In-person and online reselling offer unique advantages, so weighing the pros and cons of each is key to finding the right strategy for you.
Last Updated: May 2024
As a professional organizer, I often work with clients who are looking to declutter and downsize their belongings. One of the things that delay clients from letting go is that they believe their items are worth something to someone else. There are several ways to prove this right or wrong and my hope is that if you believe that your items are of value, that you truly find out if they are worth something. Get it out of your system so that you can properly let go one way or another, if that is the goal. Reselling may not be for everyone, but if you want to explore this option, then this blog post is for you.
One of the ways you can start to release your items is by reselling them. Reselling is a fantastic option to give those items a new life while also making some extra cash. But where do you start?
In-person reselling, such as garage sales and consignment stores, offers the advantage of immediate payment and personal interaction with buyers. You can negotiate prices on the spot and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your items go to a new home right away. However, this method can be time-consuming, weather-dependent, and limited in terms of reach.
Online reselling, through platforms like eBay or Poshmark, opens up a much wider audience and offers the convenience of listing items from home. You can reach buyers across the country or even globally, and many platforms provide helpful tools to streamline the process. However, competition can be fierce, fees and shipping costs can add up, and you'll need to be vigilant about potential scams or fraudulent buyers.
To get a better understanding of the positives and drawbacks of each type of reselling, check out our pros and cons list below. Remember, the best reselling strategy often involves a combination of both in-person and online methods and you need to have the time and resources to do it, too. By weighing the pros and cons of each, you can create a personalized approach that suits your needs and maximizes your success.
In-Person Reselling (Garage Sales, Rummage Sale, Consignment Store, etc.)
Positives:
Immediate payment: Get paid on the spot, usually in cash.
Personal interaction: Build rapport with buyers, negotiate prices, and answer questions directly.
Instant gratification: Enjoy the thrill of making a sale face-to-face.
Lower fees: Often no listing fees or commission charges.
Potential for higher profits: Can negotiate better prices with buyers.
Ability to bundle items: Offer deals on multiple items to increase sales.
No shipping costs: No need to worry about packaging and shipping.
Drawbacks:
Limited reach: Restricted to local buyers who attend your events.
Time-consuming: Requires time and effort to set up, attend, and pack up events.
Weather dependent: Outdoor events can be canceled or impacted by weather.
Limited inventory space: May not have enough space to display all items.
Safety concerns: Need to be aware of potential theft or scams.
With Online Reselling (eBay, Poshmark, FB Marketplace, etc.…)
Positives:
Wider audience: Reach potential buyers all over the country or even the world.
Convenience: List items from the comfort of your own home, 24/7.
Greater exposure: More opportunities to showcase your items to a larger audience.
Variety of platforms: Choose from a variety of online marketplaces and platforms.
Data-driven insights: Track sales, views, and audience demographics.
Automation tools: Utilize tools to help manage listings and streamline processes.
Drawbacks:
Competition: More sellers vying for buyers' attention.
Fees: Listing fees, commission charges, and payment processing fees.
Shipping costs: Factor in the cost of packaging and shipping items to buyers.
Potential for scams: Need to be aware of fraudulent buyers and listings.
Returns and refunds: May need to deal with returns and issue refunds.
To read the blog post about what online resellers we recommend, click here
Happy Organizing!
Kindly, Stephanie
Want to work with us? We are available for 1:1 sessions or to speak with your group about multi-generational decluttering, sandwich generation organizing and finding the best solutions for your family as you downsize. Organize & Cherish Planning Calls
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Welcome to The Organized Flamingo's virtual cozy reading nook.
A place where we talk books that are great companions in your organizing journey as a caretaker.
Now, before you start thinking that I've become a literary genius overnight, let me clarify: I didn't write these books or here to become a literary critic. These are the books I believe will help you in your organizing journey as the sandwich generation.
In this blog post, we're diving into a curated list of reads that have been my trusted companions throughout my career and personal life.
Picture it: you're knee-deep in family responsibilities, surrounded by stuff, and wondering, “What on earth do I do with all this?”, “Can anyone relate to this?”. Rest assured, you are not alone.
Even though we offer professional organizing services and can do estate clear-outs, estate decluttering and home organizing for you, we know how difficult it can be to ask for help when you are not ready. These books will offer a friendly ear and perspective on how others have dealt with this same dilemma.
These are the books I would recommend to you as a companion to your organizing journey if you are a caretaker. You may be the person trying to make sense of what to keep and what to release. These books offer insights, tips, and maybe a sprinkle of humor.
While we do have an Amazon Storefront where you can purchase these ebooks and books from. You can also pick them up at most libraries, and we would recommend you do that first to make sure you want a copy. (Please note that I may earn commission from qualifying purchases on our Amazon Storefront. We only recommend books that we would recommend to our friends and loved ones)
The Mission:
For this ongoing post, I am your friendly book recommender, here to make your decluttering journey a bit easier. If you're figuring out what to do with all the things while straddling the generations, grab a comfy seat and get ready for some literary goodness. These are the books I'd recommend for your Sandwich Generation decluttering adventure.
The Books:
Please note that this is an ongoing blog post. I will keep adding books and editing as necessary.
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson
This book is a great read if you enjoy knowing why things are the way they are. It's a longer read and full of random facts, which can be helpful as you are trying to understand how all the stuff you have fits in your life.
Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World by Dr. Lauren Cook
Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World by Dr. Lauren Cook
This book is aimed at the Millennials and Gen Z generations and dealing with Anxiety but I would recommend it to anyone. It is filled with why we get Anxiety and what to do about it. Also offers a lot of examples to help you understand the guilt that comes with being a caretaker.
“Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash” by Vickie Dellaquila
Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Senior Downsize, Organize, and Move by Vickie Dellaquila
I read this book when I was studying for my CPO Exam with NAPO (Certified Professional Organizer). It's a compassionate book that explains what your loved ones may be going through as they realize they can't keep everything and start the process of downsizing
“Waste and Want: A Social History of Trash” by Susan Strasser
Waste and Want: A Social History of Trash by Susan Strasser
Susan Strasser writes great books for us to understand why aspects of our domestic life have come to be. Why certain roles are the way they are and this book follows that same storytelling. In this read she talks about the history of trash and things for us to think about. This book may take you on a fact-finding journey and inspire you to look at your stuff more mindfully.
Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books by Nina Freudenberger
A book about books. Bibliostyle is about finding a way to showcase your books in a way that is representative of you and your style. An interesting look into the personal libraries of bibliophiles from all around the world. She writes and showcase how others categorize, shelve, organize and store their collections. Nina also spotlights the personal libraries of people whose owners care about their book collections (and have actually read them, too!). A great read for those of you who do want (and are able) to keep your books.
This week we are sharing expert tips on how to maximize your donation experience and save time in the long run. With the holiday season approaching, nonprofits are in need of donations, making it a perfect time to declutter and give back. Stephanie will guide you through the process, ensuring that you have a positive and efficient organizing journey. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact with your donations, then this episode is for you. Let's dive in and learn how to prepare your donations for drop off.
In this episode we talk about:
Preparing donations for drop off
Tips for an efficient and positive donation process.
Matching the nonprofit or cause to the items being donated
Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 004: A Different Way To Declutter: Seasonal Decluttering
The Organized & Productive podcast is brought to you by The Organized Flamingo and hosted by Stephanie Y. Deininger! For those of you who love the thought of organizing & being more productive, but don’t know where to start or constantly up against hurdles that don’t let you advance the way you want to, this podcast is for you!
Hey, Organized and Productive community and listeners, welcome to our next episode here at Organized and Productive. I'm Stephanie, your host, and this week we are talking about preparing your donations for drop off, something that many of you probably don't really think about. But if you can prepare just a little bit before you head on over to the donation center, it will save you so much time in the long run and you will be able to maximize the donation, the actual drop off, the donations, and the gesture. So let's get to it. And let me give you my tips as a pro organizer. Welcome to the organized and productive podcast with the Organized Flamingo. I am your host, Stephanie, a professional organizer and productivity expert, ready to explore the right organizing and productivity solutions for you. Yeah.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:00:48]:
Well then let's go. Okay, so if you are looking at the calendar and you're listening to us live, you probably are noticing that I'm airing this episode in November, which is around the holiday time frame here, especially here in the US. Right? End of the year. It's both the holiday season and end of the year, which is a time when nonprofits really do a big push to get more donations. Monetary, yes, and kind as well. But also they give you really specific lists on what they need for the holidays, lists on what they need for the end of the year, what they're in most need of. So it's a great time to be donating and dropping off your stuff that you've been lugging around in the back of your truck or has been hanging out in your garage or in all these boxes that say donate but you never take. So this is going to be a great season for that and that's why I'm airing this episode in November.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:01:50]:
But all of these tips and this whole episode can be applicable all year round, okay? So don't think that it's just for the holiday. It just seems to be a little bit more timely at the end of the year during the holidays when it's just naturally a time when we are in gift giving donation mode. So this probably comes as no surprise to you, but I have been to a lot of donation drop offs. I spend a lot of time dropping off, driving around, collecting things for clients, decluttering their bags and all of their stuff and then driving them to their preferred donation centers or donation centers that we work with, especially here in Colorado. I also used to do this in California, so I'm also familiar with that location. And also, in more of the most recent years, we have also shipped stuff to donation centers because, luckily, with technology, a lot of the donation centers and nonprofits allow you to bag up some of your stuff. Like your fabrics or your old whatever may be shoes and whatnot. And you can just bag them up or box it up and then send it off to a donation center.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:03:01]:
So I am familiar with the art of gift giving to donation centers and I've got a couple of tips for you. So I say this not as a brag but more as a reminder that I have some experience in this field and that my biggest priority here with this podcast and with these episodes is to maximize your time so that you're more efficient and that you have a positive experience when you're in your organizing and decluttering journey. As we know to create some habits, you do have to have a positive experience with it. It doesn't have to be good, it just has to be positive. Meaning you learned something quickly, you were consistent with it. There's got to be some kind of positive reinforcement in order for you to associate this and want to do this again in a positive way. Okay, so the first couple of tips are more like reminders because I'm assuming that you have your between you and maybe your accountant and your family and your financial goals and your personal goals. You probably have picked causes and nonprofits that are near and dear to your heart already or they're very special to you or that align with your goals as a family, as a business, or whatever it may be.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:04:15]:
So the first couple of tips are not so much about giving you tips on how to pick a nonprofit, but more so just how to align it with your organizing journey. So for instance, for the first tip that I've got for you is pick a nonprofit that is important to you and donate there because when you are going through your stuff then you will be able to associate like you will know who you're donating to. And that's really the tip here that I've got for you. It's really important for you to match your giving, your donation, your decluttering to something because it'll connect the two. There won't be such a disconnect where you're left wondering well, where is this going to go? Is this going to be thrown away? It's going to be part of the landfill. And now you're just in this circle of thought and overthinking. And so when we have a direct place of where the thing is going or what is near and dear to your heart, you will have an easier time letting go with more intention. And that is why, to get us started and actually in the seven steps of organizing almost anything episodes and podcasts and exercises that I have for you, that is one of our very first things that we talk about.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:05:28]:
Like figuring out your why and figuring out what is important to you as far as a nonprofit and causes so that you have a place that you're thinking of when you are going through all of your stuff. So first things first is let's pick a nonprofit that is important to you donate there. If you don't have a particular nonprofit per se, but you have a cause, the pick the cause that is important to you and do some searches around your community and see if there are nonprofits that align with that. So in other words, be specific. So if you don't have the name of a nonprofit or a donation center that is particular and special to you, then maybe it's more of the cause. So women or children, or children under 18 or girls in college, whatever it may be, or boys, it could be animals, it could be whatever it be. Be specific. Pick a couple.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:06:27]:
Pick like two or three I would recommend so that you have your eyesight on that. And once you have your nonprofit of choice, then you will then match the nonprofit to what you have available. So when you're going through all of your stuff and you're decluttering, then of course you will be able to match the nonprofit to that. So let's say you have some linens to give away and you have picked three different types of nonprofits. Maybe one is children, maybe the second is animals. And then the third is going to be schools. Not necessarily for children, but just schools in general. So when you're decluttering and you're going through all of one of your closets and you come across linens and paper that you know, hey, oh my gosh, it's really special for me to donate to schools.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:07:12]:
They may be able to use your unused paper and you can donate directly to them and you have them in mind. And instead of just a bin that says donations overall, you have a very specific place you're taking it to. And it will be much easier for you to let it go because you know where it's going. It's going to some a place and to people that are looking for those things and that are in need of those things. Same things with linens and towels and things like that with animals, the shelters are always looking for those so you will know exactly where they're going to go. Okay, so as part of picking the cause that is special to you and you would like to donate your stuff to head on over to their website and or call the and ask them what are their rules and what do they need and where is there? If there's a guide to donating, that is just whatever they say is going to probably be your guide to how you donate and what kind of things you are going to donate. So if you have that already, then take their guide and run with that. And then the rest of my tips, apply them, but make sure that you apply theirs first because obviously the stuff is going to go with the my tips that are coming up in just a second here.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:08:26]:
The rest of them are if they don't have a guide if they don't have a guide. The these are some of my tips that I would recommend and honestly, some of these are very universal anyway that most nonprofits would appreciate. So I think that they can be applied even if they do have their own guide. But like I mentioned, it's take their guide and make that a priority. A very important insert I'm going to add in here before I keep going is don't overthink this, okay? I'm trying to make this episode as quick as possible and give you some good tips, but I don't want you to overthink it. If you don't have a particular cause that is near and dear to your heart or you just don't know yet, that's okay. As you know, there are general types of donation centers. Some are the big names and then some are local.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:09:14]:
Of course, we always try to go local. Don't overthink it. If this is your first time doing a big decluttering project or like big decluttering exercise, just go ahead and head on over to your local donation center and let it go. Don't overthink it. This is just one of those exercises that it's like the little cherry on top. Or you can go above and beyond so that you can be a little bit more thoughtful and can maximize your time. But by no means am I saying go through these exercises before you donate. I mean, don't do that.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:09:50]:
Don't keep the stuff around your garage or your car just because you haven't fulfilled any of these tips or any of these exercises that I just mentioned, okay? So I'd rather you let it go even if it's a general donation center, because a lot of the big box donation centers do have relationships with local places and so they'll sometimes hand off items to them. Like I do say though, and I'm not even mentioning the big names for a reason because I'm of the mind that local is always best. So try to go to a nonprofit that is local to you, like a local shelter, local places of need instead of going to the big boxes first. But again, if that is going to be an obstacle for you or in a hurdle, please don't let that stop you. Just head on over, donate it, let it go, and we will work on being more intentional the next round. Okay? So I've got about six tips for you. And here we go. So the first is wash it if you can.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:10:54]:
Wash the stuff that if you can, like the towels and whatever, the linens and stuff and air in your clothing if you can. But again, ask them first because a lot of the donation centers will do their own cleaning anyway. So yes, wash it or clean it if it's dirty, if it's gross, especially if it's gross. If it's gross, it might just need to go into the trash. By the way, don't donate trash that's not fair. This is more if it just needs like a quick wash, definitely do that and then donate it. Especially if it's been sitting maybe in a box for a really long time. It could be beneficial just to do like a little quick wash.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:11:36]:
But a lot of them will have their own cleaning process. So I just kind of want to give you that heads up that you may not have considered that they probably do their own cleaning and washing anyway, so ask them, but give it to them in good enough shape that it won't be considered trash. For the next tip on preparing your donations for drop off is seasonal items should take priority. So take that into consideration. Especially when it comes to clothing and holiday items like holiday decor because that's what they will be able to give away. The quickest give away or sell, this can be easily done if you do seasonal decluttering too, which is something we talk about and have a podcast on and I will put it in the show notes. So we talk all about decluttering in a seasonal manner where you reserve time and energy every season to declutter as you're putting away the stuff from the last season and you're taking the stuff out for the new season. So really just being intentional every couple of months instead of doing it, like one big project every couple of years, this is just more of being intentional and also efficient with your time.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:12:43]:
Because, hey, since I have the bins open, let me see what I haven't used in the last year, or let me see what I don't need anymore for this season, or what my kids outgrew, or what I no longer like, or whatever, maybe it doesn't fit or whatever it is. So seasonal items should take priority when you are giving it to the charities. And so this is going to marry very well if you are a seasonal declutterer or seasonal organized. So this is like the perfect thing to do. At the same time. Also the donation centers will be very grateful because you're kind of helping them not store things that they can't sell right now. So right now, since this is airing around the holidays, they probably are going to have a harder time selling summer clothing, especially if you're in a cold climate place, then they probably won't be able to sell that as easily so they have to store that. So if you can give them the seasonal items as you're seasonally decluttering.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:13:46]:
This next tip is all about doing a little bit of pre work before you go and drop off the stuff. But remember, don't let this stop you. Just like head on over and drop off your stuff, okay? Don't overthink it. But if you have a minute, I would have you call them beforehand and or go to their website and ask if there's a limit to what you can bring. I'll be honest, I have better luck just calling them or going there in person, especially the local charities and nonprofits and donation centers because nonprofits don't always have the time or energy or resources to be updating their website. 24/7 so I have found that the stuff that's online, the information that is online is not always super accurate. It's not always the case. There are some nonprofits that are on top of it, but check their social media, go and give them a call, go on their website.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:14:41]:
But if you can't just get like I said, give them a call or head on over to their offices and ask the if there's a limit to what you can bring. Some nonprofits and drop offs will limit it to a box or a truckload or they'll have a limit of some sort. So ask them ahead of time before you accumulate all that stuff and take the effort and think you're going to be dropping it off at their place and then they don't allow it. So do a little research ahead of time. Also while you're at it, ask for their drop off hours. Not all of them are open all the time or every day, regular hours. Sometimes you might have to take a lunch to go drop it off. The other day I did a drop off on this Monday and it took me seven minutes between getting off of the freeway, dropping it off and the just getting back on the freeway.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:15:29]:
So it could be really quick, but it was in the middle of the day. Like they only do drop off or they only accept your drop offs between nine and twelve, but it took me seven minutes. So it's not a big deal. But you just have to kind of know obviously their hours of operations and when they will accept your drop off. Something else to take note of is ask if you will be able to get a tax write off or some kind of slip if that is important to you ahead of time. Think about that. Is that important to you? If it is, then obviously ask for it when you're there. If it is, or maybe if it's not, or you're not sure, I would still write it down in some kind of log.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:16:08]:
Especially if you're a business and you're donating for a business. So let's say you're donating some business tools or business equipment. Definitely write it down when you did the donation what it is. There is a donation valuation guide, at least here in the US. Most of the big nonprofits have it. It is part of the tax guide. I'm not sure if that's the official name of it, but it's called the Donation Valuation Guide and they give you a guide as to how much things are worth and that is how you can guesstimate what and how much you donated worth of stuff. So some of them will give you a slip and the you can write it down there.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:16:50]:
But if they don't give you a slip, then go ahead and write it down in your own log. So don't forget about that. My last tip here before you go and drop off your stuff is to make a map of where all these drop offs are going to go and be and ask what entrance you should be going into, especially if you've never been to the drop off or to the donation drop off. That is one of the biggest frustrations that I see people have is, oh, I took it. I got their address from their website and I took it and I got there and I was so lost. There were so many entrances, so I just left. Some of these donation places are in warehouse type of places. They're not necessarily super perfectly well labeled.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:17:32]:
I mean, after all, they're a nonprofit. They're making do with what they have. So some of them are they've been doing this for a really long time. So they're well labeled. You know exactly where the entrance is, where there's a drive in, there's a drive through. They're built for this. But especially the local ones may not. So do have a little map.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:17:52]:
See where ask them where is the entrance? Especially like church drop offs and stuff like that. Those may not have a very easily like an easy warehouse type of entrance that you can back up to. So ask them because if you are going to have to park your car and then carry all that stuff, that's very heavy. So you might have to get a dolly to carry your stuff from your car to the donation door. So ask those questions. Just kind of map it out. Well, that's it for our episode today. I hope that these tips have helped you and are setting you up for success and get you all excited about gift giving and donating and get you all prepared for your donation drop off.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:18:32]:
Until next time, happy organizing. Thank you for listening to the organized and productive podcast with the Organized Flamingo. If you enjoyed today's episode, I would love it if you'd leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast here. It helps with letting people know that we're here. For full show notes and resources, head on over to theOrganizedFlamingo.com/podcast. Happy organizing.
This week, we're diving into the eerie realm of keeping pests out of our storage areas, pantries, and closets. We are sharing top tips for avoiding these little creepy crawlers and what to do if you do find them in your storage areas while organizing. Grab your brooms and get ready for some storage magic as we keep our spaces less eek! and more chic.
In this episode, we talk about:
Keeping your storage spaces organized, safe, and critter-free!
Tips for Preventing Water Damage
Preventing Pest Infestations
Mentioned in this Episode:
Keep or Toss Decision Tree
www.organizedandproductive.com/keeportoss
Garage & Basement Organizing Products on Amazon I recommend: Amazon Storefront Here (*earns commissions)
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The Organized & Productive podcast is brought to you by The Organized Flamingo and hosted by Stephanie Y. Deininger! For those of you who love the thought of organizing & being more productive, but don’t know where to start or are constantly up against hurdles that don’t let you advance the way you want to, this podcast is for you!
Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast
As you know, we talk a lot about Organizing that fits YOUR lifestyle here at The Organized Flamingo. One of the ways you can incorporate organizing that fits your lifestyle is if you have vintage items that you have been storing and don't know what to do with.
Laura Brock Va Beach and I had an Instagram IGTV session (which you can watch HERE) and talked all about how you can use vintage items to organize everyday items all while adding personality and dimension to your space.
Laura is based in Virginia Beach, VA. She has a shop called The House of Hanbury. She sells vintage and antique items on her website and has two physical shops in Virginia Beach, VA. S he is an avid collector and it's in her genes! Her mom was a designer, and her father was also an antique shopper, so it’s in her blood. She loves the hunt and the history of vintage items. With our lives moving so fast, she wants to show the world how you can use vintage items around your house.
“Vintage has an emotional connection.”
– Laura Brock Va Beach
Here are 12 vintage Items you probably have around your house you can use to GoSo (Get Organized and Stay Organized).
Boxes – vintage wooden/brass/other boxes are great for storing old letters, in your front entry way to hold your mail, keys, bedside tables, vitamins, like a Milk Glass wedding Cake Box. etc. Asian Cricket Boxes brass. Great for desk accessories, like tape. They are breathable because they are vented. If you are the type of person that doesn't like boxes because they won't remember what’s in them, what are tips to remember what's in them: painters tape is good to use because it wont leave residue. Tins are another type of box.
Ice Buckets – great to use to hold items in your kitchen and use for ice when needed. Multifunctional.
Old planters. Great in the bath to hold the bigger bottles, great for guest buckets. Great for kitchen towels, wash rugs, brushes, exercise bands,
Turntables – great for corner spaces, bathrooms, shelves that are too deep.
Bowls, great for remotes, towels by the pool, on the way out the door
Plate Holder: great for holding magazines
Umbrella vases: great for toilet paper
Milk Glass ITems: great to display and use for small items like cotton balls, paper clips,
Brass is very popular, durable and beautiful.
Revere Bowl, good for sticky notes, paperclips, and pins.
Small trays as dish soap containers
Busts to hold your jewelry
“Joy can come from the stories, not just from the physical look.”
We also talked about the upkeep of vintage items. Here are some things to consider for cleaning vintage items:
Ceramic and porcelain is durable for the most part and easy to watch. Washed with soap and water. Brash lids get polish cleaner. If you don't like polishing, don't use silver or brass (unless you like the patina look on those materials). If you use wipes, she recommends silver polish wipes
If you are storing food in a tin, use a plastic bag or liner. Be cautious of storing food in vintage items.
“You are more motivated to organize when your storage solutions are pretty. Pretty and useful is important.”
Remember, vintage items are one of those items that already exist so shop local, think vintage!
If you are looking to either buy and/or sell items, We've put together a list of virtual marketplaces you can list and buy from. In addition, I've listed “buzz” words that are often used to help you in your search. Compare and look for the following:
Apps and/or Websites to sell/buy your items:
Websites or local types of shops that will buy your items. Not all places are created the same, so you may have to divide your items and sell them in different places for optimal value. (but if you don't care too much about how much you get, don't have the time or patience, then just pick one or two places)
You just took out all of your Holiday decor. Enjoy the happiness that all the merry and bright decorations bring to your home and space. But eventually, you are going to put everything back, right?
I want to make sure I help you think ahead and be on the lookout for what you may need to organize your items now and later. Take note that this is a list of items you’ll probably buy, but there are plenty of DIY versions of the following. I’ll do another post soon on what DIY versions are out there for the following. In the mean time, keep an eye out for the following sales!
Sales to be on the lookout for:
Wreath containers
Large plastic bags for wreaths (if you want to hang them vs. in containers)
Totes for the new stuff you got
Ornament boxes. Ok, so here are my thoughts on ornament boxes. They are wonderful IF you get the ones where each layer is separate and you can access each layer separately. The boxes where you have to take the top layers off before you can access the bottom ones can be a pain in the behind.
Garland Storage Bags
Storage Reel for lights and garland (think what you put a water hose on so it spins in and out easily)
A big roll of plastic wrap (the kind that professional movers have) to cover your tree with the ornaments OR a BIG bag to store your christmas tree.
Gift wrapping stations
Where can I find these sales?
Your local home improvement stores
Home decorating stores
Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist
Neighbor-to-neighbor groups
Yard and Garage Sales
Estate Sales
Auctions
Let us know if you have found a great sale for any of the above mentioned items and where you found your deal!
Hello friends, so last month we were part of an article that featured some great tips on organizing your entire house. Read the full article below or by clicking the link below. Happy Organizing! 🦩
There isn’t just one tried and true way of organizing your home. Any approach you take has to work with your lifestyle and habits. There are a few strategies, however, that can enhance the effectiveness of any approach. From taking inventory of your belongings to attacking your task in zones, there are many ways to tweak the way you tidy up.
We’ve asked professional organizers, from New York, NY to Sacramento, CA, to spill their best-kept secrets so you can put an end to a messy life once and for all – and save time, money, and stress while doing so.
Be realistic about your availability
When you’re about to start any organizing project in your house, think about the time you have to devote to it and don’t forget that there are only 24 hours in a day. If you know your attention span is short, don’t pick a project that will take hours. Simple tasks that don’t require a lot of thought, like organizing a desk drawer will be quick. Tasks that are personalized to you, like organizing your closet, will take longer. – The Organized Flamingo
Assess your wardrobe
Is your closet a museum or a place to store and easily access your clothes? If your closet resembles a museum, here’s what you can do to help yourself. Arrange your clothes by categories and garments, and seasonally if desired. Try on your clothes, asking yourself “Is the style timely or timeless? Does the shape of the garment flattering? Is it comfortable and easy care?” Decide to keep, toss, donate or sell if valuable enough. Decide how much time you have for this project. It’s helpful to take this project in steps, working in sections. Start with one side, working from top-down. – A Helping Hand for You
Use chalkboard labels in your pantry
Labels are a must for every room in the house, but I’m particularly obsessed with using chalkboard labels in the pantry. The pantry is a space where inventory is constantly being switched out, like how I optimistically bought a 50 pack of kale chips that will probably be replaced by an industrial-sized tub of cookie butter in a week. Chalkboard labels allow for this experimentation with your food since you can just erase and re-label whenever you need to. There are about a million kinds on Amazon for cheap, so I highly suggest giving em a whirl. – The Organizer Bunny
Keep track of the food in your pantry to avoid waste
Avoid food waste by using a small blackboard to keep a note of what needs eating first in your fridge or pantry. Place it somewhere where everyone can see it, and help them to grab snacks and lunch accordingly! (photo attached) – More Organised
Get your kids involved
Sometimes it is a challenge to get and keep your kids organized. When organizing your children’s rooms get them involved and make a game of it. Make it a race to see if you or your child can pick up and put away their toys faster than you. This also works with clothes going in the hamper, drawers and closet. Include a prize at the end if they are the fastest. (It helps to let them win.) The more fun it is, the more they will want to get involved. – Office Furniture Warehouse
Always declutter and organize before selling your home
If your kitchen cabinets are full it tells the buyers that you don’t have enough storage. Keep everything light and when possible leave a shelf empty. You want to sell them on the fact that you have “too much” storage. Visual clutter can be the pile of laundry and excess of artwork on the walls. Find ways to simplify the visual clutter throughout your home. Edit out artwork, tchotchkes from your travels, and anything that’s collected dust over the year. The less stuff you have out the larger your home will look to buyers. – The Clutter Curator
Create a checklist for your tasks
Grab a pen and paper, then do an inventory of the room you want organized. Write down all the things you need to clean, fix, and ideas for what you think will make the room perfect for you. This can serve as a checklist to help you get started, mark off items as you go, and plan for any improvements. – Tidy by Habit
Use a door shoe organizer for a variety of belongings
You can use an over the door shoe organizer for apparel. For example, roll leggings of both dark and light colors. Place one or two pairs of like in each see-through pouch so that you can find them easily without having to dig through clothing clutter in your drawer. – Wow Organizing
Less is more in your child’s room
Looking for simple ways to keep your child’s room organized, let’s start with the less is more. Fill your child’s room with toys that are interactive so they don’t need more useless items that just take up space. Organizers are your best friend, stackable cubes or bookcases. Fill their closets with shelving, this helps keep your baby’s clothes visible, neat, and easily accessible. – CEO Ariselis Siciliano, Better Baby Boutique
Break your kitchen up into zones
One of my favorite ways to organize a kitchen is by zones. Divide your kitchen into zones such as cooking, food storage, food prep, dishware, and serveware. Keep only the number of items you need in each zone. Breaking it up in this way helps define your space and leads to a more functional kitchen. – Amber Bloomberg
Take care of yourself while getting organized
Self-care is no longer considered selfish, in fact, it’s productive. While you’re getting organized don’t forget to make it personal. – Organize Chicago
A method I like to use often is our Simple Functional Personalized System. This system is all about figuring out how much time you have on your hands to tackle an organizing project and labeling it as a “simple”, “functional” or “personalized” task.
This is a great system for organizing with a purpose.
⭐ 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 – it's quick. Think less than an hour. Like organizing your desk drawer or your event files. You don't have to preplan too much. Solutions that come right out of the box. These are the projects you can do while listening to a podcast and be done.
⭐ 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 – takes a bit longer but less than 4 hours. Examples include organizing your bathroom cabinets or putting together your list of tasks you want to get done for your event. You probably need to pay a little more attention because you are visualizing the function of that space and task.
⭐ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 – tailored to what your wants and needs. Plan on at least 4 hours for this project. This could include figuring out what kind of shipping station you need and how it will flow if you are a small business that ships things a lot. It has to work for everyone using it, so it's not an out of the box solution
Your organizational project will almost always fit into one of these three categories and sometimes it will be combined.
If you combine them, you add up the hours of the categories. So if it's a simple AND personalized task, your project will be at least 5 hours. If you want your project to be simple + functional + personalized, then it'll take more like 9 hours.
Use this method next time you are planning your next project and share what you did with us on social media and how long it took you!
You've heard the sayings “size doesn’t/does matter” or “it’s what you do with it that matters”. As kitschy and funny as those saying sound, they also apply to how you plan your organizational projects! Determine if your project is “small” “medium” or “large” in size. This will help you determine how much help you need so you don’t find yourself overwhelmed in the middle of the project and/or don’t finish because it became “too” much. Here is a quick snapshot of what each of the project sizes entails:
Small Projects:
Small: you can do it yourself and it will take you less a day, regardless of how many hours it will take you. If you think it will have to break it down to two days, it's no longer a “small” project. Small projects are the ones you can finish without interruptions. Think: organizing 1-3 junk drawers or organizing your purse.
Medium Projects:
Medium: Projects that will take you more than one day, regardless of hours or more than 6 hours in a day (because this means you will have to start-stop-start). These are the projects that you can probably do on your own but just take longer. Think: organizing your closet or a dinner party for 8-10.
Large Projects:
Large Projects: These are the projects that may require you to ask for help from either a professional installer or a member of your household. These projects will require multiple days and/or multiple people to make a decision (like asking your children/spouse/roommate/coworker for permission to throw something away). Think: organizing the entire kitchen or basement or a wedding.
So as you begin planning out your projects, take a moment to look around be honest about how big your project is, it'll set you up for success!
Garage sales can be a treasure trove of unexpected finds. It's easy to get swept away by the thrill of the hunt and end up with a car full of things you don't actually need. A little bit of planning can make all the difference, turning your garage sale adventures into rewarding experiences.
As your friendly pro organizer, I'm here to help you shop smarter to avoid adding clutter. But who doesn't love a good bargain? Let's equip you with the tools to find those gems that truly enhance your life and make the most of those garage sale adventures.
10 Tips That Enhance Your Garage Sale Shopping Experience
Plan your route. Finding stellar deals at garage sales (or yard sales) takes some planning. Sometimes you can get lucky, but when you have a plan, the process can be fruitful and enjoyable.
Tip: create a Google Map (or whatever virtual GPS map you use) of all the places you wan to go and save it. Just type in the address, pin it and save that map to your favorites. When you are ready to start your drive, it will give you an estimate of how long the route will take and where to go next.
Be prepared. Here is a check list of things to get ready before you head out.
Make a list of things you are looking for.
Fuel up your car.
Arrive early, if possible.
Eat breakfast or bring snacks.
Bring water/hydrate.
Take batteries if you can (AAA, AA, A, C, D, etc).
Have cash (smaller bills and change if possible).
Bring bungee cords or a rope to hold down larger items.
Bring a measuring tape.
Bring tools to disassemble larger items.
Ask! Just because you don't see an item you are looking for, doesn't mean it isn't there. Ask the seller if they have what you are looking for.
Go back at the end of the day. If you are patient and willing to run the risk of something being sold AND you have the time, make another round at the end of the day when the sale is about to end. Chance are, you'll find some items for free.
Test it! This is one is very important. Hopefully, the seller has an extension cord and batteries for their electronics (if you are a seller, read this handy article “Garage Sale Tips: How to Make the Most out of Your Sale” on how to be prepared to sell your stuff). If the seller does not, then you are buying at your own risk.
Negotiate. Everything at a garage sale (yard sale) is open for negotiation (it's sort of an adopted rule), so feel free to ask for a different prize. Their goal is to get rid of their stuff and make money. Your goal is to buy an item at the lowest price. Never be afraid to ask!
Buy in bundles. Sellers are (almost) always willing to give you a better deal when you buy multiple items.
Pro tip: If you are buying a bigger item and also smaller items, buy the bigger item full price and then negotiate the smaller items. Chance are, you'll save in the long run by getting a really good deal on the smaller items.
Pro tip: an item is valuable if it has a purpose in your life. If it's just going to sit there, then it has no purpose (example of something having a purpose are: does it make you happy? will you use it? does it make a good gift? etc.)
Helpful questions to ask yourself:
Do I really need this?
Could this be a nice gift?
Can I resell it? and will I actually resell it?
Where will I put it?
Any other tips you'd add to the list? How often do you go to a garage sale?
Kindly, Stephanie
Want to work with us? We are available for 1:1 sessions or to speak with your group about multi-generational decluttering, sandwich generation organizing and finding the best solutions for your family as you downsize. Organize & Cherish Planning Calls
To join our weekly {free} email newsletter for all-things organizing & productivity delivered right to your inbox head over here https://theorganizedflamingo.com/quicklinks
You find yourself in a cleaning and organizing spree and realize you have a lot of “stuff”. You are cleaning out your house, garage, shed, or helping a family member downsize and wondering what to do with all that “stuff” you don't need.
Usually, the first thing that comes to mind is “can I make money off of this item by selling it?” and sometimes the answer is “YES!”, but often times, the answer is more like “is it worth trying to sell it?” so you toss it in the trash.
Tossing it in the trash is probably the easiest way to get rid of it, and sometimes the best option to keep your sanity, but you have other options. One of those options is a garage sale (also referred as a yard sale, rummage sale, estate sale or flea market sale)
Garage Sales are a great way to try to get money back for some of your treasures and pass them on to someone else. This will help keep that “stuff” out of landfills and continue its use. After many, many, many years of putting garage sales of my own or for my communities, I put together a list of tips to help you make the best out of your garage sale.
Planning:
Look for other neighbors that might want to do it with you. You can also look up community garage sales in your neighborhood.
Advertise in your local newspaper, Craigslist, NextDoor, Facebook community pages, etc. (two days before the sale is the best time to advertise for your garage sale, but if you are having a bigger event or have the time, feel free to advertise as much as possible the weeks leading up to the sale).
Check with your community about permits on hosting a garage sale (yard sale) and about where you can post signs. Some neighborhoods require permits and approvals from the city/county/HOA. Asking a neighbor or a quick internet search should help you answer that question.
Clean/Dust your items! I cannot stress this enough. Having a clean item (even a semi-clean item) will be the difference between not selling it and selling it. First impressions do matter and a little dusting will go a long way.
Plan ahead. I personally like to sort and organize my items the night before (sometimes even set up on the tables in my garage). Having your items ready the night before lets you ease into the morning without having to be in a rush to sort through everything the morning of.
Set up your garage sale as close to the beginning of the month as possible. People tend to have a little bit more of that extra money to spend at the beginning of the month versus the end. Also, having it when you know there will be a lot of traffic around your neighborhood will help you get additional visitors (maybe the same weekend as a festival, concert, community event, etc.).
If you can, try having tables. If you don't have any, some bricks and a hardy piece of wood can work, too. The closer the item is to the potential buyer, the better (less bending and more touching/connecting with the item).
Make signs! They don't have to be fancy. The inside of a cardboard box flattened out works great. Write with some extra paint or a very thick marker, and you're all set. The key is to have good signage from the main road leading drivers to your garage sale (yard sale). Don't forget that drivers are driving, so they only have a second to see your sign. Make it BIG, BOLD and SIMPLE. “YARD SALE –> 123 Fast Lane 6/12 & 6/22 7am-2pm” is simple enough. (oh and check with your local municipality/HOA on what the rules/laws are with posting signs).
Pricing your items:
Don't emotionally price items. This means, don't price an item just because it means a lot to you or you have had it for a long time. People shop for items because they have their own purpose for it and value in mind, your emotional attachment means very little to them. Ask a friend or do an internet search for what the items you are selling are going for and work down from there.
Unlike flea markets, people that frequent garage sales don't really go there to barter as much, so price your items at the price point to sell.
Get it appraised. If you think you have a valuable item (antique, item of value), get it appraised or sell it through a reputable auction house.
Displaying the price or not? Well, that depends. This is a personal preference. It is said that things get sold much faster if there is a price tag on it, but if you like to barter, then feel free to not add prices to your items. You can either individually price all the items or group them together: “$1 table”, “$3 table”, etc. Just note that if you don't individually price items, people may move them around to different tables and you'll forget how much they were priced for originally.
Bundle price items if you can! A great way to get your stuff sold quickly is to bundle. Maybe give them a bag to fill with clothes and charge $10 for the entire bag, instead of individually pricing each item.
Day of the garage sale (yard sale):
Early birds. If your garage sale (yard sale) starts at 8:00 am, you'll almost always have someone arrive at 7:58 am. The professionals like to arrive early and scope out things. Don't be afraid to tell them to come back later but just know that if you say you are open at 8:00 am, people will be there at 8:00 am.
Have change and small bills on hand. A good rule of thumb is having change for $50 (20 x $1's, 4 x $5's, $10 in change).
The little things matter: adding a mirror around clothes and accessories, having batteries available for the items that require them and having an extension cord handy for items that need to be plugged in can go a long way and give you that quick sale.
Have plenty of plastic bags and newspaper/tissue paper for those fragile items if you can. Don't go out and buy any, but if you have it handy, use them! It's so much easier to carry fragile items in bags and wrapping paper.
Take pictures. Take the opportunity while your items are on display, to take pictures if you plan on selling it online after.
BE SAFE! Take precautions such as closing and locking up all of your house doors when you are outside. Try doing it with a family member, a friend or a neighbor.
Have a plan about what you are going to do with the items that are left over after your sale. Many charities will pick up your items for free, just reach out to a handful and ask. You can also sell some of your items online or even during your garage sale.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Enjoy the day being outside and earning a little extra cash for the items you once treasured. Hope these tips help you with your next garage sale (yard sale). Do you have any other tips? Comment below!
Kindly, Stephanie
Want to work with us? We are available for 1:1 sessions or to speak with your group about multi-generational decluttering, sandwich generation organizing and finding the best solutions for your family as you downsize. Organize & Cherish Planning Calls
To join our weekly {free} email newsletter for all-things organizing & productivity delivered right to your inbox head over here https://theorganizedflamingo.com/quicklinks
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