by Claire
I’ve had a frenzy of a week with selling stuff. I finally got my ring posted on “I do now I don’t” and it sold in the first 8 hours. I have all the paperwork showing what it cost and I priced it at 50% of that and it sold. I had a few inquiries asking for a reduced price but based on some online research I knew I was giving and getting a deal. So, I’m $4,000 richer. This website is pretty ingenious with its built in protections for both buyer and seller. The buyer has to pay and then the money is held in escrow until I send the ring in to IDNID, they confirm the authenticity, they mail to the seller and then send me my money. So far, I’m totally impressed. This was, in many ways, “found money” and with no emotional attachment to this ring (yes, even the ring was a source of conflict in the marriage), I’m feeling good.
Next, I took your advice on my Craigslist items. I had to step back and realize that there is a little money value in someone coming and picking up this furniture. My bedroom set is on the second floor. It is gigantic, solid furniture and my stairs have a “turn” in them. The amount of time it would take movers to get this out is significant. So, I lowered my price by what I estimated movers would cost me to get it out of here, plus the cost of storage bc this furniture will not fit in the apartment and the reduction in price got it sold pretty quickly. I bought this furniture 10 years ago for $2600 (it was a floor sample at a nice furniture store) and I sold it for $1000.
The table and buffet sold too. I got $750 for those. The two buyers have given me a cash deposit and they’ll come pick up this weekend. So excited! We have a folding table that will serve as our dining table for now and my bed will just be on a metal frame. Somehow I am finding even MORE motivation in this reality because a bit of discomfort in my living conditions (which really isn’t all that uncomfortable, but hopefully you know what I mean) will push me to get out of debt even faster I think. I have a big dresser in my master closet that I call the ugly dresser bc it is in terrible condition as far as appearance goes but it is old school, solid furniture. It was my grandmother’s and it is one of those dressers that has drawers so big that you just can’t find these days. One day I hope to sand it down, paint or stain it and add new hardware but for now the scary dresser will do just fine!
There’s the sales frenzy update. I’ve emailed the Homeowner’s Association because I can’t find any rules on yard sales but I know there has to be rules. This neighborhood has A LOT of them and as I thought about it–I can’t remember a yard sale in the 3 years I’ve been here. There are other options but the idea of selling the smaller stuff at a yard sale sounds very efficient.
Have a great day! I’m off to look around my house for more stuff to sell! I feel “lighter” by each moment! 🙂
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Wow! You’ve had an extremely productive month of selling stuff! I would love to see a rough recap of everything you’ve sold since starting on this adventure – I think it would be really motivating for the rest of us to see what kind of money we have sitting around in “stuff”.
Wow. You’ve been so busy! Congratulations on all the sales. This makes me want to search out sellables in my house.
YOU GO GIRL!!!! You are DOING this! So excited for you!
Congrats for getting things sold!! So happy to see how successful you’ve been!
Congratulations! That is awesome news. That IRS debt is no longer an issue, maybe build up your emergency fund, maybe pay off more debt. You have options!
I love seeing your excitement about these things. What a great month you’ve had! It’s encouraging for those of us who are still deep in debt and working on even the little wins. Thanks for sharing.
What fantastic news Claire! I can’t wait to see next month’s update!
How much will it cost you to move to the new place? Will the bulk of this money go to the move, or do you think you’ll have enough to pay off the IRS and some debt too?
Either way, I am SO excited and happy for you!
Oh, Claire, this is such great news!
You got mad and are kicking this debt to the curb!
Just like the other writers, I can’t wait to see what happens when you update the numbers!
You Go Girl!
That’s great. I hope you dump all of this “found” money on debt ASAP. Some people quickly spend this type of money on splurges and mentally say it “doesn’t count” because the money was from a new source.
You are doing *awesome*
Congrats Claire. Hopefully this “found money” will put a nice dent in some of your bills.
I have been trying sell my dvd sets (mainly imported ones since these sell at a higher price in the US), some clothes, books, on amazon and ebay mainly for a while. It just isn’t working out… not selling at all.
What is your trick?? I have them at pretty low prices as well. Is it because I’m a new seller, I wonder.
Anyway, Good job on your sales!! That’s a whole load of money you got from selling old items!
OC- have you tried the buyback option with Amazon? I went through our older DVD sets and books and they offered $150. They provide the shipping label too. Not too shabby considering these were very old TV series and pretty much worthless…
OC – try Amazon. Just about anything that can be bought new can be sold as used on the site.
OC – I sell books on half.com. They sell movies, too. It is so easy to list. I find everything very straightforward. I haven’t sold everything but am happy that I am getting money for some of our books. We have so many that our teenagers don’t want anymore.
Congrats on the sales! Yay! I have to sell all my left over party supplies from my friend’s wedding shower. I’ve been procrastinating!