The Daily Rave

[iris lilies]

Had the auction today. They said it was exceptional! We put the few things that did not sell on the curb for free. In a day, we will dispose of what is left. We still have books, clothes and food to go through. Closing is a week from Friday. We sold everything so are camping out in the house. Got a "nice" air mattress... will see how that goes. We have been VERY fortunate in that everything is going according to plan. We got much more for the house than we expected and the auction provided a tidy sum as well. Everyone keeps asking me if I am sad and, truthfully, I am thrilled to have this all behind me. We are at the stage where we don't need a big house and all that entails.

That all sounds great. It’s wonderful that you got rid of all your stuff quickly. Onwards!

[Tradd]

Frugal-one, that’s great to hear.

[Teacher Terry]

Great news frugal one!!!

[frugal-one]

Thank you. Definitely feeling my age today though... sore and aching, leg cramps (dehydration?) and exhausted! Life is good!

[JaneV2.0]

Congrats!!! DH and I went together 3 months, decided we were getting married and did so 3 months later (not pregnant either). When you know, you know!!!

I love these kinds of stories--I've encountered a few like yours, and they never fail to make me smile!

[JaneV2.0]

I'm so envious, frugal-one--onward and upward!

[catherine]

frugal, I definitely identify with the feeling of lightness after you see the stuff go. Out of the 2 tons of stuff I got rid of, I can't think of one thing I wished I had kept. Congratulations on your successful downsizing and home sale, and best wishes on the next phase of your journey!

[frugal-one]

Thank you all for your kind words!

Put the few things left after the auction in front of the house for neighbors to take. DH was outside and gal came by and loved a decorative stand. Turns out she will be the new owner of the house! They asked for nothing so we thought they wanted everything gone. DH told her of a few things we were leaving and she was thrilled. It kinda bums me out they didn’t ask for things they could have used. Went through my books and will leave bird books and books about things to do in the area. The yard here is a birders dream so we will leave the feeders and birdseed. Also will hang the hammock on the covered deck. If these things are not wanted… easy enough to dispose of.

[catherine]

DH told her of a few things we were leaving and she was thrilled. It kinda bums me out they didn’t ask for things they could have used. .

When we sold my MILs house (next door) during negotiations they asked for the bedroom furniture, but otherwise it was an "as-is" offer in a bidding war so there were no concessions on price. My daughter, who loves mid-century modern furniture, and who was very close to her grandmother, was bummed that they took the set because she would have liked it.

The new owners moved in. Obviously, being next door, we could see what they were moving in--and moving out. The next week they had the bedroom set out on the curb for the trash. We asked them about it, asking them why they were throwing it out when they has specifically asked for it. The husband said that he was simply looking to negotiate for SOMETHING, to feel that he got a deal on the house.

Isn't that ridiculous?? And such a waste!! We didn't have the emotional strength to ask him if we could buy it back so we could it give it to my daughter, so that was the end of it.

[iris lilies]

Catherine, that was indeed ridiculous. Is there a reason why you didn’t grab it from the curb and bring it back in your house?

I love being financially independent, and not feeling like I have to squeeze every penny out of every deal. A couple of weeks ago we bought a new car and I just called up our friend across the state line from whom we have purchased several cars. I told him “Ed, I want a blue Ford Bronco Sport and I don’t want a lot of junk on it. “ No negotiation – oh wait we did negotiate a little bit about our trade-in, but I knew it wasn’t worth much. DH thought it was worth more, but he always thinks his stuff is worth more money than it is.

I didn’t negotiate on price and while that might be stupid, it is what it is. Most people gird their loins to go into the car buying ordeal to negotiate and “ get a deal.”

My attention span for buying cars and electronics is only a minute or two. Conversely, I can spend hours,days, and years, deciding on china/pottery patterns and looking at hundreds of options for dinnerware.