Why I'm Thankful My Removalist Suggested a Garage Sale Before Moving

 

When I booked my removalist to help with our move across Brisbane, I didn’t expect to get life advice. But among all the logistics and packing advice, one tip stood out—and I’m genuinely thankful for it:

“Why not hold a garage sale to clear out everything you don’t need before the move?”

It seemed simple at first, but that suggestion became the key to removing clutter from my home, easing our move, and even giving our budget a healthy boost. If you're about to move house and feeling overwhelmed by the mess in your garage, spare room, or cupboards—read on. This might help you like it helped me.

My Sincere Guide to Decluttering Before the Move

Before this move, I had no idea how much “stuff” we had. Boxes of kitchen gadgets we never used, half-broken garden tools, kids’ toys long forgotten. The thought of packing it all up just felt... exhausting.

That’s where yard clutter removal and a good decluttering plan came in. Rather than tossing everything or paying for clutter removal services, I started sorting what could be sold, donated, recycled, or dumped. Hosting a garage sale ended up being the smartest move of all.

Why a Garage Sale Was a Game-Changer

The best part about a garage sale? It helped us turn unwanted items into extra cash—right when we needed it most. And let’s face it, hiring house clutter removal or declutter junk removal teams can add to the moving cost. So if you can reduce the load yourself, it saves both money and stress.

It also gave us a chance to rehome items that still had value—like our old BBQ, kids’ bikes, unused camping gear, and even some vintage décor we’d stored for years.

The removalist was spot on: “If you don’t want to take it with you, don’t pack it—sell it.”

How I Organised My Garage Sale (and Made It Work!)

Here’s what worked for me:

• Set a Date and Time: I picked a Saturday morning and promoted it online and with local flyers.
  
  

• Start Sorting Early: I gave myself two weeks to sort through everything—cupboards, the garage, the shed.
  
  

• Categorise for Easy Browsing: I grouped items into “Kids Stuff”, “Kitchen & Homewares”, “Outdoor & Garden”, “Books & DVDs”, and “Random Finds”.
  
  

• Price to Sell: I reminded myself the goal was to remove clutter, not turn a huge profit.
  
  

• Prepare a Float & Bags: Coins, small notes, and reusable bags for customers made checkout smooth.
  
  

• Display Neatly: Tables, racks, and boxes made it easy for shoppers to browse.

What to Keep, Toss, or Sell: Making Smart Decisions

Here's how I made choices with purpose:

✅ Sell at Garage Sale:

• Good-condition homewares (toasters, décor, cushions)
  
  

• Old tech (DVD players, old phones, cables)
  
  

• Toys and baby gear
  
  

• Books, DVDs, CDs
  
  

• Sporting goods (cricket bats, scooters, fitness gear)
  
  

• Furniture too bulky for the new place
  
  

🗑️ Toss or Book Rubbish Removal:

• Broken appliances
  
  

• Stained or torn clothes
  
  

• Old paint tins and chemicals (I booked a rubbish removal tidy up for these)
  
  

❤️ Keep:

• Sentimental items
  
  

• Useful furniture for the new home
  
  

• Kitchen essentials
  
  

For anything not suitable for selling or rubbish, I also found local charities happy to collect items. If you're wondering “is there clutter removal near me?”—you'd be surprised how many services are just a Google search away.

Attracting Shoppers: Clever Marketing Ideas That Worked

You don’t need a massive ad budget to draw a crowd. I posted in local Facebook groups, used Gumtree, and even listed the sale on Marketplace with photos. Adding catchy headings like:

“Garage Sale Gold: Furniture, Tech, Toys & More!”
“Decluttering Before We Move—Bargains Must Go!”

I also stuck signs around the neighbourhood with big arrows pointing to our street. Worked a treat!

What Happened After the Garage Sale

Once the sale was done, we had a half-empty garage and a couple hundred dollars in our wallet. I booked a quick clutter removal and cleanup for the leftover junk and began preparing the house for sale.

With less “stuff” in the house, the space looked bigger, tidier, and more inviting for real estate photos. The removalists even commented how much quicker the move would be without all the extra weight.

If you’re preparing to list your home, I can’t recommend this step enough.

A Fresh Start (and a Cleaner One)

Looking back, I’m genuinely thankful for that tip from my removalist. I didn’t just save money and effort—I got to start fresh in our new home without dragging along all the clutter from our old one.

If you’re facing a move soon, don’t underestimate the power of a garage sale. It’s not just about making a few bucks—it’s about choosing what to bring with you into the next chapter.

And if you need help with clutter removal services near you, or a clutter removal company for anything left behind, they’re just a call or click away.

One Last Tip?

Ask your removalist! They’ve seen it all—and in my case, their one simple suggestion made the entire process so much smoother (and greener).