I agree that having a garage sale is the hard way, but in my case, I want the $$$
I also feel as if it helps keep the stuff out of the waste stream, most of what I am trying to get rid of has value to someone even if I can't imagine what it is! I price everything very reasonably and will haggle over price before I let the buyer walk away, cause the whole object of the game IS to sell it!
I bought all my furniture, dishes and most of the essentials for my first place from yard sales and thrift shops. I still have some of it!
The cleaning after IS the very best part! I love walking around in the ROOMY space after I have cleared out a bunch of junk, washed floors and windows and walls, repainted and hung curtains, and fitted it with select pieces of furniture and accessories! It's like a new place! I protect it afterwards, making sure it doesn't get junked up again and that it is kept clean so I can enjoy it!