Right Through The Cracks

Seems as if it may just need to go into the trash. My husband had a lot of old family pictures. I first asked his cousin and aunt if they wanted any, and both asked for a few of my husband, but otherwise told me to do what I wanted with them. So, I saved out a few, and threw out the rest. I know some of the "things" and nick knacks will go to the dumpster as well. That is just the way it is.
 

debodun said:
The house next door has had a dresser out on the corner with a FREE sign on it for weeks and no one has taken it. Things are so bad here, you can't give things away.
Click to expand...
That's a pretty clear answer to why you're not selling things. You could put an ad up on Craigslist saying free items will be at the curb. That'll generate traffic from folks who don't happen to wander your neighborhood.

If people won't take your stuff for free, that's about as loud a message as you're going to get. It's time to read the writing on the wall.
 
Two years ago, I had a knotty pine end table. I thought it was worth $20 and advertised it as that. No response. I lowered the price to $10 and no nibbles. Then I dropped to $5 for and no interest. Finally, I put it up for free and got 10 inquiries. I told the man that came to get it what happened and he said, "I only look at the free stuff." Probably what everyone else is doing.
 

I don't know that I'd even bother to carry it out to the curb. I'd just get rid of it.

I don't things are going to change in the future so that younger folks may want our gee-gaws (as my grandmother used to call them). Younger folks are just getting more and more mobile every day and you couldn't even give them a bunch of glassware or heavy furniture.

My son, for instance, doesn't want anything he can't throw in his truck and move to the next place he'll be working. Even those who more or less stay put don't want stuff because they don't have room for it. Rents are so high they are living in small places and don't have room for anything that doesn't have function for them.
 
I don't know that I'd agree that nobody wants any of our stuff ever at all. After all, Millennials are buying homes and furnishing them; they're not living in teepees, bringing with them only what they and their horses can ferry to the next campsite as they follow the buffalo.

Tastes have changed somewhat, but high quality items remain desirable. There's a big difference between junk that became collectible for generational nostalgic reasons (like Depression-era glass which was so inexpensively made that it most was given away by theaters, grocers, etc., as incentives to generate business, but remind some of their childhood homes) and hand-cut Waterford or Orrefors crystal.

Very high quality pieces, whether antique or modern, remain marketable in most areas of our country. There is a big difference, however, between "very high quality" and "a bunch of stuff that people collected and had in their houses."

I've known people who've collected mass-produced Disney stuff, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch dolls, National Geographic magazines, and more. Most of this stuff is worth bupkis in a resale market.
 
StarSong said:
I've known people who've collected mass-produced Disney stuff, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch dolls, National Geographic magazines, and more. Most of this stuff is worth bupkis in a resale market.
Click to expand...

The mass-produced stuff is worthless, but an example of something holding it's value is an original Cabbage Patch doll. I remember a time when I really wanted to buy one ... just as well I guess, because I probably could not have afforded the price tag.

value-original-cabbage-patch-dolls_65bef8b88c5d6ebf.jpg


Cabbage Patch dolls date back to the 1980s and the value of original models may exceed $50,000.

Original dolls and those still made by Xavier Roberts, the original doll maker, can fetch anywhere from six to 10 times the amount of a mass-produced and licensed version of the toy. The dolls made by Roberts himself are called Cabbage Patch Original Kids to distinguish them from the dolls licensed by toy companies.

https://www.reference.com/hobbies-games/value-original-cabbage-patch-dolls-65bef8b88c5d6ebf
 
We just bought a lovely home in Florida after living next to a junkyard (I kid u not) for 26 years. We scrimped and saved for many years to be able to afford the house of our dreams. It’s not extravagant but it’s exactly what we were looking for. We are still healthy enough to do yardwork and interior cleaning but if we need help we’ll be able to manage as we’ve been saving for many years. We are tickled pink. 🌸
 
True, Bonnie. Although very few people's "collectibles" fall into this category, I did make the distinction because some do.

No doubt that some folks might value a Cabbage Patch Original Kid at $50K plus. But valuing it at that and actually getting paid that much are two entirely different things.
 
Aunt Bea said:
That's why at this point I choose to live in a nondescript two bedroom apartment for approx. $700.00/month.

I'm still able to piece together the other amenities offered in most of the senior living facilities on my own for much less than the monthly fee of three to five thousand a month. The only thing missing is the social life that an independent living complex might be able to offer.
Click to expand...


That could also be a good thing.
 
Marie5656 said:
@debodun. That kind of sucks, paying a fine for now doing the public sidewalks.
Here in my community (the mobile homes) the park does the main roads, but we are responsible for our own property. Our driveways and lots are not huge. But that being said, I used to be able to do it myself, when I first moved here. But I am no longer able to, though I do shovel the ramp in front of the house best I can. I have a neighbor who mows my lawn and plows my drive. He has a riding mower. In my case, said neighbor just started doing it on his own without me asking. He does a few others in the street asa well. He refuses cash payment, but Rick and I often "paid" him 2-3 times a year by buying
him a couple good steaks
There are usually many in the neighborhood willing to help out ,
Click to expand...

I think that may be a good idea considering all the other options allowed us.
Except I'd like it to be an adult only facility. No kids pushing drugs or breaking things.
Or an adult only condo or apartment complex. Of course the neighborhood would have to be safe too ,good luck with that now that they are pushing diversity of income hoods. Just last week a couple were attacked while taking out trash.
I brought up senior communes 'lol' awhile back,but that is't logical either. Some are far out stone head hippies without a cause.o_O:)
 
About a year ago, our mayor was going to look into getting a program started at the high school for students to earn credits for doing chores for seniors. Haven't heard anything more about it. I just wonder since students likely wouldn't be insured if that is really a good idea. If they get hurt while working for someone, the homeowner would be liable.
 
debodun said:
About a year ago, our mayor was going to look into getting a program started at the high school for students to earn credits for doing chores for seniors. Haven't heard anything more about it. I just wonder since students likely wouldn't be insured if that is really a good idea. If they get hurt while working for someone, the homeowner would be liable.
Click to expand...

How safe would that be?
 
Lc jones said:
We just bought a lovely home in Florida after living next to a junkyard (I kid u not) for 26 years. We scrimped and saved for many years to be able to afford the house of our dreams. It’s not extravagant but it’s exactly what we were looking for. We are still healthy enough to do yardwork and interior cleaning but if we need help we’ll be able to manage as we’ve been saving for many years. We are tickled pink. 🌸
Click to expand...
Congratulations Lc! Wishing you many happy years in your new home!🏡
 
I just did a search on Zillow and Realtor.com for homes in my area and with my criteria. They only found two and one looks too large and it's in a development, the other looks like a fixer-upper (I already have one of those).
 
MeAgain said:
I think that may be a good idea considering all the other options allowed us.
Except I'd like it to be an adult only facility. No kids pushing drugs or breaking things.
Or an adult only condo or apartment complex. Of course the neighborhood would have to be safe too ,good luck with that now that they are pushing diversity of income hoods. Just last week a couple were attacked while taking out trash.
I brought up senior communes 'lol' awhile back,but that is't logical either. Some are far out stone head hippies without a cause.o_O:)
Click to expand...

My sister in law moved into an over 55 mobile home community in Florida after my brother died. She loves it.
 
Deb... Like someone said having to worry about upkeep going forward, especially when you reach your 80's will probably not be desirable. If you sold your home, shouldn't that generate enough income for you to live in a reasonable rental? See if this will help you find a place. Once you click on the link for the state and city you're interested in, off to the right there's a grid that gives stats on the average, highest and lowest rents in that city according to the number of bedrooms . Below that, a link is provided for you to browse available apartments in whatever price range you choose. Armed with this knowledge, you can also check other apartment rental sites. Hope this helps. https://www.apartmenthomeliving.com/sitemap
 
I called a tree service contractor last week. He said he's stop by and look at the work I wanted done on Thursday evening. Thursday evening came and went and he never showed. I called him Friday morning and he said for sure he would stop that evening. I am still waiting (this is Monday afternoon). There isn't that many tree service companies around here, so being summer they may be very busy and spread pretty thin, but he could have called and said he couldn't make it instead of keeping me waiting. I just can't get this rude attitude these contractors have. It's like "I'm doing you a favor by just talking to you on the phone". Shades of "The Money Pit".
 
OneEyedDiva said:
you can also check other apartment rental sites. Hope this helps. https://www.apartmenthomeliving.com/sitemap
Click to expand...

I did a search there and with the criteria I chose, it came up with two places. One I already looked at and it's a dreary holding tank for people waiting to die. The other is too far away. I'd prefer to stay in the locale with which I am familiar. That is the crux of my whining - the places I can afford are just a 200 sq ft box and the nicer places are out of my price range. I'd like to still come out ahead at the end of the month.
 


Back
Top