Downsizing sucks!!!

[dotti105]

We have advertised all sorts of stuff and have had minimal response.
No one wants sterling flatware or trays etc
No one wants crystal, not even Waterford.
We did just sell our Hot Tub!!! Yahoo!! But we have lots of big-ish stuff to unload.
We live in a community that does not allow garage or yard sales. So we are donating lots. But there are things that I know would go at a yard sale that I have no way of unloading. I'm not a penny pincher, but any cash we could generate would come in handy with the move.
Not looking for suggestions, unless you have some great ones!!
Just wanted to vent!!!
I swear, I think it would be easier to just pack it all up and move it. Which of course, is exactly what we want to avoid!!
Who knew it would be so difficult!?!?

[OldManTime]

I have been mailing all my treasured keepsakes to relatives, and old girlfriends :0

What Village can't you have garage sales, never heard if that restriction.

[uujudy]

Dottie, we used Doug's Auction & Estate Sales in Ogden. They came to the house, took everything away, and sent us a check. Easy Peasy. :icon_wink:
Maybe you could see if there's an auction house in Salt Lake?

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

We have has great success with Craigslist, and best of all it is free! :a040:

[LuvlyJubly]

We have advertised all sorts of stuff and have had minimal response.
No one wants sterling flatware or trays etc
No one wants crystal, not even Waterford.
We did just sell our Hot Tub!!! Yahoo!! But we have lots of big-ish stuff to unload.
We live in a community that does not allow garage or yard sales. So we are donating lots. But there are things that I know would go at a yard sale that I have no way of unloading. I'm not a penny pincher, but any cash we could generate would come in handy with the move.
Not looking for suggestions, unless you have some great ones!!
Just wanted to vent!!!
I swear, I think it would be easier to just pack it all up and move it. Which of course, is exactly what we want to avoid!!
Who knew it would be so difficult!?!?


Dotti,

We feel your pain! We too have came across the same situation you are going through at the present. Originally we thought we would ship everything but from the UK it is expensive so me being the good wife I am I said "we will sell it all and buy new" :a040: After a few months we have now got buyers for most of our items, so I shall tell you how we did it........ We had several "bring & buy sells"...... everyone was told "bring" your money and "buy" our stuff! Low and behold it worked!!! Ebay has been the last resort. Good luck with your move :spoken:

[ilovetv]

Estate Sale and/or Consignment Shops that pick up.

Or donate it to charity.

[jnieman]

When we were moving we took pictures of everything (mostly furniture) we had for sale and sent the email to everyone we knew in the area, friends, relatives, etc. We sold most of it within just a few days. We did have reasonable prices. I think crystal and silver trays may be more difficult no matter where you live.

[rubicon]

We ended up giving way so much .

We have been here 7 years and this fall we are once again going to clear out the attic and our closets so the kids won't have to

[Jaggy]

We gave most of our downsizing stuff away..I felt donating it was easier then selling.. I had an antique marble top dresser that I could not sell.. even consignment would not take it.. ended up giving it to a friend's daughter, who was thrilled. I miss it, but it did not fit into this style of TV home. Downsizing is liberating in a way.. but oh so much WORK !!!

[CHESTERFIELDROSE]

Donate the hot tub we also couldn't get rid of ours and it was only 18 months old. We sold a lot of items on craigslist.

[boomerbaby]

I feel your pain. 4 yrs. ago we were doing the same. Even the kids didnt want things. My only recommendation is really think about if you need it and are you going to use it. I think less is more when you get here and remember you have to unpack it all here and find a place for it. Craigslist is a good way to go, also donate and I ended up throwing away things too.

[dotti105]

duplicate

[dotti105]

We actually sold the hot tub today!! Yahoo!!!!

We have a bunch of weird things to unload.

We did just get a friend to take a regulation size snooker table. I seriously tried to donate it to anyone. VFW, Lions, Masons, etc. Not interested.....Finally a friend with a house full of sons came and got it!!! Score!! Fun for them and a burden off of us!! win/win!!

Next is the home theater stuff. 8 ft screen, overhead projector and huge surround sound speaker set. It is 6 yrs old and the technology has changed so much, but it is in perfect working condition. We are just past that point in our lives and want it gone.

We still have 4-5 mo until we close, so I feel like I am making headway. But one thing at a time is S-L-O-W!! Once the weird big things are gone I will probably call an auction house and see if they will handle the rest.

Deciding what to take is not nearly as hard as getting rid of what we do not want to take. UGH!

[gomoho]

Dotti - maybe one of the senior living facilities or senior centers would be interested in the home theatre equipment. Just a thought.

[Lbmb24101]

Craiglst
We did also send pucs of stuff to co workers family friends
Goodwill
Downsizing is super hard, no question.
But like all say, liberating.
We do not miss a single item we parted with.
Thousands have done it before you
You will be fine, it is jst that the stage you are in is a lot of work!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Dotti, we are doing the exact same thing now. Getting rid of so much stuff. Gave away tons, sold a small amount because, like you, apparently all of my treasures are just junk to others. Brought the good stuff (Waterford, etc) to my friend's hus band who does auctions so who knows if it will sell or not but might get $2 for that since there is no way to know. We have a L O N G way to go still and it seems like we will never be finished but I know we will. At this point I'd like to fill a few boxes that I want to take and throw the rest in a dumpster but we keep giving it away when someone will take it. It is freeing once you get past the pain of letting go. I think the hardest part is knowing its something with a value and having to toss it. Once it's gone it really does feel ok. Some of the things we parted with made me feel really great like the things that went to Habitat for Humanity or the collars, dog coats and leashes that went to help the Spanish Galgos (greyhounds), or the work wardrobe for women returning to the workforce but too poor to get start-up clothing. Some of it was heartbreaking and I'm sure we are STILL taking too much. Strangely the big pieces are the easiest to unload, except the piano that no one wants. Oh, well. When we move, and it will happen, I won't give it another thought.

[Rickg]

We are going to be in the same situation when we finally sell our house. Why do we have soo much "STUFF"! What the h--- we're we thinking all these years!

[sharonga]

We put lots of stuff on Craig,s List.....For Free. They lined up at our front door! If we asked $1.00, no response. Some things I wish I would have kept. I keep looking for things that I cant believe I gave away.

[sharonga]

Yes, Habitat for Humanity, Homeless Shelters, poor people moving out of a shelter into an apartment. They all need furniture.

[dotti105]

Great suggestions!
I will keep trudging away, as I get rid of all these possessions, your posts remind me that we are very fortunate to have surplus possessions and to have the future ahead of us filled with wonderful options.
And I am complaining?? Shame on me!

[Vinny]

We sold what we could and put the rest into the garage of our old house. As we drove away the buyer's real estate agent was chasing us to say that we couldn't leave all that stuff behind. Just smiled and told here we has no more room in the van and drove off.

Later learned from old neighbor that the buyers ended up storing their stuff and using ours.

[Futurevillager2013]

It's very hard parting with stuff. We had two garage sales, both were successful and gave lots to my co-workers and friends(no charge). Also donated a lot of stuff to local charity and then for large items ---dining room set, sofa's sold through craig's list and had lot's of luck with that. We still are bringing in neighborhood of 200 boxes !! Sounds crazy but we just keep filling them up and sealing them. My husband and I had a contest and I won saying we would have a total of 150 boxes. We have exceeded that number and we're not finished yet. It's scary to bring that much with us. We may have to sell some more stuff when getting to our home in TV.

[Paulz]

We lucked out as a niece, nephew and son of a friend were in the process of buying their first houses. We followed that up with a free family tag sale. The remainder (and most of the clothes) went to big brothers/big sisters. Arriving TV on Thursday.

[Bonnevie]

[QUOTE=sharonga;751372]We put lots of stuff on Craig,s List.....For Free. They lined up at our front door! If we asked $1.00, no response. Some things I wish I would have kept. I keep looking for things that I cant believe I gave away.

I had the same experience. Would put it for sale for dirt cheap and the only responses I got were wishy washy and appeared to want it in pristine condition and for less than I advertised. But when I put stuff on for free, I had swarms of people. I thought about a garage sale, but it's a lot of work and people don't want to pay much....

Eventually, I just had to brace myself and part with it....I gave a lot to charity rather than the craigslist people who wanted it for free. I had put a whole bunch of little stuff by the curb and one woman took almost all of it...I was convinced she would have a yard sale with it. A lot of them just resell it. At least the charity can make something off it.

[LeeM]

Hey Dotti,

I am an author and just finishing up my book now on how to sell on Craigslist successfully. Should be ready pretty soon.

When it comes to "stuff" there are a number of ways to get rid of it and get some cash.
But it helps to use the best site for your goods.

EBay is excellent for collectibles and brand names.
Amazon is perfect for media and also products they sell that you have.
Craigslist is best for large items and bulk items.

Take a look at your item and go to the sites and see what they are selling for. Then you have your best idea of how/where to sell it. People tend to think of Amazon for selling media but you can sell much more on there as they have listings for tons of items. Since people are looking specifically for these items it can be a fast and profitable sale. I have sold an electronic keyboard, weight set, jump rope, and lots more at Amazon. Just the other day I sold a tiny, yellow Pokemon game on there for $40 that would have made just a buck or two at a yard sale. But someone was looking for it.

Choose the best place for your items. For example, I recently sold a candy making book on Amazon for $20. That is much more than I could make at a yard sale. But there are also plenty of penny sellers selling many book titles for just a few cents (they make their money from shipping) on Amazon. If you have a lot of books that won't sell for much than it makes more sense to pile them together and sell in bulk to a used book store or on Craigslist instead of Amazon. It is easy to look most things up and find out their worth.

Then if you cant sell it on one of those venues unless it is very valuable yard sale it or donate it. But if you persist and price right...people will buy most anything. You do have to be persistent. I advertised the wood stove multiple times before I found a buyer. But renewing an ad just takes a few seconds. And if you use a template to write an ad, it is fast and easy also.

I am also downsizing for the future and in the last few weeks have sold a woodstove, exercise bike, weight bench, DDR pads, beanie babies, guitar, PC games and a ton more all thru Craigslist. And I have sold more via Amazon ...it can really be done if you persist and price it right!

[JP]

So much stuff that we accumulate rapidly goes out of style and becomes worthless but still has so much sentimental attachment.

Donate it, Ebay it, give it away, throw it away. You'll feel better in a couple of days and not even remember it in a while.

Just as an aside, my wife just sold some high top black sneakers on ebay that my youngest didn't want anymore. Somebody in Mexico bought them for $199! Go figure. Used shoes for $199.00 and no one wants waterford crystal. What a crazy world.

[ajbrown]

Our home in MA is under agreement. P and S today. Now what?

I have never sold a house without another one to go to. Our FL home is all set and what we do not have we can buy when there.

We have a basement that is 45x36, a hoarders dream. Thinking about it, our basement maybe bigger than my lot in TV :loco:. My tools, OMG my tools :cryin2:

And a house full of furniture we do not need. Plan is sell, then give, then throw away.

My biggest fear? We manage to clear out everything and their loan falls through at that last minute :22yikes:

good luck to you, enjoy the experience, I truly understand what you are going through and I am just starting.

[patfla06]

We are going to be in the same situation when we finally sell our house. Why do we have soo much "STUFF"! What the h--- we're we thinking all these years!

We all feel your pain!
I agree with "what the heck were we thinking all these years?
Why did this STUFF ever matter to me?

[ilovetv]

It's very hard parting with stuff. We had two garage sales, both were successful and gave lots to my co-workers and friends(no charge). Also donated a lot of stuff to local charity and then for large items ---dining room set, sofa's sold through craig's list and had lot's of luck with that. We still are bringing in neighborhood of 200 boxes !! Sounds crazy but we just keep filling them up and sealing them. My husband and I had a contest and I won saying we would have a total of 150 boxes. We have exceeded that number and we're not finished yet. It's scary to bring that much with us. We may have to sell some more stuff when getting to our home in TV.

From experience: Put into storage, there, all but 2 of the boxes while you live here for 6 months with just major furniture you either bring here or buy here. Then you'll see how little you need/want what's in those boxes and it's easier to part with it when you go back to visit.

Living here makes us realize "living" is not about our "stuff". It's about the freedom to enjoy a social life without the pressures of working to keep a job/income, and without the cost and sleepless nights of raising kids.

[Bizdoc]

We had practice before we moved here. When FIL went into a nursing home after a stroke, DW went thru everything more or less carefully and brought in several antique dealers as she had always been told by her mother which items were antiques. The bottom line was that very little was of interest to any of the dealers and much was hauled off to the dump.

When we first retired and sold our house in Maryland, we just got rid of almost all furniture (we had a full set in our WV house used on weekends) and most of my professional books. Also got rid of "work" clothes as I had no intention of wearing a suit for any reason except a funeral.

When we sold the WV house this past Jan, we gave away or left for the buyers almost all of the furniture (most of which was 20 plus years old) as well as things like riding mowers, snow blowers, etc that we knew we would never need. Everything we moved fit into a 16ft POD with lots and lots of room to spare).

Now, I'm a Navy brat who served in the Coast Guard. I've spent my life moving. I've lived in every part of the country as well as overseas. I've learned to be ruthless in decluttering. I also had to fight the urge to keep heavy winter clothing "just in case" (I have one heavy jacket for funerals in New England).

Simply put, if you haven't used something for the last 10 years. moving here is unlikely to change that. So far, I haven't found any time when we usual shorts and shirt (or jeans and shirt) isn't suitable.

[ajbrown]

The content of this mess changes daily (at the moment decorations) as we decide what is free, what is yard sale, what is end of street, what is junk. The picture does not quite do it justice as the 'decorations' pile needs a wide angle lens :sigh:. Being someone who does not like to throw stuff away, it is tough. Having a deadline in three weeks to have nothing in the house makes it easier to prioritize...

How is your "mess" going? making progress?

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040305_zps14025c1e-1.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040305_zps14025c1e-1.jpg.html)

[gomoho]

Looks like the dog is staying clear of all the confusion!!!

[ajbrown]

I did not even see the dog when I took the picture. I think she is wondering if any of her chew toys are accidentally in the pile :a20:

One thing that has surprised me as we start this process. If you live on an old country road (not in cul-de-sac) you can put out almost anything and someone will take it :pray:

[Bonnevie]

I never thought I'd get the house emptied but I did. So very glad that's behind me....now if I could just get all these boxes unpacked....

[panamachica]

Dottie do you have any Christmas decorations? We're moving from Panama and just bringing our personal stuff. Any furniture for sale?

[Sagitarius 6]

For silver and waterford, you might try a pawn shop, they buy.

[jblum315]

Can't you have a tag sale in your house?

[jebartle]

When we arrived, my husband said "No Yard Sales", soooo, when truck arrived and delivered, after sorting, we called them back and some very very happy delivery boys went off with a TON of stuff, I'm still having nightmares!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

First we sold stuff, then we gave stuff away, then we got sick of he whole process and started throwing stuff out. At this point any way it leaves is ok with me. GET RID of IT is all that counts. And I still have months to go. What I am dealing with still is how to give up the things that are on my walls- paintings, art, etc. I'd like to pack a few boxes and leave the rest behind at this point. I am so sick of the whole process. Luckily I do know that there is an end point. Very funny story- I went in my closet, which had dozens of items in it, to give away some clothes to a friend and found that I had only 2 sweaters left. Guess I had downsized enough! Now I have nothing to wear this winter in PA until we arrive in TV. Oops, a bit too aggressive in my downsizing efforts I guess. I do like the free feeling it is giving me.

[Futurevillager2013]

First we sold stuff, then we gave stuff away, then we got sick of he whole process and started throwing stuff out. At this point any way it leaves is ok with me. GET RID of IT is all that counts. And I still have months to go. What I am dealing with still is how to give up the things that are on my walls- paintings, art, etc. I'd like to pack a few boxes and leave the rest behind at this point. I am so sick of the whole process. Luckily I do know that there is an end point. Very funny story- I went in my closet, which had dozens of items in it, to give away some clothes to a friend and found that I had only 2 sweaters left. Guess I had downsized enough! Now I have nothing to wear this winter in PA until we arrive in TV. Oops, a bit too aggressive in my downsizing efforts I guess. I do like the free feeling it is giving me.

I am going through the process now. It's funny that you say the paintings and art is what you find hard to part with. I feel the same way. I have too many pictures that I'm bringing enough to fill up every wall. I don't know why I'm bringing them, I just can't put them on the street. Too sad. By the way I love your dogs will look for them when I finally get to my home in Collier in two weeks, I'm sure they will stand out.

[mar/bob]

Hi Lovsthosebigdogs,
Leaving for TV Oct 1. Packing done after ordering the 2nd Pod.
Hubby said women have too much stuff.
Still cleaning and both feel done in.
Never moving again.
Catch up with you when we settle.

Mar/Bob

[senior citizen]

We have advertised all sorts of stuff and have had minimal response.
No one wants sterling flatware or trays etc
No one wants crystal, not even Waterford.
We did just sell our Hot Tub!!! Yahoo!! But we have lots of big-ish stuff to unload.
We live in a community that does not allow garage or yard sales. So we are donating lots. But there are things that I know would go at a yard sale that I have no way of unloading. I'm not a penny pincher, but any cash we could generate would come in handy with the move.
Not looking for suggestions, unless you have some great ones!!
Just wanted to vent!!!
I swear, I think it would be easier to just pack it all up and move it. Which of course, is exactly what we want to avoid!!
Who knew it would be so difficult!?!?


Breathe deeply. This too shall pass......

Basically, we are giving EVERYTHING AWAY........it's a lot easier.

We just kept bringing large amounts of "STUFF" to our Salvation Army daily. It was very liberating and hopefully will help some truly needy people.

We learned years ago that the younger generation really does not want the things that we all felt necessary when we were first married.......they do not entertain the same way we did in the 1960's and thereafter........

Whatever my husband did not sell in his going out of business sale he brought home to our garage and shed.........more clutter. He has now had a lot of luck selling professional equipment and machinery, tools, etc. via a trade website.......our phone has been ringing off the hook and he's been packaging up very heavy boxes daily, to take to the post office........

He rather likes that dickering and bartering aspect........I do not.
I prefer to donate it all.

We did this once before in 1994, after both of our adult kids had graduated college, one got married and the other moved out west to go to grad school........we totally sold everything or donated everything from the family home.............BUT GUESS WHAT? In twenty years, it all came back.....and then some.........into the new home. Meanwhile, the second one married and all the grandchildren also arrived.

Last time it was our kids' childhood toys and such.........
This time it is all the stuff we brought for our 5 grandchildren's enjoyment. In our next home, there will only be pool "toys" and bicycles.
We plan on traveling light.

Here are some profound quotes I just found...........sit down, put your feet up and read them..........and give it all away........you will feel warm inside that someone who might not have been able to purchase that luxury for themselves is enjoying your old item........and you will feel good, vicariously.

I am often reminded of the early mountain man who roamed freely throughout
the Rockies far before that area was settled. He was able to move unencumbered
along beautiful mountain trails where very few people had ever been able to go.
Years later in his life, he had obtained more possessions and wealth. While traveling
through the area in a wagon, he was forced to take a desert road instead of his
beloved mountain trail. As he gazed at the beautiful mountain peaks in the distance,
he realized that his quest for a few material things had changed the course
of his travels and the course of his life.


Jim Stovall


　

We must always remember that possessions have no inherent value.
They become what we make them. If they increase our capacity
to give, they become something good. If they increase our focus
on ourselves and become standards by which we measure
other people, they become something bad.
When we seek a possession, we should ask ourselves if it will make us
better people, more able to share, more willing to give, more capable
of doing good in our daily lives. Possessions that increase our own
sense of self-importance are empty in comparison to those that help us
contribute something of value to the world.

Kent Nerburn (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/kentnerburn.htm)




It's possible to have too much in life. Too many clothes
jade our appreciation for new ones; too much money
can put us out of touch with life; too much free time
can dull the edge of the soul. We need sometimes to come
very near the bone so that we can taste the marrow
of life rather than its superfluities.



Joan Chittister (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/joanchittister.htm)




Our desires always increase with our possessions.
The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed
impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.



Samuel Johnson

We are possessed by the things we possess.
When I like an object, I always give it to someone.
It isn't generosity--it's only because
I want others to be enslaved by objects, not me.

Jean Paul Sartre


A man hoping to find wisdom traveled to Poland to see the renowned
Rabbi Hafez Hayyim. When he arrived at the celebrated rabbi's house,
he was surprised to see that it was nothing more than a room. There,
the rabbi sat on a bench at a small table surrounded only by the
numerous volumes of books he continually pored over in study.
The seeker asked, "Good Rabbi, where are all your belongings?
Where are your furnishings?"
Hafez answered, "Tell me, where are yours?"
"Where are mine?" said the startled man. "But I only
came here for a short visit."
"So did I," the rabbi said.

traditional Chassidic Jewish story

Remember, what you possess in the world will be found
at the day of your death to belong to someone else,
but what you are will be yours forever.

Henry van Dyke (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/henryvandyke.htm)



Sages do not accumulate for themselves. The more they give to others,
the more they possess of their own. The way of Heaven is
to benefit others and not to injure.


Lao-tzu (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/laozi.htm)

Many of the things that bring delight should not be owned.
They are more enjoyed if another’s, than if yours;
the first day they give pleasure to the owner,
but in all the rest to the others: what belongs to another
rejoices doubly, because it is without the risk of going stale
and with the satisfaction of freshness. . . the possession
of things not only diminishes their enjoyment, but
augments their annoyance, whether shared or not shared.

Baltasar Gracian




　

[jdsl1998]

Thank you, very well said and thought out. I really needed this as i pack away...and give away...and then head down to our home in The Villages in January.


Breathe deeply. This too shall pass......

Basically, we are giving EVERYTHING AWAY........it's a lot easier.

We just kept bringing large amounts of "STUFF" to our Salvation Army daily. It was very liberating and hopefully will help some truly needy people.

We learned years ago that the younger generation really does not want the things that we all felt necessary when we were first married.......they do not entertain the same way we did in the 1960's and thereafter........

Whatever my husband did not sell in his going out of business sale he brought home to our garage and shed.........more clutter. He has now had a lot of luck selling professional equipment and machinery, tools, etc. via a trade website.......our phone has been ringing off the hook and he's been packaging up very heavy boxes daily, to take to the post office........

He rather likes that dickering and bartering aspect........I do not.
I prefer to donate it all.

We did this once before in 1994, after both of our adult kids had graduated college, one got married and the other moved out west to go to grad school........we totally sold everything or donated everything from the family home.............BUT GUESS WHAT? In twenty years, it all came back.....and then some.........into the new home. Meanwhile, the second one married and all the grandchildren also arrived.

Last time it was our kids' childhood toys and such.........
This time it is all the stuff we brought for our 5 grandchildren's enjoyment. In our next home, there will only be pool "toys" and bicycles.
We plan on traveling light.

Here are some profound quotes I just found...........sit down, put your feet up and read them..........and give it all away........you will feel warm inside that someone who might not have been able to purchase that luxury for themselves is enjoying your old item........and you will feel good, vicariously.

I am often reminded of the early mountain man who roamed freely throughout
the Rockies far before that area was settled. He was able to move unencumbered
along beautiful mountain trails where very few people had ever been able to go.
Years later in his life, he had obtained more possessions and wealth. While traveling
through the area in a wagon, he was forced to take a desert road instead of his
beloved mountain trail. As he gazed at the beautiful mountain peaks in the distance,
he realized that his quest for a few material things had changed the course
of his travels and the course of his life.


Jim Stovall


　

We must always remember that possessions have no inherent value.
They become what we make them. If they increase our capacity
to give, they become something good. If they increase our focus
on ourselves and become standards by which we measure
other people, they become something bad.
When we seek a possession, we should ask ourselves if it will make us
better people, more able to share, more willing to give, more capable
of doing good in our daily lives. Possessions that increase our own
sense of self-importance are empty in comparison to those that help us
contribute something of value to the world.

Kent Nerburn (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/kentnerburn.htm)




It's possible to have too much in life. Too many clothes
jade our appreciation for new ones; too much money
can put us out of touch with life; too much free time
can dull the edge of the soul. We need sometimes to come
very near the bone so that we can taste the marrow
of life rather than its superfluities.



Joan Chittister (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/joanchittister.htm)




Our desires always increase with our possessions.
The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed
impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.



Samuel Johnson

We are possessed by the things we possess.
When I like an object, I always give it to someone.
It isn't generosity--it's only because
I want others to be enslaved by objects, not me.

Jean Paul Sartre


A man hoping to find wisdom traveled to Poland to see the renowned
Rabbi Hafez Hayyim. When he arrived at the celebrated rabbi's house,
he was surprised to see that it was nothing more than a room. There,
the rabbi sat on a bench at a small table surrounded only by the
numerous volumes of books he continually pored over in study.
The seeker asked, "Good Rabbi, where are all your belongings?
Where are your furnishings?"
Hafez answered, "Tell me, where are yours?"
"Where are mine?" said the startled man. "But I only
came here for a short visit."
"So did I," the rabbi said.

traditional Chassidic Jewish story

Remember, what you possess in the world will be found
at the day of your death to belong to someone else,
but what you are will be yours forever.

Henry van Dyke (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/henryvandyke.htm)



Sages do not accumulate for themselves. The more they give to others,
the more they possess of their own. The way of Heaven is
to benefit others and not to injure.


Lao-tzu (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/people/laozi.htm)

Many of the things that bring delight should not be owned.
They are more enjoyed if another’s, than if yours;
the first day they give pleasure to the owner,
but in all the rest to the others: what belongs to another
rejoices doubly, because it is without the risk of going stale
and with the satisfaction of freshness. . . the possession
of things not only diminishes their enjoyment, but
augments their annoyance, whether shared or not shared.

Baltasar Gracian




　

[CFrance]

Amazingly, our waterford and sterling flatware and the great-grandmother's Limoge china were what our two boys wanted, due to childhood memories. Oh, and the 1967 Mustang. None of that stuff (except the Mustang) had much market value, so we lucked out there. ( Although too bad we couldn't sell the Mustang out from under the son we promised it to.)

We put a lot of home decor items in a consignment shop, and this thread just reminded me that we've heard nothing from them since July. Most everything else went to Goodwill.

It is a royal pain sorting and packing, but the minute you close the door on the old home and head for the new one... that's a wonderful feeling.

[senior citizen]

Thank you, very well said and thought out. I really needed this as i pack away...and give away...and then head down to our home in The Villages in January.


Best wishes. We just began decluttering, giving away, etc. early this past summer. It truly is so liberating. Enjoy your new home in a serene environment.

[RVRoadie]

If you have the time, eBay is the best place to get good value for your small, collectable stuff. Pick out about 10% of the best stuff, then just give the rest away. It takes time, but put together an accurate and informative ad with a little story about the stuff you are selling, and you will be amazed what it will get on eBay.

We did this a few years ago, and got 10 or 20 times what somebody would pay at a garage sale.

If you don't have time now, just bring it with you and do it when you get down here.

[ajbrown]

As I posted before it is a tough process to rid ourselves of 30 years of "valuable" stuff. In all the chaos, I have a humorous story (IMO)....

We put out stuff at end of driveway almost daily, which we have no need for, no friends want, yet we still hate to throw away. Here is just one load. Some great stuff, hockey stick from when I was young, bean bag chair, OLD golf bags, rusty dart board, bag of softballs….. :a20:

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/IMG_20131020_121130_zps490902b7.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/IMG_20131020_121130_zps490902b7.jpg.html)

When I came home, every single thing was taken (or so I thought). We cannot see the end of our driveway from our front yard. A bit later, I walked out to get the mail and my free sign and to my astonishment, they took my old piece of plywood that said free. In what world do I need to write on an old moldy piece of plywood that free does not include the sign. I could never have anticipated that would happen. :oops:

[CFrance]

As I posted before it is a tough process to rid ourselves of 30 years of "valuable" stuff. In all the chaos, I have a humorous story (IMO)....

We put out stuff at end of driveway almost daily, which we have no need for, no friends want, yet we still hate to throw away. Here is just one load. Some great stuff, hockey stick from when I was young, bean bag chair, OLD golf bags, rusty dart board, bag of softballs….. :a20:

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/IMG_20131020_121130_zps490902b7.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/IMG_20131020_121130_zps490902b7.jpg.html)

When I came home, every single thing was taken (or so I thought). We cannot see the end of our driveway from our front yard. A bit later, I walked out to get the mail and my free sign and to my astonishment, they took my old piece of plywood that said free. In what world do I need to write on an old moldy piece of plywood that free does not include the sign. I could never have anticipated that would happen. :oops:

Funny! Was your stuff gone? I bet that Free sign is going to become part of someone's tree house!

How nice to have your house in contract. That is the major hurdle, in my mind. We could always call Goodwill to come haul everything if push came to shove, but selling the condo was the liberating part for us, even though we loved it.

[CFrance]

Funny! Was your stuff gone? I bet that Free sign is going to become part of someone's tree house!

How nice to have your house in contract. That is the major hurdle, in my mind. We could always call Goodwill to come haul everything if push came to shove, but selling the condo was the liberating part for us, even though we loved it.

PS: We had that corner plastic thingy, those hockey sticks and that dart board!

[ajbrown]

Funny! Was your stuff gone? I bet that Free sign is going to become part of someone's tree house!

How nice to have your house in contract. That is the major hurdle, in my mind. We could always call Goodwill to come haul everything if push came to shove, but selling the condo was the liberating part for us, even though we loved it.

It was all gone except the sign. So the person who came by must have thought I was giving away an old piece of plywood. It was not their fault, my message was not clear :a20:

[jhrc4]

Bring it with you, advertise here on TOTV, and also combine it with a garage sale when you have settled in here. I believe you will have peace of mind that way...why? Simply because it will make you feel better that you did your best and most of all did not Just give it all up.

[CFrance]

It was all gone except the sign. So the person who came by must have thought I was giving away an old piece of plywood. It was not their fault, my message was not clear :a20:

I get it. Too funny. They thought the board was free (duh on my part...)

[philnc]

I also live in a community that doesn't allow yard sales. My thought is to advertise in a local newspaper that you are having a yard sale, mention some of the large key items that you want to sell as well as the fact that there are many other household and/or everyday items available and have interested parties contact you by phone or email to set up an appointment to come see what there is available. You might have to leave a gate pass but you are entitled to have visitors whenever you wish. You can also use craigs list but have to be careful with whom you deal and only deal with people who can come get the stuff and pay with CASH>

[CFrance]

I also live in a community that doesn't allow yard sales. My thought is to advertise in a local newspaper that you are having a yard sale, mention some of the large key items that you want to sell as well as the fact that there are many other household and/or everyday items available and have interested parties contact you by phone or email to set up an appointment to come see what there is available. You might have to leave a gate pass but you are entitled to have visitors whenever you wish. You can also use craigs list but have to be careful with whom you deal and only deal with people who can come get the stuff and pay with CASH>

That's a good point about Craig's List. Our son advised that he take over the sale of our items on Craig's List. He gave himself as the contact and "vetted" the people before sending them out to us. We got a number of odd responses from people from area codes far away from our location--like California and MA, in response to our stuff being located in MI. Josh had more experience with Craig's List and knew who to ignore or turn away.