Selling Everything......starting over ?

[jeep4x4greg]

I've been working on simplifying.....its not working all that well, but I'm making decent strides.

I was pretty stressed from all the junk i had going on....its hard to think that owning things makes you stressed, but in my case, it did!

I recently went from 3 cars and a trailer (just me, single guy with no kids) to 1 (well one is still for sale, but I'm considering it essentially gone.)

this was a big step....I love toys...

Question is, how did you determine what to keep and what to get rid of????

I have a lot of tools....hydraulic press, very nice welder, sheet metal brake, engine hoists, transmission jack......etc. These are big ticket items and they take up a lot of room, but so useful!


my end goal is to me more mobile.....i want to be less physically tied down than i have become in the last 4-5 years since moving away from college. I did the typical single-guy-with-a-good-paycheck-thing and got all sorts of stuff.


where did you draw the line when you simplified? what made the cut and what stayed?

[GoodDaughter]

I'm not a guy, so I can't relate to the 'single guy' aspect, but I have been getting rid of stuff over the past 3 or 4 years. Like you said, owning so much stuff can indeed be stressful.

If I were in your position, I would ask myself if there was a specific reason to want to be more mobile and less physically tied to one place? I'm not being nosy or critical, just wondering to what end one might want to be more mobile? If a person wanted to be able to move around the country for work (I have a cousin who does this) or to see what things are like in different places, etc., I could understand wanting to have less 'stuff'.

Do you want to stay where you are, or is there a strong possibility of moving somewhere else in the relatively near future? That would, in large part, dictate what I would keep and what I would sell.

You have a lot of expensive and very useful equipment. Do you use it a lot? Frequency of use might be another factor. For example, I heat with firewood and every year I rent a log splitter for a couple of days. It's $55/day so it's $110 + gas for me to split up a couple of winter's worth of wood (I try to stay at least a cord and a half 'ahead'). Now I could buy a splitter for about $1000 for a really nice, heavy duty one, but it would sit idle most of the year and take what, 9 years or so to pay for itself? And I'd have to store it, and space is scarce here. So I opt to rent one for now.

On a lesser scale, the way I have decluttered the inside of my house, closets, garage and shed, etc., is to get rid of things you haven't used for the past several years and that you probably won't be using any time soon, AND that you could replace if you have to for some reason, at a reasonable cost. Then, wait a year or two and go through all your possessions AGAIN, applying the same criteria--haven't used it and are not likely to any time soon.

But those really big ticket items you have--the welder, etc., .... if it were ME, I'd figure some way or place to store them safely for the long term if you decide to become mobile. Perhaps parent's garage, paid monthly rental units that are secure, etc.

Just my .02

[WileyCoyote]

Well, I'm not a single guy either, but I have had to 'downsize' several times and it isn't fun. Much better when you 'choose' to downsize.

I keep everything I may need to make money or to make things for myself. Sewing machines don't go until they are simply worn out. The kilns and molds go with me (even though they are heavy and take up a LOT of room!) I can live without TV - but DH can't. The TVs were the first to go when I was single! I have a HUGE rug that I bought when I was flush. OVer the years, dogs, cats, and kids, it just got more and more filthy, til we finally rolled it up and stuck it in a corner of the utility room. DH wanted to throw it out. We brought it with us, and I kept it outside for three months, scrubbing it and rinsing it and letting it dry every weekend. The colors all came back and now it simply glows in our new front room!

I have an antique handmade and very ornate china cabinet that I will not let go; my 'good' china is in it and so are some antiques. I have some antique slate-topped and mahogany-bottomed end and coffee tables. MY bedroom set is an antique cherry set. I also have a huge numbered and framed print of Scarlett O'Hara. I consider all of these things investments, something my children can use when we are gone; or a fallback if things get really tough. In the meantime, they are all doing duty. The rifles, shotguns, and pistols will not go, because they have uses. Vehicles, clothes, and shoes can all go if necessary, as can most furniture. Anything I don't use every day or isn't an investment can go - and did, when we moved. The only books I keep are hardbacked ones; paperbacks can go as can stereo or video equipment. Athough we have an old phonograph and a whole shelf full of records! LOL

Like GoodDaughter said, if you are simplifying, the question is 'why'. If you want to be mobile, a pickup truck with a camper shell or box should hold all of your goods that you might need to make a living and to scrape by. Since THIS is our bug-out place, and we don't plan on moving ever again, all of the stuff we have saved and brought with us is useful to make a living and to build or repair things. We even brought cans of nails and screws!

[cinok]

The easiest way or me to get rid of everything except a few clothes was to get a divorce. ;D ;D ;D ;D

[jeep4x4greg]

well my biggest reason for mobility is that I do foresee moving this spring.....so thats a big driver.

Also, a few years ago now, i moved into and out of college with everything i owned packed into/strapped to the roof of my jeep......and that was a great feeling. I could move all by myself on a few hours notice!

that and like i said...I just feel stressed by having so much stuff.

I hope that when I move, I'll be able to get everything moved in one trip...which is definitely not possible right now (although its better than before with what I've gotten rid of so far)

[GoodDaughter]

Don't know if you have a utility trailer or not? I have two, a single axle that is 8 ft. long and a tandem axle that is 12'. I do use both of them several times a year so I keep them, but for you, it may be a good thing to have so you can load up the things you want to keep (welder, sheet metal tools etc) and still be able to move in one trip. If not an 'open' utility trailer perhaps a box trailer so things won't be exposed to weather?

I'm just saying what I would do, which would be to hold on to those valuable tools. Who knows when you may need them for some unforseen/unpredictable repair, or perhaps if you move in the spring you will be able to use them to make a little $ on the side occasionally. They are already paid for, so that expense has already been made, and at this point they won't do anything but make you money (disregarding the whole payoff amortization of initial investment). Man...if it were me, I would really try to hold on to valuable equipment like that. There have been times that I have had to have things welded, and it's not easy to find anyone who will make a little repair. Most people around here won't bother with one unless it's a big dollar repair. You may be able to open a little welding shop for repairs?

The straw that broke the camel's back for me was one day I realized I was just shuffling 'stuff' from one place to another--constantly. Boxes and Rubbermaid totes full of stuff. I would move them from the bedroom to the sewing room to the shed and then back inside the house :P And clothes! I had beautiful clothes from the 1980's that I just did not want to let go of, but didnt' wear anymore because they were 1 or 2 sizes too small. Then I thought that someone, somewhere could really use those jeans, denim skirts, and knee length sweaters and so I went through the closet and cleaned it out. I did keep back some things that I just *really really* didn't want to part with. Then, like I mentioned, a year or two later I went through the closet and the totes and boxes of stuff AGAIN, and if I still hadn't used those things I had saved back because I just *really really* couldn't part with them---zoom, they went in the donation box. I've done that with the closet, boxes of stuff, junk in the shed, even under the kitchen cabinets. If I don't use it I keep it for a while just in case I might need it, but when it turns out I haven't used it at all...I get rid of it. With the caveat that it is something that can be replaced *reasonably* if the need for it ever does occur.

Like WileyCoyote, this is my 'bug out' place, my permanent home until/if I ever get a small house built up on my land. I don't want it cluttered up with boxes of stuff I dont' use.

[jeep4x4greg]

The trailer would be handy if i had an enclosed one....I drive a Subaru Forester.....so it could handle a modest trailer .

the trailer I had was very old and needed an overhaul. It was the kind that had 2 ramps for hauling an other vehicle.....so it wasn't useful for hauling my stuff.....otherwise I would have kept it.

I just recently got rid of two 35 gallon trash bags of clothes...to Goodwill...not the trash.

I need to downsize from the king sized bed to maybe a smaller queen......but I'm not sure i can live with out that :)


I just hate packing up to move...

maybe I'll move into a shipping container so I don't have to pack again! just move my house.

[natures-gal]

Hello Greg,
I too have been stressed by "too much stuff" over the years. I had been getting rid of pick-up truck loads. It was mostly stuff my kids left behind and stuff I thought I needed but didn't. *Even after that I still had too much stuff.
One of my problems was::"I will keep this and that for a Yard Sale. I had a few yard sales, and they are a LOT of work. I had to do it all myself. .I decided just give it away. Too much work and time for the little money I might get. When I thought of it that way, it was easier to get rid of it. So...
Last year I started going thru everything in my place. Room by room. I was just frustrated and wanted to get rid of most everything. I gave away another pick-up load of things from my apartment and storage unit. The local Thrift stores have enough inventory for a long time. *:) Like was mentioned I now go thru stuff at least 1 or 2 times a year just to see if I can find some more things to get rid of. It works! I feel so much better since I got shed of all that excess stuff around.
I too move around. I plan to move this year and am working on it. Going to get rid of some more pieces of furniture when I move. *Going further north.
I hope things turn out real good for you. And you will feel so much better the more you get rid of. But keep your most useful and treasured items. * *:D

[RocketMan]

I have my one "toy," a classic car. It is 1 of only 1000 built, so I don't drive it much. Mostly in the summer when I take it to car shows for fun. I don't owe any money on it, but I do pay $75 a month for storage and insurance during the summer. I have thought of selling it to pay off other items that would give me some extra cash, but then I wonder if hanging onto it might be an investment in the future. IF it becomes a hot item in the future, and the value goes way up, I would kick myself for selling it cheap only to find out in a few years it's worth double or triple what I could sell it for now.
I would say the same for some of the things you have. If nothing else, you could sell those items in the future if money gets tight.

[mom]

The easiest way or me to get rid of everything except a few clothes was to get a divorce. ;D ;D ;D ;D
lol - been there done that. And it was worth it.

[anna]

I consider tools whether kitchen or dh's shop as major prep items and would hesitate to get rid of them. Money is a consideration too. We're retirement age so $'s for replacement is an issue. Once you've made the capital investment in such quality tools, it doesn't make financial sense to get rid of them. We've moved numerous times and dh always said if it didn't fit on the 24' U-Haul it didn't go. We managed to pack a 3 bedroom house plus tiller, tools, freezer, boxes of home canned food and large woodburning cookstove into that 24'. If money isn't an issue, and you're willing to let your investment go cheap then sell. If you think you'll be replacing the items down the road, I think you'd be better off to keep and move what you already own.

[alaskaboy]

I am really careful when I go out and buy stuff - some people say I don't buy stuff when I really should. I guess I just learned how to limit myself. I've never had a very good paycheck (and still don't) but I grew up really frugally, so I know what it's like to clip coupons and stuff like that. My mom used to tell me "For every 100 coupons you clip, I'll give ya a chocolate bar." and boy ... did that work!

[Bootz]

Also, a few years ago now, i moved into and out of college with everything i owned packed into/strapped to the roof of my jeep......and that was a great feeling. *I could move all by myself on a few hours notice!that and like i said...I just feel stressed by having so much stuff.


I can totally relate to this. I lost everything fleeing a domestic abuse situation and moved into my apartment with about 4 boxes of stuff. 1 1/2 years later it's time to move and I have about 20 boxes of stuff and I've been trying to stay mobile knowing how precarious my situation is.

About 8 boxes are books. I have a real problem with book hoarding. Kitchen stuff makes up about another 4 boxes. Linen's and even a small wardrobe of mostly survival type clothing takes up many more boxes.

I only own a blow up mattress, an office chair, desk and stool, for furniture.

I spent 9 months homeless living out of a locker and a backpack. I feel overwhelmed and stifled by my stuff and don't know how I'm going to move it, yet. I bought things I didn't NEED. If I had stayed lean and mean 2 trips on the subway would have done it.

I regret the computer monitor I bought because of the limited screen resolutions on my TINY laptop that I resolved by installing a hack. I regret the TV now that I have a TV tuner for my laptop. The printer/copier I LOVE and almost didn't buy. I'd lug that on 3 trains happily.

I have a love/hate relationship with my stuff. I feel stifled and trapped by it. I also enjoy it.

I might not bring it all with me. Friends are frustrated with me. They do not understand. I'm no longer independent. I need help moving. I'm not in control of me anymore. I gave that up to own stuff. I'm not sure it's worth it.

[leera]

I too have been working on thinning out what we own.Hubby is not quite as willing as I'd like him to be.

We have a real packrat problem here,hubby loves to bring things home just for the heck of it I think.

I have been working to keep only those things that will be useable to us once we get some property and a house.

In the past two months I have gotten rid of four car loads of "things" to chairty.

I have a book problem as well,I simply love them.Especially cook books.But I am thinking now that I will go through them and just copy the recipes I actually use,and then get rid of the book.

My goal is to be able to fit all of our belongings into one rental truck.I will have to have someone drive it,while I take the car with the dog,cat and snake.My DH can't drive due to his epilepsy.

[Joe]

Hi

7 years ago, we sold our house with all our belonging, then we were on a road trip from west coast to east coast with an old class A 27 feet motorhome for about 2 years, then we settle again and now accumulate more stuff than ever...when you settle you need stuff to maintain stuff, stuff to store your stuff, crave and want new stuff... on and on.. human nature I guess ;)

[Funkhouser]

I can't relate to the starting over part, but the selling everything part? Oh yeah...

DW and I have had yard sales, gave stuff away to Goodwill, sold stuff on Craigslist (and I mean LOTS of stuff) so we are not so encumbered with stuff.

Thoreau said it best...
Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify, simplify! ... Simplicity of life and elevation of purpose.

[Gwynyvyr]

At one point I was reduced to a backpack and a small tent. For five months! Then I got a place and *stuff*. Moved out of there with 2 rubbermaid totes, one backpack and my purse.
Started over....
When I moved down to Texas I started over again, this past January and already I am feeling overwhelmed by stuff!
I am getting ready to tear through my room during the next two weeks and discard, donate, or sell 80% of what I have in here!
I guess after living in a tent, I can't stand feeling *crowded*!
I would keep the tools, somehow, someway.
Discard anything that's liable to break or wear out because of cheap or shoddy manufacture.
Get a trailer your vehicle can haul, see how much of your *stuff* will fit in there.
Pare down what you take accordingly...

[Bootz]

Now I really regret getting all that stuff. My ex is picking up steam again. I think I'm going to have to relocate, rather than just move to the other side of the city. It looks like I'm going to be down to a large backpack, a carry-on on wheels and a laptop bag, and one box that can be stored with a friend and hopefully mailed when I'm settled.

I don't think I'll ever trust to settle down and start nesting again. It's just not worth it.

I'm ripping my favorite chapters out of my art, writing, computer and PTSD books. I can only keep what I NEED. My last time homeless taught me to rip books :-0 Sigh! I just need to remember I am more important than the books.

[RobJob]

You are young and still have a need to be mobile. I can certainly relate to that. Reading all of the posts here brought back where I was before I found my "homestead". It was very stressful every time one needed to move. But, alas, my Scottish ancestory and the inheritance of some good tools compels me to hang on to everything that seems useful. Luckily, my little farm came with a warehouse/shop building. Although I don't presently live there full time it is secure enough that I have never had any problems. It's really secluded and that helps that most people don't even know there is a place down in the woods. And my neighbors are all good people. I know I am lucky.
But, I would advise you, as many already have, to keep your tools. Quality tools are a livelyhood if you know how to use them and it sounds like you do. It's hard not to be a packrat and I try to pass on books, clothes, extra garden produce, etc. to friends and people I work with and that often pays dividends. And, I will throw away a bunch of accumulated clutter...as soon as I get to it.
One day, probably sooner than later, you may find that your wanderlust is satisfied and that a need to put down roots on a piece of land and be less dependent on the vagarities of an uncertain world will take its place. Then, you will be glad you held on to some of the more important/useful stuff. A good trailer that you can secure somewhere sounds like a good alternative in the mean time.

[Bootz]

It's so hard to choose what to take. First, what do I need to survive the next 3 months and what can never be replaced?

I've done this before and know how critical it is to pack things that distract and soothe. Playing cards and instructions for solitaire, radio, art supplies, small laptop and games and TV receiver, backpack bottle thermos, friendship bracelet making supplies, poetry instruction book, harmonica.

I know that to take care of the mind is as important as the body. The carry-on on wheels is all brain food and no clothes. It's so heavy, too heavy, even though not full.

I need to fight my old ways of seeing the world as a place of scarcity. An ex who was an expert at financial abuse and parents that were neglectful, made me learn to hoard. I'm in control of my life now. I am able to pursue replacing things when lost and trust I'll be able to get what I NEED.

These things will be replaced if they need to be. I need to focus on what things I think will nourish me the most in the near future. The Celtic knot books and the watercolor lesson printouts (that I use colored pencils on instead) are the hardest to leave behind.

And I am having fun gifting people with some really good stuff. I see true joy on their faces. It makes it easier to leave behind. Joy is infectious.

[danville]

I lived through a house fire that destoyed most of my worldly belongings. Then a few years later I divorced and left with the clothes on my back and my dogs. If I were going to simplify I think I would use the house fire method. I would look long and hard at all of my belongings and then decide which ones I would have to replace if they were all destoyed in a fire and I had limited money to replace them. If you would not use your limited means to replace it then you don't really need it. Sell it and bank the proceeds. Lots of people spend their lives collecting things that are not useful to them, storing them in a big house, garage or storage unit that they spend all of their time working to pay for and never getting a chance to enjoy anything, including all the stuff they accumulate. What would you really want to save from the fire? Yourself, loved ones and and a means of living. Other than that it is all holding you hostage. Is it working for you or are you working for it?