How do you part with "stuff"?

**rachelMcK** · 07-28-2006, 09:20 AM

I've recently become commited to being debt-free. We could sell alot of things to put towards our debts, but I find myself attached to them. For example, I have a fairly large book collection. I've always wanted to collect books, and have done so since I was a child, but half of them I haven't read, or have only read once and now they sit collecting dust. I know I can make a bit of money by selling them, but I have grown attached to them. For some reason, its too hard for me to let go. I know this sounds ridiculous since they are just books.

So how do you let go of material things?

Also, how much success have you had in selling items?

Thanks!

**autumnlynn** · 07-28-2006, 09:30 AM

Rachel,

Lately I have been decluttering and getting rid of things. I use these criteria for getting rid of things:

1. Is it useful to me.
2. Do I truly love it.
3. Do I have space for it.
4. Will it enrich my life.

I am like you, I really love books. I have a lot of them and I am not willing to part with a lot of them. If it were a desperate situation, I would sell them, but if it's something you really love, I would go through them and keep those that are special and sell the rest.

**Kimberlina** · 07-28-2006, 11:10 AM

It is easier for me to get rid of things when I know I will be getting cold, hard cash for them. For instance, when Amy posted the site the other day that pays for books, I was able to use a much more critical eye on my books. I discovered there were a lot of books I could part with, even though that particular website didn't want most of them. The ones they would pay for, I looked on eBay and discovered I could probably get more there (with more effort though) and actually put one up with BIN and sold it for twice as much.

The others I will either post here or try to sell at my yard sale. If they don't sell there, I can check my used book store, then if all else fails, I will try donating to my library, and anything left over will go to the salvy or freecycle, because I realize now that if I am willing to sell them, they aren't all that important to me. I can always borrow them from my library (or inter-library loan) so I am okay with getting rid of them.

**MelissaMarie** · 07-28-2006, 11:24 AM

I used to find it really hard to get rid of stuff, but I don't anymore. To me, it is more important to be happy and debt free than have a lot of stuff that brings me down and depresses me. I also got pretty sick last year and realized that there is more to life than stuff, stuff, stuff.

When it comes to books, I used to have tons. It was so overwhelming, that it was pretty easy to part with them all at one point. Half.com and amazon.com are great sites to use if you have a lot of books and are looking to "declutter" it's amazing where my emotional attachment goes when I see I can make X amount of dollars on something that is just collecting dust.

If I can't USE it and it can help me pay down debt, even if it's just a little bit at a time... I let it go. Some things are more tough than others (I have an antique autoharp on Ebay right now that I really don't want to sell, but I would rather get money for it than just have it hang on my wall). I figure, 10, 20 years from now it will be a distant memory, if a memory at all... that makes it a little easier to unload stuff... just knowing that if I got rid of something today I probably won't even really remember it down the road.

**tervsforme** · 07-28-2006, 12:55 PM

I used to be the same way. I'm recently divorced and moved into my own, new house. I can't believe all of the "stuff" that I have. Especially clothes. My mother is the ultimate bargain shopper and gets some fantastic bargains, but I don't need all of those clothes. So, I'm selling a bunch of clothes on E-Bay for both of us. I've decided I would rather have a simplier life with a lot less stuff and clutter. It helps me maintain my sanity and keeps me calm to have less stuff around. It took me a while to come to this way of thinking, but I'm trying to be committed to it.

Best of luck.

**AirForceWife** · 07-28-2006, 01:22 PM

I agree, the more you start viewing it as just "stuff" the easier it is to let go. I was a pack rat as a kid, but my husband joined the Air Force and life changed. They have a weight allowance and if you go over, you pay. You tend to look at things and think is this worth X amount of money to schlep around the planet with me? Most things aren't.

Another thing that has helped me, and it may seem kinda strange, but I had a friend lose everything last year during Hurricane Katrina, they are stationed in Biloxi, MS. They had paid a lot out of pocket because they were over the weight allowance. Then a few months later it was all gone. But they were all safe, and she didn't care about her stuff. Kinda puts things into perspective!

That being said, I have quite a collection of books, also.

We just confine it to one bookcase for hubby and I, and the kids each have a small bookcase in their rooms that they use for books and display.

Most things I get rid of now I tend to donate, though. Others here are experts on selling stuff, so I know you'll get some great advice on that!

**inneedofhope** · 07-28-2006, 08:49 PM

I have some sentimental clutter that will eventually become part of my decorating scheme. Other stuff I'm ok with throwing in the yearly yard sale. For me its the less I need to clean or move around the better!! I don't put a whole lot of time into trying to sell stuff online because I never get any offers, but the yard sale method works fine for me. some things go for less, and others go for more so it evens out. DS like sto be involved with the sales as well. He's a budding saleman!

**AmyMCGS** · 07-28-2006, 09:18 PM

I've been on a decluttering roll lately, and I'm finding that the more I get rid of, the more I want to get rid of, if that makes any sense. I'm finding that having less stuff means less to take care of, less to clean, etc.

I first learned this lesson when I was pregnant with my DD. My maternity wardrobe was very limited, but, I found that I had plenty to wear. My regular wardrobe is 2-3x bigger, but all that really means is that I have more laundry to do. So I try to remember that idea as I declutter.

**pammy** · 07-28-2006, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by AmyMCGS

I'm finding that the more I get rid of, the more I want to get rid of, if that makes any sense. I'm finding that having less stuff means less to take care of, less to clean, etc.

That is a phenomenal statement! And so true, thanks for putting it into words Amy. I feel the same way.