There are a number of threads in this section that address some of the issues.
Some things will have immense sentimental value, or even some utility left. The type of thing that you'll want in your coffin with you. š
It's best to send out an email with an attached PDF depicting an organized list of things you'd like to find a good and welcoming home. Or, local clubs/libraries/new-to-you shops...? Some things might need consignment, but you'd be better off selling on eBay or Craig's list if you're comfortable with that sort of thing. Some forums have a selling sub-forum or classified section, just like the 'off topic' section.
There are nieces and nephews, grandkids, clubs...that might like some of the things.
Or donate...Habit for Humanity, Red Cross, Thrift Stores.
I don't want stuff, especially the nicer things, to just be put in a dumpster, but that is my instruction for my youngest who is the business brain and my executor. What she can't bear to part with she may have, or give away if she knows someone, but I don't want her spending more than an hour pondering over my inventory. It goes into totes and boxes and will be heaved high up over the rim to crash down below.
I won't be using it any more. It's the same with my body....don't need it, don't want it....burn it, compost it....whatever.
The process of downsizing goes so much better with organizing your thoughts, and then making a reasonably comprehensive inventory. Try to hang on to only a very few 'toys' or niceties, enough that you can fill in only two totes. The home won't have much room, and you may find that even those totes now present a problem for you because you're not really interested. A mistake somewhere along the way in your process.
At some point, you will literally have to walk away from 90% of it. It will become part of your past.
We had a āpay what you canā no haggle yard sale. Put it all out and people will take what they need.
My friend put things in boxes with one item on top and charged $2 a box but they had to take the whole box. Cleared out her hoarder fatherās house in one day.
Funny how we accumulate so many things that mean so little in the long run.
There are a number of threads in this section that address some of the issues.
Some things will have immense sentimental value, or even some utility left. The type of thing that you'll want in your coffin with you. š
It's best to send out an email with an attached PDF depicting an organized list of things you'd like to find a good and welcoming home. Or, local clubs/libraries/new-to-you shops...? Some things might need consignment, but you'd be better off selling on eBay or Craig's list if you're comfortable with that sort of thing. Some forums have a selling sub-forum or classified section, just like the 'off topic' section.
There are nieces and nephews, grandkids, clubs...that might like some of the things.
Or donate...Habit for Humanity, Red Cross, Thrift Stores.
I don't want stuff, especially the nicer things, to just be put in a dumpster, but that is my instruction for my youngest who is the business brain and my executor. What she can't bear to part with she may have, or give away if she knows someone, but I don't want her spending more than an hour pondering over my inventory. It goes into totes and boxes and will be heaved high up over the rim to crash down below.
I won't be using it any more. It's the same with my body....don't need it, don't want it....burn it, compost it....whatever.
The process of downsizing goes so much better with organizing your thoughts, and then making a reasonably comprehensive inventory. Try to hang on to only a very few 'toys' or niceties, enough that you can fill in only two totes. The home won't have much room, and you may find that even those totes now present a problem for you because you're not really interested. A mistake somewhere along the way in your process.
At some point, you will literally have to walk away from 90% of it. It will become part of your past.
Estate auctions are the best if you don't want the hassle of doing it yourself.
There are also thrift stores that will come in after you move and take everything that is left.
I think back to my grandparents' homes, 75 years ago, how little they owned compared to our homes today.
When I look at something it seems precious, but when I turn away that feeling usually evaporates.
It's good practice to ask hard questions about our possessions.
Does this object really make my life better? Will it ever?
Will the world be diminished if this object goes to the dump?
It can hurt to ask these questions, but as we age, a lighter life becomes more and more valuable.
[Taking my advice, I just tossed some old research notes from my desktop, and I will toss a reference book that is out-of-date. Books and music scores are my weakness.]
MovingPlan: I was successful in preparing for our move to CCRC retirement community by going through our home- room by room and select things I want to take. I did this for about 2 weeks, removing the items to move. Then I went through the boxes of things I had selected and choose items I couldnāt part with.
Then I chose a professional Estate Sale group to manage the sale. Prior to the sale date I moved the āgoā items into our new home. I had a few days to make any adjustments of my items. I was advised not to be present at the sale to make it easier to part with my treasured furnishings. I never knew the sales prices but was pleasantly surprised after this procedure to be given a large envelope with thousands of dollars. The āleft-oversā they donated to Salvation Army and gave me a receipt for this donation.
The house was clean and empty and ready for the new owner. I had furnished my new retirement apartment space with my favorite items only. Some of the cash I used to buy a new leather loveseat and recliner! This has been a great move for us and we never regretted moving. Maybe this plan could make this last move easier for you?
There are a number of threads in this section that address some of the issues.
Some things will have immense sentimental value, or even some utility left. The type of thing that you'll want in your coffin with you. š
It's best to send out an email with an attached PDF depicting an organized list of things you'd like to find a good and welcoming home. Or, local clubs/libraries/new-to-you shops...? Some things might need consignment, but you'd be better off selling on eBay or Craig's list if you're comfortable with that sort of thing. Some forums have a selling sub-forum or classified section, just like the 'off topic' section.
There are nieces and nephews, grandkids, clubs...that might like some of the things.
Or donate...Habit for Humanity, Red Cross, Thrift Stores.
I don't want stuff, especially the nicer things, to just be put in a dumpster, but that is my instruction for my youngest who is the business brain and my executor. What she can't bear to part with she may have, or give away if she knows someone, but I don't want her spending more than an hour pondering over my inventory. It goes into totes and boxes and will be heaved high up over the rim to crash down below.
I won't be using it any more. It's the same with my body....don't need it, don't want it....burn it, compost it....whatever.
The process of downsizing goes so much better with organizing your thoughts, and then making a reasonably comprehensive inventory. Try to hang on to only a very few 'toys' or niceties, enough that you can fill in only two totes. The home won't have much room, and you may find that even those totes now present a problem for you because you're not really interested. A mistake somewhere along the way in your process.
At some point, you will literally have to walk away from 90% of it. It will become part of your past.
@gloaming these days no one is interested in anything. Even refugees prefer money to buy new furniture to their tastes!
When we sold our house to move, neither the thrift stores like Value Village (Canada), Goodwill, Salvation Army etc. wanted our perfectly usable furniture, tables, etc.! Never mind collectibles - even my kids would not take any of my collectibles!
Our attachment to objects is remarkable.
The supply of objects far exceeds the demand, but it is very difficult to accept the fact that so many of our "precious" objects are not needed in our first world countries and are not worth the cost of shipping to countries where they might find real use.
The real purpose of our keepsakes is that they help us "shore up" our identities which we feel are being washed away by the tides of time. How much should we resist, how much let go?
Aren't we all facing the truth that life is mortal and our drifting feelings are the only certainty?
How can we best adjust our possessions to make our daily feelings the finest possible?
How much do we want to hold onto our old life, how much make room for new life?
Yes, someone 70, 80, 90, 100 years old can still be experiencing new life.
[Yesterday I let go of three books and a radio, today six books. š ]
MovingPlan: I was successful in preparing for our move to CCRC retirement community by going through our home- room by room and select things I want to take. I did this for about 2 weeks, removing the items to move. Then I went through the boxes of things I had selected and choose items I couldnāt part with.
Then I chose a professional Estate Sale group to manage the sale. Prior to the sale date I moved the āgoā items into our new home. I had a few days to make any adjustments of my items. I was advised not to be present at the sale to make it easier to part with my treasured furnishings. I never knew the sales prices but was pleasantly surprised after this procedure to be given a large envelope with thousands of dollars. The āleft-oversā they donated to Salvation Army and gave me a receipt for this donation.
The house was clean and empty and ready for the new owner. I had furnished my new retirement apartment space with my favorite items only. Some of the cash I used to buy a new leather loveseat and recliner! This has been a great move for us and we never regretted moving. Maybe this plan could make this last move easier for you?
Iāll share aour experience as a warning. I canāt do stairs now safely, so we ended up accepting our daughters invite to reconstruct a third garage bay and guest suite into a tiny wonderful two room , bath and kitchenette space. But OH my the move from lives in 25-27oo +sq foot homes to this! I lost 15 lbs I didnāt have ( 110-95) with the ālet it goā experience! Did tag sales, estate seller, eBay, art sellers etc. got very little for anything really and gave so much to Goodwill and Habitat - some yes wouldnāt take! Even dump! Awful! ( family did take some and we transported it to them - meant that much to us)
Perfectly usable attractive some valuable things! And some more of my chosen treasures got ālostā in actual move. Not being able to lift and sort so easily added to it. Husband and daughter worn out. Just terrible for us. So grateful for space we have now and mostly that all doesnāt matter so much !! ( I am 104 now too). It hurts - but find a way to LET GO ( having pics can help). Itās quality of present life that counts !!!
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There are a number of threads in this section that address some of the issues.
Some things will have immense sentimental value, or even some utility left. The type of thing that you'll want in your coffin with you. š
It's best to send out an email with an attached PDF depicting an organized list of things you'd like to find a good and welcoming home. Or, local clubs/libraries/new-to-you shops...? Some things might need consignment, but you'd be better off selling on eBay or Craig's list if you're comfortable with that sort of thing. Some forums have a selling sub-forum or classified section, just like the 'off topic' section.
There are nieces and nephews, grandkids, clubs...that might like some of the things.
Or donate...Habit for Humanity, Red Cross, Thrift Stores.
I don't want stuff, especially the nicer things, to just be put in a dumpster, but that is my instruction for my youngest who is the business brain and my executor. What she can't bear to part with she may have, or give away if she knows someone, but I don't want her spending more than an hour pondering over my inventory. It goes into totes and boxes and will be heaved high up over the rim to crash down below.
I won't be using it any more. It's the same with my body....don't need it, don't want it....burn it, compost it....whatever.
The process of downsizing goes so much better with organizing your thoughts, and then making a reasonably comprehensive inventory. Try to hang on to only a very few 'toys' or niceties, enough that you can fill in only two totes. The home won't have much room, and you may find that even those totes now present a problem for you because you're not really interested. A mistake somewhere along the way in your process.
At some point, you will literally have to walk away from 90% of it. It will become part of your past.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
9 ReactionsWe had a āpay what you canā no haggle yard sale. Put it all out and people will take what they need.
My friend put things in boxes with one item on top and charged $2 a box but they had to take the whole box. Cleared out her hoarder fatherās house in one day.
Funny how we accumulate so many things that mean so little in the long run.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsI hired an estate auctioneer who did all the work for 40%
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8 ReactionsEstate auctions are the best if you don't want the hassle of doing it yourself.
There are also thrift stores that will come in after you move and take everything that is left.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI think back to my grandparents' homes, 75 years ago, how little they owned compared to our homes today.
When I look at something it seems precious, but when I turn away that feeling usually evaporates.
It's good practice to ask hard questions about our possessions.
Does this object really make my life better? Will it ever?
Will the world be diminished if this object goes to the dump?
It can hurt to ask these questions, but as we age, a lighter life becomes more and more valuable.
[Taking my advice, I just tossed some old research notes from my desktop, and I will toss a reference book that is out-of-date. Books and music scores are my weakness.]
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsMovingPlan: I was successful in preparing for our move to CCRC retirement community by going through our home- room by room and select things I want to take. I did this for about 2 weeks, removing the items to move. Then I went through the boxes of things I had selected and choose items I couldnāt part with.
Then I chose a professional Estate Sale group to manage the sale. Prior to the sale date I moved the āgoā items into our new home. I had a few days to make any adjustments of my items. I was advised not to be present at the sale to make it easier to part with my treasured furnishings. I never knew the sales prices but was pleasantly surprised after this procedure to be given a large envelope with thousands of dollars. The āleft-oversā they donated to Salvation Army and gave me a receipt for this donation.
The house was clean and empty and ready for the new owner. I had furnished my new retirement apartment space with my favorite items only. Some of the cash I used to buy a new leather loveseat and recliner! This has been a great move for us and we never regretted moving. Maybe this plan could make this last move easier for you?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
16 Reactions@gloaming these days no one is interested in anything. Even refugees prefer money to buy new furniture to their tastes!
When we sold our house to move, neither the thrift stores like Value Village (Canada), Goodwill, Salvation Army etc. wanted our perfectly usable furniture, tables, etc.! Never mind collectibles - even my kids would not take any of my collectibles!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsOur attachment to objects is remarkable.
The supply of objects far exceeds the demand, but it is very difficult to accept the fact that so many of our "precious" objects are not needed in our first world countries and are not worth the cost of shipping to countries where they might find real use.
The real purpose of our keepsakes is that they help us "shore up" our identities which we feel are being washed away by the tides of time. How much should we resist, how much let go?
Aren't we all facing the truth that life is mortal and our drifting feelings are the only certainty?
How can we best adjust our possessions to make our daily feelings the finest possible?
How much do we want to hold onto our old life, how much make room for new life?
Yes, someone 70, 80, 90, 100 years old can still be experiencing new life.
[Yesterday I let go of three books and a radio, today six books. š ]
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
11 ReactionsSounds like a plan. QUESTION where/how did you find your āestate saleā company. Thanks
Iāll share aour experience as a warning. I canāt do stairs now safely, so we ended up accepting our daughters invite to reconstruct a third garage bay and guest suite into a tiny wonderful two room , bath and kitchenette space. But OH my the move from lives in 25-27oo +sq foot homes to this! I lost 15 lbs I didnāt have ( 110-95) with the ālet it goā experience! Did tag sales, estate seller, eBay, art sellers etc. got very little for anything really and gave so much to Goodwill and Habitat - some yes wouldnāt take! Even dump! Awful! ( family did take some and we transported it to them - meant that much to us)
Perfectly usable attractive some valuable things! And some more of my chosen treasures got ālostā in actual move. Not being able to lift and sort so easily added to it. Husband and daughter worn out. Just terrible for us. So grateful for space we have now and mostly that all doesnāt matter so much !! ( I am 104 now too). It hurts - but find a way to LET GO ( having pics can help). Itās quality of present life that counts !!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
12 Reactions