Spring is here and now is a perfect time to have a garage sale and get rid of things you don’t need or use anymore. You can also make some money while downsizing. In the Great Lakes region many people have garage or thrift sales to do just that.

When you have a few hours, which we all know is very seldom, go through your closets and decide which things aren’t being used. Every closet holds more than it should. Items that we yearned for or thought we couldn’t live without clutter our lives. If you haven’t used any items in a year or more, maybe it is time to let go of something you thought you needed. Sell it to someone else and let them put it to good use.

Get your family involved. Kids know what they want and what things they are ready to part with. Your husband may be willing to get rid of a few of his things in the garage or workshop too.

To keep peace in your family, let everyone go through their own things. This will prevent an accidental sale of items that are valuable to them. The whole family will feel less stressed with fewer ‘things’ cluttering the living areas, bedrooms and workspaces.

Just think of how refreshing it will feel in your home once you get rid of the junk. You won’t have to dust or move these unwanted or unused items around anymore!

If you don’t want to have a garage sale, there is always someone else who is willing to. You can always find a garage sale to look for “treasures.” As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

In Wisconsin, during the first weekend of May, you can drive along the Mississippi River and take in a 100-mile stretch of garage sales. Balloons and colored ribbons let bargain hunters know which homes are having a sale. A variety of items will line driveways and fill garages, eager for buyers to pick through, purchase, and take home. The Mississippi Valley Partners sponsor this sale.

In Minnesota, there are neighborhoods who get together to host at least 100 garage sales the second weekend in May. A Google map will be available to help shoppers find their way. This is great for those who really like to be prepared on their shopping trips!

In Michigan, numerous garage sales will line US 12 from New Buffalo to Detroit during the second week of August.

No matter which Great Lakes state you live in garage sales are available for people to find bargains no matter what they are looking for.