Selling CAR boots could be a perfect remedy for living expenses as hardened gamblers cash in on their unwanted assets.

As bills mount, people are often left sitting on a trove of forgotten clothes, household items and trinkets.

Research from MWB Solutions has shown that the average person selling at a car boot sale can earn £110 and that car boot sale attendance has increased by 25 per cent since 2021.

Celebrities are also getting in on the action. Actress Tamzin Outhwaite, 53, was spotted at a sale in Essex, while TV’s Stacey Solomon, 34, is keen on bargains for her home.

Money-making expert Dan Hatfield, author of Don’t Just Save It, Make It, thinks this is the perfect way to turn waste into money while having fun.

Here he shares his best tips for buyers and sellers.

BE QUICK – The early bird catches the worm and all that. You don’t want to be one of the last people organizing a car boot sale while others are already well on their way with their sales pitches. You can make your money before other sellers even get there.
Daniel says, “Arrive early. It is important not to be one of the last.

COMPARE ONLINE – Don’t take someone’s word for it when a seller says the item is unique.
Daniel says: “If you think you’ve found a bargain, use the Google Lens app to compare prices online. Things that tend to work well with car boots are things you can’t normally buy online, or things that are unusual and eye-catching.”

LOCATION LOCATION – Finding the right spot for your car is essential to attract the most visitors. You don’t want to be so far away that people see your stuff last. Plan a prime car boot sale property.
Daniel says: “Find the sweet spot. This is usually in the middle of the sale and ideally next to the burger bus.”

CHANGE IT – Trying to break a £20 note for something that only costs a pound will immediately annoy sellers. Most people understand that card payments are not allowed when selling shoes, but it helps to keep everything organized with money and bags.
Daniel says: “Bring change and your own bag. Salespeople will love you for this.”

BE PREPARED – Don’t get stressed in the morning by leaving things until the last minute. Make sure everything is ready to be packed in the car the day before so the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Daniel says, “Be prepared. Make sure you pack everything the night before and categorize the items so buyers can easily sort through them.

SUBJECT – Negotiation is the key to getting the best deal. It is important to negotiate respectfully and meet in the middle so that both parties feel like winners. Even a small discount on the retail price can be enough savings to buy something else.
Daniel says, “Haggling is key, but people sell to people they like, and people buy off people they like.”

STRATEGY – As with any other store, it is important that the layout attracts the attention of shoppers. There are some surefire ways to immediately grab the attention of bargain hunters.
Daniel says: “Toys should be on the floor and attract children to the corner of their eyes. Trinkets should be placed on the table. Keep expensive items in the back in case of light fingers.

HOLD OUT – Staying in power is important. You never know when the best deals can be made with sellers, so prepare for a long day.
Daniel says: “Get there early to catch those unique items that will sell out quickly… and stay late because you can score a bargain right at the end. Sellers generally don’t want to take anything home with them”

PRICE IS CORRECT – Selling many items can be a tricky prospect when determining prices. It’s easier to streamline the process and save hassle by using categories for different cost levels.
Daniel says: “Group your similarly priced items together to make it easy for buyers. It helps you avoid individual prices.”

SIZE MATTERS – Don’t buy anything without thinking about logistics. A large piece of furniture is not practical if you do not have a van or other means of transport. There’s no point in creating problems that you could do without.
Daniel says: “Think practically before you buy something big. How do you get your things home?