In the strip possessions off phase

[Janet100]

Hi all. I'm in Silicon Valley, CA still working the soul sucking jobs (although having fun at it) but planning ahead to Van Dwelling. I might be doing it sooner than I thought. There aren't any jobs where my house is, so I commute 1.5 hours to work - and it would add 3 hours to my day to just live out of a van Monday-Thursday with my pit bull.

First things first. I have way more stuff than a mere mortal has a right to own. Planning how to get rid of this stuff cause I'm just paying to insure it, store it, and maintain it. Most of it needs to go. Shoot... that's almost a full time job in itself!

This idea resonates with me as a retirement strategy. I just started waking up and smelling the coffee on this thought and need to start taking steps to make this happen.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome Janet. No advice, I just look at my stuff and walk away. I started and was going good then the weather has been terrible and typical of Ohio, no sun for days and I like so many can barely do any more than is necessary. Good luck getting rid of stuff.

 

[AltTransBikes]

Somewhere back I remember reading an article where the person created a parameter for them self on what to get rid of. It went something like "if I haven't used or laid hands on it in (you fill in the blank) months, I got rid of it"

Perhaps creating such a construct is a good start. Try to sell anything and everything you can to raise a little cash as well.

 

[Janet100]

"if I haven't used or laid hands on it in (you fill in the blank) months, I got rid of it"

That is my moto. If I haven't touched it in a year, it's gone. And I need to sell the antique furniture, the stuff I got from my mom (I don't have kids), etc. And the tons of books I have collected.

 

[jeanontheroad]

We are in the middle of purging and selling the house. Two things. First start the purge with the toughest items. For me, it was a substantial designer handbag collection. Once I got rid of those, other things were a snap. Second, your pit bull might become a problem. Make sure any places you want to stay do not have size or breed restrictions. You'd be restricted out of a lot of places here in the Tampa Bay area that are close to jobs. Also, if you are vandwelling and driving the van to work, where will the pitbull be? In the van in the sun in the parking lot? Many doggie daycares also restrict breeds.

 

[AltTransBikes]

That is my moto. If I haven't touched it in a year, it's gone. And I need to sell the antique furniture, the stuff I got from my mom (I don't have kids), etc. And the tons of books I have collected.

Heh, yup that's a start! And if the load of swag is huge and overwhelming, then we torque it down from there...."if I haven't touched it in.......<s>9</s>.....<s>6</s>.....3 months....." lol

But yeah, sell it on all the usual subjects, bay-craigs-etc, then maybe yard, flea sales until you've recouped enough or it's pared down and then give the rest of the damn stuff away hehe.

Best of luck in your endeavor!

 

[mockturtle]

I'm also in this phase, putting the house on the market this spring. Clothing and household things are easy. The furniture will be sold or given to charity. I will still have to rent a small storage unit for boxes of heirlooms and things of family value [large ancestor portraits, e.g.] because no one else wants or has room for them and I don't have the heart to just dump them. I will also store things I might need to retrieve later but anything I can't carry by myself will have to go.

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak

 

[steamjam1]

yay another norcal-er! Yes Sillicon Valley sux and I'm glad I'm outa there. Out by the water is alot nicer anyways. Gettign rid of my "stuff" was the hardest part of van dwellin for me. It took me two months to get rid of most of it, including my furniture. I took only what was absolutely essential with me into me van. Glad for it too.

 

[caseyc]

Welcome to the forum! What?! You mean to say you don't have a Google shuttle bus to take you to work and back? Joke! I'm pretty close to the Silicon Valley myself. Although I'm intrigued by Silicon Valley, I don't think I could stand living or working in close proximity with all those d@rn young hipster types, haha!

 

[steamjam1]

"if I haven't used or laid hands on it in (you fill in the blank) months, I got rid of it"

I said something kinda similar: "If it doesn't help me stay warm, clothed, fed, or if I can't use it to sh*t, shower or shave; It gets tossed out."

 

[Patrick46]

That's pretty hardcore right there!! ^^^

 

[caseyc]

What about entertainment??

"if I haven't used or laid hands on it in (you fill in the blank) months, I got rid of it"

I said something kinda similar: "If it doesn't help me stay warm, clothed, fed, or if I can't use it to sh*t, shower or shave; It gets tossed out."

 

[Malibusurfer]

My family just sold our house on three acres and two shops... I now live in a cul de sac with a postage stamp lot.... At first throwing stuff out was tough, but post some stuff for sale also.... After a while, the pain of getting rid of stuff lessens and you feel like your making progress.... And I am a pack rat, so it was tough, but less stuff equals less stress!!!!

 

[jeanontheroad]

If you really want to pare down, take turns going thru each others keep pile. Don't do this unless you have a very strong relationship. It is not a comfortable experience. After you try to explain why a 30 lb., out of date Brittanica set is necessary and Significant Other tries to explain keeping the enormous electric LaLanne jiucer, the piles get smaller.

 

[GotSmart]

I have a deal with my kids. They will keep the things I do not have room for, or do not want to get rid of, and they can use them. (Bed, dressers, bookcases books, movies expensive cookware, TV, etc~~~) My insurance will let me have a renters policy on the things "stored" in my daughters house, and that will also cover the tools and extra possessions in my van. $15,000 for $150 a year. I get a discount for having multiple policies with them, so it is almost free to cover my goods. The kids get use of nicer stuff than they could buy, and I do not have to worry about it being damaged. I also get a permanent address for insurance, registration, drivers license, and mail. I will text them on where and when to send things to a "general delivery" address.

I will be down to one room of furniture by that time.

Yard sales bring in a lot of cash! So do flea markets.