Downsizing: Have You? Are You? Planning To?

[frigilux]

I know this is an odd topic for a site dedicated to collecting things, but I've been in the throes of a major downsizing project since early June.  I looked around the house and saw (literally) tons of stuff that's no longer used or is unneeded.  It's amazing how much stuff one can stash in one's home/garage and not realize the scope of it until you really start poking around in closets and storage areas.

 

I donated my entire CD (around 1,600 discs) and DVD collection (approx. 200 films) to a local non-profit organization that's starting its own library.  Most of the CD collection has been uploaded to Apple's "cloud," so it's all available to my iMac, laptop, iPod, and iPad. Also gave them close to 80 cookbooks.

 

I donated all my catering equipment and dishes (approx. $8,000) to the owner of a cool little local restaurant who wanted to move into catering but had none of the specialized equipment needed to do so. (In turn, she gave me a 4-figure gift certificate to the restaurant, ensuring I'll never pay for my beloved Bull Run Roasting Co. coffee beans or a meal for the rest of my life, yay!!)

 

The recording studio has been dismantled and parted out to friends, and friends-of-friends.

 

At least fifteen 30-gallon garbage bags of clothes, towels, bed linens, etc., went to a local  charity.

 

I filled a 6-yard Dumpster with still more stuff and sent that off to the landfill.  

 

After all that, I continue to find a few things each week to either give away or dispose of.

 

All in all, it's been a very liberating experience.  The garage is nearly empty; there is, once again, plenty of closet space throughout the house.  I've kept everything that gets used on a regular basis---I'm not living some spartan existence with one plate and a fork or anything like that.

 

I'll admit it has taken time getting used to not seeing all the CDs, records, and recording equipment, as I'd been amassing it for decades; but that 'empty' feeling is always trumped by the great satisfaction of having 'paid it forward.'

 

My question to AW members:  Have you downsized?  Are you currently doing so?  Have you plans to downsize in the future?  If so, what are you parting with?

 

 

[this post was last edited: 8/30/2014-21:47]

 

[whirlcool]

We downsized when we moved into this house. Our last house was 3600sqft and this house is only 1500sqft. Lots of furniture/clothing was sold/given away/donated.

We have a lot of kitchenware and things you use for entertaining people. We used to have dinner parties on occasion. But we haven't done that is a number of years. It looks like dinner parties have gone the way of the dodo. It seems a lot of people now just say "Why don't we all meet up at XXXX restaurant and have dinner". It's so much easier.

Our garage is a nightmare. Old computer equipment, dog kennels, junk and more junk. The garage became a dumping ground several years ago and it needs a complete cleaning once the temps come down to reasonable levels. I even have my VW Squareback in there even though it was last run in 2007. It needs a new fusebox and I have the new fusebox, just haven't the inclination to install it.

One of the problems we've had is people bringing their junk over to our house.
A friend came over with some very heavy metal shelving for the garage. He was cleaning his out and said "I know these will fit perfectly in your garage". Well, no they don't and now what do I do with them? One of Karen's friends husband brought over a disassembled work bench. When I went to assemble it I found half the parts needed were missing. No wonder it ended up over here.

And finally there was one woman who asked if I needed any more dog kennels for large dogs. We said no, she said "I'll bring them over". We said NO! and two days later I came home and found them sitting in our driveway up against our garage door.

But we still have a long way to go in our downsizing efforts. Even though we got rid of tons of stuff we are still on a "something has to leave before anything new comes in" mode. So at least it's not expanding.

 

[DADoES]

 
Trying ... slowly, bits at at time ... but it's so much easier to ignore the mess.

 

[danemodsandy]

Does This Count?

Five years ago, I downsized from almost 4000 square feet to 480 square feet - and moved 1100 miles away into the bargain.

Talk about liberating! I have what I need (and a bit more besides, LOL), but not nearly the weight of possessions I had formerly.

The best thing about the downsizing was the transition in grounds. The Marietta house had half an acre, on a steeply sloped lot; it took one full day of nine or so hours per week to mow and groom. The front yard here is thirty feet by thirty-five feet. Takes about an hour and a half, including any needed weeding, pruning, edging, etc.

I heartily recommend it to everyone. Most of us have way too much stuff and much more space than we actually need. Square footage has to be paid for in many, many ways - you have to pay for it, heat it, cool it, clean it, pay taxes on it, maintain it, etc.

 

[petek]

It weighs on my mind constantly what to do with most of this stuff I`ve amassed. While I used to sell some of it on fleabay I haven`t in a few years. I`ve given stuff away but there`s still lots to go. Some days in all seriousness I feel like calling the 1 800 JUNK truck, hop on the bike for an hour and come back and see it all gone.

 

[luxflairguy]

How do you do it?

In stages.
Last summer Lynn and I sold our 3.800 sq. ft house in Bellevue and moved 110 miles north and east to Sumas, Wa. into 1,100 sq. ft. We had the contents of both of our former homes in Seattle and Palm Desert in the Bellevue house. I had catered for many years and like Frig had tons of catering equipment and dishes. I offered it all to a longtime caterer friend and like he have food for life from her. I do have to admit that I've gone out and bought just a few things...I'm still cooking for about 30 on a regular basis.
As Lynn had cancer, we had his business wardrobe to dispose of, more silverware and glassware than a department store and furniture out the roof. All the clothing and household goods went to the Episcopal Thrift store, all furniture for sale was on a list in the dining room and luckily, most was bought by lookers or realtors. The remaining went to auction and we made a good amount of money. Lynn's 1984 BMW was gifted to the Volunteers of America.
But then there's the vacuum collection! MY fall project. All got shoved into a large storage space last July and just sits there. Now that I'm alone and have the time, it's the Sept. priority! Most of it hasn't been out of boxes in almost 3 years. I turn 60 in November and other than my party, it's my biggest project.
But as many of us have talked about here before, what's to happen to it all when we go? I keep whittling away and know that there's light at the end of the tunnel! Greg

 

[frigilux]

Greg--- Not only is major downsizing a daunting project, it only gets more challenging as we age.  My knees are on the road to replacement (something I've been putting off), so making 50 trips up and down stairs carrying boxes, tubs, and armloads of stuff was an issue.  Like you, I'm on my own.  Fortunately, a couple of friends helped with larger items, and the restaurant owner brought her family to load pickups and vans with catering equipment that was in the dining room and garage. 

 

Photo 1: My focus is on downsizing the kitchen, now.  I rarely need more than four burners, anymore, but I use two ovens all the time.  The plan is to get rid of the gas range and replace it with a new LG double-oven electric.  Then I can push the refrigerator over (you can see the cutaway for it next to the vent hood) and put the one remaining shelf of cookware (see photo 3) where the fridge is currently located.  That gets everything out of the dining room (which is actually supposed to be a living room).  

 

Small appliances haven't escaped the knife, either:  The Technivorm Moccamaster is gone, as is the Mr. Coffee Ice Tea Maker, in favor of a single do-all appliance, the Keurig (not visible here).  The KitchenAid food processor (the white one) is also gone.  Bought an extra work bowl for the Cuisinart to make up for the loss.  I chose to keep the Cuisinart because it's used to make bread dough.  The KA doesn't have the power for that.

 

Photo 2: I kind of miss the full-time buffet set-up (an 8-ft. table is beneath the skirting) with chafers, etc.  It was so easy to cook and hold food warm for larger groups.  These days it's usually only 2-6 people, so the buffet was overkill.  Think I'll buy a small, rectangular dinner table to seat four, with a couple of extra inserts and put it where the buffet used to be.  I kept four (of 36) folding chairs, so I could still seat 8 pretty easily.  That leaves the rest of the room available as living room space.

 

Photo 3:  This is the lone remaining shelf (of 4) that were filled with dishes and cookware in the dining room. (The black pot marks on the wall from years of slamming pans around have since been cleaned.)  When the kitchen gets downsized, I'll move it around the corner into the kitchen where it belongs (where the fridge now sits).  Then I can get some furniture and turn the room into the living room it was meant to be.  I've been using the family room downstairs as a living room.  My house is a split-level built into a hill, so the family room (at the front of the house) is not underground.  Walk through it to the laundry room (at the back of the house), and it looks like a regular basement.

[this post was last edited: 8/30/2014-19:43]

 

[appnut]

I just turned 60.  The only thing of consequence is what all is in my kitchen.  I've had some of it since childhood, much since college, and the rest since I moved here in 1986 with a few additions.  Much of it will and is collectables.  But I don't want to give any of it up.  And with my special diet, I rarely eat out.  I cook everything I eat.  Some my age are amazed I cook as much as I do.  There are some tings I only use a couple of times a year, but when I do I am extremely glad I have it.  Allows me to do whatever I need to do in volume when I need it.  And to share and give.  With retirement approaching, I'm hoping to finally be able to entertain again.  One of the things I've wanted to do for most of the time I've lived here, I'll be able to finally do without imposing with a job.  And that is to be able to be called upon to prepare things for bereavement meals for church.  Someone eluded to no one eats at home when  they "entertain", it's "let's meet at some XXX".  I'd rather have people over as long as I'm mobile.  I've not been able to do much in years  I'm also a realist.  My coordination is affected a bit as I age.  My food processor will be used more as time goes on.  I've enjoyed having the KA Professional 600 the last year.  It's also helped me give more and bake more.  My house is nothing fancy, furnishings are things I've had since the 70s and 80s.  But it's mine and it's comfortable.  It's always only been me.  But I what  I have and my ability to cook is what I have to offer.  In the end, someone will most likely have to deal with it all if I end up in a nursing home or dead. 

 

[washman]

You left out one thing Frig

the pods

 

[twintubdexter]

When my partner died suddenly in 2001 I was stuck with a 2,500 sq ft house with a big 3-car garage full of "stuff" I collected from every flea market, garage sale and block sale I could find. In addition Dale had built a storage area in the attic above the garage with a pull-down stairway in order to satisfy my "habit." I got rid of 90% of everything (no Craigslist or ebay way back then (I think) ) and it took awhile. I promised myself when I downsized to this new 2,300 sq ft house I would never accumulate all that junk again. I no longer go to flea markets or garage sales or even resale stores but somehow the "stuff" has creeped back... and things are bigger, vintage cars, console stereos, etc. I broke my promise. As our cooler weather approaches (it's 114 outside right now and close to that in my garage) I'm planning on developing a plan on drastically downsizing my junk collection. Reading about members planning on doing the same is encouraging.

 

[frigilux]

Pods are the downsize, Ben!

 

 

[whirlcool]

My problem is when you want to throw the junk away, just where do you send it?
Things that are obvious garbage (cardboard boxes, old computer parts, etc.) can't just go in the garbage. We have an ancient old sofa from the 80's that needs to go. But heavy pickup won't carry it away, what do we do with it? We don't have enough to fill a dumpster, but more than a garbage bin or two.

 

[maytagbear]

It's on the horizon.............

however just on the horizon for me. I'm 54, and in 1,000 square feet. I have more kitchenware than a Williams-Sonoma/Sur La Table......books? ! CDs? !

Soon.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[frigilux]

Allen--  The village I reside in has "Community Clean-Up Day" once a year in May.  You can put anything out at the curb and it gets picked up:  Sofas, chairs, tables, beds, large appliances, electronics, shelving...you name it.  You must purchase a recycling sticker ($10-$25 depending on the item) for each large appliance (washers, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, etc.) or electronic item (TV, computer, monitor, etc); otherwise, it's free of charge.

 

The town looks like a 3rd world country for a few days with big piles of junk in everyone's front yard, but it's a great way to get rid of stuff.  People drive around and pick things out of other folks's piles.  More than half the stuff I put out last year was gone before the official pickup began.

 

[washer111]

Oh Frig!

*Thud*

Please tell me you didn't do away with a Moccamaster! 

 

I only hope whatever you are using now is still making nice coffee! But if you really must downsize, perhaps a single-cup french press is "the go?" Good coffee with low-footprint, and undoubtedly cheaper than pods or instant (or a cafe!). 

 

[supersuds]

Large items

Old furniture doesn't necessarily have to be thrown away. When I moved, I called a local charity thrift place that was more than happy to send out a truck and pick up old furniture (and TVS). I was actually embarrassed by the age and condition of some of it, but they exclaimed (apparently sincerely) about how nice it was. They even gave me a receipt for a tax deduction.

What may be undesirable to you could look great to someone in need!

As for cardboard boxes, the county here runs recycling centers that accept it...you have to take it there, of course.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Allen

As Eugene said, there are always charities that will come pick up. Until I asked to be removed from their call list, we still got calls from Big Bro/Sis when they'd be in the area because we called them once maybe 15 years ago.

If a lot of it isn't donate-able (sp), have you thought of Bagster? Kind of a home owner's dumpster. You buy the bag then call when it's full and they come pick it up for a fee. No hauling anything past your own yard! The fees vary based on where you live, and if you have a second one that's picked up at the same time, the fee is discounted. They're available at most major home improvement places like Lowes, Home Depot and Ace for about $40. Walmart sells them for $30! Just be sure there's pickup service in your area and leave room for the pickup crane.

Chuck

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bagster-Dumpster-In-A-Bag/23569524

 

[pulltostart]

I can relate

For the past several months I've been clearing out stuff that I know will not fit in the house in Mobile.  Whereas here I had a living room and a dining room, small but both completely furnished, the next house has neither so at least those two rooms had to be completely emptied.  I've sold a lot (CL), donated to friends and charities, and trashed.  One of life's biggest lessons is that it is sooo much easier to buy/purchase/acquire than it is to sell/dispose/eliminate 'stuff'.  I still enjoy going to antique stores and some flea markets, but now very rarely will I actually purchase anything.

 

lawrence

 

[turquoisedude]

Hubby kind of forced my hand into downsizing when we moved from the two houses in the Laurentians to the one house in Ogden 7 years ago. I gave up a bunch of larger items (several refrigerators, console hifi's, and a couple of laundry machines) but I've more than made that up since we've been here!

I do need to reduce the amount of parts that I am holding on to; while they are potentially useful and valuable to other collectors, the logistics of getting them to someone who needs them is a royal PITA... Who knew the post office gets snitty about heavy and bulky items??

I am also going to be posting details of some of mixer and mixer bowl hoard that I'd like to thin out, too. And I just might have to find new homes for a washer-dryer set or two, alas. Even with the new garage space, I've still got a lot of toys!!

 

[goatfarmer]

My dad is selling the storefront we sold and serviced appliances from. Talk about downsizing......

 

[dynaflow]

my stuff

the funeral home is already adding a hitch to the hearse Im taking it all with me
its a joke at work cremate me bury in my fav electrolux

 

[twintubdexter]

When I was liquidating before I moved I donated tons of stuff to City of Hope. The company I worked for (OSH) helped sponsor a charity golf tournament and I liked working with them. It got to the point all I had to do was say my name and they were there the next day for pick up. I gave Dale's near-new Town Car to the SPCA.

Here in the Desert we have Revivals for donations. Their proceeds go to help HIV patients here in the area. I will start to box things up and get them ready for pick up.

And dynaflow...I here ya. I need to remember downsizing will be automatic for me in the near future, I mean they're going to have enough trouble cramming my remains into that niche in the wall, let alone any of my stuff. I suspect at my current weight some of me might get flushed.

 

[turquoisedude]

Hmmmm... perhaps my ultimate revenge on my estranged brother, Jack, would be to will ALL the washers, dryers, dishwashers, mixers, blenders, toasters, coffee pots, fry pans, deep fryers, and rotisseries to him with the condition that all items must be preserved and maintained... Chris would probably be relieved!

 

[rpms]

As Florence from the Jefferson's said, " I aint cleaning that mess up".

 

[angus]

It must be that we are entering that age group where we start to look ahead as well as behind us. I have started to think about this as well. I guess I am just getting past the acquisitive stage of my life - I look around now all the time and ask myself "how often do i really use that"? My biggest challenge is clothes and tableware. I still have dozens of glasses and dishes that I simply had to have and are still in the bags. Also one of my best friends in his mid 60's continues to accumulate all kinds of things to the point where his two car garage is packed with clothes, tablecloths, gifts he purchased and wrapped in anticipation of new babies, birthdays, weddings, etc... While his house is meticulously clean, every room is stuffed to the point that when he has company he needs to spend hours moving boxes and shopping bags out of the dining room. The main living area of my house is nothing like that because I hate obvious clutter.

I just need the time to devote to systematically going through every bin in my crawl space and attic to rid myself of much of my past - am I really going to use my college text books anymore or those bags full of neckties from when I started my career in 1980? And let's not forget the old aquarium, boxes of 78rpm records that were my parents'. Amazing, what was I thinking?

Point is, I also look around my house and think that at some point, I will need to deal with all this. From an emotional level, I have to imagine that it is incredibly liberating to get rid of that much stuff. Probably the only categories where I would keep things are table linens and most of my everyday Fiestaware and other "tabletop" items. I do still entertain several times per year and host some holidays.

In short, you just reach the point where you decide that enough is enough...

 

[thomasortega]

Hoarding is part of human being. no matter if we're keeping only that college jacket from the 70's or a 10.000 sq ft warehouse.

 

The big question I'd love to know the answer is "when it's too much?". 

I believe that, to answere that, we have to be cold blod. I'm changing some of my habits and even my washing machine collection is getting downsized. Why do I really need 14 washers and 4 dryers? Am i starting to dislike my collection? NO! I still love them but now I can see the thin line between a nice collection and hoarding. I'm selling them and I'll keep 4 washers and 2 dryers at the most.

The same happenes with dishwashers.... ok, they countertop models and we needed 3 to handle all the dishes but.... I got rid of one and I just discovered I didn't need it and now i have more free space in my kitchen.

The same happened with a closet full of bed linen. Come on, There are only three beds in my apartment, why do I need more than 60 sheets? Ok, they are beautiful, hand made, blah, blah, blah, bought by my mom over 60 years ago. I gave 2/3 of them to my sisters among with blankets, duvets, etc...
Cleaning and organizing became easier. My closet is half empty now.

I discovered that doing it all at once is hard so, for me it wasn't the best idea. I created a plan and I'm following it. Every saturday i MUST get rid of 20 items, no matter what.

Doing that, I've found treasures in my house that I didn't remember I had. I was thinking of buying new glasses for daily use, I found a box of crystals from my mom's wedding. They are FABULOUS! Will they break someday with use? Yes, they will! But at least i had the pleasure to use them. It's better to donate them or find them broke in a  box, unused.

After a few months doing that, my house is getting more comfortable, looking better and honestly, even feeling fresher than ever.

 

[frigilux]

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your stories and future plans concerning downsizing. I hope more members will chime in. Several commonalities run through our reduction experiences---age, for instance. The urge to jettison everything that isn't needed is a very strong one for me right now, and one that I've not experienced before. It isn't an ominous or foreboding feeling, but more like a..."Hallelujah! More unnecessary stuff goes out the door" feeling.

I'll admit to not having completely shaken the vague feeling of losing some touchstones of personal identity. The recording studio, the huge music collection, all the restaurant/catering equipment were a part of who I am. Everyone who comes to the house is taken aback that it's all gone, which leads me to believe those things were part of how others identified me, as well---which is only natural.  Many of us at AW are 'the guy with all the vacuums', or mixers, or washing machines to our friends and acquaintances.

 

The music is all available via iCloud, of course, but I'm of a generation that is used to seeing physical manifestations of one's possessions. Were I, say, 12 years old, it probably wouldn't seem a bit odd that books, magazines, music, films, and photographs need only exist virtually.

On the other hand, significant downsizing is a wonderfully liberating, almost joyful experience; a massive unloading of excess baggage. No regrets whatsoever!

 

One suggestion to those of you considering taking the plunge:  Don't get bogged down by the dread of having to go through every box in your basement/attic/garage.  If you haven't needed anything from that box for the past 3-to-30 years, you don't need it! 

 

Please....just don't take any of it to whirlcool's house; he already has too many people dumping their stuff on his doorstep.

 



[this post was last edited: 9/1/2014-11:33]

 

[thomasortega]

No regrets at all!

I miss some of the things I've got rid of but, that's the part of life. Good memories!

An yes, the mini twin tub washer made in china was cute but, thinking "cold blood", that Tupperware-looking machine  is a crap. I have a "mini" hung on my laundry room's wall to wash small loads so, why would I waste my time with it?

The second and third and fourth to go were the Enxuta Sollo, Mueller Diva and the Electrolux LT60.... Good Bye! They were good machines but again, too much footprint for too small capacity. I almost never used them.

The next to go, soon, will be the Brastemp Baby Mondial, for the same reason. I'm using it more now, only to say goodbye.

The same I did with the detergent collection. I had dozens of boxes and bottles of several detergents and other laundry additives bought or sent by friends from all over the world. I'm using them all! Thinking of the friend who gave each item or the nice trip i did when I bought it. When it finishes, it's over. I still have the friend, I don't need the detergent to remind me about him or her. I won't donate or throw away any of them but, I'll spend a long time without buying.

And yes, I'm feeling great!

Next to go, this week, the last dryer sheet Steve send to me from Roanoke. And I'll open the second box.

I don't really use dryer sheets often but now, I'm using them on every load. Poor waxy dryer. Whatever, for a few months, my home "smells" like Steve.

 

[firedome]

What a great thread...

and one that touches a bit too close to home for some of us. The inclination to hoarding has been a struggle at times... for some reason it's comforting to be surrounded by the things that make us "happy", and neuro-biological research has demonstrated that endorphins play a key role in the why, every time a new item is accumulated, it makes one temporarily "happy". The significant word is "temporarily". It has to be repeated over and over, to lesser effect over time.

Having rooms full of thousands of vacuum tubes and audio stuff at one time became so oppressive that getting rid of most of it was indeed a "liberating" experience. It's been a continuing struggle to avoid the same tendancy with the accumulation of dishwashers, ranges, consoles, cars, outboard motors, vintage boats, books &c &c ... you name it. Winnowing out, with a view to reduce sheer quantity for quality, by concentrating on just a very few of the most desirable items, has been one way to deal with what can be come a debilitating problem... just watch TV.

 

[whirlcool]

Thank Eugene for the reminder to others!

If anyone even mentions bringing something over to us, we tell them then they have to leave with something of ours!