The Season of Selling and Simplifying

Across Oxford County, yard sale season is in full swing. Drive through most towns on a sunny Saturday morning and you'll spot driveway displays, cardboard signs, and plenty of treasure hunters on the lookout.

Hosting a yard sale is a great way to clear the clutter and make a little cash, but here's the golden rule: what you put out to sell shouldn't come back inside your house.

If It’s Out, Keep It Out

It can be tempting to think, “Well, maybe I’ll hang onto this if it doesn’t sell…” But if it wasn’t useful to you last week, it won’t be useful next week either. Once it’s out, it’s time to let it go.

Let Facebook Groups Do the Work

That’s where local Facebook groups come in—especially Buy Nothing groups. These are hyper-local community groups where members offer up items for free, no strings attached. You simply post a photo of what you’re giving away, and a neighbour can comment to claim it. It’s a simple, feel-good way to pass things along to people in your own community and reduce waste, without the back-and-forth of selling.

What Does it Look Like?

I once gave away a Hotdog Toaster (yes, that’s a real thing!) that I probably could’ve sold for $5 or $10. But instead of holding onto it or haggling over price, I posted it in a local Buy Nothing group. It was gone the same day—easy, quick, and off my to-do list.

Money vs. Mental Energy

Sometimes, the few dollars you might earn just aren’t worth the stress of pricing, answering messages, or organizing another yard sale. Giving something away can be the one of the most efficient ways to reclaim your space and your peace of mind.

Don’t Let the Clutter Come Back

If you’re clearing out after a yard sale, load up the car for donation drop-offs or post in a local free group before you second-guess yourself. You’ve already done the hard work—don’t undo it by bringing clutter back inside.

Finish What You Started

Yard sales are one of the tools in the decluttering process, but only if you follow through. So as you tidy up your garage or empty those bins, remember your goal isn’t just to sell—it’s to lighten your load.

Let it go. Let it stay gone. And enjoy the fresh start.