Phase 1- The Yard Sale and the Power of Craigslist

Ok, after sorting through our stuff for hours and sending stuff to DI and throwing away what felt like a ton I was feeling pretty good about my "stuff" situation. Surely I had gotten rid of most of it and was well on my way to being a minimal list. Tip #1 would be to walk away and revisit. We left a lot of our stuff in Utah and when it was revisited, there was SURPRISE, so much more stuff than I remembered.
So, I started with KSL.
KSL tips-
*Be cautious about posting your address on listings and even more cautious about inviting someone to your house. I would only let the person come over when Scott was there and in CA, I only let them meet me at at central location. NEVER do they find out where I live for safety reasons.
*My stuff sold within hours of posting. I was priced to sell and took nice photos of my stuff. If you want to get rid of it, dont sell it for more than half of what it cost you. Someone most likely will just buy it new if its close to new price. If you have the time, start higher and then wait it out... but I wanted my stuff gone!

While Scott was in Utah finishing his last test he decided late Friday night he would have a garage sale the next morning and catch a plane home at 11:45 the same day. Insane, but we made a quick $500 so worth the insanity.
Garage Sale tips-
*Put bright signs up but use the back of boxes for the cardboard. Buying more stuff is against the point! When you are selling your beloved plates for only $2 and then you spend more than that advertising it just feels wrong
* Don't be there! Have a wonderful husband or friend that is not emotionally attached to your stuff be the one to sell off your loot and then you won't be sad. I don't know how many times I said to Scott, "You sold that?!" and "You sold that for that much?!". When all was said and done, I am glad its over and we have that much less to worry about.
*advertise on KSL or craigslist your garage sale, more people come!
*give yourself plenty of time to sort and go through stuff, or have more than one garage sale.
We put items in the yard sale that we actually were planning to just take to the dump. At the end of the sale you can tell the last people that they can have whats left for $5 bucks or free just as long as they take it ALL. No trip to DI- priceless
*Let them make an offer. Scott painted me a picture a long time ago that I loved and he thought was junk. Some lady liked it and he said make me an offer. We got WAY more than we would have sold it to her for.

Last tip of the day- We made a list of all the things we were going to take with us, wanted to take if there was room, and were fine parting with. Make this list first, then go through your belongings. If you did not put it on your list of things you wanted to take because you didn't think of it or forgot you had it, take that as a clue you need to get rid of it! I was surprised at what I found left off of my list but that in the end I was ok saying goodbye to you.

I hope this list was helpful and happy moving/ de-cluttering!

How to sell everything you own and de-clutter your life

So, we are moving soon, and moving really far. After many debates and lots of research, Scott and I came to the conclusion that it would not be worth spending the 3000+ dollars to move our stuff across the country. Not worth the cost of moving (most could be replaced for less than moving it) as well as not worth the hassle (we hate moving).
I had a hard time originally with this idea. I didn't realize how attached to stuff I really am. And dumb stuff too, like a $5 vase and chair that could easily be replaced, were some of the hardest things for me to let go. Even Ikea furniture that would most likely not survive a move and did not cost us much to start with was hard for me to give up because it was MY stuff, MY memories. The first couch we bought together when we were newly weds that had felt like such a big decision (haha wow, we've come a long way), the frames I hunted for all across the city to find the best deal, the rug and furniture from my first bridal show, my kitchen stuff... oh the list goes on.
There is however a light at the end of the tunnel. I have sold many things already and it is actually really fun! I know that when I get to Wisconsin what I brought with me will have a purpose or I absolutely love/use it. Do you know how great that is? It's more than great, its cathartic. What do you have in your house/garage/closet that you have forgotten about or not used in the last 6 months or year? I was amazed at how much "stuff" we have collected in the last 5 1/2 years of being married.

So, I challenge you to go through your "stuff" and see if there is anything that you don't use or are just holding onto because you might use it. I'll tell you right now, you are not going to use. If you forgot you had it, didn't use it once after you bought it, free yourself right now this clutter in your life! Follow me on my journey in the next few posts as I learn to let go and cleanse my life of clutter!

Fuel

Kristine: Marty, just like your cars need fuel to go fast, you need food for fuel so let's eat.
Marty: No, I just want to go slow.

Playing with Cousins

I am really in love with the weather in Southern California. I love Fall in Utah but nothing beats Winter on the west coast. I feel so lucky to have family live near by, I am not sure what we are going to do when we head to Wisconsin. ( Not sure as to how to survive both the winter and lack of family)

Mahjong Tournament

The California chapter held its Chinese New Year Mahjong Tournament on Saturday. It was, as always, amazing. The winners are as follows:

Stephanie McNairy: Lowest Score
Matthew Pettit Possom: Most Mahjongs
Daniel McNairy: Most Flowers
Scott McNairy: Most Dragons
Becca Beans Williams? Most Kongs
Kristine McNairy: Highest Total Score

And the champion of the 2012, year of the water dragon, Chinese New Year Mahjong Tournament: California Edition is: Jason Borne Identity Thomas! Who received an amazingly beautiful trophy and brought much honor to his family.

Disneyland

At Disneyland with grandma on a loud ride.

Then asleep on the way home. Dreaming about drinking water through his eye.

At Cousin's Baptism

They were being good for goldfish crackers.

Rosco's Chicken and Waffles

Best decision of the new year.