Disposing of stuff

[MEZLAW]

I can relate to almost everyone here when it comes to personal treasures and other accumulations. There was a time when I wouldn't think of parting with anything, then one day that all changed! Now........I want the clutter out of my life! I'm realizing, I don't own the stuff........the stuff owns me! Just having it and caring for it consumes my life and my money! While most stuff is not worth what I thought it was, some stuff is worth more that I thought.
The first thing to do is to have that reality check and dispose of accordingly. I have not missed a single item which I have sold, given away, or trashed.

[William]

So, does this mean you are getting out of the hobby? I have sold off "stuff" over my life too. Some I miss and regret selling. Some, I'm glad it's gone. It does consume both time and money, but being retired I have the time. The money, well that's another story. I'm cheap so I do not spend a lot buy projects. Some seem to have good luck buying, repairing, and then flipping and making money at it. With me, and my luck, that probably won't happen. Mostly because of where I live. There is not much interest in what our hobby has to offer.

I fully understand the concept of too much stuff. I'm new to the hobby and I already have too much stuff, but for now I'm enjoying learning the repair part of the hobby. To bring one of these treasures back to life brings me joy. And then, there is the music that I listen too which also bring me joy. Each record player that I have restored plays certain music better than the one sitting next to it. Not sure why that is, but they do. So for now, I will keep what I have and keep restoring the ones in waiting.

Bill

[MEZLAW]

So, does this mean you are getting out of the hobby?

No......I hope to die with a soldering iron in my hand.

I now realize I will not live long enough to work on all my projects where radio is concerned. Now the cars, that's a different story! I used to be a vendor at the Carlisle Pennsylvania auto show and flea market. I decided I didn't like towing my trailer up there, sleeping in for 4 days and dealing with some of the young snots now entering the hobby. I'm done with cars!

With the radios, I've decided what I like best and concentrate on that. I prefer 1940's radios which are usually AM/SW, wooden cabinet about the size of a bread box and using octal tubes. I also like the older knight kits. I have a few 1960's plastic radios because Dana likes them so much, also a few clock radios. I do want to sell the farm and get myself down to one home with a small yard.

[Firedome]

Yes Dennis does do early Ford tractors. I had a 9N when we had a small irrigated strawberry and asparagus farm, essentially it's a Model A engine (or the Model A engine is essentially the Ford/Ferguson engine LOL). We have 12 or so magnafluxed, cleaned and primered blocks all ready for anyone who needs them! And enough parts to build at least 20 engines. Don even poured his own babbit so we have the lead bars too! And all the specialized Model A and T tools out of my great-uncle Clyde's Texaco/Ford garage in VT (1927 - 1968) from when he retired. I got a couple cool old porcelain signs and garage "automobilia" things when we cleaned the place out too.

At this point after a friend takes a p/u load of the best stuff to Hershey and the rest picked over (again) by the local A club members, it'll all go to auction or the Gilmore. Will glad when it's gone, as said above your possessions can possess you and while it's not my stuff, being the only real "car guy" in the family it mainly falls to me to deal with it.
As of yesterday we have a prospective buyer for the restored "A" p/u... hope it happens!

[William]

It's good to know, Larry, you are not out of the business/hobby. At some point, mostly due to age, we do slow down, and then take a look at our "stuff" and wonder why? Why did I accumulate so much "stuff", and what shall I do with it. I have downsized three times in the last 10 years and still have too much stuff. But, the stuff I have now I'm still playing with and enjoying. Give me another 10 years to see what life is like, but by then I may not be around. In the mean time, soldering iron is in hand.

Bill

[19&41]

It's always better to own a fun hobby and not have it own You. I have a ruthless cleanout twice a year and donate the donateables for the tax benefit.

[TC Chris]

A few years ago, a guy here in Traverse City who worked for Hagerty Insurance decided to drive a Model A for a full year as his only car. He kept a blog about the experience. He drove it as far as Illinois and Pennsylvania. He concluded at the end that he really liked life at 45 mph. And apparently the skinny tires were pretty good in snow. The rest of us are just plowing snow with our wide modern tires. The only time he cheated was when he flew somewhere else for a convention and had to rent a car. Not many Model As available at the Hertz counter...

Chris Campbell