Jules
SF VIP
Glad you asked. I didn’t know either.
As you get older, do you find yourself downsizing, decluttering.
- Thread starter MickaC
- Start date
boliverchadsworth
Member
I have thoughts.....if I gave something away within a week I would be looking for it and develop a new and marvelous string of disgusting cusswords describing what a moron i am and was.-- then I would buy two more one to misplace and one to use soon as amazon delivered it....I’m posted a little while ago about selling things in order to downsize, getting rid of stuff I don’t use or need.
Sold my king bed, went down to a full/double…..I spend a lot less time making the bed now..
I mentioned I sold some kitchen items, which was to my foster daughter, I’ve given her so much, that I thought some things could be bought, she said she wanted to buy…..sent the counter top roaster and bullet/ninja stuff with her when she came to look at the stuff…..haven’t been paid yet for those two items yet…..when I was there for supper yesterday, it seemed she thought I gave her the stuff free…..we talked about price before, when she looked at the stuff.
Her sister wanted to buy the two end tables and the coffee table……not letting those go till I’m paid.
I’m doing a lot of going through stuff……do I use it……do I need it……
Feel good about doing this…….for me……it’s time.
Any of you with the same thoughts of doing this.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
Great thinking.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
Listed these this morning……sold.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
In my mind…..not everything has to have a price on it or has to be sold.
The storage ottoman is something I made…..thinking 20 years ago.
The Otto light is something I haven’t used for a very long time.
I have gifted both to a good friend.
The light has a magnifier on it……her eye site isn’t the best, so she will make good use of it.
The storage ottoman is something I made…..thinking 20 years ago.
The Otto light is something I haven’t used for a very long time.
I have gifted both to a good friend.
The light has a magnifier on it……her eye site isn’t the best, so she will make good use of it.
You are doing great with your sales program, Micka. I think I would give all mine away just to not have to mess with it.
I walk around the house and think about how things will be different if I move and which things I can take with me. I have a very convenient layout and why would I want to change that? Of course, the answer is obvious since I'm not getting any younger.
I walk around the house and think about how things will be different if I move and which things I can take with me. I have a very convenient layout and why would I want to change that? Of course, the answer is obvious since I'm not getting any younger.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
Thanks, Myrtle…..your encouragement means a lot to me.You are doing great with your sales program, Micka. I think I would give all mine away just to not have to mess with it.
I walk around the house and think about how things will be different if I move and which things I can take with me. I have a very convenient layout and why would I want to change that? Of course, the answer is obvious since I'm not getting any younger.
If your layout is working for you…..why change.
.Because things will get harder or there will be a crisis and it's just better to make my own decisions. But, my plan includes a year and a half of decluttering and thinking about it to be sure. Unfortunately, the plan also includes a lot of griping.Thanks, Myrtle…..your encouragement means a lot to me.
If your layout is working for you…..why change.
Supernatural
Senior Member
We had to downsize after our son died. It took over 2 years to get a new place but it was worth it. After hubby died last year out of the blue, while recovering, daughter and I did our family's to-do lists.
We went through it and completed some just yesterday. Out of all, the worst was having to give away all of hubby's clothes to charity.
Replaced the high-end single bed of daughter with new double base and mattress. She's happy with it, job done.
The longest job, going through all the recording in DVDs hubby had done of documentaries he enjoyed. I remember when we'd gone through our VHS tapes and replaced them with DVDs. Almost every time we had a major house move, we'd change things.
Almost always, charities are the ones receiving the bounty.
One time, we left huge appliances to a charity. The couple who came to pickup the items, were so amazed of how clean and good working order the items were. They refused to take them for free and asked if they could use it for themselves.
We happily agreed. They received our washer/dryer set, fridge, freezer, cooker and our huge full wood picnic table (the latter which we'd picked up at a garage sale).
Finally, we can see the forest for the trees lol! The drawers aren't crowded, neither aren't the cupboards. The linen boxes aren't bulging anymore as now that daughter has double bed and mine's a king, she gave away her brother's and hers single bedding.
My king bed here has the same sizes as the queen size back where we worked before so, all my bedding fits and the old doubles we still have packed away, she now uses for her double bed.
Huge accomplishment that helps keeping busy during this first difficult year. Thanks for asking!
We went through it and completed some just yesterday. Out of all, the worst was having to give away all of hubby's clothes to charity.
Replaced the high-end single bed of daughter with new double base and mattress. She's happy with it, job done.
The longest job, going through all the recording in DVDs hubby had done of documentaries he enjoyed. I remember when we'd gone through our VHS tapes and replaced them with DVDs. Almost every time we had a major house move, we'd change things.
Almost always, charities are the ones receiving the bounty.
One time, we left huge appliances to a charity. The couple who came to pickup the items, were so amazed of how clean and good working order the items were. They refused to take them for free and asked if they could use it for themselves.
We happily agreed. They received our washer/dryer set, fridge, freezer, cooker and our huge full wood picnic table (the latter which we'd picked up at a garage sale).
Finally, we can see the forest for the trees lol! The drawers aren't crowded, neither aren't the cupboards. The linen boxes aren't bulging anymore as now that daughter has double bed and mine's a king, she gave away her brother's and hers single bedding.
My king bed here has the same sizes as the queen size back where we worked before so, all my bedding fits and the old doubles we still have packed away, she now uses for her double bed.
Huge accomplishment that helps keeping busy during this first difficult year. Thanks for asking!
That is the hardest time after a loss, you know you will have to go through your loved ones possessions and make decisions about what to do. I was quite numb after the fact, my brain did not work but I knew I was expected to do this. I walked through it knowing it was not a choice, it would have to be done. I am happy I got it done while I was dead inside. After that first year, it became real, there could be no denial, this was my life, my reality.
I would welcome that first year back when I was in so much pain that I faked my way through the horror. I got a lot taken care of when I was totally immersed in my grief. My closest family would tell me what to get done, I did it.
I was blessed that I had people in my life that would benefit from having his clothes. Many of these were the family of people I worked with. They were always struggling so I knew it would be appreciated and used. I did keep a few things, my husbands favorites, they still hang in the closet after 12 years.
I was lucky I did not have to leave my home, so I did not have to sell/ donate anything. The attic is full with his things, tools, saws, air compressor, power washer etc. I held onto all those things knowing our son would someday need them.
I would welcome that first year back when I was in so much pain that I faked my way through the horror. I got a lot taken care of when I was totally immersed in my grief. My closest family would tell me what to get done, I did it.
I was blessed that I had people in my life that would benefit from having his clothes. Many of these were the family of people I worked with. They were always struggling so I knew it would be appreciated and used. I did keep a few things, my husbands favorites, they still hang in the closet after 12 years.
I was lucky I did not have to leave my home, so I did not have to sell/ donate anything. The attic is full with his things, tools, saws, air compressor, power washer etc. I held onto all those things knowing our son would someday need them.
Happy Retiree
Member
- Location
- Canada
Can't my husband keeps everything.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
Sounds like mine too.
This is definitely a problem. I was raised out in the country with farm animals and nothing was ever thrown away because it could be used somehow. It was just a matter of the right thing needing to be fixed.
An "undecided" shelf is definitely a great idea. I will get this going in the garage.
Yes. I've already done this once and here I am 10 years later doing it again.
I blamed my husband last time but this time the clutter is all on me.
I can see you are well experienced in loss and downsizing, Super. I'm so sorry for your losses and appreciate sharing your experience. In my case it is charities that will benefit too. I've already taken a couple of small loads and will have a few more. When I moved into this house my church was ready for the spring sale to benefit the youth group. The pastor came and picked up the refrigerator and stove that had been left in the house so I could have my own put in place. I like it when things go to benefit someone, preferably not a large charity, but I can do that too.
That said I will probably adopt Micka's method to see if I can sell a few larger items. That will come later just before I actually move. For now, my goal is to be ready in case my move should be sudden because of health, I don't want family to have to do this. I want to be ready and if I never actually make the move that's ok too. It's just important to me to be prepared, have a place to go picked out and make my own decisions.
Blessed, I see myself in your post. I too was numb and my brain did not work after my husband passed. We were married a very long time and It took 3 years after my husband died to decide what I was going to do. In my defense it was at a down time in the economy and I knew I wouldn't get as much from the house as it was worth. Once I decided, the deed was done in less than 6 months, cleaned it out, sold the old house, bought a little one and never looked back. You made the opposite decision and it's worked for you. Sometimes the decision is the hardest thing.
The thing that is really helping right now is all of you sharing your experiences. Thank you. My family knows nothing of this so far. They may have noticed that the crammed book shelves are emptier than they were but mostly I've worked in closets and storage so far.
hearlady
Basic Member
- Location
- N Carolina
Nice gifts. I use my off lite all the time for sewing. Seems even with glasses I can't see as well as I used to.
Lee
Senior Member
- Location
- Chatham, Ontario
Micka, just curious about the stuff you are selling that got sold. Are you using Kijiji, Marketplace or something else.
Raddragn
Member
- Location
- Washington State
I try every so often but I'm such an Insatiable pack rat, that I'm not very successful. I have and have had so many interests that the house is pretty well filled with various related reminders.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
Marie5656
SF VIP
- Location
- Batavia, NY
I answered here before, but want to have another go. 2.5 years ago, when I was preparing to move, I filled one of those big dumpsters with stuff I no longer wanted or needed. Moving from a home to an apartment meant I had to get rid of a lot.
Now that I have been here a while, I will go through things every few months and see what can go. I am right now planning to go through clothing and see what can go
Now that I have been here a while, I will go through things every few months and see what can go. I am right now planning to go through clothing and see what can go
oscash
Senior Member
- Location
- Sydney - Australia
I’m posted a little while ago about selling things in order to downsize, getting rid of stuff I don’t use or need.
Sold my king bed, went down to a full/double…..I spend a lot less time making the bed now.
I mentioned I sold some kitchen items, which was to my foster daughter, I’ve given her so much, that I thought some things could be bought, she said she wanted to buy…..sent the counter top roaster and bullet/ninja stuff with her when she came to look at the stuff…..haven’t been paid yet for those two items yet…..when I was there for supper yesterday, it seemed she thought I gave her the stuff free…..we talked about price before, when she looked at the stuff.
Her sister wanted to buy the two end tables and the coffee table……not letting those go till I’m paid.
I’m doing a lot of going through stuff……do I use it……do I need it……
Feel good about doing this…….for me……it’s time.
Any of you with the same t
packleader
Member
- Location
- Southern California
Downsizing is heartbreaking. Only the thought of not burdening my kids of having to do it keeps me going. At 87 I have managed to toss about one quarter of my stuff. I can't do it all at once. I have to go over stuff several times, each time getting rid of a little bit more. I hope I will be done by the time God calls me.
oscash
Senior Member
- Location
- Sydney - Australia
My Husband was a terrible hoarder, he would save everything. When he passed 14 years ago, I had that terrible job of going through all his "stuff". I never had any help, as both our boys lived in different states. It took me 2 weeks to throw out most of it but kept sentimental things.
Even clearing out my house when moving I put lots of stuff on the front lawn and put up a sign "Free" , everything was gone in about 1 hour.
I even gave away most of my furniture because where I was moving to, I wanted to start anew. Now I have lived here for 10 years in a small Villa I have decided to go through a lot of things I don't use any more. I'm 79 and have had some health issues and if I cark it, I don't want my boys to
be burdened with a whole lot of junk to get rid of.
Even clearing out my house when moving I put lots of stuff on the front lawn and put up a sign "Free" , everything was gone in about 1 hour.
I even gave away most of my furniture because where I was moving to, I wanted to start anew. Now I have lived here for 10 years in a small Villa I have decided to go through a lot of things I don't use any more. I'm 79 and have had some health issues and if I cark it, I don't want my boys to
be burdened with a whole lot of junk to get rid of.