What do we do with all this stuff?

Posted by cekkk @cekkk, Jan 29 10:31pm

Over our lifetime we've accumulated a lot of stuff, like everyone else. Much of it is very nice, but we have no one to leave it to. Aside from a few pictures, guns and a few nice pieces of jewelry, the kids don't need anything. They are all comfortable, and live in california, Arizona and florida.. And I'm just wondering, what do people do with it all if they move into a small apartment or assisted living or just die off in their homes. This is Way Beyond yard sale stuff, and besides, we're already too old to deal with that much work.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Consider having someone run an estate sale for you. I believe they take a percentage but if you’re not too worried about your profit then it might be worth it.

REPLY

This is a problem. The Generation X and Millennials don’t want their parent’s stuff. This has been made clear to us.
I am slowly purging as much out of our two story house as I can.
We are selling house and moving out of state. I’m 71 and still working full time.
I have been told to sell or give away most furniture and to replace it when we get to new town. The reviews on this decision overwhelmingly support sell and replace.
The opinions are that moving it is such an effort and expense that it’s not worth it.

REPLY

Read the book "The Art of Death Cleaning"

REPLY

We live in an old historic neighborhood where the people are of older age like us. When they decide to move to assisted living or else where they auction their houses and furnishings. It goes in one day and is handled by professionals. Very easy.

REPLY

I smile silently to remember the days when I could load my VW bug with everything I owned and drive cross-country, not thinking I may have left something behind. 🙂

REPLY

@cekkk, You might find these other discussions on downsizing helpful also.

-- Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/to-move-or-not-to-move-that-is-the-question/
-- House Downsizing: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/house-downsizing/
-- Downsizing one’s life: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/downsizing-ones-life/

REPLY

I for one, am offended by people saying we should rid our homes of ‘stuff’ to make it easier for our family when we pass. Ive spent years collecting vintage treasures and making my home a place i adore.
And i certainly don’t agree that specific generations are not interested in our stuff. You can’t generalize like that.
My children have specific instructions to call an auction house after they have taken what they want. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and one should not have to deny themselves the pleasure of what they worked for.
Same goes if you move to a smaller home or go into a facility, simply have an agency handle it for you.

REPLY

Oh, my. It's too bad that you are "offended" by my children not wanting to trek across the country to claim "stuff" we may treasure but they do not. It's our stuff. They didn't work for it, we did. They have their own stuff they've worked for. And I don't consider our children's position a generalization. Perhaps you might reread my post with an eye towards what I actually wrote. Be well.

REPLY
@ray666

I smile silently to remember the days when I could load my VW bug with everything I owned and drive cross-country, not thinking I may have left something behind. 🙂

Jump to this post

that's very interesting, and reminds me of my military days when all of my personal belongings fit into a duffel bag.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.