With the arrival of spring what better a time to conduct a good ol' fashioned 'spring clean'.
Problem with this idea is that many of us are sayers not doers, and as often as we'll notice with disgust the film of dust covering our pre-loved knick-knacks, we'd rather catch up with friends than waste time cleaning house.
Fortunately for hoarders and clean-freaks alike, the fourth annual Garage Sale Trail arrives on the 25th October, and it's your opportunity to set a deadline to feng shui your nest – and perhaps make a bit of cash in the process.
Co-founder Darryl Nichols believes the event's popularity is largely due to the motivational element behind the deadline. “Garage Sale Trail attracts those who are looking for some motivation to declutter and get organised in preparation for the warmer months ahead.
“From the time they register for free online, sellers have about four to six weeks to prepare for the big day of simultaneous garage sales around Australia so there's the benefit of a deadline insight – no procrastination allowed!” Mr Nichols says.
So if you're one of the many that keeps putting off a much-needed cleanup, stop procrastinating and follow these top five tips to plan your Garage Sale Trail success:
1. Register for free online here. Once registered, check out the seller page on Garage Sale Trail's website where you can add your garage sale and share your garage sale profile page. Use your seller page to attract as many buyers as possible!
2. Schedule a time for everyone in your household to start the process of identifying items to be sold. Set aside boxes or storage containers for items to be sold, separating items into different categories. Colour-coded labelling helps! For example, have a box for books, one for jewellery and personal items, one for artwork or household ornaments, one for clothing, one for kids' toys.
3. Allocate a few hours on the first day you do the sorting to ensure quick progress. When identifying unwanted items, be sure to take a close look at anything not used in the last 12 months. (If it's not been used in the past year, are you ever going to use it?)
4. Ask yourself these questions as you encounter each item that you might like to part with. Move from room to room and don't forget the garage! How long has it been since I've used this/ enjoyed this? Will I use it again? Is it worth the space it takes up in my house?
5. Once you have identified the items to be sold, check out other online shopping portals to gauge the item's market value then upload photographs to your seller page.
The Garage Sale Trail takes place nationally on 25th October.
