So Many Things to Sell and I've Got the Bug

Until recently I thought I owned relatively few possessions. I know I have less than most of my friends and acquaintances, but now I'm beginning to realize that's still too much. I guess it takes a life changing event to put into perspective what material things actually matter to me. That life changing event - moving to a different state - is in full swing as my partner and I are leaving for Tampa after lunch today to begin looking at houses.

Yes, I've got the bug. The Selling Bug. I started in the spare bedroom where I have my file cabinet and storage. First I went through memorabilia - old letters, photos, trophies, etc. - and pared it down to the really important things. I've reduced this part of my life to the size of a shoebox. Then I turned to the closet in my office and my dad's coin collection. Ever since he passed I have had his coin collection sitting on a shelf, doing nothing for me but taking up space.

Like I said, it's taken a life altering event to put everything into perspective. My father's coins weren't adding value to my life. I realized that the important things I have from my father are letters and photos. So I took the collection to a coin store in town and walked out of there with $67.00. I can use this money to pay down my debt and hopefully those coins will find a better home.

I also got my first quote on selling the Cartier Love Bracelets. I'm not sure how I want to dispose of them. The quote I received was based on the value of the gold, but I wonder if I could receive more by selling the jewelry on ebay or some other way.

Meanwhile I've been selling everything that isn't bolted down via ebay and Craigslist. I also have an old netbook that I am going to sell on www.cashforlaptops.com (they offered $68 for it).

Does anyone want a broken IKEA couch?

I Just Paid Off My Car!

Yesterday I submitted the Payoff Amount online to pay my 2009 Pontiac G5. I decided to access my HELOC in order to get the car paid in full. Now, I can sell it with the title in hand. I called my bank and was told there will be a 10 day hold and that I should receive the title in the mail in about two weeks.

Originally I was going to pay off the car and then reduce my insurance coverage to liability-only. However, I've decided we only need one car for the time being and selling this will help us move to Florida.

I guess it's possible we will end up with a second car again if I decide to buy a truck or van - that would certainly aid in the move unless I sell just about everything I own. But I haven't been looking and my preference would be to just sell everything and stick to one car for now: my trusty 2007 Toyota Corolla.

Vehicles and the True Cost of Ownership: How Much is My Car Really Costing Me?

May was the last month I plan to put a lot of miles on my car. My daily commute to the restaurant was about 90 miles. And, since I'm thinking about selling the G5, I will probably use the Corolla as much as possible moving forward.

I determined that each mile I drive costs me $.0867 in depreciation. In May I drove 2,081 miles. My vehicle depreciation expense was $180.42.

Sell, Sell, Sell

Now that I've got a little free time I have been busy disposing of possessions in anticipation of the move to Florida.

I've sold several things on ebay. What I've found is that electronics and items that are still new in the box fetch solid prices. For example, I sold a Magic Bullet Blender that I received as a gift two years ago. It was still in the box, never used. Stores sell it for $49 and I sold mine for $34.

I'm also looking to sell an old netbook (www.cashforlaptops.com offered $68), some furniture (probably on Craigslist) and my Dad's old coin collection. I have mixed feelings about selling the coins since he left it in his will for me but it's not really doing me any good sitting in a box in a closet.

The biggest possession I might sell is my 2009 Pontiac G5. I'm still trying to decide.

It's amazing how much money I can raise this way. Money that goes toward paying off debt and moving. Even better, there's a liberating feeling in getting rid of things that are just sitting around my house gathering dust.