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Post by Meme on Jul 26, 2009 0:59:14 GMT -5
One of the most astounding facts I learned in the process of decluttering is that everything I own is just garage sale stuff. My mind always looked at things with the cost I paid for it originally so I would place a higher financial value on it/them.---but--- once I buy something and bring it home then it becomes used which in turn brings it down in value--and so the real facts are that I paid a price to use something and in some cases I got my money value out of that use and some I did not-. so the real question is  ---why am I hanging onto things that are nearly worthless and no longer useful to me-- just because I paid the original price. I have to change my mind set  -- and yes-- some things do go up in value but only if they remain 100 percent perfect------one cannot keep things of value properly among dust and clutter and squalor-- for example once you touch a hockey card with your fingers rather than with gloves it immediately loses value--same with coins. some times it is a good thing to get real........... and it is time for me to really think my shopping in terms of what I need and can use rather than what I just want--- it is ok to want a few things but I have to consider the price. And not just price in money but in emotional cost. I am now paying a hard price for garage sale stuff. |
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Post by chakraverte on Jul 26, 2009 3:20:18 GMT -5
*nods* I know what you mean. When I want to buy something now, I've started looking in in salvation army and at garage sales. Do I really want something because it is shiny and new? Will I still want it once it has been used? Seeing the object as it will be in a year or two makes a big difference.
I love NEW things. I swear I must have been a raccoon collecting bright shiny things in a past life!
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Post by bigtimetroubles on Jul 26, 2009 13:57:12 GMT -5
racoons and shiny stuff hehehe you crack me up.... I am going to tell on myself...it isn't garage sale stuff it is the stuff that goes in the garage....I wanna new car again...just got mine all fixed spiffy from body damages I did to it on fourth of july and nope that ain't the thing it is the shiny thing the new car thing....I checked out the darn cash for clunkers and I am eligible for some money from that and as a trade in my car is under the most offered which is $4500....but I owe on my car...loads more than $4500...maybe $8500....the loan is for three additional years....and I have a business that is running from my car....driving school...have logo on car and passenger side brake pedal I had installed in it too...and it carrys stuff which I seem to always need to be able to do...lawn mower from moms is needed each week now and it fits inside this mini van...I can even get a towing package for it and buy a trailer to add to my ability to haul stuff...I like trailers...kool for sure...have had several and sold all of them but see a smaller one I can surely use if I could afford it....and what I really would like is a boat....so hanging onto this van makes sense...but my mind sends me out looking at website new cars and seeing the prices and knowing what you added about how the prices drop so fast on things when we touch them simply makes me sure I do not need a new car....thanks for posting this for me....I surely would not go out and buy a new car now with my money issues and thanks to talk from the hip I am better off listening to others and maybe making use of what I have.... hugs bigtimetroubles  |
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Post by creativechaos on Jul 26, 2009 17:58:54 GMT -5
meme yes, you nailed it exactly. i look around at the things i was 'gonna' sell and here they still sit. some things like clothing have gotten ruined with moth holes or fading. suze orman talks about 'found money' and i think she said something the same as what you say. once you spent the money it's gone. anything you make selling it, even a dollar, is your 'found money'. the whole thing of 'value' and 'what it cost' and 'what it's worth' is one of the big hang ups in my thinking. if i can get past that one, i think i can make some real progress in letting go. thanks for your eloquent post. luv, cc chakra, i think i am part crow! love shiny objects and have special fondness for sequins and glitter!  |
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Post by mellowyellow on Jul 26, 2009 18:33:48 GMT -5
I always tell people I am like a crow because I like shiny and sparkly things... usually costume jewellery... but the real thing too.
When I moved to this house in 2001, I had boxes that I labelled Garage Sale. Because of course, when you own a house, it's easy to have a garage sale. Yup, didn't happen. Then I helped a lady declutter her home, and got several more boxes labelled Garage Sale. Never happened.
So you know what? Even though it would be nice to make some money, I have started to let it all go. Box by box. I have been donating whatever I don't love or use. It is not easy. But I don't really want to go through the trouble of a garage sale. And I know the items are going to be used with people who need them or who love them.
I guess it's easier knowing that... That these things will find a useful home. Rather than my garage. Or furnace room. Or laundry room.
I sorted one box and two drawers today. And am giving away almost all of the items. Yippy! I find it easier to get rid of items that I haven't seen in a long while. If I see them every day, I fool myself into thinking I need them.
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Post by threeg on Jul 26, 2009 18:48:07 GMT -5
I sure can identify with this whole thread!  So many of my high priced collectibles were donated after trying to sell them on Ebay. A few sold, but few sold for what I thought they were worth. What good is collecting if things get ruined in storage? I asked myself.  I used to go faithfully every Saturday to yard/garage sales looking for "treasures." Sometimes I was lucky and found antiques to use or re-sell at a profit. Many things were sold to pay for my moving expenses for example. HOWEVER: I now have a lot of stuff that is de-valued or has little value and it is stored in my doom room. A lot of that will go as soon as I have time/energy to go through it! 3g |
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Post by messymimi on Jul 26, 2009 19:07:10 GMT -5
A sunk cost analysis will show your words are correct. Once money has been spent, it cannot be recovered. Once you have bought a movie ticket, the money is gone. At that point, do you go to the movie, even though you found out after buying the ticket that it is really a lousy one? Or do you blow off the movie and go do something more fun? Why lose twice, by losing the money spent, and then losing the time watching a lousy movie?
Once you have bought an item, if you no longer need it, the money is spent. Do you now suffer through owning it still, giving it room in your mind and heart? Or do you just get rid of it? After all, if you keep it, you are still spending money to house and care for it. "If I had to pay rent to store it there, would I even want it," would be a good question to ask.
We remember that cars lose a huge chunk of value when once they are taken off the lot. We forget, because the money amounts are much smaller, that the same is true.
Meme, every time I read one of your threads, I am inspired again by your wisdom.
messymimi
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Post by disarray on Jul 26, 2009 21:15:52 GMT -5
Okay, I'm having trouble grasping this concept. Many of you have said that once you spend the money it's gone. I'm sure these are wise statements, but for some reason I can't wrap my head around the idea. I mean, yes it's not as valuable anymore now that you've used it and owned it, but doesn't it still have some value? Even if you no longer want it, isn't it worth some monetary value?
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Post by dandelionhunter on Jul 27, 2009 21:22:40 GMT -5
It's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but you have to find that person.
SO, you can have a garage sale, give it to someone that needs it, donate it or sell it via computer. OR, you can have it sitting around until one day you trip over it enough and you toss it.
Understanding this concept can REALLY cut down on compulsive buying. Just thinking through to how this item will benefit you and your life. MOST things are completely useless. At my house, we call them TMS - Too Much Stuff.
I kinda look at it this way, it's like if you are not hungry, but you don't want to waste food so you eat it anyway, you're not really helping anything. Either way, the food is gone. It's no good to anyone else. It does not teach you how to adjust your grocery shopping or cooking habits. So if you don't need or want something but you're just keeping it around because you don't want to have wasted your money, it's not helping anything. It's just in your way.
Amy
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Post by disarray on Jul 27, 2009 23:01:52 GMT -5
Okay, I think it clicked. That food analogy was a good one.
Part of my problem is that I often look at my items as investments. I always think I can at least get some of my money back out of them if I decide I no longer want them.
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Post by Meme on Jul 27, 2009 23:30:46 GMT -5
yes- our stuff still has the value of us by using it as long as we want to and I do not mean just the specific use--
I have tea pot that I do not use to make tea but to me it is beautiful to look at......but only if I keep it clean and tidy.
but what I am saying for me is that--if the stuff is too much work- re cleaning using and etc- then I need to let it go---so that I can do more than be a care taker of things-------
it is never wrong to keep things if we choose too- what is wrong is when the things keep us from living a fulfilled life =
my original thought was because I often see folks hanging on to something because they paid so much for = even though it is now used and old and worthless--
it is easier to let something go - thinking the value is about a dollar rather than thinking that you paid 40 dollars 10 years ago - there fore you have keep it.
we sometimes are not in touch with reality about our stuff.
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placemat
New Member
Joined: June 2008
Posts: 17
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Post by placemat on Jul 28, 2009 0:29:24 GMT -5
good statement. i don't usually think of my stuff in terms of monetary value - it's more emotional, usually - but for the cases where i am worried about how much i paid for it or whether i should sell it or whatever whatever about money and guilt, this will be a good line to remember. thanks. <3
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