Thanks for the very positive feedback to my previous blog on “Time to lighten the Load“. In that blog I tried to move us past the many excuses that we make for not parting with our ‘stuff’. I pointed out how difficult it was for the next generation who would have to do the job that we refused to do. So, hopefully you have made a decision to rid yourself of some of your possessions. The question is now what to do with them.
The answer will depend on the items concerned. Let’s say that it is your grandmother’s tea set. Courtesy demands that you allow a family member first pick. As we discussed in the previous column many younger family members will decline but give them the chance to do so. The last thing that you want is to start a family feud when someone later discovers that you sold/gave away a part of the family history that they wanted. Speaking of feuds, think through a system for letting the family know of its availability. It’s probably safest to let everyone know at once. For example, you could do a group email with a picture of the tea set and make it clear that it is first come first served. Of course, if someone had previously expressed an interest in the tea set you job is easy – give it to them.
Let’s say it is not a piece of the family history but something that you bought and no longer need/want. Let us be practical – WE NEED THE MONEY because retirement is almost as expensive as pre-retirement but we will have a reduced income. So your first order of business is to try to sell the item. Utilise local resources and base your decision on local conditions. For example Barbados seems to have a thriving antiques market, Jamaica does not. In Barbados I arranged for a professional to hold an auction and he sold most of the possessions in my relative’s house. In Jamaica this is not an option so I have to advertise directly. Do your homework in pricing and set a minimum that you will accept. Set your cost on current market value and not on what you paid for it. Don’t forget to network and tell your friends and colleagues what you have for sale. In casual conversation one day I found for example that a colleague was searching for cake forks – something that I no longer wanted. A friend wanted wine glasses – two sets of stuff disposed of.
You can also do a garage sale. Bear in mind however that this takes quite a bit of organisation so enlist lots of help if you decide to take this route and start early to do the pricing, set up. Have help on the day to help with answering queries and to keep an eye on the items. If you’re not up for direct sales you might want to use services such as eBay for some items such as china and silver. It is fairly easy to get comparable prices online and to photograph and offer your stuff. You do however have to have the time to dedicate to following up on the questions and responses so bear that in mind.
If you can’t get a sale and no family member wants what you no longer need/want then it’s time to give it away. This is usually an easy option – pick your favourite charity and give them a call. Be thoughtful since you want to ensure that your possessions have a happy home. I have for example felt happy in donating boxes of books to our library service because I know that young minds will have a chance to enjoy what I have enjoyed. If you are a professional you may feel happy to donate to those organisations that want gently worn suits and accessories for less fortunate men and women who are trying to make a favourable impression on a potential employer. Please do not give anyone what is broken, torn or in poor condition. Those you need to dump.
Parting is such sweet sorrow. You may miss what you once held dear but you can enjoy the feeling of leaving less for a younger generation to deal with. You will also like the idea of knowing that someone is enjoying what you once enjoyed. Then there’s that space and lightness from emptier closets, cupboards, tabletops and rooms. Just be careful not to fill them back up again with more stuff!
middlingthrough 