It’s the first of the month, a holiday in the middle of the week and yard sales abound this week from Ironton to Proctorville.

Some people clean out garages and closets and others are flea marketers who just decide to sell merchandise from their home.

“It’s the first of the month and nice weather,” said Robert Brown, of South Point resident whose family was having a garage sale.

Some people are “addicted” to shopping at yard sales for bargains in everything from books, tools, clothing and toys to pictures, glassware, furniture and home d/cor — and everything in between.

Edie Mays, of South Point, and Mona Deese, of Sciotoville, have both worked at flea markets with new merchandise.

“I was in the flea market for 18 years,” Mays said. “This is just an accumulation of what I’ve collected. I had a booth at the Hillbilly and then I closed down and I sell at Lucasville three times a year.”

They set up at home in South Point about once a month, she said.

“Mostly what I have is the primitives,” Mays said. “I sell flowers for the graves in May.”

The Deese family is raising money for a vacation.

“We’re going on vacation, like a Fort Rapids thing in Columbus,” Deese said. “We’re raising money for it.”

According to www.getrichslowly.org, a group sale is better than selling alone. The Web site offers 10 tips to get ready for the day of the sale.

4Be clear on the purpose of your sale

4Advertise

4Get cash ready for change

4Play background music

4Make it easy for shoppers to test electronic items

4Create a pleasant environment where it is easy for customers to browse.