10 Tips for Having a Killer Yard Sale

Yard sale, Junk sale or garage sale is part and parcel of  the American way of living. A yard sale is held to de-clutter your home and also to make few pennies. For holding a yard sale effectively you need to be well organized. This means less stress and more money. Here we have listed a few killer yard sale tips that you can use to make your junk sale a success.

1. Advertisement is the key – You can post your yard sale ads in online sites. There are many sites which offer a plethora of options for yard sale organizers. Use the power of Internet technology. You can post your ad on your facebook neighborhood group. All it takes is to search for your neighborhood groups on Facebook is to ask your neighbors and also search for the groups that your neighbors have joined on Facebook. Use Instagram to post pictures of your garage sale at least a week in advance.

You can also place large signs around your neighborhood, which provides the directions to the garage sale avenue. Place ads in local newspaper, print flyers and get posters put in community learning centers and library.

2. Place your best items in the front – You have only few seconds to make a good impression. Either the shoppers will drive by or they will stop. By keeping your best stuff outside you are telling the shoppers there are more quality stuff inside.

3. Keep a free pile near the entrance- You should place a well-marked “free Pile” in the front. This is sure to lure almost any driver to stop. It could be the stuff that you were planning to donate. Free pile is sure to tempt any driver/shopper to stop the car and browse around.

4. Join forces with your neighbors and friends – Talk to your friends and neighbors before you plan to hold a garage sale. There will be many who would want to de-clutter and springclean their homes. They will also provide you with extra stuff to pep up your garage sale.

5. Something is better than nothing- Remember that you are holding a junk sale to make some cash. If the goods are not sold, you have to donate them. Therefore, it is always better to price your wares accordingly. If you are looking for making big bucks then it is wise to list them in a couple of online auction or yard sale sites.

6. Price tag all your goods – It is better to put a price label on all your goods irrespective of their sizes. It will save time and energy. Most of the people would browse around quietly and would not want to ask for the price.

7. Space organization is the key to a successful garage sale – Keep your area clean and tidy. As you run out of items, bring the shelves with items close together.

8. Club the similar items and sets together in a bag – If you’re putting your old tea set for sale, ensure that the complete set is put together. Use Zip-loc bags to keep items with multiple pieces together. For large items use reusable grocery sacks and Ikea bags. Do not forget to label them.

9. Display alike items together- Keep the alike items together. Have an area for children’s stuff, kitchen stuff, curios, clothes, books and shoes.

10.  Have a 25 cent basket with small trinkets for toddlers- This basket is for kids and toddlers. It will keep them occupied while their mothers browse around. Not only that at the check-out time no mom can deny her toddler a couple of 25 cents toys and trinkets.

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What is a Yard Sale?

Yard sale is also known as garage sale, tag sale, attic sale, garbage sale or junk sale. It is an informal sale of used good by private individuals or a group of individuals. In garage sales the sellers do not need business licenses. As the name suggests, you can sell any goods or items that is pre-used and are not useful to you now. Most of the times, the goods sold at the yard sale is new, like-new or usable. These goods are offered for sale because the owner does not want them or wants to raise funds. Else they could be relocating to another state and do not want to pay the movers and packers.

Where would be the Avenue for a Yard Sale?

If the yard sale is hosted by an individual, then it would be in her/his garage, driveway, car port, front yard or some times inside the house. However, if the junk sale is conducted by a group of people, then the avenue would be in a highly trafficked area. Here the vendors are known as squatters.

What is usually sold in a Garage Sale?

Usually, goods such as toys, books and old but usable clothing are sold. Other items that are sold include, house hold appliances, furniture, lawn and garden tools, sports equipment and board games. A Yard sale has designated hours for sale and the buyers who come before the sale time are known as “early birds”.  These people are mostly professional resellers or restorers. In a junk sale, the price labels may not be affixed to the goods. Here you can bargain on the price and the process is known as haggling.
Where do you Advertise for Junk Sale?
These days there are many online websites which are specifically designed to hold yard sales or garage sales. The sellers can place their advertisements here. The online buyers can browse through the products and get in touch with the sellers.
Else, the seller can create a garage sale sign on a cardboard and hang them in a public location. Flyers can also be distributed to the people; they can be pinned in the community library and in the mom and pop shops of the neighborhood. If the sale is a big one, a yard sale advertisement can be placed in the advertisement section of the local newspaper. You can also advertise in the popular local television.
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Potato Recipes for Dinner

Potatoes are one tuberous vegetable that is loved by children and adults. You can boil, bake, barbecue and fry potatoes. Whatever the form, potatoes are loved by people all over the world. Here are a few potato dishes for your dinner.

Potato and Leek Gratin

 3 pounds small potatoes

2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus some more for buttering dish

8-10 medium leeks washed and chopped into 1-inch pieces.

5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Potato-Chive Pancake

1 bag of frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Coarse salt and ground pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

Method

Remove the excess moisture from the potatoes by pressing them between paper towels. In a medium sized bowl combine potatoes, chives, salt and pepper and toss to combine.

In a medium nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Add potato mixture; press with a heatproof spatula to flatten and form into one even pancake. Cook until underside is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Slide pancake onto a plate; invert onto a second plate. Slide pancake (browned side up) back into skillet. Continue to cook until underside is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Slice into wedges before serving.

Potato Salad with Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Chives

1 1/2 pounds potatoes

3 tablespoons coarse salt

1 1/2 ounces Danish blue cheese, plus more for garnish

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp red-wine vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tbp minced fresh chives,

8 bacon strips, cooked until crisp and crumbled

Method

Place potatoes and the salt in a medium saucepan. Cover with water, and bring to a simmer. Cook potatoes for 12 minutes. Drain, and let cool slightly. Halve potatoes.

Mix blue cheese, buttermilk, vinegar, and mustard in a bowl until well combined.

Combine potatoes, dressing, chives, and almost all of the bacon in a large bowl.

Next arrange the sautéd leeks over the potatoes and over it the remaining potatoes. Pour the remaining milk and cream over the potatoes. Sprinkle some salt. Bake until the potatoes are soft and tender or the top of gratin is golden brown. Garnish with parsley.

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Car Loans for Poor Credit Score

When buying a car, having a bad credit history and low credit score often creates problems. Lending institutions are wary of giving car loans to those with poor credit score. Bad credit has become a bane to the society these days. It is a fact that to get an auto loan with favorable terms and condition you need to have a good credit score. However, if you have a poor credit score, it would be an opportunity to improve your credit ratings before you apply for a loan. Else be ready to pay high rate of interest and a huge down payment.

Car Loans for People with Bad Credit

In reality if you have a bad financial past, it may be difficult to get approval for a car loan. But that does not mean that you cannot avail of auto loans. If you have a stable income and you are on the path of improving your credit score, then the best available option is to apply for bad credit car loans.
For this you will need to speak with a reputed car agent. This will give you an idea about the various options available. When you go to meet your car dealer, remember to carry your financial documents such as bank statements, pay slips, etc. which would give the dealer a clear idea of your financial situation, and the amount you would be able to pay each month.
Now you need to understand that the interest rates of poor credit score car loan are bound to be high. But it is worth pointing out that as your credit scores improve due to regular repayments of your previous loans and the current loans, you can apply for refinancing your car loans. Here you need to pay only a lower rate of interest.
When you are applying for a poor credit score car loan, you would have to pay a huge amount in terms of down payment, because then the lender will not lose much amount if you default on your repayments. Not only that the repayment term is shorter for a person with very bad credit score, and this period ranges from 24 to 48 months.
Loan Options Available for People with Bad Credit

If you have a bad credit history and still want to opt for car loans with longer payment durations, moderate interest rate and lesser down payment, then you need get a co-signer or a guarantor to sign the financial document. When there is a co-signee with a good credit, you are giving the bank a guarantee that their money is not lost and at the same time it gives you an opportunity to improve your credit ratings. The co-signee can be your spouse or parents.
Another option is to apply for a secured loan. Here you would have to provide collateral as a security.
There are several options for car loans with bad credit, but you need to remember to make payments on time to avail the benefits at a later stage. Read the terms and conditions before you sign on the dotted line.
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What to Look for When Buying a Used Cell Phone

A used cell phone can be great value for money, only if picked carefully. You should understand that the electronic market for gadgets such as cell phones and its accessories is very dynamic, with newer models being replaced with older ones very frequently. The primary reason why people opt for used or pre-owned phones is because the latest models with upgraded features are very expensive and may not suit everybody’s pocket. However, when you are purchasing a pre-owned cell phone, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. Here we look at the major aspects that you need to scrutinize.

• Aspects Related to Service

Here are three main aspects that you need to check – The compatibility with your carrier, locked-unlocked Phone and coverage. Before you pick up the used cell phone you need to check with your carrier representative if their service is compatible with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).Another aspect that you need to check up with the seller of the cell phone is whether, the subscriber is bound to use the service of the service provider only or whether you can switch to other service providers. On the other hand, an unlocked phone can be used with any service provider. Coverage is another point that you need to look out for in a used cell phone. Certain models may not be compatible with a wireless carrier in a specific geographic region.

• With continuous usage, the cell phone is subjected to wear and tear. You have to look out for the cracks or scratches on the screen. If there is a lot of wear and tear, avoid buying the phone. 

• You should also check the other features such as Bluetooth and camera. Check the quality of the pictures clicked using this camera. If you’re planning to transfer data using Bluetooth, then it is wise to check the functioning of the Bluetooth. 

• The life of the battery should be tested. If you feel the battery has to be replaced, then it is advisable to ask for a brief warranty period from the seller so that you can test the battery later. 

• Last but not the least, check the sound reception and call quality of the incoming calls. You should also plug in those earphones and listen to the sound quality.

It is always better to buy a refurbished phone which is sent back to the manufacturer due to some technical defects.
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Summer Recipes for Kids

Summer is the time when the kids are at home and when the mothers have to rack their brains to feed them with sumptuous food. The growing up kids are always hungry and pine for good and delicious food. Here are a few recipes that you can make for your kids to satiate their hunger and keep their energy going this summer.

Fresh Peach Cobbler
Ingredients

1.  1/4 cup sugar
2. 6 large peaches, cut in thin slices
3. 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
4. 1 tsp cornstarch

Biscuit Topping

1. 1/2 cup sugar
2. 1 cup flour
3. 1/2 tsp salt
4. 3/8 cup butter, cut into pieces
5. 1 tsp baking powder
6. 1/4 cup boiling water

Directions
Preheat the oven to 190 degree Celsius. In a baking dish, mix the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and peaches. In bowl, sieve flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Rub in the butter to make the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Now blend well with boiling water to make a batter like consistency. Pour this into a baking dish and top with peaches. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or till the top is golden brown.

Margarita Chicken
The chicken is wonderful served hot off the grill, but it also tastes great cold or at room temperature. Serve it  sliced and tossed into a salad of mixed baby lettuces. This dish is liked by both kids and adults and is great dish for summer entertaining.
Ingredients

1.  2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2.  Fresh lime juice, from about 4 limes
3. Zest from one lime
4. 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
5. 2 cloves garlic, mashed
6. 1 teaspoon chili powder
7. Salt and pepper as per your taste
8. 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions
Place all ingredients in a large zip top plastic bag. Squish to combine. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight.Coat grill pan with cooking spray. Heat pan to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning breast a quarter turn after two minutes if cross hatch marks are desired. Serve immediately with a mayonnaise dip or salad.

Chicken and Salad Wraps
A very easy dish that you can fix up in a jiffy with left over chicken. You can also fill your picnic basket with this summer recipe when you take kids out for a field trip.
Ingredients

1. 200g shaved chicken breast
2. 4 wholegrain wraps
3. 1 large carrot, peeled, grated
4. 60g baby spinach
5. 2 teaspoons lemon juice
6. 1 tablespoon whole-egg mayonnaise

Directions
In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, avocado and lemon juice. On your chopping board, place one of the wraps, spread the avocado mixture. Next top it with the shredded chicken, carrot and spinach. Season with salt and pepper.Gently roll the wrap to enclose the filling. Cut into three pieces. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining wraps.
This would make a great lunch time snack for kids during summer season.
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Numerous Advantages of Online Auction Sites

This is a method of trading where you can sell your products/services by taking bids from people who wish to buy and then selling your products/services to the highest bidder. The winning bidder is determined as participant with highest bid and he has to follow the other factors as per rules of the auction. In an online auction, the participants bid for goods and services remotely over the Internet. Here the bidder will have to follow the rules and regulations of the set by the auctioning sites. There are many online auction sites that facilitate Internet auctions that allow the bidders to take part in auctions without leaving the comfort of their homes/offices. The online auction websites usually charge a commission from the sellers. There are many auction sites such as Everyday Yard Sale, that allow the auctioning of various items including cell phones, cars, boats, books, crockery, antiques, collectibles and sports equipment. Here we take a look at the advantages of online auctions.

Benefits of Online Auction Sites

In this era of e-commerce, auction has taken an altogether different form. You can even buy a house, without leaving your doorstep of your current home, while lounging on your wicker rocker in your boxer shorts! The comfort and anonymity that an online auction offers cannot be compared to physical auction. There are a plethora of benefits which many online websites offers to you as a seller or buyer.

Advantages for Sellers

Online auction sites offer a myriad of benefits to sellers which make auctioning an easy and pleasurable event and experience.

• Global reach – Sellers can showcase their products and services globally, They are no longer restricted to the bidders in their area or local community. This means global audience and good profit.

• Right pricing for products/services – Many of the bidding sites offer a base price for every goods/services. It is known as reserve. This is to ensure that bidder starts bidding from this base price onwards and seller gets the right price for his goods/services.

• Proper Disposal of Inventory- The inventory can be shipped out, only when there is a successful bid. Thus, there is no question of storage of goods until sale. This minimizes losses due to damaged goods. Besides, sellers do not have to pay for storage facilities.

• Reliable Transactions- Online auctioning is not only  fast but also reliable. However, it is worth mentioning that the reliability of the online bidding and auctioning depends on the reputation of the concerned website.

Advantages for Bidders

• No Time Barrier- The biggest perk of online auctioning is that time is not barrier. While you have to bid during a stipulated time period only, there is really no restriction on when you can bid. The online bidding sites run around the clock, therefore you can bid anytime you want.

• No Geographical Barrier- Thanks to the power of the Internet, you can bid for rare and valuable items/services around the world. Beside, these days, there are no shipping hassles.

• Transactions are fast -Online auctions are completed within a matter of few weeks. Typically, there is only a lapse of three weeks from the listing of an item to its actual sale.

There are risks involved in online auctioning. However the benefits outweigh the risks involved. You can avoid the risks if you choose a reputable and authentic website.
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