Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/332510
TheWallStreet Journal has esti- mated the annual yield from garage sales to be around $2 billion. Isn't it about time for you to claim your share of that jackpot? It's spring and I can't think of a better time to clean out the drawers, closets and disaster areas that your family members are al- ways complaining about. You need to turn that clut- ter into cash. The first thing you need to do is choose the dates. Check all kinds of calen- dars to make sure your sale won't hit the same weekend as a commu- nity event, holiday week- end or Aunt Ethel's 80th birthday party. Assume that no matter what time of day you select to open your sale, people will show up at 6 am. That's just the way it is, so be prepared. Those early birds are the pros, so be ready. Next, choose the location and re- member that a tidy sales area will be key to your success. And don't forget to check local ordi- nances. Some cities require a permit to hold a garage sale. Police officers in your driveway probably won't attract the kind of customers you're looking for. So find out the rules ahead of time. Get your items ready for sale. Make sure every- thing is as clean as hu- manly possible. Organize things by category with clothes in one area, toys in another, housewares dis- played together and so forth. Know what you have as well. You'll find peo- ple cruising by looking for specific items like antique silverware or baby furni- ture. They're not going to look through your things, but they will expect you to know exactly what you have and where it is. You cannot be too pre- pared. In fact, every min- ute you spend ahead of time in making sure your sale is well-organized and attractive will put more dollars in your pocket. To make the most of every ef- fort you expend, I highly recommend a fabulous book — "Garage Sale Su- perstar." It's an easy read and the author, Eric Mi- chael, will teach you in short order how to make the most money possible at your event, so listen to him. Do exactly what he says and you will at least double your take with- out increasing your effort. That's the thing about do- ing things right from the start. Now you're ready to in- form the world. The time and effort you spend on advertising will pay off big. CraigsList.org is a great place to post your sale, for free. List specific items you will have avail- able. Antiques and baby items typically bring buy- ers in droves. Don't forget to hang those attractive signs around your neighborhood and make sure to write an ad for the local newspaper that will leave people sal- ivating. Finally, price your junk ... I mean, treasures. Re- member that you are not competing with Target. Shoppers are looking for bargains, so determine your best price and add a bit to leave room for hag- gling. There are two schools of thought when it comes to pricing items. The first is that you tag each item with a specific price. That keeps things less chaotic once buyers begin scour- ing through all of your things. Just be prepared for shoppers to bargain down the price, even if you consider your prices to be the rock bottom. It's part of the tag-sale culture. The second method sug- gests that sales often work best when you don't price things in advance. Wait to see what a customer of- fers you, which you may be surprised is more than you would ask. Even if you don't put a price tag on items, you should still have a general idea of how much each item is worth and the minimum amount you'll accept. And don't be afraid to hold your ground. Seasoned "salers" just don't feel right about paying full price without any objection at all. On sale day, make sure you have an electrical out- let available so that buy- ers can test items to make sure they're working. If you are one to go all out, having water available will be much appreciated and perhaps even keep people looking longer at what you have to offer. A great trick that will include the kids who show up with their parents is to make up a big box filled with grab bags. Small pa- per lunch bags work great for this. Fill them with small items like toys, stick- ers, wrapped candies — anything you have that would be fun for a child to open. And the fuller each bag is, the better. Seal the bags and then post a sign near your checkout area, "50 Cents Each!" After the sale, resist the urge to re-stash the left- overs. Instead, call your lo- cal charity to schedule a pickup. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@eve- rydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheap- skate, P.O. Box 2099, Cy- press, CA 90630. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Turn your junk to cash in a weekend Mary Hunt Some natural disasters are more common in the summer. But major events like earth- quakes and fires can strike any time. It's a good idea to plan for what to do in case of a disaster. You can help make your recovery easier by keep- ing your tax and financial re- cords safe. Here are some ba- sic steps you can take now to prepare: 1. Backup Records Elec- tronically. Many people re- ceive bank statements by email. This is a good way to secure your records. You can also scan tax records and in- surance policies onto an elec- tronic format. You can use an external hard drive, CD or DVD to store important re- cords. Be sure you back up your files and keep them in a safe place. If a disaster strikes your home, it may also affect a wide area. If that happens you may not be able to re- trieve your records. 2. Document Valuables. Take photos or videos of the contents of your home or busi- ness. These visual records can help you prove the value of your lost items. They may help with insurance claims or casualty loss deductions on your tax return. You should store them with a friend or relative who lives out of the area. 3. Update Emergency Plans. Review your emergency plans every year. Update them when your situation changes. Make sure you have a way to get severe weather informa- tion. Have a plan for what to do if threatening weather ap- proaches. 4. Get Copies of Tax Re- turns or Transcripts. Visit IRS.gov to get Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Re- turn, to replace lost or de- stroyed tax returns. If you just need information from your return, you can order a free transcript online or by calling 800-908-9946. You can also file Form 4506T-EZ, Short Form Request for Indi- vidual Tax Return Transcript or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. 5. Count on the IRS. If you fall victim to a disaster, know that the IRS stands ready to help. You can call the IRS di- saster hotline at 866-562-5227 for special help with disaster- related tax issues. Visit IRS.gov to get more about IRS disaster assistance. Click on the Disaster Relief link in the lower left of the home page. You can also get forms and publications any- time on IRS.gov. To get them in the mail, call 800-TAX- FORM. TAX TIP Los Molinos would like to recognize Jase Nor- thup for receiving the CSU Chico Bell Family Presiden- tial Scholarship, the largest scholarship endowment in the university. Northup is one of two re- cipients for this first ever award. Recipients will re- ceive $5,000 per year for four years. Bell Family Presiden- tial Scholars were selected based on academic achieve- ment, commitment to ag- riculture, leadership and civic engagement. Applicants who met the academic eligibility for the scholarship had a high school GPA of 3.5 and a 1,200 total SAT Reasoning Test Score — includes ver- bal and mathematics — or 27 on the ACT. High achievement and the pursuit of excellence are highly valued at Los Molinos High School, which celebrates North- up's achievement. LOS MOLINOS Northup one of two awarded inaugural scholarship JaseNorthup Thursday REDBLUFF California HEAT Chorus - Sweet Adelines: 7p.m., Meteer School Room 26, 695Kimball Road. Childbirth Class: 6:30-8:30p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Columba Room, 888-628-1948 Community Action Agency: 3 p.m. Board of Supervisors cham- bers Democratic Central Committee of Tehama County: 5:30p.m., Patio Room, Lariat Bowl, 365S. Main St. Fun Senior Aerobics: 8-9a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Grief Support Group: 3p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Kristin, 528-4207 Imagination Train storyhour: 4 p.m., Tehama County Library Kelly-Griggs House Museum: 1-3p.m., 311Washington St., group tours by appointment, 527-1129or 527-5895 Live country music, dinner: 5-7 p.m., Veterans Hall Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association: 10a.m., Tehama District Fairground, 529-1603 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18: 3-5 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Passages caregiver support group: 10a.m., Community and Senior Center, 1500S. Jackson St., 229-0878or 800995-0878 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Commu- nity Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Phoenix Community Support Group for those getting over chemical dependency: 11:30a.m., Presbyterian Church, 838Jeffer- son St., 945-2349 Pinochle for Seniors: 12:30-3:30 p.m., 1500S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Exchange Club: noon, M&M Ranch House, 645Antelope Blvd. #1 Red Bluff Joint Union High School District Board of Trust- ees: 5:30p.m., 1525Douglas St. Red Bluff Lions Club: 6p.m., Vet- erans Memorial, 527-8452 Red Cross Disaster Volunteers Meeting: 6-7:30p.m., CalFire headquarters, 604Antelope Blvd., north side of Antelope, 934-5344 Reeds Creek School District Board of Trustees: 4:40p.m. Rock Choir: 4p.m., 601Monroe St., free, all welcome Sacramento River Discov- ery Center Thursday Evening Program: 7p.m., 1000Sale Lane, 527-1196 Senior Chair Volleyball: 1p.m. Community Center, 1500S. Jack- son St. Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters: noon, 220Sycamore St. Support group for pet loss: 2 p.m., Family Service Agency, 1347 Grant St., 527-6782 Swinging Squares Square Dance Club: 7p.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St., beginner or review classes, 529-1615 Tehama County Health Planning Council, noon: Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road Tehama County Planning Com- mission: 9a.m., board chambers, 745Oak St. Widowed Persons Dinner: 5p.m., call 384-2471for location CORNING Cal-Fresh and Healthy Family Appointments: 1-3p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488South St., 824-7670 Corning High School Board: 7 p.m., 643Blackburn Ave. Corning Patriots: 6p.m., Senior Center, 824-2332 Dance with Juana: noon to 1p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Dual Diagnosis Group: 1:30-3 p.m., 1600Solano St., 527-8491, Ext. 3309 ESL/Citizenship classes: 9a.m. - 11a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824- 7670 Improved Order of Red Men: 7 p.m. Independent Grange 470, 20945Corning Road, 824-1114 Sewing group: 9a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Soccer training: 4-6p.m., except for holidays and rain, Wood- son School Soccer Field, 150N Toomes, 824-7680 Women's Support Group: 6p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 LOS MOLINOS Diabetes Support Group: 1p.m., Sherwood Manor Community Room, 7975Sherwood Blvd. Los Molinos Unified School Board: 7p.m., Los Molinos High School cafeteria GERBER Gerber-Las Flores Community Service District: 5:30p.m. 331 San Benito Ave. MINERAL Mineral School Board: 5p.m., 38355Scenic Ave. Friday RED BLUFF Celebrate Recovery: 7p.m., Bethel Assembly of God, 625 Luther Road, 527-0445or 366- 6298 Polymer Clay Workshop: 6-8 p.m., The Green Room, 331Oak St. Red Bluff Rotary Club Sunrise: 7 a.m., M&M Ranch CORNING Car Show: 5-9p.m., Bartels Giant Burger, 22355Corning Road, local car clubs welcome, 824-2788 Nutrition Classes: 11:30a.m. to 1 p.m., 175Solano St., 824-7670 LOS MOLINOS Friends of the Los Molinos Library: 6p.m, 7881Highway 99E, 384-2945 Saturday RED BLUFF Chamber Certified Farmers Mar- ket: 7:30a.m. to noon, River Park 527-6220 Frontier Village Farmers Market: 8a.m. to 1p.m., 645Antelope Blvd. TEHAMA Tehama County Museum: 1-4 p.m., 275C St., groups by appoint- ment, 384-2595 Sunday RED BLUFF AA Live and Let Live: noon and 5:30p.m., 785Musick St., seven days a week except Thursday meets at 8p.m. Al-Anon New Comers At Heart: 6:30-7:30p.m., Presbyterian Church of Red Bluff, 838Jefferson Road, Room 2, 690-2034 Kelly-Griggs House Museum: 1-3p.m., 311Washington St., group tours by appointment, 527-1129 TEHAMA Tehama County Museum: 1-4 p.m., 275C St., groups by appoint- ment, 384-2595 Monday RED BLUFF Community Band rehearsal: 7-9 p.m., Presbyterian Church on Jef- ferson Street, 527-3486 English as a Second Language class: 5:30-8:30p.m., Red Bluff High School Adult Ed building, 1295Red Bud, 736-3308, same time Tuesday and Wednesday and 9a.m. to 12:20p.m. Thursdays, free childcare from 9a.m. to 12:20 p.m. classes in Richlieu Hall, 900 Johnson St. Head Injury Recreational Entity: 10a.m.-2p.m., St. Elizabeth Com- munity Hospital, Coyne Center, Rusty, 529-2059 Key to Life: 6p.m., Family Re- source Center, 220Sycamore St. Suite 101, 528-8066 Nutrition classes: 10:30a.m. to noon, 220Sycamore St. #101 PAL Martial Arts: 3-5p.m., ages 5-18, 1005Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Red Bluff Community Band Con- cert: 8p.m., Red Bluff River Park., 527-3486 Red Bluff Senior Writing Class: 10: a.m.-noon,,Executive Room at Sycamore Center, 220Sycamore St., 527-5762 Salvation Army Writing Class: 9:30-11:30a.m., 940Walnut St., 527-8530 Sun Country Quilters Com- munity Service Group: 9a.m. to noon, Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Suite 101, 528-1126 Sun Country Quilters Guild Meeting: 7p.m., Westside Room, Community Center, 1500S. Jack- son St. 528-1126 TeenScreen Mental Health Ap- pointments: 10a.m. to 2p.m., free, by appointment, Youth Em- powerment Services, 1900Walnut St., 527-8491, Ext. 3012. CALENDAR LassenHouse 705LutherRoad,RedBluff (530) 529-2900 www.Emeritus.com Respite Care Thereareserveralreasonsto take advantage of short term respite care FromEmeritus Cheers Barber Shop 570-230 4 855 Walnut St. $ 8 00 Cuts Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Whenitcomestofinding the perfect home, make sure you have the right realtor on your side. MeetYour Dream Team Stromer Realty (530) 527-3100 590 Antelope Blvd. Bldg. A, Suites 10 & 20 Red Bluff ~ Specializing in residential to ranches ~ http://redbluff.stromerrealty.com 530-366-3166 545 Adobe Rd. Red Bluff www.redbluffdodge.com 7875 HWY 99E LOS MOLINOS, CA 384-1265 Nosubstitutions ORDERS TO GO HashBrownsor Home Fries & 1 Toast $ 4 99 Served 6:30am- 9:00am Mon.-Fri. BreakfastSpecial 1/2SliceHam 2 Eggs LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, June 19, 2014 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4