Whoa.....it's finally happening!

[ArtW]

So I'm done with fretting about price, just get rid of it because the sooner I do the sooner I can REALLY save money by not paying rent.  If I do that for a couple of months I'll be good to go.

Possessions beyond what you need are a stone hung round your neck to anchor you in place, and form their own sort of prison

Edit: says the guy who recently bought a travel trailer his truck will barely pull safely, on credit 

 

[Gadget728]

Hi Cheli, I've read your blog (interesting) and followed your progress in selling your stuff. After moving, selling and giving away a bunch of stuff, I'm down to about 6 plastic totes of stuff I need to decide if I really need it. My stuff didn't bring nearly what I had in it.
I wish you all the luck, hope you find a way to make it to the RTR. Take care - gadget

 

[michele0203]

I'm with you about wanting to have a decent nest egg...I need a financial plan too in order to be able to enjoy this lifestyle.

It's not feasible for me to attend the RTR this January either.

I'm planning on working my PT or less gig while majorly downsizing. I am also planning on spending that time looking at vehicles and seeing how long I can make it in my current vehicle. My lease ends end of march and I'd like to urban camp a few months in my area, continue to make money and by June hit the road...i have a sneaking suspicion that once I'm not working as much that all sorts of new ideas will come to me...I've already noticed that happenslast since stepping outside the box.

Having a good head on your shouldersite will get you far! You got this!

 

[Cheli]

I knew I started this thread  last week but couldn't find it so started another one.  Ignore that one, I changed the subject to "how do I delete this".  Yeah I'm having a scatter brain moment.  LOL

Anyway.....holy crap all my stuff is disappearing fast!!!!!!  Most of my big furniture pieces are now gone except for my couch and love seat and pantry/hutch.

Now I just need to go through all of my miscellaneous stuff and get rid of it all.  Omg this is really happening!!!!!

I'm not comfortable enough to give my notice to my landlord on Dec 1st because December is a crazy month for me at work and personally so I don't think I'll have everything organize and gone by the end of the month.  But I think I'll be ready to give notice on Jan 1st which means by Feb 1st I'll be moving in with my sister.  I plan to stay with her for about four months to keep my job and stash up a ton of money since she refuses to charge me rent.  This is six months off my original schedule but it's ok, it's happening.

I hope to buy a van, customize it and be on the road by May or June 1st.

Omg this is finally happening!!!!  I'm terrified but soooooooo freakin excited I can't stand it!

I know you all must be tired of listening to me talk about it but it's been so frustrating for the last six months but now things are really on a roll.  Thank you all for being the coolest group of people I know.  I can't wait to start meeting you all on the road.

 

[rvpopeye]

Sounds great!
Sometimes when you make a plan , the plan ends up in control......
Just enjoy the ride , your wheels are in motion , even without a van!

 

[steamjam1]

I still envy you for being able to carefully think this through.

Time I spent thinking about van dwelling, deciding to do it, and getting to the point of no return by tuning in my move out notice = 15 minutes.
Time spent to cruise Craigslist, and buy a van = 1 day.
Time spent to build interior = 2 days.
Time it took me to either sell, give away, or throw away my stuff = 1 week.

Time to my first breakdown after moving out of my house = About 45 minutes.

 

[Cheli]

I still envy you for being able to carefully think this through.

Time I spent thinking about van dwelling, deciding to do it, and getting to the point of no return by tuning in my move out notice = 15 minutes.
Time spent to cruise Craigslist, and buy a van = 1 day.
Time spent to build interior = 2 days.
Time it took me to either sell, give away, or throw away my stuff = 1 week.

Time to my first breakdown after moving out of my house = About 45 minutes.

I'm a planner by nature, probably an over planner.  hahaha  But this is taking longer than I would like, I'm itchy to be on the road.  But I have so much furniture and crap to get rid of otherwise it would probably be quicker.  But I am also glad I have the time to think it out but I'm ready, very ready.

 

[steamjam1]

I'm a planner by nature, probably an over planner.  hahaha  But this is taking longer than I would like, I'm itchy to be on the road.  But I have so much furniture and crap to get rid of otherwise it would probably be quicker.  But I am also glad I have the time to think it out but I'm ready, very ready.

As one of my heros in life once said: "Never trust time. It moves in strange directions at strange speeds. Never trust time. It will always get you in the end."

 

[DannyB1954]

The nice thing about furniture selling for pennies on the dollar is that if you ever decide to buy some in the future, that is how you can buy it as well.
It isn't the item that holds the memory, it is thinking about the item. Take several pictures of the items that you cherish, and when you feel like a trip down memory lane, pull out the pics.

An older friend had a machine shop that he was closing down. He called in an auction company. He said some would be upset about selling everything for pennies on the dollar but not him. That is because that is how he bought it all, (at auctions).

 

[Cheli]

The nice thing about furniture selling for pennies on the dollar is that if you ever decide to buy some in the future, that is how you can buy it as well.
It isn't the item that holds the memory, it is thinking about the item. Take several pictures of the items that you cherish, and when you feel like a trip down memory lane, pull out the pics.

An older friend had a machine shop that he was closing down. He called in an auction company. He said some would be upset about selling everything for pennies on the dollar but not him. That is because that is how he bought it all, (at auctions).

I agree.  I will admit I was having a real hard time in the beginning because I was like I spent all this money on beautiful brand new furniture just a couple years ago after I got divorced and it's furniture that will last many many years so why would people not see it's value?  hahaha

Now I'm down to my couch and love seat which I paid $2,300 for and I originally was asking $900 thinking that was reasonable because it's in like new condition.  Now I'm like "hey, $500 takes the set" and I just want it gone so I'd take a less offer.  The ones that really piss me off are the ones that offer $50 on something you post for $500, like seriously just looking for an argument so I ignore.

But I don't care anymore, I'm excited everything is rolling now and I can't wait to be standing in an empty apartment saying goodbye!!!

 

[Cheli]

I cam across this today, seems fitting.

 

[Gunny]

It never gets tiring reading about someone's change of lifestyle. Your enthusiasm shines through and for an old fart like me it is very refreshing. In a small way I envy you making this huge decision while younger than most.

Be safe. Rob

 

[Cheli]

Thanks Rob. The more I see my stuff walk out the door the more I get excited. I kind of feel bad sometimes and have to control myself because I don't want to be rubbing it in the face of my friends and family. hahaha Like when I have a bad day at work and I'm like "oooomg I can't wait until I'm on the road and out of here" and then my sister says "I'm jealous". hahaha She's super excited for me but I'd be jealous if it was the other way around.

And I'm not all that young but yes, I'm happy I've come to this lifestyle now rather then when I'm looking to retire.

 

[steamjam1]

Thanks Rob.    The more I see my stuff walk out the door the more I get excited.  I kind of feel bad sometimes and have to control myself because I don't want to be rubbing it in the face of my friends and family.  hahaha  Like when I have a bad day at work and I'm like "oooomg I can't wait until I'm on the road and out of here" and then my sister says "I'm jealous".  hahaha  She's super excited for me but I'd be jealous if it was the other way around.

And I'm not all that young but yes, I'm happy I've come to this lifestyle now rather then when I'm looking to retire.

I like to look at my mid-40's as "Old enough to know better, yet young enough to not give a crap." hahahah

 

[AlexK90]

Congratulations!!  Wow that must have been hard, good for you for getting rid of your stuff!

 

[Cheli]

Now that I've sold most of my furniture (just a couple pieces left), I'm down to all the piles of miscellaneous crap that is a pain in the ass to sell.  I have a ton of books, cd's, dvd's, home decor, candles, kitchen stuff etc etc etc.  And it's such a pain to take pictures of everything and post it all on yard sale sites individually and price everything.

So what I've decided to do is have an 'open house' and not price anything.  Yup, I'm just going to say take whatever you want and give me what you think is fair or what you can afford.  Someone here actually mentioned doing this a couple of months ago in one of my previous post but I don't remember who it was, sorry.

I could get screwed with this option but I could also make out ok.  Who knows.  But I am literally at the point where I want it all gone and if I can get something for it then cool, otherwise it's all being trashed or donated.

I'm still sticking to my goal of giving my notice to my landlord by January 1st so I can be gone by February 1st.  I hope this goes well so I can still do that.

Wish me luck.......I'm doing it this weekend and will let you know how it turns out!

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

Cheli,
As long as you are getting rid of stuff, instead of hanging on to it because everyone won't pay you what you say it is work, you are NOT getting screwed, not at all.
You are benefiting because you are getting something from the folks who want your stuff and you are getting rid of all the stuff you usually must give away to get rid of. jmho tho.
Good Luck!!!!
Sharon

 

[Cheli]

Exactly Sharon and that thought just hit me today. I was at lunch with my sister today and told her I was going to do this and she said it sounded like great idea. I'd rather give it all away rather then pay another $1,500+ a month in rent and utilities. And if others come take it, whether they leave me money or not, I don't have to pack it all up and haul it to the dump or donation location. It's a win win for me. I just wish I came to this realization a long time ago. But hey, everything happens the way it's supposed to so I just going with the process.

Thanks.

 

[rvpopeye]

Soon you will really be able to run away from home.................with one small catch.
You'll be taking your home with you.

 

[Cheli]

Soon you will really be able to run away from home.................with one small catch.
You'll be taking your home with you.

Yup.....that's the plan and I can not wait!!!!!  It's so close I can taste it.  hahaha  My home will be anywhere I want.