When our children are small, they grow through several clothing sizes each year so it's challenging to stay one size ahead with the right clothes and toys. I remember fondly driving around my neighborhood on Saturday mornings searching for treasures to keep my 2 boys busy with new, gently used toys.
You can save money by buying your infant and toddler clothes at yard sales, unless you've got friends and family passing down their gently used clothes and toys. The selection is nicer as you're not limited to what's currently in the stores — you're getting to pick through clothes that were sold over the last 10 or 20 years.
Recently I found an entire neighborhood advertising their yard sales (about 6 to 8 houses) on Facebook. It was pretty amazing!
Facebook Yard Sale Page
Not only were families in a neighborhood in Bedford, NH advertising their neighborhood yardsale on Facebook. They also took lots of photos and published them online to show the types of items being offered for sale. I thought this was a fantastic idea and one worth passing along as everyone is looking for ways to save money these days.
To help inspire you and your friends to plan a yard sale, here's some information on how these families organized their yard sale.
- Created a free blog … looks like it was just for the yardsale, http://bedfordyardsale.blogspot.com/ and that got them visibility with “bedford” and “yardsale“.
- Listed each home starting with the address and directions to find the homes, which were all within a block of each other (you might also try a mapping program which I've used for parties).
- Each family listed the “highlights” or key items for sale at each house, i.e. each homeowner had the ability to display online what they were selling, and in many cases they included manufacturers name.
- Provided photos to showcase the products being sold, to help people decide on color, size, condition, etc … before they drive to your home.
Sorry but my tag sale days are over so I didn't run out to the yard sale. I'm sure it was a success as children's clothes and toys are among the most popular items at yard sales.
Sorry and yes it is ongoing.
Tina, the site I use is Amesbury year-round yard sale. You have to be accepted so I’m not sure how much you will be able to see if you check it out.
Tina, I just recently joined a couple of virtual yard sales on Facebook where users post their items for sale with pics and where they are located. The only requirement is that you live in the neighboring area. If u are interested in purchasing an item u just message the seller and pick it up. I love it. It’s like visiting yard sales everyday.
Lori b
Lori, Thanks for the info. I googled “facebook & yard sale” and found quite a few but didn’t find a good example so if you know one, maybe you can share it here. One I saw said items were free and for that, wondering why they’re not using http://www.freecycle.org/
Lori, Are these virtual yard sales intended to be ongoing (then fan page makes sense) or more like an event where you could create a Facebook event?
Thanks for sharing – I love the idea of creating a blog to list the yard sale information & pictures! One tip I would add is to make sure all your items follow current safety guidelines and haven’t been recalled.
I like your suggestion for checking recall info, and your site is great. Would you be willing to write an article for my site on the best way to keep your home, family and children safe?