So yesterday I had a garage sale. Actually, it was a yard sale in front of the house I rent a suite in . Profit: over 100 bucks, and a couple hours of mostly fun socializing. I actually highly recommend this as part of your summer routine. It is a great way to make some bucks, clear out some junk in your house to make way for more impulse buying, and a great opportunity to chat with some of your community you haven't met. In a big busy city you rarely have a chance to meet some of the intriguing characters that live just steps away from you. A day well spent.

My personal tip: for extra exposure, advertise the week before on www.craigslist.com - make your event sound unique and make sure you include: 'no early birds.' This might sound strange, but I learned to this after my first yard sale last year when a handful of really creepy old guys were hanging outside my patio an hour before it started.

I plan to do this every summer now...at least until I have something more exciting planned.