Getting rid of stuff. Tools too - Gasp!

wvnewbie

wvnewbie

Member
Location
WV
I've read a few threads about "downsizing", "clutter", etc. I swore I would never part with my tools.... Nor other "valuable" junk :)

TODAY! I gave a nearby neighbor (plumber) my power sewer "roto-rooter" AND a still-in-the-box new bath tub. Some other stuff that I was using on another house FOUR YEARS AGO! Gasp! Cannot believe I have done this! Not needed, no use for it, and <hopefully> he can put it to good use and make a few bucks. He spotted some other stuff too...<g>...

Maybe he will let me borrow his BIG ladder to do some chimney maintenance. NAH! I'm not doing ladders these days...<g>...

It was difficult... I still have a stomach ache wondering if I should have kept it all. But, it's gone now!

Glad I did this <finally> and will be happy with the extra space.
 

Glad you moved some stuff out, I know it's a good feeling. We have a lot of stuff we haven't used for years, especially tool and things. When we get rid of our old aluminum storage shed, we'll rent a dumpster so we can just throw a lot of the junkier stuff out. I was just on our tall ladder today cleaning out the gutters, we've been having really strong winds for the past week or so and they were overflowing with long pine needles and other debris.
 
Yes! Good for you in getting rid of stuff. It IS difficult to do for sure but you did it.
I always second guess myself right after doing something like this so I think that’s normal.
The way I look at getting rid of stuff is that it’s best to get rid of stuff when you can then wait until you no longer can. At least someone’s getting some use out if it and you get some needed space back. It’s a win win situation.
 

At some point, Downsizing becomes a Must. I've got gobs of tools, etc., many of which I've never used. I recently gave one of the Son-In-Laws a nice Delta Planer, that I probably used for about an hour, years ago. I've embarked on a project of selling something on EBAY every couple of weeks. I just sold a couple of new chainsaw chains that don't fit my current saws. Sometime this Summer, I will probably thin out my collection of Ambassadeur fishing reels...some of those older reels are worth more now, than when new. If we had to suddenly move back to the city, I'd be in deep doo-doo trying to get rid of all my "stuff", so I'm starting now, because I know that day may come.
 
I dump it off if I don't need it. I hate clutter. If I need a tool for a one time job I rent it or go to a flea market or pawn shop then take it back.
 
Don M. said:
At some point, Downsizing becomes a Must. I've got gobs of tools, etc., many of which I've never used. I recently gave one of the Son-In-Laws a nice Delta Planer, that I probably used for about an hour, years ago. I've embarked on a project of selling something on EBAY every couple of weeks. I just sold a couple of new chainsaw chains that don't fit my current saws. Sometime this Summer, I will probably thin out my collection of Ambassadeur fishing reels...some of those older reels are worth more now, than when new. If we had to suddenly move back to the city, I'd be in deep doo-doo trying to get rid of all my "stuff", so I'm starting now, because I know that day may come.
Click to expand...

Gasping......can't breathe....
going right now to caress my seven ambassador reels.....and dust them...again
 
ancient mariner said:
Don't stroke them too hard, you might lose them.
Click to expand...

It's a concern

actually, they've been contained in my rack for years now

I gave away over a dozen rods and reels since moving, to kids
Most of what I have left, save three or four, are rapidly becoming collector's items
 
I'm getting rid of my stuff ,too. I have so many craft supplies that I had plans for and never followed through with it. Just the sight of the boxes and boxes were dragging me down with guilt. Now I'm packing up the stuff ..... putting some away till I figure out how to liquidate them and some I'm donating . I'm not quite past the guilty stage yet ..... but I'm sure when I'm done,I'll feel free ! I'm just burnt out from 30 years of crafting.
 
It's hard to do, because it is...in some regard... what you were.... Plus it took time to amass them , as you wanted / needed them. And I'll venture that you also took pride in what you accomplished with them.

I still haven't done it myself...and may never . I have no family to pass them on too, and any remaining friends that might appreciate them, are as old as I & no longer doing much. So who ever opens the garage , after they find my corpse...is welcome to them...:)
 
My husband was a dedicated tool collector. Now that it's just me, I'm down to one little box. A couple of screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers, a wrench, a small drill are really all I need!
 
wvnewbe, I understand your pain! I retired at 67 and sold or gave away most of my mechanic's tools, all the big stuff. Then I started buying wood working tools. Now I'm 80 and don't do much outside anymore but have set up a "hobby room" inside and have started a collection of small tools for that. It's hard to keep collectors down.
 
In 1987 we moved to a condo townhouse and I gave away the lawnmower. I have not missed it yet.
When we moved from the second condo townhouse, I just letf some things for the buyer, stepladder, workbench, vise.
 
Timely post! I’m faced with having to get rid of all my husbands stuff in our giant garage. I’ve decided to get a giant dumpster from our garbage company and just donating the tools, etc to Goodwill or something. Going to take me a long, long time to do this but I just want it done. Lots of folks tell me to have a yard sale, but I’m alone and worry about unsavory characters sniffing around.
 
debbie in seattle said:
Timely post! I’m faced with having to get rid of all my husbands stuff in our giant garage. I’ve decided to get a giant dumpster from our garbage company and just donating the tools, etc to Goodwill or something. Going to take me a long, long time to do this but I just want it done. Lots of folks tell me to have a yard sale, but I’m alone and worry about unsavory characters sniffing around.
Click to expand...

Check with your local cleanout companies, it might be cheaper and less work to let them take everything all at once.

Good luck!
 
wvnewbie said:
I've read a few threads about "downsizing", "clutter", etc. I swore I would never part with my tools.... Nor other "valuable" junk :)

TODAY! I gave a nearby neighbor (plumber) my power sewer "roto-rooter" AND a still-in-the-box new bath tub. Some other stuff that I was using on another house FOUR YEARS AGO! Gasp! Cannot believe I have done this! Not needed, no use for it, and <hopefully> he can put it to good use and make a few bucks. He spotted some other stuff too...<g>...

Maybe he will let me borrow his BIG ladder to do some chimney maintenance. NAH! I'm not doing ladders these days...<g>...

It was difficult... I still have a stomach ache wondering if I should have kept it all. But, it's gone now!

Glad I did this <finally> and will be happy with the extra space.
Click to expand...

Big mistake getting rid of the tools. No matter where you live you need your tools. Put them in storage or whatever but you will be constantly trying to do a job for hours you could have done in minutes with the proper tools. There is no substitute.

Watch. You will be going out and buying them back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top