Do you have STUFF???

[jebartle]

My stuff has stuff and then the next morning my stuff gave birth to more STUFF!

Wondering how MUCH is enough.

Seems like we spend the first half of our life accumulating all of this crap and the other getting rid of it.

After reading popular thread about great deal on properties made me wonder how many of you have properties big enough to hold your STUFF?

[fw102807]

Hubby is a pack rat so yes, way too much stuff. We have a storage unit to hold it all. Stuff we did not need up north and will never need here.

[pooh]

Many, many years ago, had a storage locker for all the extra stuff. One day, finally took a look at the stuff and realized we were never going to use most of what was stored. Who will ever use old college textbooks? Who will ever again wear some of the special clothing saved? It’s either too small, too large, not in good condtion, etc.....so purging we did do. Here, still have lots of stuff, but routinely go through items to see if we actually are still using them. Items no longer used, needed or wanted are donated, recycled or “adopted” by our kids.

[BoatRatKat]

We did have stuff but got rid of 75% of it before moving down here and when we got here we realized we still had way too much. It was hard when we initially started letting things go but it just got easier and easier the more we let go of it. No sense keeping stuff that you'll never use, it'll just cause a burden to kids that have to clean it up when the parents pass away...their generation does not want stuff.

[retiredguy123]

I came here 2 years ago with just my clothes and important papers. It is amazing how easy and cheap it is to start over and only buy the stuff you need.

[CFrance]

We've managed to pare down. Except for the kitchen and photo albums. But every one of the too many items in my kitchen get used, albeit sometimes only once a year. And our kids (39 & 44) still drag out the photo albums when they come to visit.

But I have to keep on top of my clothes closet. It keeps spawning unwearable impulse items.

[Bay Kid]

When my X left she wanted her STUFF. Well I gave her HER STUFF, then I started adding my STUFF. I felt much better.

[BobsBurgers]

Well where is the best place to get rid of (donate or sell) STUFF? I mean everything at once: clothes, used furniture, old Christmas decorations etc.

[jebartle]

My new rule, if I haven't touched it worn it, loved it in one year, I give it to someone or charity that will love it in the future.

[jebartle]

We use to sell our homes furnished, I mean everything except our underwear (pretty sure, no one wanted those, ugh!) The buyer would say, wish we could decorate like you, no problem it's done!
Living in furniture capital of the world, NC, it was easy to let go, no personal connection as I'm sure many Villagers have when they move here. Others have a new beginning and new style. We were fortunate to have boo-qew vendors in NC that made transition a piece of cake.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

My stuff has stuff and then the next morning my stuff gave birth to more STUFF!

Wondering how MUCH is enough.

Seems like we spend the first half of our life accumulating all of this crap and the other getting rid of it.

After reading popular thread about great deal on properties made me wonder how many of you have properties big enough to hold your STUFF?

Not only do I have stuff, but I have things as well.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

My new rule, if I haven't touched it worn it, loved it in one year, I give it to someone or charity that will love it in the future.

My first wife must have had that same rule about me. After a year she decided to divorce me.

[gap2415]

For those of us that have taken a year off and lived in a boat (or RV), you realize how little you really need and enjoy the freedom......but, when the adventure wears off....it’s so nice to come home to your things. My stuff doesn’t own me, I own it.

[jebartle]

Well where is the best place to get rid of (donate or sell) STUFF? I mean everything at once: clothes, used furniture, old Christmas decorations etc.
Hospice (across from Walmart on 441 behind strip mall), goodwill (466 near walmart.

[jebartle]

Also lots of neighbors LOVE those garage sales, so they can buy some more stuff!!!

[runkcrun]

We too got rid of 75% of our stuff when we moved here. Haven't missed a thing. I go by the "if I haven't used it in X time, I don't need it." I did take pictures of some things and if I do ever miss them I look at the pictures.

[New Englander]

Hospice (across from Walmart on 441 behind strip mall), goodwill (466 near walmart.

I donated some STUFF at the goodwill behind Walmart near 466. They were happy to get my stuff because someone will buy my stuff.

[vintageogauge]

Garage full, closets full, 10 x 20 storage garage full, up north home for sale full, 16 x 42 storage building full, I'm not a hoarder, I'm an accumulator. We gave car loads of stuff away before coming down here but ran out of time. Told the realtor that when our home sells we need at least 3 weeks to get back up there and empty it. Will most likely give it all away or have a moving sale.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Salvation Army is a wonderful charity! They have a drop off location in Leesburg at a church Google Maps (https://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&entry=s&sa=X&ftid=0x88e7c0230e44d58d:0xacdf4172526db3ba&gmm=CgIgAQ%3D%3D)

They are open from 8:30 to 4 pm Monday thru Friday. Pull into the front and they will send someone to unload your car.

I use this time to make a trip outside of the bubble.

I’ve gotten to the point that I may drop off one or two items. This is my year of getting rid of STUFF and most importantly, helping others.

[autumnspring]

Garage full, closets full, 10 x 20 storage garage full, up north home for sale full, 16 x 42 storage building full, I'm not a hoarder, I'm an accumulator. We gave car loads of stuff away before coming down here but ran out of time. Told the realtor that when our home sells we need at least 3 weeks to get back up there and empty it. Will most likely give it all away or have a moving sale.

From you post, I assume you have your,"up north," home for sale, it is loaded with too much stuff and it is not selling.
Your broker is failing you or you are not listening. Your too much stuff is literally costing you money as you are paying taxes, heating, cooling and eventually you home will sell for less than it might if it was not so full of STUFF.
If, you can't deal with this you should hire one of those tag sale people.
We had a year or two to plan our move. I sold several thousands of dollars worth of stuff on ebay-it was fun but a lot of work. We had about 6 garage sales and each time did over $1,000. Before we listed our home, I gave away thousands of dollars worth of STUFF t neighbors. We made soooo many trips to the town dump that the guy knew my name. I had copper wire, copper pipe and it scraps for about $2.50 a pound. It came to several hundred dollars.
We spent a few bucks and had the place painted. As instructed by our broker, we removed our wall to wall carpet-which I liked.
I did my research for comparable sales. And to my surprise, we sold our house in one week and got full listing price and CASH.
If, you home is listed for sale and it is not selling if, you have a GOOD BROKER, they should be able to tell you why it is not selling and what to do to make it more salable.

[jsw14]

WE ALL collect STUFF. My wife go's out every week & buy's Stuff from garage sale's. I tell her not to buy any BIG Stuff, cause we don't have the room to put it ALL. It's work'in so far....

[CFrance]

We did have stuff but got rid of 75% of it before moving down here and when we got here we realized we still had way too much. It was hard when we initially started letting things go but it just got easier and easier the more we let go of it. No sense keeping stuff that you'll never use, it'll just cause a burden to kids that have to clean it up when the parents pass away...their generation does not want stuff.
Yes, but... When I think of all the stuff of our kids that we had when they left & wouldn't take with them, this could be payback! When we sold our condo up north and cleared out the storage unit we'd been renting for 16 years, we said Get your stuff this weekend before the junk man shows up, or it's gone! They did. Should have done that sooner.

My friend had the same problem, but more kids. She said before she dies she was going to leave notes on their stuff in the basement, saying, "I TOLD you to come get this!"

[aninjamom]

My husband and I were both widowed, he had 30 years of stuff and I had 26. We've been working on getting rid of stuff since we got married, because we wanted room to live in the same house together! I've discovered that no, all that stuff you saved for the kids? They don't want it! The hardest part is letting go of sentimental stuff, but we're getting there..

[CWGUY]

:1rotfl: George Carlin Talks About "Stuff" - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac)

ADULT HUMOR - George Carlin talks about "Stuff"

[Flatlander]

When you are young, all of your stuff fits in a car. Moving is easy. When you are old and ready to retire, it takes a semi to move all your stuff. When we were preparing to move to TV we sold, gave away, donated or discarded everything we thought we didn't need and still ended up with too much stuff. We have sworn off garage sales, estate sales and flea markets so we don't accumulate more.

[Ecuadog]

I still have unopened boxes in my garage from my move to TV over 5 years ago. Ohhhh... the shame and the guilt. But something good comes from it all. I use it as an excuse for my drinking.

[patfla06]

Yes, but... When I think of all the stuff of our kids that we had when they left & wouldn't take with them, this could be payback! When we sold our condo up north and cleared out the storage unit we'd been renting for 16 years, we said Get your stuff this weekend before the junk man shows up, or it's gone! They did. Should have done that sooner.

My friend had the same problem, but more kids. She said before she dies she was going to leave notes on their stuff in the basement, saying, "I TOLD you to come get this!"

Our Son’s “stuff” is still with us as he lives in a 2 bedroom apartment in NYC. Now he comes home with his daughter’s outgrown clothes.
We are waiting for the day he finally buys a house and moves to the suburbs and can take all his stuff with him.

I hope I live to see that day!

[perrjojo]

When we moved we had an Estate sale and got rid of ALL of the stuff. Don’t need it, don’t miss it and guess what? We really never needed it. I love being rid of all that useless stuff.

[jebartle]

When we moved to TV, we moved stuff out of truck into garage, eventually found room for half the stuff, old boy didn't want stuff in HIS garage, soooo, moved stuff on to driveway and called truck that delivered stuff to take it away!!!!! Old boy will regret that move, not a day goes by when inquiring about missing stuff, "It was probably on the pile", he says he's putting that on my grave stone, right next to "I told you I was sick", giggle, snort!

[CFrance]

I still miss summa our stuff. I was too brutal when we moved from Michigan.

[patfla06]

:1rotfl: George Carlin Talks About "Stuff" - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac)

ADULT HUMOR - George Carlin talks about "Stuff"

One of my favorites!

[Nucky]

I still miss summa our stuff. I was too brutal when we moved from Michigan.

I am so proud of my wife and myself for coming down to The Villages with not one more item than we needed. It was rough to launch stuff in the beginning but we got better as we lightened the stuff load. A lifetimes worth of stuff down to a big size Pod. We listened and learned from others who moved here before us.

I notice some stuffage creap in our Villages home and remedied it immediately. We prefer Feng Shui where the house flows and every square inch isn't jammed with something we couldn't live without.

Our Manufactured Home is too big for us. We will probably be downsizing to a smaller house in a year or two in The Hysterical Section. I miss having a two car garage that is an antiseptic man cave. The only extra stuff I have is some dog bowls and such waiting for a new owner.

[VillageIdiots]

"You can't have everything... Where would you put it?" - Steven Wright

A couple of years ago, we were looking at homes with a sales rep and he shared "there are 2 things many people move to The Villages with too much of - furniture and cars". I can't count how many open houses we have visited that were immediate turn offs because of all of the "stuff" that was crammed into them. Not only was it way too much, often the majority of it just didn't belong in a Florida open concept style home. When we recently sold our home, we sold the majority of our furniture and other things and what was not worth selling, we tried to give away or throw away. It's difficult to get past sentimental value. I suspect we still kept more than we should have because of sentimental value. But it's also very liberating to let go of many things that you've held on to for so long but were hidden away and you never really used or enjoyed them either. It allowed us to basically move ourselves, without hiring movers, and with very little help needed for loading and unloading. We knew we wouldn't be happy with our old things in our new home anyway - it just wouldn't "belong". We are able to take the money we made from selling our things, and the money we saved by moving ourselves, and go buy some nice new things. And we got rid of way more than we needed to replace in our new place, even though the square footage of our new home is about the same as our old one.

"Let it go" - Elsa/Idina Menzel

[Chatbrat]

almost zero stuff--whatever we don't use or wear --its gone--if you don't know where something is or if you don't know what it is for---get rid of it

keep things simple, life is much happier

[Chi33]

There is a good book called 'The Life-changing magic of Tidying Up' by Marie Kondo. Lifehacker has a good review (basically Cliff notes) on the book if you don't like to read much.

[Nucky]

We have an entire supply of family pictures dependant on who is coming to visit. I have to change them. I'm in charge of that department. I don't like the job but suffer in silence. :( Yes Dear!

[Roll With It]

I never thought we had a lot of STUFF until it was time to move down here. The last few days before the move were brutal, however, I was so happy to be rid of all of the STUFF. I am now very careful about what we bring in to the house. I think twice about everything, the problem is, now we hardly have any furniture! I guess I need to break down and do a little shopping.

[asianthree]

Multiple homes helps with stuff. In TV very little stuff, including personal things. But each time I come down with 4 suitcases I can gage what I will bring next.

After the have to have it, I am now on, would like to keep it. In the meantime stuff is still up north for at least the next 2 years.

[tossadow]

We have an entire supply of family pictures dependant on who is coming to visit. I have to change them. I'm in charge of that department. I don't like the job but suffer in silence. :( Yes Dear!

OMG...SO funny..!!

[jebartle]

We have an entire supply of family pictures dependant on who is coming to visit. I have to change them. I'm in charge of that department. I don't like the job but suffer in silence. :( Yes Dear!

You should give them away on each family visit, your job is done, now enjoy your time in paradise.

[Bay Kid]

Been eliminating for many years. Still too much stuff.