still on them or in great shape are the best candidates. A neighborhood sale can be especially helpful, since a built in crowd of shoppers is already there.
Tips for Making Money at a Neighborhood Sale
If you would like to follow her lead, these ideas can help you get the most out of a community sale day.
Set a modest goal, as she did
She hoped for $200 and said she would be happy with $100. A realistic goal keeps you from being discouraged, and a bonus feels even better. Decide ahead of time what you are hoping to earn, and what you will do with the money. A tank of gas is a great, concrete goal.
Choose the right items
Clothing sells best when it is clean, folded or hung neatly and in season. Items that still have tags, brand name pieces and current styles tend to draw the most attention. Pieces that are stained or worn can be donated or recycled instead.
Display like a shop
A clothing rack or a table with neatly arranged piles is much more inviting than a bag to dig through. If you do not have a rack, a rope strung between two chairs with hangers works well. Put your best pieces at eye level.
Keep prices simple
Most buyers at a garage sale expect low prices. Keep it easy with a few price points, like one dollar for tops and a bit more for jackets, and mark them with a sign. Simple pricing speeds up sales and prevents long negotiations.
Bring change
She was counting singles and fives at the end, and having small bills ready means you never lose a sale because you could not make change.
Plan for leftovers
Have a bag or box ready for anything unsold, and take it to a donation center the same day. That way, whichever way the sale goes, the clutter still leaves your house.
Why Small Wins Matter
It would be easy to look at $93 and call it small. But think about it from another angle. She cleared out her closet, spent a morning outside, spent time in her mom’s neighborhood and ended with cash in hand. The things she no longer wanted went to people who were happy to find them. And she kept a good attitude, even laughing about the economy.
It also shows how the best decluttering plans are flexible. She started out headed for a dumpster, and a simple change of plan turned the same pile of clothes into an enjoyable day. If you have a bag by the door waiting for a donation run, check whether your neighborhood, church or community center has a sale coming up. You may find the perfect moment, just as she did.