[CarolSells]

I didn't want to hijack the other threads that mentioned "stuff" but they are so timely for me because I'm dealing with that right now. I thought that I got rid of lots of things when I sold my previous house but I couldn't believe how much furniture and boxes the movers delivered when I finally moved into my current home.

The kids aren't really interested in much of any of it. I'm trying to sell my mother's furniture that I inherited and it seems that I will have to practically give it away. I'm not talking priceless antiques but nice wood quality pieces. I haven't even started on all of the china, etc.

What did you guys do? Just sell to be rid of it? Garage sales don't bring that many people to our neighborhood. Any unique ideas for sales? Thanks.

[ugotme]

When my wife & I moved to So. Fl. from Long Island 7 years ago I told her to sell the furniture up North.

We moved it down here and a year or so later bought new "stuff." And YES basically had to give our old furniture away (sold it for peanuts). This was all solid wood Ethan Allen, Thomasville furniture.

Didn't seem to be in high demand down here then - not sure about now though.

Good Luck !

[CarolSells]

Originally Posted by ugotme

When my wife & I moved to So. Fl. from Long Island 7 years ago I told her to sell the furniture up North.

We moved it down here and a year or so later bought new "stuff." And YES basically had to give our old furniture away (sold it for peanuts). This was all solid wood Ethan Allen, Thomasville furniture.

Didn't seem to be in high demand down here then - not sure about now though.

Good Luck !

Thanks. I appreciate your response! I understand her reluctance to part with your furniture at first. We do feel some attachment to things we have had for years.

[jane032657]

Just came in from the garage as we are moving early November to our home in TV. I have/had all my parents stuff too and we are choosing to take the dressers of 70 years that my parents had just because they have so many drawers for storage. I sold dishes which covered four benches- hand painted antqiue dishes for $100-the appraisal was not even close to this give away because no one wants them anymore. Stained glass tiffany style lighting, for a song. We have had multiple garage sales and we just priced stuff low and said good bye. Stuff does not matter, if you do not want it, let it go. Precious is in the eye of the beholder. Take what is precious and special to you and give it to others for gifts, special remebrances or charity. You will not remember it tomorrow if you did not pay attention to it today or for the last multiple decades.

[CarolSells]

Originally Posted by jane032657

Just came in from the garage as we are moving early November to our home in TV. I have/had all my parents stuff too and we are choosing to take the dressers of 70 years that my parents had just because they have so many drawers for storage. I sold dishes which covered four benches- hand painted antqiue dishes for $100-the appraisal was not even close to this give away because no one wants them anymore. Stained glass tiffany style lighting, for a song. We have had multiple garage sales and we just priced stuff low and said good bye. Stuff does not matter, if you do not want it, let it go. Precious is in the eye of the beholder. Take what is precious and special to you and give it to others for gifts, special remebrances or charity. You will not remember it tomorrow if you did not pay attention to it today or for the last multiple decades.

Thanks, Jane. I needed to hear your words..it's just stuff! Good luck on your move!

[asianthree]

getting rid of stuff one room at a time

[Pturner]

Hi CarolSells,
I concur with Jane. We are in process of downsizing. It was hard at first. More recently I have found that the more we get rid off, the free-er I feel. Don't let your stuff own you.

All best wishes.

[CaptJohn]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I concur with Jane. We are in process of downsizing. It was hard at first. More recently I have found that the more we get rid off, the free-er I feel. Don't let your stuff own you.

All best wishes.

I'm just starting and it is hard. Like losing old friends that have known you forever and have seen you through good and bad times and have stood with you.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Downsizing, where to begin! Whew, we know exactly how you feel. We are currently in the process of doing just that ourselves. 31 years of accumulation plus lots and lots of childhood memories and stuff that we just didn't want to part with. Not to mention that 2 years ago my Mom passed away and we had to deal with liquidating all her stuff. Stuff I say, that is exactly what all this is, stuff. Like you, family just doesn't want any of it so we have been selling lots of things on Craigslist and garage sales for like you said pennies. We have donated many, many, things to various charities especially animal rescues. When I donate something I try to look at this way, we are giving it to someone less fortunate than us that needs it. We have been very fortunate to be able to have such things but as we age and times passes we realized that it is just stuff and we don't want to be a prisioner to stuff. So if it doesn't earn it's keep anymore then it is time to pass it along! Good Luck

[Dancing Queen]

I empathize. I have given away a lot, in the past 2 years but not near enough. The process of unloading all of my, my dh’s and our parents and grandparents stuff is overwhelming. I am to the point I think I will look at auctioneers, as I am no longer attached to it, it is just delaying our move to TV.


Tadpole in training.

[Bill Tasker]

We are seriously considering having an estate auction. Moving out the things we know we want to bring but having everything else auctioned. Did anyone consider that?

[Bill Tasker]

We are seriously considering holding an estate auction. Moving out the things we know we want to bring but auctioning everything else. Has anyone considered that?

[Mama C]

We called the auction house and let them take it--- much less painful

[CarolSells]

That's interesting. How does that work? I mean I realize that they take a % but what about items that may not sell?

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by CarolSells

That's interesting. How does that work? I mean I realize that they take a % but what about items that may not sell?

We had an estate sale before we moved from our 5000 sq ft home to a 1500 sq ft CYV. They come in and price and stage everything. Things not sold on day one are reduced by 50%. After that you can donate or whatever with the things left. 97% of our Stuff sold and the rest was donated. The estate sale people even clean up afterward. They charge 30% and it was worth every penny. If you have already moved your things this process might not work as well. BTW, I haven't missed anything that I sold.