[raynan]

I had hundreds of hard cover books and called a Literacy Program and they gladly came with a pickup which they loaded and took all. The front wheels almost came off the ground it was so heavy. We did use Craigs list and had great luck on big/expensive items. Had people make an appt to see item and met them outside with my husband and neighbors around and accepted cash only. Include good photos in pix with exact measurements or description which eliminates the looky-loos and when the first person showed for an item I sold it even if I had to cut the price and showed them other things available and they usually bought more. Had big items set up in basement near sliding door for easy access and locked off the rest of the house. Do not let anyone in who shows up unannounced. Believe me, most people coming are as nervous as you are because they don't know you either. The rest went to goodwill after relatives furnished their cottages or college kids apts. So I can still visit some of my STUFF.

[Bettiboop]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Oh yeah, I also took three box loads of books to Friends of the Library. They have book sales with proceeds going to the local library.

That's a good idea for the books. I bet I could do something similar here -I will have to check. I've taken a few loads so far to the local church mission/thrift store and they are always very appreciative.

[Bettiboop]

Originally Posted by Debfrommaine

I have encountered animal shelters that have "thrift" stores and would love "stuff" in good condition. Keep in mind that blankets, towels, and sheets are always of urgent need at animal shelters - a great cause that would appreciate your donation.

What a wonderful idea!! I've got a load of sheets and towels that will be perfect for that.

[Uptown Girl]

Hubby (FMFDoc) is a voracious reader. True adventure stories, military history, lots of stuff that guys especially would enjoy. He took the majority to our region's Veteran Hospital. A lot of the vets are there permanently... their library always welcomes donations.

[Connie Cockcroft]

I know how to get rid of my "stuff", I just don't want to. However, I know it would never fit in a couryard villa..not only space wise, but decor wise. "Stuff" in northern homes, (most of it) just doesn't cut it in FL. Any ideas on how to cut those emotional ties to all of the "stuff" your friends and family have given you or things that your mother made for you, or things that came from your grandmother and beyond? I have a house full of memories. The memories I can keep, but the "stuff" I can't. How do I part with all of these lovely material things?

[collie1228]

We are planning on having a large dumpster in our driveway and a large PODS moving container. Whatever comes out of the house either goes into the dumpster or into the PODS container to be moved. Excess clothing and small appliances will be donated. We'll invite the kids, sister, etc. and give them the opportunity to keep anything going into the dumpster,, but the rule will be that nothing can remain at the house and must be hauled away that day. I did something similar fifteen years ago when I got divorced, and it worked very well. Even my neighbors came around asking if they could "help". Now, fifteen years later, I've collected another dumpster full. What a pack rat I am.

[Trish Crocker]

Originally Posted by Connie Cockcroft

I know how to get rid of my "stuff", I just don't want to. However, I know it would never fit in a couryard villa..not only space wise, but decor wise. "Stuff" in northern homes, (most of it) just doesn't cut it in FL. Any ideas on how to cut those emotional ties to all of the "stuff" your friends and family have given you or things that your mother made for you, or things that came from your grandmother and beyond? I have a house full of memories. The memories I can keep, but the "stuff" I can't. How do I part with all of these lovely material things?

One way to do it is to give the things you love to someone else but, before you do, take a picture of it. Start an album with pictures of everything that has a meaning to you, after all, the reason we hang on to things is because of the memories that they hold. If you have the album, you can always look through it whenever you feel nostalgic.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

One way to do it is to give the things you love to someone else but, before you do, take a picture of it. Start an album with pictures of everything that has a meaning to you, after all, the reason we hang on to things is because of the memories that they hold. If you have the album, you can always look through it whenever you feel nostalgic.

Ditto!

Bill

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

One way to do it is to give the things you love to someone else but, before you do, take a picture of it. Start an album with pictures of everything that has a meaning to you, after all, the reason we hang on to things is because of the memories that they hold. If you have the album, you can always look through it whenever you feel nostalgic.

Great idea!!!!!!!

[Connie Cockcroft]

What a fantastic idea, Trish...thank you for suggesting that. I may be able to deal with my "trauma", by having the album to still visually see the item, noting where it came from, and where it went. The album would always preserve the meaning of these lovely things.

[olgreeneyes]

LOVE all the ideas and suggestions!

3 things that have helped me so far -

Lupus.org - besides clothes they take all sorts of items, including an old assemble it yourself Christmas tree. I take pictures of what we donate for tax purposes.

I'm stuck on the midnight shift. I stick to the schedule on my nights off and go through my paper stuff which is my biggest problem. I am very unsentimental at 3am. I don't suggest this or wish it on anyone else, but if you have trouble sleeping some night, you can go through your old magazines or whatever.

When my mother passed away several years ago I went through her apt. quickly and took out what I saw that meant something to me. Then a few close friends came over and I asked them to help sort. They could keep what they needed or wanted, throw out what they thought wasn't worth it and ask me about whatever they weren't sure of. They didn't have the attachments to her things that I did and I never missed anything because I didn't know what was gone. When we can finally move to TV full time I plan on asking them to do the same with whatever I'm still having trouble with.

[BritParrothead]

Sell all the smaller stuff on Ebay. My son sold $7,000 worth of stuff over the last 18 months

[kofficer]

When we moved to Riverview, FL from St. Petersburg, we had a house full of stuff!! and Goodwill and Salvation Army were happy to come get anything we were willing to give. I pulled out everything I thought might sell first, lots of knicknacks, small collectibles, things like that. After we moved over here, I spent the next year, taking pictures of them, putting them up on Ebay, and netting about $400/month, until they were all gone. I actually got some bigger bucks for a group of old "recipes" from products in the 40s and 50s, which belonged to someone in the family I didn't know. Aunt Olivia, as I recall. Big bucks, over a grand for all those in the box. So, if you are moving to TV, you might want to being along a few boxes of these things to sell -- especially if you can fit them
in the dressers, that were being moved anyway, like we did.

Lee and Rich in Tampa for now.

[Tall Terri]

Originally Posted by Connie Cockcroft

I know how to get rid of my "stuff", I just don't want to. However, I know it would never fit in a couryard villa..not only space wise, but decor wise. "Stuff" in northern homes, (most of it) just doesn't cut it in FL. Any ideas on how to cut those emotional ties to all of the "stuff" your friends and family have given you or things that your mother made for you, or things that came from your grandmother and beyond? I have a house full of memories. The memories I can keep, but the "stuff" I can't. How do I part with all of these lovely material things?

YES! Take photos of the items and put them in a scrap book with what, who, when, why and how! Then you have the memories to look back on but not all of the clutter!

Good Luck!

SORRY Trish - Jumped in and didn't read your post before I put in mine.....Great minds think Alike!!

[Debfrommaine]

Getting rid of "stuff" is a very free feeling - less clutter is best physically and mentally. Yes, pictures and the memories in your mind are enough sometimes. When we moved here we got rid of 99% of the stuff - had one sorta regret and that was selling a steamer trunk that had been in the family. For some reason that kind of bothers me still but then I think of the couple who bought it. The gentleman he had served in the armed forces and wanted the trunk to store his service items - every time I think of it, it reinforces we made the right choice to sell it at a reasonable price to someone who totally deserved the piece.