Spring is just around the corner and this is a great time to plan for and hold a garage sale (or yard sale). Although a successful garage sale takes good planning, time and effort, the benefits usually make it worthwhile. It can help declutter your home and depending on the quantity and quality of the items you put up for sale, it has the potential to be reasonably profitable.

If you are planning on putting your Florida home on the market in the near future, consider having a garage or yard sale to make your move lighter as well as help potential home buyers see the amount of (not lack of) storage space in your home. Perhaps you'll even decide to use the profits from the garage sale to replace a stained carpet or an old appliance, or pay for any necessary repairs you know would show up on a home inspection report.

Most local newspapers charge a nominal amount for anyone wanting to advertise a garage sale in the classified section.

More articles for tips on having a successful garage sale:

• Garage Sales: Minding Your Manners
• Garage Sales II: The 'Rules' For Sellers
• How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale
• The High and Low-Tech of Yard Sales