To ask if you have sold everything you own...

[mytitiferssungtheirsong]

..and if you regret it.

In short I am considering selling a lot of stuff on eBay, carboot, online etc. I used to have a little bit more money than I do now, good job etc as well as generous friends, family and so on and have acquired quite a lot of nice things.

I am now a single parent making ends meet and thinking that just having a massive clear out/sell could raise enough to pay off some debts and I can then start from scratch.

Just going through some things now and making me feel bad/sad but I just never use them. Things like Tiffany jewelry, designer handbags and clothes, some gold jewelry and so on. What I won't be selling is gifts from my family for my 30th but thinking of selling two Tiffany necklaces that were given to me for being bridesmaid (at two separate weddings). Had them over ten years and rarely wear them. Designer handbag just sits in my closet!

I am just wondering if I will regret this as I don't think my financial situation will ever allow me to acquire these items again. At the same time it is only 'things' and the money can be put to better use for mine and dd's future.

Have you done this? Have you regretted it in hindsight?

I personally would start with items that don't hold specific nice memories, things that you just acquire over the years, or gifts from people you rarely see. So the clothes, handbags etc.
I would keep hold of the tiffany necklaces if they bring back memories of a lovely day with the brides.
I think things with specific memories will be the things you will regret selling the most.
That said if it is a choice between nice memories and food, food wins.

If your jewellery is of reasonable value and you don't wear it, take it to an auction house that will value it for you.
Don't do Ebay.

I did this with family jewellery that I was just holding onto for sentiment. Decluttering is definitely a good thing.

Thank you. Necklaces from friends am not massively attached to as rarely see these girls anymore (although still friends). I have a similar necklace from dsis which I won't sell as emotionally attached. I just think if I don't use them and someone else can enjoy them why not.

The designer bag is hard as I never believed I could own anything like that but I think I'm almost too scared to use it!! Right now the money is better off paying debts than sitting in my wardrobe.

Good point about jewellers nanny!

Nanny Tiffany and other 'designer' jewelry brands are very sought after on eBay if you can prove they are genuine (original boxes, receipts, etc)

An auction house would more likely sell things like that as part of a job lot, and take a bigger cut

I was more referring to the other gold jewellery rather than 'designer' stuff, so I take your point.

I would sell them BUT I would add that I don't really get sentimental over 'things' and I hate clutter.

Over the years I have thrown out/sold/given away more stuff than I can remember with absolutely no regrets. But I know some friends who start sweating at the thought of getting rid of an old mug.

Also I never feel bad about getting rid of something that was a gift. I still keep the memories and the love and friendship. I just don't want or need the item anymore.

word of warning you may only get a fraction of the real cost for the Tiffany necklaces. i know i did i paid £250 and only got 50 back so might be worth keeping.

I have only regretted the more unusual or sentimental items.One offs and memories really.

The rest is all tat you can replace one day if you choose-but once you realise how little you get for stuff you paid a lot for, you may decide not to get on the consumerist merry go round in such a big way in future.

I would weigh up howich they are worth against how much you will get for them, would your daughter like any of the items as she gets older?

Realise that you wont get what theyare probably worth.. i sold some jewellery (took it to a jewellers but not sure if the price i got was that good) and regretted it , (and some i didnt so choose carefully what to let go ).

Also i dont think not a good idea to sell now if its making you feel sad doing so , because it sounds a bit like its tied into how you feel as being a single parent / not so well of as you used to be.. (and maybe because of this you might think you dont 'deserve' to have nice stuff anymore?) I know i felt a bit like that when i was inthat situation and in debt..

Do you have a realistic debt pay off plan? personally id suggest thibnking about that before you rush to sell anything.. there is a good thread on credit crunch with spreadsheets to help budget to pay off debt ..

So how about you put the things in a blalck sack in cupboard for a few months (so they are 'gone') then re look at them when you are a bit further down the line.. if they are designer they will keep their value and it sounds like they woyld sell better on somewhere like ebay in the run up to christmas time anyway

Go to that Posh Pawn place like on TV, they seem to do the research and get good prices and they buy too.

Laska that's an interesting point. I guess somewhere I feel that I don't go flash places anymore so these things don't fit who I am. Also sadness connected to that I'm not this bright young thing with fancy things anymore.

The debt is not massive. Just want to clear credit card really and thought selling stuff would be a quick way.

Might try eBay with reserve on necklaces and handbag. I know they cost over £100 and I won't get anywhere near that nor probably afford to buy again but still think what's the point of keeping them in a box...just because of a name.

I went through the stage you're at OP.
I had lots of disposable income in my late teens and very early 20s and a very good job with hardly any outgoings. I used to see things i liked and just buy them. I worked with lovely things too - the top end brands of lingerie, shoes, bags, make up. I had lots of lovely 'stuff'.

Then i got a mortgage. Then had 3 babies in 5 years. I sold most of my goodies.

Sell the stuff you have no real attachment to. You need the cash more than things at the mo.

Mytitfer yes.. i can see that .. and yes id agree sell things you are not attached to and getting the cc down is always a good idea .. but do bear in mind you are still you.. bright days and celebrations will come back..

I'm 50+ now and life is good... different than i thought it would be from when i was also a bright young thing - but good ..and now I do enjoy buying nice things again and being a bright older thing !..

When i was 30+ and suddenly a single mum , having lost my home and job and having to rent and rely on benefits after marriage break up and a massive reduction in income I also thought the good days might not come back..

Good luck.. you and your DD will be fine I know it ..

Unless you've got some serious quality stuff then you'll almost certainly be disappointed with what you get for things. In general, secondhand stuff just doesn't hold it's value and you'll only achieve a fraction of what you paid for most things.

I can pretty much guarantee you will feel liberated when you release yourself from the burden of too much stuff.

When I had to quickly move house because my DP became ill a couple of years ago and we sold up to get together, I did a mass-disposal of all my toot (we had a couple of car boot sales, some stuff went to auction and we were donators of the month at the British Heart foundation -I do smile at that accolade :-). It was all reasonable stuff, just far too much of it

I havent regretted it for a moment, it felt really good!

I had car boot mania at one point

Used to do one once a month and always made into 3 figures. Once folk know you do them you get stuff donated randomly.

I remember actually wandering the house just before leaving to do one once, car was packed to the roof, but i was on the hunt for anything else to sell. I snatched up a rug and the teaspoon holder before i checked myself.

It's addictive once you start swapping things for cash.