Fall has arrived! And along with its no-sweat temperatures, the season offers plenty of activities for young and old. Families can enjoy budget-friendly fall fun such as picking apples and pumpkins; going on picnics and nature hikes; or visiting a corn maze, haunted house or football game, Every Dollar says. And with cooler weather, there’s no worry of overheating the kitchen, so try your hand at a some fall culinary projects — like baking an apple cobbler, roasting some pumpkin seeds or making hot chocolate. You’ll be able to share the warmth with friends and family.
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
Harvest the Benefits of a Fall Garage Sale
The temperatures are cooling, the leaves are changing colors and soon enough, snow will be falling in many parts of the country. But although fall begins on Monday, Sept. 23, there’s still time to do a good #decluttering and make some money by selling the things you don’t want.
That’s right — fall is one of the best times of the year to have a garage, yard or tag sale. The weather is often as good as or better than it is in the summer, and having fewer sales and other events to compete with can help your sale corner the market.
“Spring and summer may be the most popular #garagesale seasons, but popular is not always a good thing,” says the Skywriters Garage Blog. “A fall garage sale typically faces little to no competition. With no competitors, you could be the busiest sale in town.”
What you decide to #declutter and tag can also have an impact on your fall sale’s success. Few people are looking to buy used Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations during the spring and summer seasons; sell them now, and buyers will pay premium prices.
Similarly, nobody is thinking about cooler temperatures while they’re shopping in the sweltering summer sun. Down jackets, winter coats, sweaters and flannels will sell better as the weather starts to cool off.
You can also lure customers in by selling fall treats such as pumpkin bars and hot apple cider. Put the kids on this task and let them use the money to get Halloween costumes or whatever else they need for the season.
There are still six weekends until Halloween, when the northern states see a radical shift in temperatures and daylight hours; any of them is fair game for a sale. If you live further south, you’ll have more options before your neighbors hole up against the cold.
The money you earn can help fund a happy holiday season, and getting rid of excess #clutter is its own reward. “Before you batten down the hatches for a winter-long hibernation, decluttering and #organizing your home will help ease stress and make the season go more smoothly,” says Financial Avenue.
When your garage sale is over, #donate the lightly used clothing and household items that don’t sell to ClothingDonations.org. You’ll support valuable veterans programs throughout the country — and avoid bringing that clutter back into your home.
Use Bins to Organize Attic Storage
Plastic stacking bins are best for attic storage, says HowToCleanStuff.net, since they can keep stuff dry and free of pests. Use bins to store non-fabric items and label them whenever possible so that you can locate what you need, when you need it. “It’s not necessary to fill each container initially,” the blog says. “What is necessary is to categorize your storage containers so they can handle future growth.” Also, be sure to review what you have in attic storage each year, weeding out anything you aren’t using or don’t want and donating it to a charity such as ClothingDonations.org.
What Not to Store in an Unfinished Attic
When #storing extra stuff in the attic, remember that the area is subject to rapid changes in heat and humidity that can damage the things you want to store, Reader’s Digest says. Excess heat and humidity will ruin photos and fine art fast, as well as dry out wooden furniture and musical instruments. Books and electronics are also vulnerable to rapid changes in heat and humidity. Keep such items in a climate-controlled room or storage unit. To avoid fires, never put batteries, aerosol cans and other flammable items in the attic. Attics can easily be 40 degrees hotter than occupied areas of the home.
Is Your Attic Ready for Storage?
To prepare your attic for #storage, first make an assessment of its structural integrity, The Spruce says. Look for signs of leaks on the underside of the roof or interior condensation to ensure that your stored stuff will remain dry. Be aware that the attic may not already have joists and flooring capable of supporting your weight or that of your stuff; to avoid sticking your foot through the ceiling of a room below, you may need to install a plank or plywood platform that can support the weight of yourself your stuff. Then you may be able to install shelves and platforms to hold and store select items.