Nothing kills a sale morning like discovering at 7:45am that you have no change for a twenty. Here is the complete kit, assembled from thousands of sale days — and almost none of it needs to be bought.
Money handling
- $100 float: a roll of quarters, ten $1 bills, six $5s, two $10s
- A fanny pack or carpenter's apron — never a cash box left on a table
- Your Venmo/Zelle (US) or e-transfer (Canada) ready for big items
- A notepad for tracking multi-family splits (or colour-coded stickers per family)
Display
- Folding tables — borrow from neighbours; waist height doubles browsing time vs. tarps on the ground
- A clothing rack or a rope between two ladders for hanging clothes
- An extension cord to an outlet so buyers can test electronics
- Newspaper or packing paper, and a stack of grocery bags and boxes
- A mirror if you're selling clothes or accessories
- A FREE box at the curb — the best foot-traffic generator there is
Pricing and signs
- Sticker dots or masking tape + one thick marker (3-inch letters minimum on signs)
- 5–8 rigid signs on fluorescent board — see signs that actually work
- One posted legend if you use colour-coded dot pricing
- A 'CASH PREFERRED — e-transfer accepted' note at the pay table
Comfort and contingency
Assemble the kit on Friday, not Saturday morning. Then make sure buyers actually come: post your sale free with photos, and run through the full checklist the week before.
- Chairs, sunscreen, water, and a helper so you can take breaks
- A tarp or plastic sheeting in case of drizzle
- Painter's tape and a marker for on-the-spot price changes in the afternoon
- Phone charger — your listing's messages are how buyers ask questions
Frequently asked questions
How much change should I have for a garage sale?
About $100: a roll of quarters, ten $1s, six $5s and two $10s. Most buyers pay with twenties from the ATM, so small bills run out fast in the first two hours.
What do I need for a garage sale?
Tables (borrowed is fine), a cash float in a worn apron or fanny pack, sticker dots and a marker, 5–8 bright rigid signs, bags and wrapping paper, an extension cord for testing electronics, and an online listing posted a few days ahead.
Should I use a cash box at a garage sale?
Wear the money instead — an apron or fanny pack. An unattended cash box is the single most common way sellers lose their morning's earnings.