Simplify With A Yard Sale

If your family is anything like mine, then you've probably gathered a few too many "treasures" over the years. It is so easy as your family expands and grows to gather all kinds of things that you probably will never need or use again. About once every other year I get overwhelmed with amount of stuff that my family owns yet doesn't need. My solution? A huge yard sale that allows each member of our family to go through all (and I mean all) of their belongings and come up with items that they can sell.
Having a yard sale is a great way to simplify the belongings that have accumulated in your home. The first step that my family always takes in having a yard sale is sitting down for a family meeting. During this meeting we discuss the reasons why our life and home have gotten complicated again and we agree on having a yard sale. We discuss what kinds of items we might be able to sell and we choose a perfect weekend for the event. It is important to get everyone in the family in on the initial planning stages and also to see that each of your children understand the need and the reasons for having a yard sale. If you do not get your children on board with an understanding of why you're having a yard sale they will probably not be very apt to participate fully in the event.
After our family meeting we begin going through our possessions. The children get to go through their room and their belongings on their own and set aside items and clothes that they think would be good to sell in the yard sale. My wife and I do the same and then we check over the things our kids have selected for sale just to be sure we do not see anything brand new or worth keeping. Once we have agreed upon all of the items that we will attempt to sell, we begin the process of pricing our items for the yard sale.
We are convinced that every part of the yard sale process must be done as a family. We do the pricing together, we set out all of the items for the yard sale together, and we run the yard sale together. We have learned that the yard sale goes better when everyone feels a sense of ownership about what is happening with the sale.
If you and your family are looking for a great way to simplify your home and to do a great activity together, look no further than doing a yard sale. It is a great way to build relationship and to teach your children and yourself important skills about living simply.