As part of our ongoing "downsizing" efforts, I have been going through a lot of "stuff" from various sources... some being our own old "junque" and much coming from our late parents' homes.
Part of the idea is to sell as much as possible via eBay and through local want ads, and such.
The process brings back memories of my mother and her eternal insistence that "things are valuable" even when it seemed patently obvious that they were none of the sort.
Valuable, perhaps, but to whom?
As I go through these boxes and research some of the items, it amazes me how much ostensibly expensive stuff is actually pretty close to worthless when it comes down to genuinely selling it.
Part of it is simply changing public tastes. There are collectibles hidden away in this mess that I might have gotten $100 for on eBay just 15 years ago... but today I'd be lucky to get $10, because they are simply not "the thing" anymore.
So much for the hope of being able to fund our taxes...
Also makes me realize that I must be slightly "weird" in that I am still interested in the same things I got interested in, as a teenager. Not that new things haven't entered the scene along the way, but the old ones are still there.
My friend Diana — many years ago — told it was just because I "have no interests in trends and fashions," instead only caring whether I find something interest-worthy as a determination that comes purely from within. Meaning that I view things I like for my benefit, not for anyone else's.
What's a little depressing though — getting back to the current downsizing project — is that we have been hanging onto lots of stuff that once upon a time was valuable but in 2025 barely will fetch $5-10. Needless to say, there will likely be a lot of trips to the 2nd hand shops!
I suppose — if there is a lesson to be learned here — that this all serves as a reminder that you can actually count on pretty much nothing, because life is an infinitely changeable experience.
If there wasn't such an outright financial need, I'd likely not be going to all this trouble to sort and sell stuff; I'd likely just give it away to someone in need. Sadly, doing so is a bit of a luxury we can't afford, at this stage of the game. Even those $5-10 items count, no matter whether getting those few dollars is a lot of work.
The even scarier thing about it is the increasing number of scammers cruising for sale listings these days.
"I'll actually pay you more if you'll sell it to me "off eBay", but my brother has to pick it up today because he's in the area. He'll bring a check, is that OK?"
Hails to the no, it's not OK!
But I guess there are people who fall for it. Even Cashier's checks are easily forged, nowadays.
Be careful, folks! It's a scary world out there!
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great remainder of your weekend!
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Created at 2025.03.18 14:35 PDT
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