After years of living with your family at the same house  you have accumulated quite a few fond experiences and memories.

And clutter.

Now you have come to the next logical conclusion that you should have a garage sale to turn your junk - (I mean tresures...) in to cold hard cash.

Below, you will find listed 10 tips to ensure you have a profitable and successful yard sale or garage sale.

1. Picking the best day. Saturdays are the best day to have your yard sale. If your event is a two day affair, Friday and Saturday seem to be your best bet. Make sure you choose a date that where there is not a popular local event that day such as a sporting event or celebration.

Many neighborhoods will have an organized selling day predetermined each year. Waiting for this pre-planned date might be worth your while.

2. Organize. Selecting and organizing your items the week or two leading up to the sale help ensure you will be ready for your event. It will also reduce stress levels and allow you time to decide what you do – and do not wish to part with.

3. Know your competition. One or two weeks prior to your big event, take time to visit other garage sales in your area to see which items are popular and in demand. Also understanding the pricing in your local area will help you accurately price your items and maximize your revenue.

4. Advertise. Take the time to place an inexpensive ad in the appropriate media outlets. You will be able to keep your advertising costs low by advertising in the small periodicals in your area that specialize in classified sales and small private garage sales. Also look for free advertising opportunities on the Internet.

5. Price everything before the opening day. When you know the market value of your treasures, ensure you take the time to price everything with labels and a permanent marker. Old school price tags on a string also are easy to work with. The last thing you will want to do is have a garage sale with customers present without your items priced. Correctly displaying the price indicates to your guests what your asking price is. This will help eliminate customers suggesting a low-ball offering.

6. Get help. Sure you get what you pay for – but maybe all you need to offer is a free lunch or a cold beverage to one of your best friends. You will need a helper when you get involved with a transaction or answering questions during peak times.

7. Don’t forget to feed your self. Have a cooler stashed nearby of water and snacks. You will not have time to wander inside and rest. Don’t forget to have a hat and sunscreen to protect you from the sun. Also make sure your cell phone is fully charged the night before.

8. Have a change bag. Starting the day with a change bag with coins and one-dollar bills will help you get the sale running smoothly from the start.

9. Be on the job early. It’s a good idea to be fully set up with your pre-priced merchandise one hour prior to the advertised start time. Many shoppers plan to arrive early to get the first opportunity to buy.

10. Create a pleasant shopping atmosphere. Take time to make your yard sale a fun place to be for your guests. Having music playing at an appropriate level will promote traffic and allow shoppers to feel at home and encourage sales.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget the charities. After the event, call your favorite charity to come by and pick up the unclaimed items for their use. Many organizations will gladly come by and haul off the unwanted merchandise at no additional charge.

Following the guidelines above will help you get off to a great start and have a successful garages sale or a successful yard sale. So get planning and get to work - - Who knows - you might even have some fun while you're doing it, too.