I'm changing my materialistic ways!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
I'm changing my materialistic ways!!!
14
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 9:16am

I have spent the last month going through my house for this big yard sale that we did last weekend. I can't even tell you how much work it was, especially since we can't have yard sales at our condo so we had to transport all of our 'CRAP' to the in-laws house which is 30 minutes away. Getting the stuff together, putting it in boxes, transporting it, sorting it, cleaning it, pricing it, placing it, putting up the signs, having the yard sale and then putting it all away and then back up on Sunday, then putting it all back again and sorting it into trash, goodwill and consignment...Phew! What a lot of work! We made $184 dollars and I'm happy with that but I think I gained something even better than money from this experience. I have decided that I don't want anything anymore! I don't need anything..I don't need crap, clothes, nick nacks...I'm tired of stuff! Shopping has lost it's appeal. I want to live with less for so many reasons. I have no desire to buy anything and it is such a freeing feeling. It's a relief, it's a happier place. I even talked with my husband about Christmas and Birthday shopping. I just don't want to go through the typical American Christmas again. It's exhausting! So many of the toys we bought the kids this year are either broken or not played with. In fact, I sold quite a few of their gifts at this yard sale. How pathetic!!! So much money is wasted on these un-used things, so this year I really want to change our tradition. I want to give my kids experiences, not crappy toys. So we're going to buy tickets to things, or passes to places so we can enjoy things as a family.

I am so relieved that my urge to shop is totally gone. I have seen the light and it is so amazing!


ReallyRosieAaronPhotobucketSmileyJacob










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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2008
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 9:50am

Oh, I am SO happy for you!

My place is very small (non-traditional household here - my place, DH's place, and our house - because we work in different cities) and I have exactly 15-linear feet of closet space, one dresser, and no other storage so I cannot buy much, which is good. I also have a rule every time I buy something new, I have to sell/donate something I already have or it will quickly get out of hand.

But back to you. Isn't that the most liberating feeling when you don't need THINGS! If I recall correctly, both you and your DH are working on improving your health, drop a few pounds, etc. Somewhere I read that a cluttered house can lead to unwanted weight and vice versa, so I do hope both you will become healthier soon!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2005
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 12:45pm
Good for you Abby! I thought I would tell you about our "family christmas present".

Angel

Wife to Wayne, Mommy to Tyler (15), Nickolas (3) and Noah (1)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 1:48pm

I am so happy for you! This is going to be great, and perfect timing with moving to a smaller place.

In my life, (I know this is crazy), I have moved 17 times. I hope the last time I move is when we get to build our house in a few years. Every time I have moved, except from before I was married, I down sized. That being said, my BF was shocked at how much stuff I had crammed into my little apartment when he moved me and him into his parents house(their old house).

But next time I move, I won't have a lot of kids things.I got rid of all the car seats, high chairs and all that jazz a long time ago but I still have stuff. I think my oldest will have moved out by then and he can take his stuff with him.

I think my biggest problem is my china cabinet. I got all this crystal when I got married and don't use it much. It takes a lot of boxes to pack crystal glasses etc. Next time I move, I'm not entirely sure I will unpack that stuff. I will give it some time to see if I miss it.

I just put three huge garbage bags of clothes away to give to good will. And that felt really good. Everyone on here talks about decluttering and I didn't believe it until I actually did that.

I'm probably not even that bad. I only have tote of shoes for different seasons(for the kids and me) and one tote for Christmas decorations but it all seems to add up to a lot some how.

Wow, rambling, sorry. I am just saying it really is a lot of stuff and you can't really help it when the kids are little. You need such different things for all the seasons. There is a limit though and there is something to that old saying if you haven't used it in a year(except for really special keepsakes)its time to let go. And buying things in advance is not always the best policy even though it is on sale.

I wish you the best in your brand new minimalist lifestyle!







iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 2:44pm

That sounds wonderful Abbie.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 3:52pm
Glad you got through your yard sale, it is a really hard way to make money even when you don't have to cart things 30 minutes away. I keep thinking I should have a big yardsale, but then I think of all the work and sorting etc, and just end up taking things to Sally Ann or listing on freecycle. Even though I'm sure I would make a couple of hundred at a yard sale, I'm not sure it would be worth all the storing, etc. Plus if I get it out of my house quick then I can't change my mind at the end of the day lol.
We too have stopped the buying of items for gifts, last year we bought my parents tickets to see Reba, they were thrilled and they didn't have add another knick knack they didn't really need. One year we bought my daughter tickets to the Soup bowl project. You get a handmade soup bowl and use it for your dinner that night and then you take it home. It's a great fundraiser.
But it is a liberating feeling to realize that we don't really need all the stuff that is trying to be sold to us.
Good luck on the rest of your downsizing Abi


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2010
Fri, 05-07-2010 - 7:36pm

You sound like you are in such a good place - go, Abbie!


Robyn CL- Debt Support Group


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2009
Sat, 05-08-2010 - 6:54pm

I LOVE your idea. Boyfriend and I have stopped giving "Stuff" as presents and started giving more tickets and stuff too. There's so much junk in the world, do we really need to manufacture more of it?

Plus when you have less stuff lying around, the things you do have are more valuable.

Awesome idea again.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2009
Mon, 05-10-2010 - 7:18pm

Congrats on the garage sale and the epiphany! I too am a minimalist when it comes to shopping

Liz

student loan paid off 2010

Bathroom remodel loan paid off 2013

Pending Car loan to be paid by the end of 2014!!!!!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-15-2009
Tue, 05-11-2010 - 2:25pm

I think this is great.

Avatar for bradleyteach
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2001
Fri, 05-14-2010 - 6:25am

I agree. While I'm not a shopper and don't really buy much "stuff," over the years, my kids have gotten gifts of toys, games, model sets, craft kits, etc that didn't get used.

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