Here’s what you need to get started:
Fix a time. Schedule a time that suits everyone involved. Watch the Mothers Without Borders “Your Child is My Child” video as a family and talk about how you would like your family to make a difference in the lives of women and children in Zambia. Organizing and fundraising should be a family affair, so get everyone on board by scheduling your kick-start at a time that works for everyone and make attendance mandatory! Set aside a Saturday, or a few hours every day, to start the process.
Anything not used in 12 months. Face it: If you haven't used an item in the last year, it is highly unlikely you really need it or that you are going to ever get enough use out of it to justify it cluttering up your home. Take the plunge and get rid of it! Ask yourself these questions as you encounter each piece of clutter:
*Do I use this?
*How long has it been since I've used it?
*Will I use it again?
*Is it worth the space it takes up in my house?
Remember: The objective is to get stuff out of your home, not to move it into another room. You will be amazed by the sheer volume of unused and unneeded items in your home. Don't spend time inventing reasons to keep these things. Think of the people you are trying to help and then move it on out!Get rid of that stuff for good! A yard sale can be a useful—and meaningful—way to help women in need AND get that clutter out of your home! Here are some tips for a successful sale.
Set a date. Our focus date is September 12th!!!! You are welcome to do one before or after this date if that works better for you, just send the check in when you're done!
Decide what to sell. In addition to the things you've collected from purging, give everyone in your family a box or two that they can fill with additional items they are ready to sell. Give them a chance to watch the Mothers Without Borders PSA and also the video “Your Child is My Child” to help them understand more about the people that their donations will be helping.
Collect sale items. Sort and box similar items. This will save time later when you are setting up. Store everything neatly in the garage.
Get neighbors involved. Let your neighbors know about the sale, (email us for a ready-made flier that invited neighbors to join in)and encourage them to sell on the same day for the same cause. OR if they don’t have time or won’t be around, have them simply donate items that you can add to your sale! The more sellers, the more people you'll attract!
Some of the top-selling items at yard sales are: *electronics: televisions, stereos, ipods, headphones, old game systems*cameras*walkers*bouncers*bikes*wagons*large baby and children's toys*air conditioners*stoves and other household appliances* microwaves*baby furniture*full-sized furniture*dressers*sofas*chairs*dining sets*camping gear*pet supplies*pet crates and kennels*clothing*books* the more "big ticket" items you can get your hands on, the better your sale will be!
Tell the world. It's all about advertising. Put large, colorful signs on all major roads. Keep them all the same color with clear directions, the address and the time. Also, take out ads in local papers and put notices in local supermarkets. MOST IMPORTANTLY:list the yard sale on craigslist and KSL.com under the yard sale headings and in free community papers also. RE-LIST this ad daily so it stays at the top of the heap! This will draw great crowds. Make sure you list the best and coolest items you will have there so you will catch shoppers out searching for those specific items.
Attach price tags. Clearly price everything with masking tape and bright markers. Put like things together. Use tables to make the viewing of merchandise easier. Borrow clothing racks, and have a great layout of goods so people can easily see everything.
Enlist helpers. Assign your helpers specific tasks like managing the crowds, answering questions, making sales, taking payments and providing laughter and fun.
Be prepared. Have an extension cord handy so people can check electric items. Have shopping bags or boxes handy to help people collect and carry goods away.
Get some sleep. On the night before the sale, put up a sign in front of your house that says, "Absolutely no early birds." Otherwise, you'll have people knocking at your door before the sun is up.
Manage the money. Have ONLY 1 person handling ALL money at all times, and have a lot of small change handy—use a fanny pack to keep it safe and in one place.
Bargain. The idea of a yard sale is to get rid of everything. Bargain like crazy—offer to add items for an extra 50 cents or offer five books for the price of three. An hour before closing, slash prices!
Get rid of everything. Arrange for a charity to pick up whatever is not sold. Don't take anything back into the house!
Above all… Keep your sense of humor and make the day enjoyable for all. Encourage people to haggle and make a game of it. You'll sell more stuff and have fun.
Most importantly: Make your check out to Mothers Without Borders, mail it in, and celebrate your accomplishments as a family, neighborhood, or group of friends! We will be adding up all of our checks and announcing a grand total at the end of September! No check or offering is too small. $25.00 feeds one baby for an entire month! Think of the difference that would make! Let’s show the world what ONE woman (and one woman…and one woman…) can do!
