Today, it begins

[Duppa]

It's an old story. Worked 30 years for the same company, planning for more years, but the boss had other ideas (that did not include me). I'm okay with that; I've had a severance offer on the table for six years and I've come to the point where I've accepted that I'm not really "god's gift" to the business... so, yesterday I took the offer, I turned the page. Now, TV. We've been coming to TV since 2012. Watched a TV commercial on Fox's Hannity, next thing we knew we were on the all-too-familar "life-style visit"... drinking TV cool-aid. After several years of renting, bought a "starter" home in 2016; been back and forth ever since... Now, TV's no longer a back and forth destination, it's going to be home. Next step? Another old story, thinning the massive accumulation of "stuff" to a respectable and reasonable TV size that fits our new TV life. That job looks to be daunting. It seems I can face (enjoy and settle into) a sunny Florida life, but "thinning" that accumulation of a life-time of stuff seems more than daunting; it feels absolutely paralyzing... If I did anything wrong in the past, it was certainly rooted in the madness of saving everything, and I mean everything... and I heaped curses on myself even more by having a Northern home with way-too-much storage space! While things are not "hoarder" looking, but now, I feel like I need "American Pickers" to thin my heard, but fear I'll only say "Not For Sale" to every offer... While I was perfectly happy to keep the stock-plie of everything, shifting back and forth from North to South, but now? For the first time in my life, it's where-to-start that stymies... It's not really things that matter, it's the memories attached to the things... You sit down with a box and suddenly you are transported to another time and place, to your younger self, your growing family, all too many Christmas's past... and then it hits you, and hits you hard; it's all too precious, how could I possibly separate the things from the memories? How could I let go of any of it? And now to you, oh wise and sage TVers... while I think I've got a handle on what may be the other two retirement "issues" (no longer working, leaving friends and family), I could really use, and welcome, any and all wisdoms on this "stuff" transition thing.

[dsbouley]

It's an old story. Worked 30 years for the same company, planning for more years, but the boss had other ideas (that did not include me). I'm okay with that; I've had a severance offer on the table for six years and I've come to the point where I've accepted that I'm not really "god's gift" to the business... so, yesterday I took the offer, I turned the page. Now, TV. We've been coming to TV since 2012. Watched a TV commercial on Fox's Hannity, next thing we knew we were on the all-to-familar "life-style visit"... drinking TV cool-aid. After several years of renting, bought a "starter" home in 2016; been back and forth ever since... Now, TV's no longer a back and forth destination, it's going to be home. Next step? Another old story, thinning the massive accumulation of "stuff" to a respectable and reasonable TV size that fits our new TV life. That job looks to be daunting. It seems I can face (enjoy and settle into) a sunny Florida life, but "thinning" that accumulation of a life-time of stuff seems more than daunting; it feels absolutely paralyzing... If I did anything wrong in the past, it was certainly rooted in the madness of saving everything, and I mean everything... and I heaped curses on myself even more by having a Northern home with way-too-much storage space! While things are not "hoarder" looking, but now, I feel like I need "American Pickers" to thin my heard, but fear I'll only say "Not For Sale" to every offer... While I was perfectly happy to keep the stock-plie of everything, shifting back and forth from North to South, but now? For the first time in my life, it's where-to-start that stymies... It's not really things that matter, it's the memories attached to the things... You sit down with a box and suddenly you are transported to another time and place, to your younger self, your growing family, all too many Christmas's past... and then it hits you, and hits you hard; it's all too precious, how could I possibly separate the things from the memories? How could I let go of any of it? And now to you, oh wise and sage TVers... while I think I've got a handle on what may be the other two retirement "issues" (no longer working, leaving friends and family), I could really use, and welcome, any and all wisdoms on this "stuff" transition thing.We sold our house completely furnished. I mean everything. Wife wanted all new to fit the style of house we have, not had. We only have one son, so we had him come over and go through everything we had and reminded him that he would have to deal with this when we are gone anyway. So he took what he wanted and anything else neither of us wanted and have not used in years we either donated or discarded. One of the best decisions we made for now we live in the most clutter free home we have had in years. Hope that helps in your decision.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Allegiance]

Good advice, house clutter, clutters the brain.

Start fresh.

[jnieman]

It's an old story. Worked 30 years for the same company, planning for more years, but the boss had other ideas (that did not include me). I'm okay with that; I've had a severance offer on the table for six years and I've come to the point where I've accepted that I'm not really "god's gift" to the business... so, yesterday I took the offer, I turned the page. Now, TV. We've been coming to TV since 2012. Watched a TV commercial on Fox's Hannity, next thing we knew we were on the all-to-familar "life-style visit"... drinking TV cool-aid. After several years of renting, bought a "starter" home in 2016; been back and forth ever since... Now, TV's no longer a back and forth destination, it's going to be home. Next step? Another old story, thinning the massive accumulation of "stuff" to a respectable and reasonable TV size that fits our new TV life. That job looks to be daunting. It seems I can face (enjoy and settle into) a sunny Florida life, but "thinning" that accumulation of a life-time of stuff seems more than daunting; it feels absolutely paralyzing... If I did anything wrong in the past, it was certainly rooted in the madness of saving everything, and I mean everything... and I heaped curses on myself even more by having a Northern home with way-too-much storage space! While things are not "hoarder" looking, but now, I feel like I need "American Pickers" to thin my heard, but fear I'll only say "Not For Sale" to every offer... While I was perfectly happy to keep the stock-plie of everything, shifting back and forth from North to South, but now? For the first time in my life, it's where-to-start that stymies... It's not really things that matter, it's the memories attached to the things... You sit down with a box and suddenly you are transported to another time and place, to your younger self, your growing family, all too many Christmas's past... and then it hits you, and hits you hard; it's all too precious, how could I possibly separate the things from the memories? How could I let go of any of it? And now to you, oh wise and sage TVers... while I think I've got a handle on what may be the other two retirement "issues" (no longer working, leaving friends and family), I could really use, and welcome, any and all wisdoms on this "stuff" transition thing.

We donated a ton of stuff to Goodwill. About 15 trips. The furniture we photographed and sent out a mass email to everyone we knew with the photos. We priced everything very reasonably. We sold most of the furniture this way. The rest we sold on Craig's list or through ads in the local newspaper. The less you bring down here the better. We don't have a lot of extra storage space in many of the houses here. Hauling a bunch of furniture that doesn't really go in your new house is expensive. Good luck. You'll love it here!

[ColdNoMore]

OP - Pare down to the bare minimum of what you feel you just cannot live without...then get rid of 3/4 of that. :D

If the memories of some of the items are so strong as to elicit gut-wrenching emotions...take a photo before getting rid of them.

It's amazing on how quickly you will adjust to having less 'stuff,' because in the final analysis...'stuff' is all it is.

And yes, it is tough at first watching the things you sell going for pennies on the dollar of what you paid, but when you're through selling/donating/throwing away all of a previous life's accumulation...you will actually feel a sense of relief.

Been there, done that...resisted buying a T-shirt to add to the 'stuff.' :1rotfl:

And since a lifetime behavior is hard to change, you will soon find that you're buying more 'stuff'...for your new home.

The only positive of that, is the fact that your heirs...will then have to deal with it. :ho:

[BRN_RI_FL]

It's an old story. Worked 30 years for the same company, planning for more years, but the boss had other ideas (that did not include me). I'm okay with that; I've had a severance offer on the table for six years and I've come to the point where I've accepted that I'm not really "god's gift" to the business... so, yesterday I took the offer, I turned the page. Now, TV. We've been coming to TV since 2012. Watched a TV commercial on Fox's Hannity, next thing we knew we were on the all-to-familar "life-style visit"... drinking TV cool-aid. After several years of renting, bought a "starter" home in 2016; been back and forth ever since... Now, TV's no longer a back and forth destination, it's going to be home. Next step? Another old story, thinning the massive accumulation of "stuff" to a respectable and reasonable TV size that fits our new TV life. That job looks to be daunting. It seems I can face (enjoy and settle into) a sunny Florida life, but "thinning" that accumulation of a life-time of stuff seems more than daunting; it feels absolutely paralyzing... If I did anything wrong in the past, it was certainly rooted in the madness of saving everything, and I mean everything... and I heaped curses on myself even more by having a Northern home with way-too-much storage space! While things are not "hoarder" looking, but now, I feel like I need "American Pickers" to thin my heard, but fear I'll only say "Not For Sale" to every offer... While I was perfectly happy to keep the stock-plie of everything, shifting back and forth from North to South, but now? For the first time in my life, it's where-to-start that stymies... It's not really things that matter, it's the memories attached to the things... You sit down with a box and suddenly you are transported to another time and place, to your younger self, your growing family, all too many Christmas's past... and then it hits you, and hits you hard; it's all too precious, how could I possibly separate the things from the memories? How could I let go of any of it? And now to you, oh wise and sage TVers... while I think I've got a handle on what may be the other two retirement "issues" (no longer working, leaving friends and family), I could really use, and welcome, any and all wisdoms on this "stuff" transition thing.

We recently purchased in The Villages but still have a place up north. I can’t offer any advice as we have some of the exact feelings that you have. We raised three kids in the same small house we had built in 1981. There are so many memories in our house it will be hard to let go of it but I know we eventually will have to. We also have accumulated so much stuff over the years. My wife has recently gone through boxes of our kids school papers that we saved. After 31 years I took an early retirement from Hasbro as I could see they really didn’t care if I stayed or left. Good luck on your transition. I think we’ll need a bit of that luck on ours also.

[Sgroemm]

I agree with ColdNoMore, take a picture of anything that you feel extremely attached to but know you will not be able to store. I recently had to reduce a 4 bedroom home to a 10X12 storage unit for a year in preparation for my June move to TV. I have two (now grown and on their own) children so I not only had their childhood keepsakes and grade school projects, but my own accumulation of 50 some years. I took pictures of many items and then began to donate to the church, Habitat for Humanity, sell online and fill bags for the garbage. Shutterfly and other online photo retailers have this neat little bound book of photos you can order, so I began to organize my photos of my memories into categories "School Memories" "Pets We Have Loved" "Vacations" and sent the photo groups off to be bound into cute little 4X6 books. Now I have my memories and freed the clutter. Set a goal for yourself such as "a room a week" or "3 boxes a day" and chip away at this daunting task little at a time with a checklist for each day/week you accomplish your goal. Manage this giant task in little increments. When one door closes......another opens. Congratulations on your retirement and move! Its a whole new life ahead!

[JoMar]

Your dilemma is one of the reasons the storage unit business here is growing. For those things you can't part with, rent a unit so you can visit or rotate. You can keep those things until you realize (and one day you will) that all them are just stuff....the memories are in your heart and your head. The people that are those memories will all be those people, those places will always be there. What was more important to us was that it was time to keep the past in the past and begin a life generating new experiences, meeting new friends and exploring a new State. We sold everything that would remind us the northern past (all that dark furniture)....kept the stuff that was family and embarked with our faces to the wind. We have never looked back....and we spend more times with family here then we did there. To be fair, not everyone can make the transition. Some just can't let go of the past and they sell here and go back, or they sell here, go back and revert to snowbird status. You won't really know until you get here which will be best for you. Whatever it is, just realize that stuff is stuff and can and should be replaced now and then, memories are forever

[redwitch]

As a kid, we traveled A LOT. Mom always kept a camera at the ready. When it was time to move, everyone was an allotted number of boxes. Mom would double check that we had packed essentials like clothes. Any leftover room was for valuables. No one, for any reason, was allowed to go over their box number. She would then take pictures of all of the “memory” items and we would get our pictures upon arrival at our new home. I still have some of those pictures (a fire took a lot of them). I still remember what made each item precious to that family member. So, snap away. The memories won’t leave and the smiles at looking at those items will always be with you.

The other thing I would suggest is do not hold the garage sale yourself. Hire someone to do it. Hard to say no when you’re not doing the selling.

[fw102807]

My husband was like this and it was very hard in the beginning for him but once he got into it it got easier. Stuff that has been sitting in boxes for years is not doing anyone any good. Once he understood that selling or donating it was giving it another life it was easier to accept. I kept reminding him that someone else was going to love these things and use and display them as they were intended. I think the picture idea is wonderful...all of the memories without the clutter.

[Taltarzac725]

I had to get rid of about 1000 books on my move to the Villages from Palm Harbor, Florida. Donated what public libraries would take and threw away the rest.

Gave a lot of clothes to good will places as well.

And have been losing the gun collection over various moves as well. Not much hunting available in this area of Florida as well as in Palm Harbor when compared to the high desert around Reno, Nevada where I lived from age 11 through 24 or so.

[BoatRatKat]

As everyone else has mentioned...get rid of nearly everything. I can't stress that enough. Nothing will fit in down here no matter how much you love it and you'll be kicking yourself for paying to have it moved down only to send it off to the consignment shops to get a fraction of what you would have got up north had you sold it there. If you don't believe me take a look at all the stuff sitting in the consignment shops now and you'll see much of what you're planning to bring. We've all done it. If it's memorabilia of the kids, send it off to the kids...that is if they even want it. It's just stuff and it just sits around and causes clutter. Time to make new memories. Good luck, it's a stressful time and we've all been where your at but soon enough you'll be wondering how you ever fit a work schedule into your busy life.

[TimeForChange]

Get rid of everything but the essentials. Your life full time here will be much more enjoyable. I have owned three homes here now on two and live in one. In six years I have pretty much dumped all the old things that did not matter anymore.

[skip0358]

When we moved in 2009 sold just about everything. Came here for a new start and that we did. I few items came along but not many. Those that did most are now gone. Kids got some the rest went to a big yard sale and at the end of the day it was buy one get one. Glad we did because after being here not much of what we had went anyways. If it didn't fit in the Pod it went to the curb and didn't last long there either.
Enjoy your retirement, your move and downsizing.

[thelegges]

We still have up north home. One of us in TV full time one still working. On an upside and a downside I love my job, and those who I work for do everything they can to get me to stay.

Each time I come down with about 140 lbs of items. Important things to me. When room for more become an issue we will have a company come in to sell everything but the master bedroom.

Still will come back in the summers for a cool breeze.

[coffeebean]

This is my story about a treasured pot......

My Mom gave me a set of pots for my bridal shower over 41 years ago. She passed away in 1997 and that set of pots was very, very special to me. I used those pots until I had to get rid of them only a few years ago. The handles were not safe anymore. One of those pots I used only once per year (starting in 1997) and that was to make the traditional Italian Struffoli for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I would heat up the honey in that pot and put the pastry balls in the honey to coat them. It was tradition to use that pot and it meant so, so much to me.

Setting up my new Florida kitchen, I knew my treasured "Struffoli" pot was not going to fit in my Florida kitchen cabinet pull out shelf with everything else that was going in that cabinet. It was the wrong shape as it was round. I had a rectangular Corningware pot, which I have had as many years as the round pot given to me by my mother, but I never really used the Corningware pot at all. I knew the rectangular shape would fit in the pull out shelf that I was planning to put it on. The round treasured pot just would not fit and I did not want to put it in the attic and have to retrieve it every Christmas to make my Struffoli.

About the traditional Struffoli....My Mom would make this delightful Italian treat every Christmas. When she passed away, it became my Italian treat to make for our family so she passed the baton to me.

Packing up the house in NJ, I made the decision to donate my treasured pot. I placed my treasured pot on my NJ stove and placed my never used rectangular Corningware pot on the burner next to it. I took a photo of the two pots next to each other. My treasured pot went in the box for donation and I packed my rectangular Corningware pot for transport to our new home in The Villages.

Hope my story helps you downsize all of your treasured belongings.

[C4Boston]

We just relocated to Fenney. Only furniture we moved was dining set because it did match new home style. We donated all other furnishings to an organization that helps people at time of disaster such as flood or fire. Yard sale for all small stuff and sold a great deal of it. This also saved a bunch of money on the movers as well as they charge by weight and volume. We are slowly purchasing new furniture and accent pieces and not trying to do it all at once. So much to do at TV you need less furniture because you are always doing something away from the home.

[retiredguy123]

When I sold a 5 bedroom house in Virginia, I hired a liquidator. They completely emptied the house in one day and sold everything. I put my clothes in my SUV, drove to The Villages, and checked into a hotel. A month later, I bought a new house and started over. It was the best way to go with no stress and it really didn't cost much to replace all my stuff. Once the old stuff is gone, you won't miss it. Storage units are a waste of money because after a year of payments, the things you are storing are probably not worth what you paid to store them.

[mtdjed]

Minimalize your stuff. George Carlin is describing the issue. Enjoy the following.

George Carlin Talks About "Stuff" - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac)

[travel05]

We are going through the same exact thing right now, your post really hit home for my husband and I. We closed on our house in Osceola Hills in early December, hoping to be down there full time in a few months. We have made over 20 trips to Goodwill. All our memories and Christmas stuff through the years our girls don't want they have their own. We feel like our life just past through our hands looking at all we are giving away. If I had to tell my 30 year old self something it would be less is more.
We are looking forward to a nice less stressful life in The Villages. Good luck to you and your new found retirement. You just added years to your life.

[Hancle704]

We just went through the next stage. Selling our home in TV of the last 20 years full time and moved into small apartment in assisted living community. The reality set in, it's all just stuff and things. What matters more these days is not those things but the wonderful memories of the 20 years here and the love for each other and our family.

[birdawg]

Good Luck.

[Barefoot]

Your dilemma is one of the reasons the storage unit business here is growing. For those things you can't part with, rent a unit so you can visit or rotate. You can keep those things until you realize (and one day you will) that all them are just stuff....the memories are in your heart and your head. The people that are those memories will all be those people, those places will always be there. .... just realize that stuff is stuff and can and should be replaced now and then, memories are forever
:agree:

[bobthegolfer]

We moved and moved with the Company, and in most cases we put a lot of the boxes in the Basement and never opened them. When my
husband decided to retire we looked at what we had. We were living in a 4 bedroom, two story with a walk out basement in TN with tons of storage! The boxes in the basement had 3 and 4 Mover Stickers still on them. The stuff in those boxes was first to go! I made a list of all the furniture and appliances we were not moving to FL and sent it to the 5 kids. We told them to put their names next to the Items they wanted. The deal was, you want it, you come and get it. We don't deliver! They came with U-Hauls and took tons of furniture and a Refrigerator. Then we had a huge Garage Sale! That cleared out most of the remaining things. I even sold our Bedroom set out from under my Husband. I didn't want to take it to FL! After we moved, we had many pick ups from The Salvation Army. Clothes and furniture that I thought would look good, or fit, that didn't! You just have to do it in stages. Then the first thing to do when you move in is put Wire Shelves in every closet up to the ceiling and do a wall of cabinets in your garage! Those spots will save you! Enjoy your retirement!

[Nucky]

We just went through the next stage. Selling our home in TV of the last 20 years full time and moved into small apartment in assisted living community. The reality set in, it's all just stuff and things. What matters more these days is not those things but the wonderful memories of the 20 years here and the love for each other and our family.

Congratulations on the next stage. I know it can't be easy for change to occur for anyone. My circumstances were terrible for the way I had to get our start in TV'S but it could have been way worse, I'm speaking job wise. Look at where we are every day, on a cruise ship on land. I think the easiest way to get settled is
acceptance of where you are in your path and look at things in a positive light. Heres to everyone who struggles with the next stage, I'm rooting for you all. Merry Christmas.

[fw102807]

We just went through the next stage. Selling our home in TV of the last 20 years full time and moved into small apartment in assisted living community. The reality set in, it's all just stuff and things. What matters more these days is not those things but the wonderful memories of the 20 years here and the love for each other and our family.

Hope your time there is enjoyable also. I have a friend who is an activity director at an assisted living up north and she is very dedicated to making sure her residents have fun.

[KSSunshine]

Agreed! We are in the process of eliminating "stuff" in anticipation of selling the house and becoming Frogs in TV in late Spring. Much harder for my husband than me, but after cleaning up "stuff" after our parents (much had to be thrown away) he has become more motivated to eliminate stuff. Our children don't want much of anything either. We are looking forward to creating new memories in place of the stuff that we never used or even looked at. Downsizing will allow us to focus on newer opportunities and not be weighed down. Good luck! Hope to see you in TV!

[FenneyGuy]

It's an old story. Worked 30 years for the same company, planning for more years, but the boss had other ideas (that did not include me). I'm okay with that; I've had a severance offer on the table for six years and I've come to the point where I've accepted that I'm not really "god's gift" to the business... so, yesterday I took the offer, I turned the page. Now, TV. We've been coming to TV since 2012. Watched a TV commercial on Fox's Hannity, next thing we knew we were on the all-too-familar "life-style visit"... drinking TV cool-aid. After several years of renting, bought a "starter" home in 2016; been back and forth ever since... Now, TV's no longer a back and forth destination, it's going to be home. Next step? Another old story, thinning the massive accumulation of "stuff" to a respectable and reasonable TV size that fits our new TV life. That job looks to be daunting. It seems I can face (enjoy and settle into) a sunny Florida life, but "thinning" that accumulation of a life-time of stuff seems more than daunting; it feels absolutely paralyzing... If I did anything wrong in the past, it was certainly rooted in the madness of saving everything, and I mean everything... and I heaped curses on myself even more by having a Northern home with way-too-much storage space! While things are not "hoarder" looking, but now, I feel like I need "American Pickers" to thin my heard, but fear I'll only say "Not For Sale" to every offer... While I was perfectly happy to keep the stock-plie of everything, shifting back and forth from North to South, but now? For the first time in my life, it's where-to-start that stymies... It's not really things that matter, it's the memories attached to the things... You sit down with a box and suddenly you are transported to another time and place, to your younger self, your growing family, all too many Christmas's past... and then it hits you, and hits you hard; it's all too precious, how could I possibly separate the things from the memories? How could I let go of any of it? And now to you, oh wise and sage TVers... while I think I've got a handle on what may be the other two retirement "issues" (no longer working, leaving friends and family), I could really use, and welcome, any and all wisdoms on this "stuff" transition thing.

We thinned our stuff before we moved and hired an estate sale/auction company to sell the rest. While we might have made more selling it ourselves, we did not have the grief of dealing with bargain hunters, regrets about whether or not to let it go, etc. It was all sold and gone in a day.

We don't miss all our stuff. We bought things that enhance out new lifestyle.

[FenneyGuy]

We moved and moved with the Company, and in most cases we put a lot of the boxes in the Basement and never opened them. When my
husband decided to retire we looked at what we had. We were living in a 4 bedroom, two story with a walk out basement in TN with tons of storage! The boxes in the basement had 3 and 4 Mover Stickers still on them. The stuff in those boxes was first to go! I made a list of all the furniture and appliances we were not moving to FL and sent it to the 5 kids. We told them to put their names next to the Items they wanted. The deal was, you want it, you come and get it. We don't deliver! They came with U-Hauls and took tons of furniture and a Refrigerator. Then we had a huge Garage Sale! That cleared out most of the remaining things. I even sold our Bedroom set out from under my Husband. I didn't want to take it to FL! After we moved, we had many pick ups from The Salvation Army. Clothes and furniture that I thought would look good, or fit, that didn't! You just have to do it in stages. Then the first thing to do when you move in is put Wire Shelves in every closet up to the ceiling and do a wall of cabinets in your garage! Those spots will save you! Enjoy your retirement!

This is the way to do it.

[LoriAnn]

A good way to start is let others do some of the work for you. Have a wonderful family dinner with your children and grandchildren at your home and invite them to take anything they can use or have sentimental attachment to. Once your family is finished, invite friends and their families to make selections. That is how we cleared out our family Home. Watching years of accumulations go out the door was a great feeling.

[Topspinmo]

Being in the military for 20 plus years we were use to moving and learned how to pack lightly. Now 20 years at job in one location. Amazing how stuff creeps in. Yard sale here, flea market here, shopper guide deals and all sudden you have crap. When we decided to move we started 3 years out.

Being mechanic for 45 years I had tools and toys out the yang. Some expensive brought for one job. Had pair of reserve snap ring pliers I brought in 1973 to rebuild top loader 4 speed. The only time I used them. I still have them. I still look for tools I got rid of for certain jobs around the house. Bottom line, it's got to go our you store it.

As for being gift to business? For most of us with no connections or relations in upper management thought doing good job very well would be eventually rewarded for your hard work or loyalty to the business just to see some idiots walk up the chain that don't have clue off your experience. After years in company you now become liability financial and if not connected become target for dismissal. It's just business.

[2BNTV]

Random thoughts:

1. Decluttering is a wonderfully freeing experience.
2. I used a dumpster to get rid of stuff.
3. It will cost you more to send it down here than the cost to replace it.
4. One will make themselves crazy not letting go of stuff er memories.

Happy decluttering!

FWIW - You can get of your stuff now or get rid of it after you hauled it down to TV.

[rjn5656]

We had our kids come over and put stickers on everything they wanted, then had them bring friends who might be in need of some help. Then goodwill came. Other than some dishes, tools and linens, everything was gone before we got here. Don't miss any of it.

[twoplanekid]

From the movie Downsizing, all they could take with them to Leisureland had to fit in this small box! Almost like our real move to TV or so it seemed.

[collie1228]

Five years ago I was in a similar situation. Moving to TV and had to deal with many years of "stuff". My solution was to rent the largest U-Haul truck I could get (26 feet, I think) and a 30 yard dumpster from Waste Management. I put them side-by-side in my driveway, leaving about fifteen feet between them. Then I started sorting the stuff, putting keepers in the U-Haul, junk in the dumpster, and good stuff to be discarded between them. I had family come over occasionally to see if they wanted any of the discards, and when I was done, the remaining discards went to Goodwill or other local charities. I still had more than I needed in the truck, but it was a very efficient way of sorting it all out. I enlisted an old friend to ride with me from NY to FL, and we made a road trip out of it. He helped unload, and I bought him a ticket home. I would do it again, but I would move less stuff.

[IndianaJones]

Did the same thing 2 years ago. My general philosophy: if you haven't used it, looked at it, listened to it, read it, or thought about it in the last 90 days (3 months) GET RID OF IT. Got rid of tons of stuff. Digitized old photos (paid someone, yes, I was too lazy to do it), scanned in keepsake stuff from kids, etc. I have 4 hard drives full of that "stuff" if I really need to recall it or if I get sentimental. As others have said - it's a "freeing" experience!

[curvesman]

We are here a year today! We had an estate sale and gave away the rest,Had a large home 4000 SQ FT bought a 1500 SQ FT took very little bought a turn key home.Ended up buying all new furniture during the year, keep Tvs beds and very little else. We are very happy here away from our past cold winters.ENJOY!

[fw102807]

I wish I had brought more stuff...said no one ever!

[Duppa]

Thank you oh wise sages of The Villages! Your ideas are terrific... will follow up with many over the next several months...Broke the news to kids (pretty sure they have NO IDEA of TOTV or that we have any computer tech skills to work this medium)... A bit of a surprise on how uninterested they are on many of the "treasures" saved... every Brat doll? All the He-Men any kid could ever wish for? Nope, no interest... The Star Wars stuff is broken and without boxes! What! Well, that will be easy: That stuff is first up on the GONE list! Beatles record collection? Gonna be a blood bath... the Fab-Four apparently transcend the generations... vinyl is, for some reason, now very collectable... go figure... Will take digital pictures and make "picture books" of the bulk of the stuff-lard (love the pix idea)... So looking forward to the clutter-less life...

[Roll With It]

It is so difficult. Our house sold quickly, the closing is Wednesday, and we have to be out by Tuesday. We are in the process of packing up, dropping off donations, cleaning out the garage and running to the dump for the last few days. And all of this during the holidays in frigid temperatures. 8 degrees this morning. Do yourself a favor and just keep chipping away at it. It's amazing how unemotional you become at the end when the clock is ticking. Good luck!

[fw102807]

It's amazing how unemotional you become at the end when the clock is ticking. Good luck!

This is so true!

[VILLAGERBB]

The task of moving/downsizing is daunting, but it will be worth it.

[big guy]

When we moved to The Villages it was my 26th move. My father was with the Federal Government. WHen he got notice that he was being transferred, we had 30 days to weed out, pack up and move. It was probably good training because I married a man with GE and we moved often too. However, it was more relaxed, they paid for packing, I didn't throw much away and there was no hurry. WHen we lived in the same house in Ohio for 27 years, the roots went deep. It took a house sale and 3 garage sales before we had properly (we thought) edited our belongings. Our move here was $6000 and we decided we kept the wrong things and deleted the wrong things. Little of it had anything to do with memories. No matter what we do with our "stuff", we still have our memories. We paid entirely too much to have our aging furniture transferred. If I had it to do over, I'd keep the personal things and get rid of the other stuff.

[Roll With It]

Preparing to move is one of the most difficult things that I have ever done. Physically, emotionally and financially overwhelming. I think it would have been easier to use movers than do it ourselves, but much cheaper this way. How much did it cost most of you to make the big move?

[JSR22]

Preparing to move is one of the most difficult things that I have ever done. Physically, emotionally and financially overwhelming. I think it would have been easier to use movers than do it ourselves, but much cheaper this way. How much did it cost most of you to make the big move?

We gave everything away. We did not sell anything. The movers did all of he packing. Around $6000 and we gave more away after we moved. Family did not want many of the antiques. I moved them and got rid of them. Huge error.

[EPutnam1863]

Be careful. Your children, if they live in the same town, may feel that by selling everything and moving far away, you are cutting them out of your lives.

[VApeople]

Be careful. Your children, if they live in the same town, may feel that by selling everything and moving far away, you are cutting them out of your lives.

So what if they feel that way?

We are retired and we have our freedom. We can do whatever we want with our lives. We don't owe anything to anybody.

We intend to appreciate and enjoy each day. If anyone doesn't like us doing that, we don't care.

[fw102807]

Be careful. Your children, if they live in the same town, may feel that by selling everything and moving far away, you are cutting them out of your lives.

If your children feel that way they are pretty self centered.

[autumnspring]

It's an old story. Worked 30 years for the same company, planning for more years, but the boss had other ideas (that did not include me). I'm okay with that; I've had a severance offer on the table for six years and I've come to the point where I've accepted that I'm not really "god's gift" to the business... so, yesterday I took the offer, I turned the page. Now, TV. We've been coming to TV since 2012. Watched a TV commercial on Fox's Hannity, next thing we knew we were on the all-too-familar "life-style visit"... drinking TV cool-aid. After several years of renting, bought a "starter" home in 2016; been back and forth ever since... Now, TV's no longer a back and forth destination, it's going to be home. Next step? Another old story, thinning the massive accumulation of "stuff" to a respectable and reasonable TV size that fits our new TV life. That job looks to be daunting. It seems I can face (enjoy and settle into) a sunny Florida life, but "thinning" that accumulation of a life-time of stuff seems more than daunting; it feels absolutely paralyzing... If I did anything wrong in the past, it was certainly rooted in the madness of saving everything, and I mean everything... and I heaped curses on myself even more by having a Northern home with way-too-much storage space! While things are not "hoarder" looking, but now, I feel like I need "American Pickers" to thin my heard, but fear I'll only say "Not For Sale" to every offer... While I was perfectly happy to keep the stock-plie of everything, shifting back and forth from North to South, but now? For the first time in my life, it's where-to-start that stymies... It's not really things that matter, it's the memories attached to the things... You sit down with a box and suddenly you are transported to another time and place, to your younger self, your growing family, all too many Christmas's past... and then it hits you, and hits you hard; it's all too precious, how could I possibly separate the things from the memories? How could I let go of any of it? And now to you, oh wise and sage TVers... while I think I've got a handle on what may be the other two retirement "issues" (no longer working, leaving friends and family), I could really use, and welcome, any and all wisdoms on this "stuff" transition thing.

I/we had a long time to plan-a year or two.

I sold a lot of stuff on eBay-thousands of dollars worth.
I discovered that the cost of our long distance move in the end came down to what they do not tell you, the tariff rate-number filed with government regulators-pound per distance. It came to .57 per pound. That item weighs about...... Is it worth moving?

We did four garage sales and sold about 6,000 worth of stuff. Money is far lighter to carry then STUFF.

There are things that I wish I had taken with us BUT, storage space is limited. One of the things I sorely miss was our BASEMENT. A basement in Central Florida will shortly be an indoor swimming pool-so forget it.

You will, OF COURSE, make some mistakes. Stuff you will wish you took and stuff you wish you didn't take.

If, you have not yet, sold your previous home that for us and I think for most was an adventure. You plan it all out.
You allow ???????? to sell the place and then discover it is not going as YOU had planed. Some people sit with a house for a year or more. I had it all PLANNED-six months to sell. It sold in one week-full price CASH. GOOD NEWS-yes, but. I was still packing with the guys loading the moving van. They, left a few things that I had PLANNED on taking. TRUTH-they did not take the full sized totem pole I had carved. Go figure.

In the end, it is one step at a time. There is the oft suggested three pile system. Pile one-PACK. Pile two-THROW OUT. Pile three-SELL. Pile four-give away. WANTED TO SEE IF YOU COULD COUNT. I packed 250 boxes. About TEN really full car loads to goodwill. About 10-15 full car loads to our town dump.

It is a BIG job. NOW is a good time to start.

GOOD LUCK-BE CALM.

[rtharner]

This is an interesting thread to which we can all relate. Thanks!

[Roll With It]

We are getting ready to move out tomorrow. Still need to finish clearing out the basement and garage. I feel like I am in the twilight zone! Thank you to all who have shared their stories. You have been my inspiration.

[KSSunshine]

I/we had a long time to plan-a year or two.

I sold a lot of stuff on eBay-thousands of dollars worth.
I discovered that the cost of our long distance move in the end came down to what they do not tell you, the tariff rate-number filed with government regulators-pound per distance. It came to .57 per pound. That item weighs about...... Is it worth moving?

We did four garage sales and sold about 6,000 worth of stuff. Money is far lighter to carry then STUFF.

There are things that I wish I had taken with us BUT, storage space is limited. One of the things I sorely miss was our BASEMENT. A basement in Central Florida will shortly be an indoor swimming pool-so forget it.

You will, OF COURSE, make some mistakes. Stuff you will wish you took and stuff you wish you didn't take.

If, you have not yet, sold your previous home that for us and I think for most was an adventure. You plan it all out.
You allow ???????? to sell the place and then discover it is not going as YOU had planed. Some people sit with a house for a year or more. I had it all PLANNED-six months to sell. It sold in one week-full price CASH. GOOD NEWS-yes, but. I was still packing with the guys loading the moving van. They, left a few things that I had PLANNED on taking. TRUTH-they did not take the full sized totem pole I had carved. Go figure.

In the end, it is one step at a time. There is the oft suggested three pile system. Pile one-PACK. Pile two-THROW OUT. Pile three-SELL. Pile four-give away. WANTED TO SEE IF YOU COULD COUNT. I packed 250 boxes. About TEN really full car loads to goodwill. About 10-15 full car loads to our town dump.

It is a BIG job. NOW is a good time to start.

GOOD LUCK-BE CALM.

Sorry to hear about the Totem Pole:laugh: But really appreciate your experience. We are planning to sell this Spring and have been working on downsizing, but need to pick up the pace! Looking forward to warmer weather as our wind chills were negative this morning!

[Kazmi]

We are getting ready to move out tomorrow. Still need to finish clearing out the basement and garage. I feel like I am in the twilight zone! Thank you to all who have shared their stories. You have been my inspiration.

What a great way to start the New Year!!