Hosting a yard sale is a quick and easy way to decrease household clutter and get a little extra income. When planning, consider location, time, pricing and advertising. Here are a few easy tips to make your yard sale successful:

1. Find a location for your yard sale that is going to yield a high amount of traffic.

If you don’t live in a populated area, consider holding your sale at a friend’s house, or organize a block or community sale. A large number of yard sales in one area will attract more buyers.

2. The most successful time to hold a yard sale is Saturday morning during spring or summer months.

If there is an abundance of items to sell, have a weekend sale.

3. Price items ahead of time and price them to sell.

Mark used items down one-third to one-fourth of the original price. If you price low, you will be more successful overall and have fewer items left over.

4. Used clothes and books are generally poorly selling items at yard sales.

Price these items low or offer a bag discount.

5. Place signs listing the time, date and location of the sale at all major intersections and roads.

Signs should be large and easily readable from passing vehicles. Drawing an arrow pointing in the direction of your sale is helpful too. Look for free, online, local advertising like Craigslist posts.

6. Start setting up for the yard sale the night before, if possible.

This involves getting out your trusty cleaner and roll of paper towels, and making sure all products are dust- and stain-free. There will always be early birds, so be ready to open by 8 a.m.

7. Have plenty of quarters and small bills on hand, as well as grocery bags if you’re doing bag discounts

8. As the day progresses, mark down items that are not selling.

Keep a roll of masking tape and a permanent pen on hand to make discounting easy.

Renae Chiovaro is a mother of two boys who blogs at madamedeals.com on how to save money in all aspects of life.

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