Having a Rummage/Garage Sale With Purpose

In an earlier post on our Facebook page this week (see below), we discussed having a sale with a purpose (your purpose is unique to you) and if your actions and words are aligned with your purpose, you will achieve success.

Here is a great example of a post we received last year from Mary who's purpose and actions created positive intended results (in many ways!)...

"I have had the most successful rummage sale this year, than ever. I held a Charity Rummage Sale, where all items that were mine or donated to me went for free with a requested a contribution to help a terminally ill cancer patient. I take pride in having an organized rummage and even set tables up with matching décor items to help sell more. In this case they took more, and were very generous too. This is a wonderful way to make sure having a rummage sale is actually worth while!"

Thank you for letting me share, Mary W.



Then, Cori W. replied:

"I agree! Before we moved I had my most successful rummage sale. Everything was pay what you want and all donations went to the Hunger Task Force. We had a gentleman come who said he did not have a lot, but had gotten food from the task force before. He had a $5 bill, and asked us to give him back just enough for bus fare. We made over $600 and had only 2 small boxes of things left that we donated to the American Council for the Blind. We also talked to quite a few people who loved the idea and shared stores of their own."

 Cori W.

RummageWisconsin.com Purpose post on Facebook -
We love sellers with a TRUE purpose. By that, we mean those sellers who have clearly and passionately defined the purpose of their sale through their actions and words. A purpose that is so evident when we visit the their sale that we want to buy from them.

2012 Wisconsin City Wide Sales List

We're keeping track so you don't have to.  Wisconsin's City/Village/Town wide sale BIG LIST.  Sponsored by Rummage Wisconsin.com.

Visit the WI City Wide BIG LIST now!

Do The Spring Fling and Get Organized!

Spring has arrived in a big way here in Wisconsin!  I love this time of year.  As a professional organizer I motivate my clients to do the Spring Fling.  That’s right – don’t just do spring cleaning.  Instead do the Spring Fling.

Start emptying your closets, be honest about what you love and actually wear then – fling the rest!  By Fling I mean toss items that are no good, donate the items that are in good condition or are you up for a rummage sale?  Start organizing your rummage sale items while you do your spring purging. 


Doesn’t that feel amazing? Spring is a time of renewal. 

That is how I feel about helping people get organized.  It renews your soul and makes room for what is truly important in your life.   I wish everyone knew how much organization has to do with their health and well-being.   Clutter and disorganization add stress to your life in so many ways.  It also drains your mental and physical energy.   Clutter can be very distracting and makes you lose focus of the vision you have for your life.  Things from your past can also prevent you from moving forward.   So please get started by doing the spring fling.  I guarantee it will add spring to your step!

Don’t stop with the closets, keep going.  While you are dusting that dresser empty each drawer and do the spring fling.  If something doesn’t belong in there, don’t put it back.  Ask yourself, how is this item used, when and where do I use it.  Be sure you give everything a place based on its purpose.  If there is no longer a purpose what do you do?  That’s right – fling it.  Now you’ve got it.  Put on some music and open the windows.  It will help keep you motivated.  Plan time to get through each room, cabinets, closets and drawers.  I promise you will enjoy your summer that much more knowing your home is organized.   If you commit to doing this once a year, it will not take very long.

Now if you are having a rummage sale, have a reward in mind.  What do you want to do with the money from your rummage sale?  Will you put it towards a weekend away with your family?  Donate it to charity?  Having a purpose for your rummage sale also keeps you motivated.  After having gone through this purging process, you also are more aware on a daily basis of what you have, what you are using or not using and where things belong.   You will find yourself letting go of things on a regular basis so they don’t become clutter.

Don’t forget the garage.  The more organized your garage is the more you can enjoy your gardening and outside activities. 

Go for it!  You can do it!  We’re cheering you on this spring. 

Diane Konrath

Professional Organizer, Efficiency Expert & Speaker

www.organized-transformations.com  262-271-0099

All we can say is, WOW!

Hello Everyone,

This might seem a little off-topic, but
we feel the need to share our thoughts
with you on this…

Our friend Mike (who advertises in our
TWN E-Connect Newsletter) has shared
some pretty hard-core financial information with us recently that’s had us thinking a lot
about the future…

We think about our parents and whether
or not they’re going to be able to retire...
We think about our children’s future…
And we think about our current financial
security and investments...

Let’s be honest… There’s a lot to be
concerned about today, whether it’s
the record debt level, inflation, the
crazy stuff happening in Europe, or
the housing market to name just a few…

But what Mike helped us realize is
that times of economic chaos like these,
are also the best time in the world to
accumulate incredible wealth, and
actually even get very rich - IF - you
know how.

In fact, more millionaires were created
during the Great Depression up until
that point in history.

Well we’ve made the decision to turn
these times into opportunity with Mike’s
help, and we’d like to give you the same
opportunity…

This month he held a private “Year-In-Review” for their investment strategies and they filmed the entire event.

This week he’s decided to post the
footage from that event online for free,
and it’s an absolute MUST WATCH.
He told us that it’s going to be released
in three parts, and Part I just went live today…

What’s it about?
Basically… How he’s managed to
predict the financial future, (and make
a small fortune in the process).
If you want to know what’s going to
happen to the economy in 2012,
here’s your answer…

You can watch all three videos along
with us this week by using this link to
go to his site…

Watch this real quick

Wishing you the best,
TWN Staff
P.S. We’d have to say our favorite part
about his strategies is that you don’t
need to be a trader, and you don’t
need to be rolling in money. All you
need is the desire to learn how the
rich are getting richer these days,
so you can too…
Use this link to watch Part I and
you’ll see what we're talking about…

Watch this real quick

Play background music at your sale

Play background music at your sale.

We find it a little uncomfortable to visit a garage sale (or to host one) when there’s complete silence in the yard or driveway. But don’t play offensive music either — play something appropriate for your audience.

Music is a powerful tool that can relax the buyers and put them in a buying state-of-mind.


View more helpful articles and tips:
Rummage Wisconsin Articles and Tips Index

Learn From Other Sales

Are you planning on having a rummage sale? If so, a good tip is to check out other rummage sales and see what you like or don't like about them.

Pay attention to how items are displayed, organized, priced, and cleaned. Also notice the signs that either grabbed your attention or directed you to the sale.

Finally, ask the sellers if they have any good tips to share with you.

View more helpful articles and tips:
Rummage Wisconsin Articles and Tips Index

Cracking open the black-box investing strategies of the rich, and it's time that we all shared in the fun!

THIS IS NO JOKE...
What's going to happen in the economy during the next 6 to 36 months that will bankrupt 95% of the population, and how you can protect your wealth... (FACT: This has already happened in 30 different countries during the last 100 years, and TWICE in the US!) Learn how you can get VERY rich during times of economic turmoil, even if you don't have a lot of money to invest...

Click here for the most important step you will take in your financial life.

How to Make More Money Selling at a Craft Fair Booth | eHow.com

How to Make More Money Selling at a Craft Fair Booth | eHow.com

How to Attend An Annual City Wide Garage Sale | eHow.com

How to Attend An Annual City Wide Garage Sale | eHow.com

Ann Castle's Online Auction Tips: A Garage Sale Survival Kit

Going to garage sales is great fun, quite profitable and can save a bundle of money on both spendy and everyday items. There are a few items you should have with you when you venture forth on Saturday to inspect the treasures set our for your review:

A small, sturdy crate. The plastic kind that kids keep toys in is perfect. There are also versions that collapse. But I use mine to hold my tools of the trade.

An old blanket. This is to protect any nice furniture pieces or extra large finds from damage.

A small stash of bubble wrap, some tissue paper (don't use newspaper, as it often leaves marks on china, fabric and wood) and a plastic bag of old plastic clothing covers from the dry cleaning. These are excellent for protecting delicate items.

A magnifying glass. There are some nice ones that are plastic and are about the size of a postcard. You can usually get a good look at a hallmark, scratch, or other detail with a small one. If you are looking for jewelry, then pack a jeweler's loupe. These are also very useful for reading the small print on maps.

And speaking of maps...be sure you have a good one for your entire area and that it has a detailed index of streets and roads. The best ones are in book form, usually spiral, and you can photocopy the most-used pages for easy reference.

A tape measure. This way you can check the size of furniture, measure off fabric, etc.

A magnet. This will help you to detect the kinds of metal in items that appear to be brass, copper, silver, etc. If the magnet sticks (be sure to try both ends or sides) it is not the real deal. A small one the size of a quarter is all that is necessary.

A small flashlight. The ones with a small light that are used in theaters is fine and will let you check for marks, flaws and look in concealed spots.

A pocket knife. This is for cutting, scraping and testing...be sure you ask the owner before you do it, or better yet, have them use the knife. A lot of rust, patina or dirt can disguise a treasure. And it is generally handy for cutting up fruit and opening packages for lunch on the run.

A small pad of paper and pen. This is for addresses, phone numbers and names if you have to return or want to come back to make a deal later, etc.

Calling cards that have your name and phone number and whatever other information you want to disclose. You can get 250 of them free at VistaPrint.com, and they are very handy.

A large piece of plastic. These are available at the dime store and are usually 9 X 12 and fit into a regular size envelope. Your can protect stuff from rain as it is being transported.

A length of rope and some bungee cords to keep items in place for transport.

Personal information: Swatches of your colors for decorating and wearing. Sizes for you and everyone you buy for. Measurements for areas for rugs, furniture, window treatments, beds, etc. Trace off the soles of everybody's shoes so you can size them at sales.

Several sturdy canvas bags for books and other finds.

A large bottle of plain water. Garage Saling is thirsty work!

I keep all of the small stuff in a small zippered bag and the rest in the crate. You'll be glad of your Garage Sale Survival Kit. It can save you time and money.

About the author:

Ann Castle has been a manager and logistics expert for companies large and small and has a successful eBay business. She enjoys helping everyone achieve their goals and her greatest desire is to live in a world where everybody wins.

How to Get the Most Out of Rummage Sale Shopping

Rummage sale shopping isn't for everyone. Some people cringe at buying other people's junk. Others find it much easier to simply go to the mall or their local specialty store to get what they need. Still others think that there's a stigma attached to visiting rummage sales.

As someone who absolutely loves rummage sale shopping, I'm not too concerned with what other people think. I'd rather buy five books for a dollar at a sale than one for twenty dollars at a bookstore. If I can find clothes for a quarter a piece, I have no problem expanding my wardrobe with something someone else wore at one time (as long as it's in good shape). I know firsthand how much easier furnishing a home can be when you scour a rummage sale than when you browse the showroom floor.

Not only can you save a lot of money by shopping at rummage sales, you can have a lot of fun doing it as well. If you're dead set against the idea of making someone else's trash your treasure, read no further. This article isn't for you. If the thought of treasures to be had for practically pennies interests you in the slightest, read on.

If you're a seasoned rummage shopper, you're probably already familiar with these tips. For those not so well read in the art, there are several ways to get the most out of your experience. With summer just around the corner, endless sales are sure to be on the way. This season, try these tips for getting the most out of rummage sale shopping.

To see the tips...click here!

BEST BUYS OF SPRING (March, April, May) - Kiplinger

BEST BUYS OF SPRING (March, April, May) - Kiplinger

BEST BUYS OF SPRING (March, April, May)

Bargains are blooming this time of year. Here are seven purchases to make in March, April and May.

MARCH: Coats and outerwear
At the end of winter, retailers clear out their cold-weather clothing to make room for T-shirts, shorts and swimwear. That makes March an ideal time to plan ahead and stock up on bargain coats, hats and gloves for next winter.

MARCH: Flood insurance
It's not any cheaper to buy flood insurance at this time of year, but this is as good a time as any to do so before the spring thaw puts your home to the test. Create a flood-risk profile at FloodSmart.gov to see if you could benefit from flood insurance.

MARCH: Frozen food
It's national frozen-food month, and sales and coupons abound. If you have a freezer, stock up. You can store some foods as long as one year. (Use this storage guide from the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service when deciding what to stock up on.)

APRIL: Used cars
Looking for a used car? This is the best month to shop. Every year, car dealers stock up to kick off the spring selling season. Buyers have a full selection of inventory to choose from and plenty of willing negotiators to land the best deal. We'll show you some Great Deals on Used Cars.

APRIL/MAY: Kitchenware and utensils
Kitchen items make a great gift for new grads and newlyweds, so sales are often plentiful this season.

MAY: Mattresses
As retailers make room for new models, mattress shoppers will find a lot of wiggle room on price, says Luke Knowles, founder of FreeShipping.org. Look for discounts of up to 50%, as well as promotions for free delivery or free disposal of your old mattress.

ALL SPRING LONG: Vacations
Besides the week of spring break, you can usually grab a stellar deal on travel throughout the spring shoulder season -- until Memorial Day weekend, when summer pricing goes into effect. Plus, you'll get pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

BEST BUYS OF WINTER (January, February)

Story from Kiplingers.com

Yes, deals abound on Black Friday, but you can save money on plenty of things all winter long -- particularly electronics. Here are ten things whose prices thaw despite the cold this season.

DECEMBER/JANUARY: Weddings
From dresses to reception halls, you'll save a bundle with a winter wedding, according to Denise and Alan Fields, authors of Bridal Bargains. It's the industry's slow season, so don't be afraid to haggle your way to even lower prices -- you might find people are willing to deal.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY: TVs
New TV models arrive in the spring, making January and February prime time to save a few hundred dollars on the outgoing model year, according toConsumer Reports. (It's worth watching for Black Friday deals and holiday sales in December, too.)

JANUARY: Linens
It may be cold outside, but you can make the indoors warm and comfy -- and save money in the process -- by shopping department stores' "white sales" in January. It's not uncommon to find discounts of 10% to 60% on sheets, blankets, towels and more (and not just in white).

JANUARY: Gift wrap
With prices marked down as much as 75%, post-holiday sales make a great time to stock up on gift wrap, ribbon and tags. Look for neutral patterns that you can use year-round to make the most of this deal.

JANUARY: Carpet and floor coverings
Few people buy carpet in January, so that's the time to snag a discount as dealers try to drum up business, says Alan Fletcher, author of The Complete Carpet Buying Guide. Make your purchase by February 15th, though. As people start receiving their tax refunds, business -- and prices -- pick up again.

JANUARY: Furniture
New furniture hits showrooms in February, according to the American Home Furnishing Alliance. That means you can save 10% to 50% in January as retailers make room for the new inventory. (See summer for another good time to buy.)

JANUARY/FEBRUARY: Digital cameras
With the Consumer Electronics Show and Photo Marketing Association convention at this time of year, new camera models start arriving at retailers. That means deep discounts on last year's perfectly good merchandise.

ALL WINTER LONG: Real estate
Most people don't shop for houses in the winter. But lower demand equals lower prices. You'd usually sacrifice selection by house-hunting in winter, but with the current lagging market -- and large number of foreclosures - bargain hunters should have plenty to choose from.

Competition brings deals to online shopping websites

The Wall Street Journal lists the Big Three online merchandising sites as Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Ebay.com. In their testing, they found the best overall shopping experience was to be had on Amazon. Ebay came in second, featuring cheaper prices overall. Walmart lagged behind, with a far inferior user experience.

How to Save Money Shopping Online in 5 Minutes!

By Robert Pagliarini

Tis the season to negotiate. Your other 8 hours are precious, but if you can save 15% on a big purchase and it only takes five minutes, it’s a great use of your time. If you shop online, here’s how you can save 5%-25% off your purchases by negotiating (and you won’t feel like a schmuck arguing with a vendor at a flea market).

The next time you are shopping online, load up your cart, but before you click “buy,” look for a “chat” or “live help” button. Click it and watch the magic begin. It will open a chat session with a customer service rep. Type that you have a full shopping cart but you are comparison shopping. You’d like to purchase the goods from their company but you want a 15% discount.

Most of the time they’ll initially say they don’t have the authority, but don’t take no for an answer. Ask them to check in with their manager or you will abandon your shopping cart and click over to their competitor.

This won’t work all of the time, but it will often enough to save you some money. Don’t forget, you are an online consumer. You have ALL of the power. It takes milliseconds to jump to their competitor’s homepage.

In other cultures, negotiating is not only expected but is a social custom. To not negotiate is rude. So do yourself and your wallet a favor and spend a few minutes negotiating a big discount on your next online order.

You can read my recent chat session below where I saved a quick 15%:

****************************************************

Thank you for choosing [COMPANY]. A representative will be with you shortly.

You are now chatting with Christie.

Christie: Hello! How can I help you with your order today?

You: I do a lot of business with the company. i’d really like a discount on my order. can you help me?

Christie: I don’t have discounts to give out.

Christie: We are offering 15% off on Thanksgiving day items. Are you ordering one of those?

You: no

Christie: I’ll be right with you.

Christie: I’m sorry for the delay. I’ll be right with you.

Christie: Thank you for waiting. I’ll be with you in just a moment.

You: if you can do 15% off i’ll proceed. otherwise i’ll order through [COMPETITOR]:

Christie: I’ll be right with you.

Christie: I’m sorry for the delay. I’ll be right with you.

Christie: Thank you for waiting. I’ll be with you in just a moment.

Christie: I’ll be right with you.

Christie: If you go ahead and place your order then give me the order #. I will issue the 15% off.

You: ok

Christie: Did you complete your order?

You: working on it

Christie: Ok.

You: [ORDER NUMBER]

You: do you need anything else?

Christie: Ok I have issued the 15% off. Your new total is [$XXX]

You: thank you again

Christie: Is there anything else I can help you with?

You: goodbye

How do you get rid of your unwanted items?

This month's poll asks the question: Do you sell or donate your unwanted items?

We want to know what you do with your unwanted items and why?

Please share your answer by clicking the comments link below. (NOTE: Feel free to use the Name and URL option . . . you don't need to enter an URL. You can just type in your name and leave the URL field blank.) Thanks for sharing and enjoy!

Do You Know Your Community's Yard Sale Sign Restrictions?

One of the best ways to advertise your yard sale (besides using Rummage Wisconsin.com) is to place yard sale signs around your neighborhood. We all do it, and it works! However, do you know your community's yard sale sign restrictions? Does your Homeowners Association have a policy for posting signs?

Most people assume they can stick a yard sign on a corner or telephone phone pole, but some communities don't allow those actions, and some communities actually require permit to post signs.

We decided to look up a few Wisconsin communities' yard sign restrictions and were surprised by what we saw. For example, Cedarburg does allow yard signs, but has specific requirements about where you can post them. According to the town of Cedarburg's web site:

"Yard sale signs are allowed provided that no person shall attach posters, notices or advertisements to utility poles, meter posts, or trees in or along any street right-of-way within the Town and that no person shall put up any notice upon property of another person without having first obtained the consent of the owner of such property. The maximum time limit for all yard sale or estate sale signs is three consecutive days and nine cumulative days in a one-year period. Such signs may not exceed 10 square feet in area."

The city of Kenosha does not require a permit for yard signs, but they do have similar restrictions as Cedarburg.

In Prairie du Sac, the city only allows you to put up signs on private property (neighbor's yard etc.) According to one of our site users, Amber Hulett, "if you put the sign on anything publicly owned, they drive by and take your sign without ever telling you."

So, check with your community and/or homeowner association's sign-posting requirements before you stick that sign in the ground or on a pole. And don't forget to pick them up when your sale ends!

Now we want to hear from you. If you know what your community restrictions are for posting yard sale signs, please share by clicking the comments link below. (NOTE: Feel free to use the Name and URL option . . . you don't need to enter an URL. You can just type in your name and leave the URL field blank.) Thanks for sharing and enjoy!

Funny Rummage Sale Stories

Do you have a funny Rummage Sale story? If so, we want to hear from you. We'll accept all kinds of stories (just make sure they are tasteful folks!).

Here's an example:
I attended a Rummage Sale not too long ago. As I walked up the driveway that lead to the sale, I noticed an older gentleman sitting on a lawn chair in the garage. As I moved closer to him, he stood up to greet me. To my surprise, he was wearing his boxer shorts with a white tang top, and black socks and sandals. OK...here is were it get very humorous, the gentleman's boxer shorts had yellow rubber duckies on them. What a sight, and what a "quack". ;)

Eventually he went back into the house as his wife came back out to the garage to take over the post. I laughed as his wife just silently shook her head at him as to say to him, you are embarrassing.

Now we want to hear from you, what funny Rummage Sale stories can you share? Simply click the comments link below. (NOTE: Feel free to use the Name and URL option . . . you don't need to enter an URL. You can just type in your name and leave the URL field blank.) Thanks for sharing and enjoy!

Do You Ask for a Rummage Sale Item Discount?

We all go to Rummage Sales to find discounted items for sale. Most of the time the seller has discounted the price (many times dramatically) from its original store price tag. Knowing that, do you ask for a discount when rummaging? If so, do you have any bargaining tips to share?

Let us know by clicking the comments link below. (NOTE: Feel free to use the Name and URL option . . . you don't need to enter an URL.)

Also, learn more by reading Susan Goldberg, Garage Sale Expert
"Never be afraid to ask for a discount" article . . .

What Is Your Favorite WI Sale Event?

At Rummage Wisconsin.com, we, of course, love all the sale events listed on our site. But we do feature some of the more popular sales on our site home page. These featured events include all types of sales - Rummage, Craft, Antique, Flea Markets, Farmers Markets, and Bake Sales to name a few.

Now we want to hear from you, our site users. What are your favorite Wisconsin sale events?

Share your favorite sale events with the Wisconsin online audience. It's simple, you don't need to sign up, all you have to do is click the comment link below this article and type in your favorite sale event.

Thanks for your comments!