Would you like to make some extra cash?  Have you always wanted to have a yard sale but the idea overwhelms you?  Have your past yard sales been more stressful than fun?

I grew up with the yard sale queen....my mom.  She really got a kick out of arranging our castoffs on tables made out of sawhorses and plywood. It was the highlight of her summer.  Mom taught me everything I know about holding an organized and successful yard sale.  Here are  8 keys to a successful....not stressful yard sale.  

1. Label a box(es) sell and start collecting items for your sale.  Simply spend 10 minutes a day looking in your closets, drawers and cabinets for items you no longer use.  A little each day will make the process less overwhelming.  Start a new collection box after this year's sale. 

2. Save time, price each item as you place it in the yard sale boxes.  Use masking or painters tape and a permanent marker for the price tags.  

3. Encourage your children to contribute by letting them keep the money they earn off the sale of their toys, books, and games.  Maybe they even want to make and sell cookies and lemonade to entice more interest in your sale. 

4. Organize your items by category or size to make it easy for customers to shop.

5. Encourage people to stop at your sale by displaying big ticket and nicer items on your driveway or lawn.

6. Have a cash box stocked with plenty of change (especially $1's and quarters) before your yard sale day so you don't have to close early or run to the bank. 

7. Make signs and advertise or better yet, have the sale the same date as your neighborhood sale for even more traffic.  

8. Resist bringing the unsold items back into your home.  Instead, immediately transport those items to a donation site or call a charity truck to pick it up.  Here are some links to help you find a charity that will pick up donations in your area.  

Donation Town