From house to yard to pocket - Anne Boulton

 I saw my first yard sale sign of the season on Saturday. And no doubt, it was the sunniest day we’ve had in at least a week. But it made me think about how spring cleaning can take on a new meaning when, at the end of it all, you can stuff a bunch of cash in your pocket and have a clean basement. 

I love yard sale-ing. I’m usually really honest about what I want before I go out and get all crazy, filling up my car like a madwoman. I try and maintain the same ruthlessness I employ when I am the one cleaning out my space. I ask myself honestly, will I use this? Really? And then go from there. 

If you have never held one yourself, maybe this is the year. Think about it: for the price of a day spent lolling out in the front yard, you get a clean space and a pretty penny. If you feel like you haven’t got enough “junk,” then perhaps you can arrange with a neighbour or two to do a block sale. A few families who get together can really bring in a lot of traffic. It’s a virtual frenzy at 8 a.m. 

But if you really don’t want the trouble of hosting a yard sale, but desire a clean space, there are a few options, without resorting to the trash.

Local Not for Profit Charities 

Phone the Diabetes Association, since they’ll come and pick up your big items, and their smaller red drop boxes are conveniently located. The Jarrett Centre and Salvation Army also accept your stuff — they’re both located on Notre Dame and are non-profit organizations. And St. Vincent De Paul’s, out toward the Valley, is also a great rummage store that takes donations. So drop off your stuff, then take a look around. But a word of caution — you might take home more than you donated, so be frugal.

Focused Donations

This year, I’ve been saving my treasures for the River and Sky Music and Camping Festival’s Yard Sale fundraiser. In conjunction with Myths and Mirrors, the festival, still in its youth, is attempting to raise money for operations. I’m on the board of this not-for-profit, so I know the items sold will generate money for a good cause: music and community. If you want to donate for the May 12 sale, bring your goods to Myths and Mirrors in Victoria Park.

Often churches host spring teas and have white elephant tables. They would appreciate your items as well. Or the Sudbury Women’s Shelter or Elgin Street Mission. There are no shortages of places that could use your so-called junk.

I should at least mention Value Village. They have an easy drop off and you can collect points to save you 30 per cent off your purchase. But the same corporation that owns Walmart now owns Value Village. So they are “for profit” and, you may have noticed, mark up their prices quite unreasonably. So keep that in mind before you hand off your goods.

Anne Boulton is an avid gardener who lives in Sudbury. Visit her blog at greenboots.ca or contact her at [email protected].

Posted by Laurel Myers