Part of my preparation for moving has been going through my things and seeing what I really want to move and what I don’t need anymore. A lot of the things I don’t need anymore are things that are just going into the trash or recycling. I’m finding a ton of paperwork that I don’t need but have had saved because I didn’t go through my files before. I have a lot of random things, especially at my desk, that have just been here forever and I don’t feel like I care if I have them or not. And of course, I have gone through my closet multiple times to sort through things and get rid of what I don’t want to take with me (but for clothes, those have been donated and not trashed). I feel like I’ve gotten rid of quite a bit but also that I still have so much left. But I know that can’t be true.
But for some of the things I’m not taking with me, I’m selling them. I went through my furniture and belongings and have found things that don’t need to be used anymore. A good example is this cabinet/entertainment center thing that my old roommate at my last apartment got for us so we could use it for extra kitchen storage. After he moved out and I got new roommates, that stayed and I kept it and moved it into my current place. I used it in my kitchen as well since it fits perfectly between my stove and fridge and it’s been necessary storage for me in a tiny kitchen. But since my new kitchen is a very different design and I don’t need that type of cabinet anywhere, I can get rid of it.
I started listing things in various online groups to sell. I’m not really trying to make a profit and for a lot of things, I listed them for just $5. I didn’t want to list them for free because I wanted to make sure the person who said they will take them will show up. So by listing it for $5, I feel like they are a bit more serious. And it’s been a slow process but I’m finding new homes for things bit by bit. The first thing that was picked up was my a/c unit, although I’m slightly regretting that now since it’s so hot in LA. But I’m glad it was picked up so that’s one less thing on my list.
And this week, I finally got a buyer for my old headboard and footboard. This set came from my parents because it was part of the included furniture when they got their first place in Tahoe. I never used the footboard, but I’ve been using the headboard for over 13 years now. And while I do love them, I got a new bed setup for my new place so I needed these to go.
Even though I hoped listing things for $5 would help to find a buyer, I did have some trouble finding someone. Some people didn’t read the listing and thought they were for a different-sized bed. Or they wanted it to include other things I wasn’t selling. But I did get a buyer who understood what I was selling and could come to pick them up. And just like a few other things I’m selling, I listed them for $5 but I knew I wasn’t going to ask for the money. So when the buyer came to get them, they got them and then tried to pay me the money. I told her that she could have them for free and explained why I listed them for $5 and not for free originally. And the smile on her face when she found out they were free was so worth it.
She told me a bit of her story and how she wanted something nice for her bedroom but couldn’t afford it. She was worried that my listing was a scam because these were so nice but listed for so little. I told her that I just wanted them to go to someone who could use them and I wasn’t trying to make a profit since I technically didn’t pay for them. And she was seriously so grateful and happy that she was getting something that she really wanted and was looking for at no cost. She was already happy when they were listed for $5, but getting them for free was that much better.
I wasn’t doing this to be a good person or anything like that, I just need some of my things out of my house and wanted to find buyers. But I did feel good after this and really am glad I found the perfect person to take them. And if this somehow gives me some good karma points for my upcoming move, all the better!
