From the title, you know where I stand from when it comes to garage sales. And if you really believe in those and want to go ahead and have one, hear me out first.

Garage Sales are HUGE (enormous) time suckers. What do I mean by this? You’ve got some stuff to sell, and you want to keep all the profit, no middle man. I get it. Here’s what you may want to consider: 

• Do you have a spare week to sell 1/3 to 1/2 of your stuff? Because that’s how it works. You spend a whole bunch of time deciding what can be sold and how much you’d like to charge. You set it all up in your home, garage, or yard. And hope people show up, fingers crossed, even if you advertised.

• And what if it rains?

Sometimes they do show up. There is always someone who says they sold 80% of their stuff and made $2,000 on a weekend. This is not what usually happens; it’s an illustration of a best-case scenario.What usually happens is, you spend a week (or more) setting up. You find some stuff you thought you might sell; you end up keeping it. You usually keep more than you intended. You sit around all weekend, and your neighbors come over and maybe buy a couple of things… you sit in your garage for two+ days, and you make about $500 if you’re lucky. And what’s left is all the stuff no one really wanted (including you). You box up what’s left, call the donation center, and they may reject it because they see it’s garage sale left-overs.

Alternatives to Garage Sales

Option 1: You can sell it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You have to take photos, post a description, and monitor the ad. We also suggest having a friend/neighbor at your home with you when someone comes to pick it up; Craigslist can be iffy. Always ask for cash only and only negotiate the price if you want to. There are also some other online sites where you can post things you want to give away and then let takers come and get them. Freecycle is one example, plus there are neighborhood markets you can pick. Again, use caution in allowing strangers into your home. It is best if things are already moved to a garage or driveway before people come to pick them up.

Option 2: This is the one we prefer. It’s simpler, and you will know your stuff is being used by someone who needs it: donate it to a church or homeless shelter that sets up people in new homes. There are a lot of families who would be happy getting your stuff for free because they have nothing, so a couple of water rings on the wood, or a missing handle is no big deal to them. In Michigan, we use a center that helps refugee families get settled. Plus, you get a donation receipt. It’s a win-win for everyone.Garage sales aren’t the fastest way to empty a home. The reason we don’t recommend garage sales is that you can donate most of the lower-cost stuff and be done with it all in about three days. Again, this is your choice, but if you’re in a hurry, this is something you should avoid.

However, if you have the time and energy to do it, plan on about a week to sort your stuff and set it up, two-to-three days to have the sale and then one-to-two days to box it up and get rid of the remainders.If you need help with your downsizing process, get in touch with us.

Until next time – Keep It Simple!

Article based on my most recent book, "Downsizing the Silver Tsunami." This book is a practical resource for anyone who is facing the task of downsizing—moving from a larger family home to a smaller house, condo, or multi-family living situation. Learn more.