Summer 2004
I had just finished two grueling days of taping for a TV show and, after a successful shoot, the production assistant graciously offered to drive me to a nearby amusement park for some R&R. So, still in my business suit and heels, she and I headed toward the boardwalk to get fresh pretzels and see the rides.
We came to a bungee jump, where a young woman was being hoisted up 300 feet in a harness. When they gave her the thumbs up, she pulled a ripcord and fell from that height until a bungee cord caught her and she bounced up another 100 feet. The "ride" made her look like Supergirl flying through the sky - except most superheroes don't scream at the top of their lungs.
When I saw her, this adventurous military wife said: "I've got to try that!" When I told the woman who drove me what I was going to do, she gave me a look that said, "Are you nuts or something?"
But the only question she actually uttered was: "Are you going to do that in heels?"
Yes, I was. And I did. I went free-falling 300 feet and the ground rushed up so quickly that my stomach ended up in my throat. It was frightening and exhilarating at the same time.
I look at life as an adventure - especially when it comes to stretching our dollars as a military family. Sometimes we need to have the ultimate adventure - a garage sale! Paying a dime on the dollar for a product still in its original box is a thrill!
Military bases are full of garage sale opportunities. Not only do garage sales simplify your life by helping you lose some of your military allotted weight allowance, but they also provide a way to keep more change in your pocket if you learn how to navigate them wisely.
Here are my top 10 tips to host a successful garage sale. If you follow them wisely, you'll find yourself flying high - without the bungee cord!
Collect: Throughout the year, throw stuff in a big box marked "Garage Sale." Not only will you relieve clutter, you'll soon have enough diverse items to host a sale.
Location: You may want to buddy up with a friend whose house has a better location to catch the attention of drive-by traffic. Or, ask a neighbor (or two) to host their own sales - you could get three times the garage sale traffic with combined sales. Be sure you fulfill any military requirements for a sale that is held on base/post.
Advertise: Make attractive signs that are legible and eye-catching, placing one in front of your house and others at high traffic areas in your neighborhood. Use brightly colored poster board and a good contrasting color. Keep the lettering brief and legible, and tape balloons to the signs.
Pricing: If you price your product, you are more likely to sell it. Most people don't want to keep asking, "How much for this?" Some still will want to barter with you on the price - but that's to be expected. Begin pricing items weeks before the sale, placing them in a "finished" pile in your garage. Make sure your prices are clearly marked.
Cash: Have at least $20 in coins, 20 one-dollar bills and four five-dollar bills. Keep your money box in a safe location and never leave it unattended. Bring each $100 earned into your house for safekeeping.
Checks: Never take a check from someone you do not know. Most people know to bring cash.
Hold: Never hold an item without a substantial non-refundable deposit. When you do this, it is likely that the customer will not return, and you've lost your opportunity to sell it.
Marketing: To draw attention, place furniture and bikes by the curb where people can see them. Try marketing ideas such as "buy three books/get three free." It's amazing how well this works - people respond to the word "free!"
Clean: If an item looks newer because it's clean, you'll be able to get as much as 50 percent more for it. Run sturdy plastic toys through the dishwasher, spot clean the armchair, and polish wood furniture - it's worth it!
Expand: Let your kids get in on the action by selling lemonade on hot days or coffee and donuts on cool mornings. Be sure they understand how to make change and how to be courteous to customers.
Who knows? They may earn enough to fund their college education - or at least a new bike!
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< em="">Ellie Kay, America's Family Financial Expert, is the wife of an active-duty fighter pilot and mother of seven children. She is a best-selling author, international speaker, national radio commentator and regular guest on CNBC's "Power Lunch." Her latest book is "A Woman's Guide to Family Finance" (Bethany House Publishers, 2004). For more information, go to EllieKay.com.