It’s no secret that I like stuff. Mostly pretty stuff for my house, but I’m an equal opportunity stuff-lover. And I’m gifted at finding good stuff. Cheap. I find stuff in the clearance aisle, at the Goodwill and the antique store. And occasionally, by the side of the road.
I love the things that I use to decorate my home. Most of them have a story and I get real pleasure out of making my home pretty.
But sometimes it becomes too much. All my pretty things start to look like this. I start to feel suffocated by the stuff. I look around my house (and my basement!) and all I see is too much stuff. It all looks like clutter and junk.
My soul (and my inner housekeeper) becomes restless to be free of excess stuff. It’s a cyclical thing with me. I gather, collect and save. Then I purge, eliminate and simplify. My hubby is a big fan of the second part of this cycle.
I am so blessed that I have the luxury of too much stuff. But too much stuff can be a curse. Too much stuff can weigh you down and sap your energy.
So, all of this naval gazing leads to one question…Is it too late in the season to hold a garage sale? (We’re in Pennsylvania.) If not, do you think I can get ready by this weekend?
photo credit: Steven Snodgrass
{ 63 comments }
If you would go to a yard sale, you can have a yard sale. All the other people who like stuff should come!
Amen sister.
I watched the season premiere of “Hoarders” last night, and I feel the need to go through all of my stuff and purge everything.
P.S. In my experience, motivation is the best indicator of a successful yard sale.
I am planning a neighborhood yard sale on October 9th and I am a few states north of you! Now, If you are thinking it is too late already, I am up the creek! We have 7 families doing it so I thought it would bring in a good crowd. I say go for it! If you can prep this week then why not? Call and see if you can get an add in the paper for this weekend ASAP! Good luck
You do it! Why wait? Cleanse your home from all that stuff and feel renewed again.
GolfGal´s last blog ..sublte changes with paint
I do the same thing. I am planning a yard sale soon. It’s actually still too hot in Georgia, so Im waiting a few more weeks.
Jan Mullis´s last blog ..Blog Change
I live in Pa and having a yard sale in 2 weeks. Can’t wait to hear how yours goes. I have 5 children and I know I couldn’t get ready in one week so good for you!!
Kimba,
I don’t know what part of PA you’re in, but I’m in Western PA (north of Pittsburgh) and its supposed to be gorgeous this weekend here – sunny and 70′s I think. Go for it!! You can definitely get ready in a week.
I saw plenty of yard sales this past weekend in PA. I’d certainly say you should go ahead! Good Luck!
I would much rather GO to a garage sale this time of year as it is cooler, but in OH there are not many in Sept and Oct and when have had them in those months. ….. never did well. I hop you can get it all together and it is a success…… And anyway, it can be fun getting it all ready and what doesn’t sell will be ready for a SPRING sale.
I’d say it’s definitely not too late! September is a great time, I think. And I’d say that doing it this weekend is a very good idea–just plow through your stuff and go for it. You won’t have time to agonize over whether to sell something–you’ll just get it done! (Have you seen those cool price stickers at Dollar Tree? They’re circles with prices stamped on them {25 cents, 50 cents, $1, etc.} Looks like those would be really useful.)
I think my husband and your husband would get along very well.
Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..Todays the day
I was feeling these same thoughts Friday after I dropped my daughter off at school. I was bored so I called a friend and asked if she wanted to have a garage sell @ 8:00 a.m. the next morning. I spent Friday going through the guest bedroom and the attic. I made $317.00 cleaning out my own home. That’s money I’m going to put towards a new hutch.
I prefer fall weather yard sales over hot summer days.
I think a yard sale would be great for this weekend…I think people realize it is close to the end of yard sale season, and will want to come to get that last deal!!
I’m SW of Pittsburgh so having a yard sale is wonderful in September, people are still having them, I used the stickers from Dollar Tree for my yardsale in August and it was fast and easy!
Good Luck,
Rondell
Yeah garage sales are still happening in the last few weeks of summer…probably be better since it is cooler than back in the hot humid summer the south has had…I am really starting to get out now since I can breathe a little bit better. Back a month or so it was simply unbearable to do anything.
Go for it and if you don’t get all of it done before the weekend, who says you can’t have another one a few weeks later…fall is perfect in my opinion.
Maybe you could do some small things online…some bloggers have sold things on their blog before…I know em from Bunch of Scrap did and she sold most all her stuff. She had some great things that some of her readers grabbed.
beth´s last blog ..EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT
I’d say it’s a perfect time for a garage sale. The weather is beautiful and everyone likes to go outdoors this time of year. You go, girl!
Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..11 people are smarter than I am
just emailed you.
I’m getting ready for a yardsale the first weekend in october and I’m selling more stuff than I ever have. I’m dying to get all this STUFF out of my house!
It’s definitely not too late. Unless it’s snowing. But then back in May I saw a lady huddled in her garage trying to have a sale during a snowstorm. Then a week or two later it was +30 degrees Celsius. People are still having sales here in Canada, so you should be good, even if you can’t get ready by this weekend.
And I know how you feel about the Stuff.
Jo @ To a Pretty LIfe´s last blog ..My Kids Made My Day
I don’t think it’s too late…especially since it’s still crazy HOT!!!
I am, however, supremely bummed out that I can’t come check it out, since I have to hover around the hospital {baby is coming any time now!}…
GAH! BABY! Any day now???? It seems like just yesterday that we were driving back from Nashville! Although probably not so much to you.
It’s not too late, but I think you can get ready by this weekend. Go for it!
Tonia´s last blog ..DIY- Ikat
I think a fall garage sale makes so much sense. Everyone is busy cozying and nesting right now. All the moms (like me) with free time to fill (read- avoiding housework) while kids are at school would love it!
Imagine a brisk fall day digging through all your great stuff with a steaming cup of spiced cider…I’ll be over!
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Wait just a ding-dong minute!!! Are you suggesting that I could do it on a Friday rather than a Saturday? That’s brilliant!!!!
I love Friday garage sales but it never occurred to me to do it! That would avoid the problem with fall Saturday mornings…soccer, football, etc.
Now I’m really thinking…
Bingo! Make it like a fun mom party! L.O.V.E. Friday garage sales. And I try to get customers to stick around by offering coffee or something to drink and play some soft music…you know entrance them with all your hospitality-ish-ness and get them to buy all your stuff!
Jennifer Juniper´s last blog ..Tutorial Tuesday with- i love it all
Or, if you decide not to have a garage sale, you always try getting rid of your “stuff” on here! I love your style!
That should read: “You *can* always try and get rid of your stuff on here….”
I’m planning on having one in the next couple of weeks and we’re in the Midwest. I’d sure travel to come to one of your yard sales. I can’t imagine what goodies I’d find there!
I go through the same cycle – comfortable with all the “stuff” then my soul needs to cleanse and get rid of it and start fresh! I say schedule the yard sale, put up signs, take out ads – then you are committed and the stuff with flow from your house and find new places to live!
I don’t think it’s too late in the season to have a garage sale…but a question for you. Do you have to sell it, or can you give it away? How much easier would it be to box it all up, and drop it off at the local charity of your choice? I know you are forgoing the money that you could be making, but is the goal making money or getting some sanity and floor space back? I too am in the purging/editing mode (for similar reasons as yours, but also to prepare for an upcoming move) and for me I am getting rid of it. It’s not because I don’t need the money, because we could use it. However when you just give it away you don’t need to seperate it, store it, figure out what to do with it when it doesn’t sell, deal with people wanting to pay a dime for something you are only asking 25 cents for. For me the tradeoff of having that quicker, easier, peace is worth forgoing the $50 I would make.
However bigger items, or things that I know would sell on Craigslist…those I’ll try selling on my own and then if they dont’ sell, I’ll donate them as well.
In my opinion, it’s never the wrong time for a yard sale
You’ve got almost a week-depending on the volume of your “stuff” I think you can do it!
It’s not to late, but hold it soon. We are having one on the 25th of Sept. Good luck. Advertise it on Craigslist. I do the same thing of purging as I bring new stuff in. Thank you for sharing.
I could have written this… I need to have a garage sale too…really.bad.
antiquechase´s last blog ..Vintage Deck Chairs
Autumn yard sales are awesome! Serve some hot chocolate. Throw on a comfy shawl or sweater… and let the selling begin!
I like “stuff” too. But I’m working really hard on using what I have instead of consuming more. So I should probably stay out of places like Target.
Sugar Mama´s last blog ..When Soccer Makes Me Crazy
You know? Autumn yard sales are usually one of two animals – someone trying to get rid of the stuff they didn’t get rid of at the 1st yard sale they did at the beginning of summer or someone trying to get one in before the weather turns. The second kind are my favorite. Go for it! Maybe you won’t have much in the way of competition and you’ll sell out by the end of the day Saturday. How’s that for a dream?
I say go for it. If you feel the need and can get it out the door, the people will come.
Or try a potlatch……something that all of us who are fortunate enough to have more than enough might consider. An ancient ceremony where those who have enough/too much give to those who do not…:)
I totally agree with you on the whole “stuff” cycle! And every time I watch “Hoarders” it makes me want to purge some more.
I just wanted to put in my 2 cents about a yard sale…we also live in PA and just had one this past Saturday, so I say go for it! It will feel so good to get rid of your stuff and have a little cash in your pocket. You can pull it together…but better get your ad in the paper today!
I completely agree about the accumulation of “stuff” being cyclical! I gather and store for a while, then feel the need to purge and create space. Only, I use that space to gather and store more “stuff”.
I live a bit north of Philadelphia and I love September yard sales. They are the ones I have found the best things. People have them all the way through October here. Now if I only lived close enough to come…
You go, girl!! I’m doing the same thing in my girls’ rooms right now!!!
That is sooo funny, because I am thinking about doing the same thing!! It all started last weekend when I was cleaning out the garage . . I was loading up all my “stuff” into the van and I took a look at it all and I just couldn’t bear to drop it off at Goodwill. I spent so much time and $$ collecting all that “stuff”. The weather is still in the 70s here and the kids are all back to school. I think a Thursday/Friday garage sale would be a good idea.
good luck!
cheryl
Go for it! We are having one at the end of the month. TN shouldn’t be too chilly then! Actually – I think fall yard sale hopping might be better than Summer. A lot cooler!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish´s last blog ..Guest Blogger- Kimberly from Extra! Extra! Blog All About It!
Fall is a great time for yard sales. The weather is usually better. If you can pull it off, you won’t have to store stuff all winter. Try and advertise as much as possible or pick a time when others might be visiting your area (Fall fair, farmer’s market etc.)
No it is not too late -we live in southcentral PA and our neighborhood does a yard sale in two weeks –It is usually a beautiful time of the year. If you don’t have time to price everything just set items together and have that grouping be one certain price -You can do it
Hi Kimba,
I was so happy to read this post! This is so me! I just went through a major purge. I had three garage sales this year….3!!!!! Now the key is to not fill it back up. I realize it’s probably the thrill of the hunt for me but then like you I start to feel suffocated! I am on a 90 day challenge to not buy stuff for my house!
I’m from Southeastern Ohio (about 2 hours west of Pitt). We have yard sales well into October…so no need to rush
Girl – gather that stuff and SELL IT! Of course, it’s not too late. It’s the perfect time. The later in the season, the less sales, the more people you have come because they are looking for stuff but can’t find any, so they ‘ll all come buy yours. Especially, since you have AWESOME STUFF! And when you’re done, come clean out my attic, so I can get finishing it. It’s so stuff, I can’t even enter it.
And are you reading my mind? I have a draft called “stuff-itis”.
Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam´s last blog ..Deciding On a Set of Cookware to Purchase
I go through those same cycles or phases. I’ve thought about “throwing together” a garage sale by this weekend, too. I might just opt for dropping stuff off at the auction though. The weather here has turned cold, windy, and rainy already!
Amy
ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie´s last blog ..DIY Club- New Look- New Site- New Changes!
Go for it! I’m still looking for garage sales to go to. I think that since this summer was so hot there weren’t as many garage sales as usual. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a lot of garage sales and sale hunters this fall.
Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds´s last blog ..Chocolate Covered What
go for it
Can I come? I’d totally drive from Indiana to check your garage sale out! I’ve driven to PA and back in a weekend before (multiple times actually), what’s one more time?!
I have given up on all the work it takes to have a yard sale and the little bit of money I make. I have been having pickups from VVA.org, they come the next day! I do have a pile (small) to go to consignment and have given a ton of clothes away at church. It is such a good feeling to clean out!
i agree. this has been a process for me, former clutter magnet but also lover of all things sentimental. i began operation declutter a couple years ago…it takes time….and find it so freeing too
I’m right there with you. I wish I had the right weather for a garage sale. I’ll just have to let it go instead!
erin @ little apartment on the prairie´s last blog ..You Cant Organize Clutter
Girl, price it, sell it, and be free. It is not too late in the season, no way! This is maybe the 4th post on this topic I’ve read! It must be in the air. And I’ve been cleaning out and getting rid lately, too. So good.
emily freeman´s last blog ..what you don’t want to do
I certainly think you can pull it off in short order. Help me price my dresser in my current blog. It will be the first time I sell a piece I’ve refinished so I have no clue as to it’s value.
I know exactly what you are talking about! That is so funny I just did a post about less is pretty to me!
I say any time is a good time for a garage sale!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
Go for it!!! I’m doing one this weekend also–as long as the rain will stop. Hoping for a sunshiney day and lots of traffic!!!
Like some others said, it is still crazy-hot where I am! I would looove to visit a yard sale in cooler weather. Plus, if the season is winding down, you’ll get all the foot traffic! I would just advertise, advertise, advertise, then have some tasty (but cheap) warm cider and/or cocoa for people stopping by, if you are worried about it being chilly!
Mila´s last blog ..Saucy
We are in PA also. East side. I don’t know where abouts you are located within PA but if not too far, I would love to come look at your so called “stuff”! The weather is supposed to be pretty good this weekend. I think it is a great time to get out and garage sale hunt. So I say go for it!
we’re in eastern PA and were planning to have a “barn sale” this weekend to clean out A LOT of stuff. definitely not too late in the season : )
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No it’s not too late! And where exactly do you live? I’m in Pa too and I want to come buy all of your STUFF!
Kelly Billhime´s last blog ..Labor Day at DW
I held a yard sale in November and it was a great success! We cleaned our basement out of a lot of stuff – furniture, household items, clothes, etc, and only had a pick up load of stuff to take to the Goodwill when done. I couldn’t believe it – of course I did pray for plenty of people to come. God sure did answer that prayer!
Hi Kimba. I just held my first ever garage sale this past Saturday (Sept 11) and it felt wonderful to purge. Like you I live in the Midwest (Cleveland, Ohio) and was worried about the weather. But, I’m working two jobs and finally had a Saturday off so it was now or never and I’m so glad I did it. The Lord took mercy on me and the weather was beautiful, but best part was just purging all that CRAP. Now I have to either find a charity that will pick up the remnants or cart it off in multiple trips myself. After losing my job and starting over, I found living simpler with less stuff was an overwhelming desire and, hopefully, one I will hold onto even if my circumstances improve. Let us know if you decide to hold one in the Fall and I will say my prayers that you will be blessed with beautiful weather.