It that time of year "Garage Sale time"

I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge garage sale fan. But as I see people looking to get out of debt by selling stuff they don't need or are not using and turning it into cash to pay off bills or to build the emergency fund, I am becoming a bigger fan all the time. Walk into the closet and look at all the stuff you did not wear this year or last year. Go into the basement and look around, same with the garage. It is like piles of money just sitting around waiting to be used. As I speak, I know I have a set of snow ski's, ski boots, water skis, a stereo, tons of clothes and few old weed trimmers and more.  I bet I could get a couple hundred dollars for that stuff.

Some keys to a good garage sale are (www.garagesalegal.com)

• Advertise: bright signs but not too many words, craigslist
  
• Spread your stuff out, people do not like to bend down to lift stuff
  
• Have your stuff organized
  
• Put the good stuff out front so people will be drawn in 
  
• Have plenty of change
  
• Be willing to bargain
  
• Shop other garage sales so you have your stuff priced right.
  

Have some fun and meet new people. Always have a few friends around and never let anyone into your your home for safety reasons.

Let the kids get involved and sell some of their old stuff and turn in into cash and help them to save, spend and give.

I am so excited to hear the stories from my friends who are getting gazelle intense about getting out of debt and staying there. 

If you would be interested in learning more about getting out of debt and staying there go to www.lighthousefinancialcounseling.com

Next week lets talk about getting extra jobs and increasing our income. If you have some stories you want to share, send me a note at fdavewilliams@mac.com

Next Event Financial Peace in the Storm of 2009 at First Friends Church in Canton Ohio

Thursday the 10th at 7:00 PM www.firstfriends.org