My finances have hit the wall. I’m at a juncture where it’s time to make choices. Keep couch or no travel.
With some objects it’s been easy. I’ve been trying to shake a loft bed I purchased over 2 years ago. 5 times. That’s how many craigslist ads were posted for the damn thing. There are only so many ways I can pitch a loft bed.
- Great for a kid’s room!
- Hide your grandmother from visitors.
- Treehouse for adults.
In July, a vicious slam-down was launched on spending. That operation is thus far successful, except when I walk by that stupid Barefoot Contessa selling those adorable handbags.
What’s difficult is giving up mementos I picked up during past travels. The irony. In fact, it’s really a loop. Getting rid of items from my travels in order to travel. You see the karmic joke.
Pathetic, isn’t it? Most of these don’t even rate as, uh, nice.
I nurse doubts with cocktails on a weekly basis, but one thing I’m clear on: stuff lulls me into a false stability. Even identity. Those clever adverts convince me that owning an ipod nano ensures my place in cool music history. It ties into strong symbolism, the cornerstone of sound marketing. Is my stuff me, or vice versa? Because, let’s face it, in 6 months my possessions will be whittled down to 1 or 2 outfits, a medical kit and flip-flops.
Ah, but my ‘travel’ souvenirs. These babies symbolize travel memories. Take the wrinkly pants. They are ginormous nor do I wear them, but just seeing them sends me back to the Russian Market (Phnom Penh) where sweaty bodies merge and separate between merchant stalls. I smelled victory when I bartered down my tobacco chewing opponent to $7! That painting was procured in Hoi Ann, Vietnam, a sleepy, romantic village spilling with charming architecture from the 17th to 19th century. Artisans surround you at every turn. That place made me contemplate taking up wood carving 24/7.
My greedy fingers must let go. Past travels were just that – far, far away. I’m poised. Ready to chuck my life, which means chucking my stuff.
You might be ready to exchange items for travel dollars too. It can be vastly overwhelming. Let’s break down stuff.
| Source | Clothes | Books | Furniture | Vehicles | Real Estate | Electronics | Antiques |
| Craigslist | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Ebay | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Abe Books (They buy from you and pay shipping) | X | ||||||
| Used Book Store (Offered to buy my paperbacks at $5 to $10 apiece) | X | ||||||
| Clothes Consignment Shops (Usually 25% payout) | X | ||||||
| Tradepoint.ca | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Propertysold.ca (Sale by owner, save money) | X | ||||||
| BuySell.com | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Hold a Neighborhood Garage Sale! | X | X | X | X | X |
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
@JR – I’m still swimming in stuff. Mostly paper, actually. Beyond killing trees here. I’m trying to tackle each thing at a time. If you go for it, I recommend doing the same. Thanks for commenting and visit again!
I’ve been pondering this a whole bunch myself lately! I like that checklist you made. I might use that for myself..
Caleb – oooh, yeah, that would feel dang good. However, I think what will be more satisfying is chucking my employee badge on my desk for the last time. :0)
Soultraverl3 – Indeed!! As I purge, the lighter I feel… it’s ridiculously liberating. And thanks for the wonderful tip about saving in a different currency. :)
It doesn’t do much to help the travel budget, but there is always the extremely liberating option of violently chucking your possessions into a trash bin. You even get the fearful rush of adrenaline that comes with pulling out a 20 dollar bill and lighting it on fire.
We found it so freeing to get rid of “stuff” before we took off on our open ended family world tour! Life is sooo much easier with fewer things and essential for a happy, digital nomad life.
Digitize anything/anyone that you think you might miss via photos & video as that is a nice way to bring it with you.
Oh & I’d save in a different currency than dollars or have a hedge against them. Mostly getting out of the dollar was one of our smartest moves before leaving.
Happy New Year!
Hey Ayngelina (you have a cool name, btw), I’ve tried kijiji briefly, but hear it’s pretty good. For some reason craigslist has always been good to me except with that dang loft bed.
Aussienomad – it’s good to use every resource you possibly can. I mean, any childhood stuff will stay with family. This post just covers incidentals. :)
Have you tried kijiji? I had more luck with it than Craigslist in Toronto. I’m also selling everything but a few rubbermaid bins with my old souvenirs that my best friend kindly offered to store. I couldn’t give those up to travel, besides no one would want to buy them.
I know what you mean but given my parents have plenty of storage back home in the country I’ve not had to sell up every item I own.
I’m lucky I guess because when/if I return I will have the basics to start living again without having to buy it all again. Given the few dollars I’d get for the stuff its worked out easier to keep it in storage.