tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8035769391702280776.post-59438592338576560942007-07-09T09:53:00.001-04:002007-07-11T10:38:04.038-04:00<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_j3bHB-N6vu0/RpI-th-aI1I/AAAAAAAAAAk/KsG80UbaIvo/s1600-h/DCAM0004.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_j3bHB-N6vu0/RpI-th-aI1I/AAAAAAAAAAk/KsG80UbaIvo/s200/DCAM0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085195881189876562" /></a><br /><br /><br />If you’ve ever had a weekend-long yard sale, you probably know how I feel this Monday morning. A lot of thoughts are going around in my head like, “Was it worth it?” and “Would we do it again?”<br /><br />As for the first question, my answer is: Yes, it was worth it but not for the financial aspect. As a homeschooling mom, I see learning opportunities in seemingly ordinary experiences and our yard sale certainly qualified. <br /><br />My older daughter learned that she is a skilled organizer and planner, while also realizing that she doesn’t like to wake up before noon on Saturdays! <br /><br />Our younger daughter has the gift of gab and could probably be a snake oil salesperson if anyone is still selling the stuff. I was amazed at her ‘best buys’ offers, rapidly calculating sales prices and throwing in a few extras to clinch the deal. <br /><br />As for me, I enjoyed talking to many of the people who came to the sale, although sitting in the driveway for two days was way below my normal activity level. <br /><br />However, the big question is “Would we do it again?” Perhaps. There is something exciting about feeding the entrepeneurial spirit. The marketing psychology was an interesting aspect, as my daughters and I discussed strategies and compared the buying techniques of our customers.<br /><br />In fact, the photo shows one of our advertising ideas. It’s been a pet peeve of mine to rummage through buckets or barrels of ‘stuff’ at other people’s yard sales, so we decided to eliminate that. We set up a clothesline across the front of the house and hung stuffed animals on it. It made the yard very colorful, as well as created a browsing-friendly atmosphere.<br /><br />Yes, a yard sale brings forth a lot of ‘treasures’ that may be hidden in closets or attics. But for my family, it also spotlighted some skills that I plan to nurture in our daughters. <br /><br />Oh, I bet you’re all waiting to hear how much we made. Well….let’s just say we didn’t jump into a higher tax bracket. Sorry, any more specific information can’t be disclosed in case the IRS reads my blog!Joyce Handzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16031216161718788932noreply@blogger.com