Turn your move into cash with a garage sale
Declutter and make money when moving house. Follow these sixteen practical tips for planning, pricing and running a garage sale that boosts your moving budget.
Updated on February 16, 2026
3 min read
Table of Contents
Moving house is a perfect reason to declutter your life and make some extra cash to help cover moving costs. A well-planned garage sale can not only lighten your load but also bring the community together. Here are sixteen tips to run a successful sale.
Set the date
Lock in a date early. Saturdays in spring or autumn are ideal for good weather and higher foot traffic.
Check for permits
Check with your local council for any permits or regulations. Some councils require notification or a permit to hold a garage sale.
Choose a location
Pick a location that is easily visible from the street, such as your driveway, front yard or garage. Have a backup plan for bad weather.
Tell your neighbours
Give neighbours a heads-up with a letter drop or personal invite so they can attend and spread the word.
Promote your garage sale
Use social media to promote the sale in advance and post updates regularly. Consider posters or local newspaper ads to reach a wider audience.
Invite friends
A good crowd creates excitement. Invite friends to attend and help run the sale. More people encourage passers-by to stop and browse.
Collect and prepare your items
Gather everything you want to sell well in advance. Inspect and clean all items to make them presentable. You can even collect items from friends or other garage sales to add variety.
Sort your items
Organise items into clear categories and boxes. This makes it easier for buyers to browse and increases the chances of sales.
Price tags
Label every item with a price. For smaller items at the same price, group them on a table with a sign stating the price. This saves time and avoids repeated questions.
Have change ready
Most garage sales rely on cash. Have plenty of coins and small notes on hand to make transactions smooth and fast.
Offer payment alternatives
Offer alternative payment options such as PayPal, bank transfers or contactless payments to give buyers flexibility.
Delegate
Assign clear roles to helpers ahead of time to manage setup, sales and packing. Clear instructions prevent confusion and duplication.
Manage the crowd
Ensure there is enough space for people to move around safely. Clearly mark entry, exit and payment points to keep traffic flowing.
Haggle
Encourage some bargaining to increase sales. Decide in advance what discounts you are willing to offer so you don’t feel pressured.
Offer snacks
Providing light refreshments or free drinks keeps the atmosphere fun and encourages people to stay longer and buy more.
Offer freebies
Think about small items you can give away to sweeten larger or bulk purchases. It creates goodwill and can help clear out excess items.