It's summer and there's never been a better time to have a garage sale. De-cluttering the house might seem like a job for spring, but summer is just as good. Have you been looking for a reason to clear out the kid's closet, or finally turn that spare room into the guest bedroom of your dreams, minus the junk? Now's your chance. The idea of a garage sale might sound pretty simple, but there are some things you can do to make the most of it. After all, you don't want to accidentally give that antique bowl to someone for just a couple of bucks. Here are a few handy tips to get the ball rolling.

Carefully pick a date that works for other people.

We get it, it's summer and that usually means a packed full calendar. If it's not the kids, then it's a birthday party or family gathering. The most important thing to bear in mind when planning a garage sale is that the date you pick needs to work for the general public. A Friday morning might work best for you, but what about your neighbors who work 9-5 five days a week? Saturday and Sunday mornings are the best time to set up your items, usually from 6 am to midday. Of course, if you're at home anyway, extending these times could help you shift your stuff.

Give your kids a box each.

Let's face it, kids don't like giving stuff away. They might not have played with that Spider-Man action figure for three years, but as soon as you put it in the "to-go" box, it's suddenly the best toy they've ever had. Getting your kids involved in the process is a great way to take the burden away from you, while also getting something done. Give each of your little ones a box and ask them to find things they want to give away to other kids. If you're feeling extra nice, tell them they can keep the money that they make to put towards something else.

Make sure you've got a permit (if you need one).

It might sound silly as you're having a sale on your own property, but a lot of places require you to have a permit these days. It can be tempting to risk it and move forward without the paperwork, but you could get into trouble, shut down, and even fined. Find out from your town authority about what you need to do to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Who knows, you might even get a few customers from the office!

Spread the word.

The key to any success garage sale is getting the word out that you're having one. The more people that hear about it, the more people that will turn up. What's the good in hauling all your stuff to the yard in organized piles if no one shows up to buy it? Social media is a great way to advertise these days, with so many "for sale" sites popping up. If that isn't your thing, do it the old fashioned way and place an ad in the local paper. Print leaflets and ask to put them on store notice boards. Text all your friends and tell them to text their friends!

Make sure you have enough change.

There's nothing more frustrating than wanting to buy an item at a sale and the seller not having change. It's awkward on all counts. The customer may leave empty-handed, or you might end up feeling obligated to part with something for a cheaper price - all because you don't have coinage. Sure, it would be great if buyers could bring a little assortment of cash, but it's not their responsibility. If you want the money, make sure you've got plenty of change.

Have your kids arrange their own tables.

Remember when you were a kid and playing pretend stores was the best thing ever? Give your kids a taste of what it's like to do the real thing by having them man their own tables. This could encourage them to clear out some more stuff, too. They can have their own money belt and with a little guidance price their own items.

Most importantly - have fun!

Related: Survey Found The Most Common Excuses For Why We Hang On To Clutter