Comments on: Downsizing by giving to charity http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html --- a combination of simple living, anticonsumerism, DIY ethics, self-reliance, and applied capitalism Fri, 25 May 2012 19:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: mylindaelliott http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-20867 mylindaelliott Sun, 06 Feb 2011 02:37:47 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-20867 I'm downsizing. Throwing out lots of papers from raising 5 children. I’m downsizing. Throwing out lots of papers from raising 5 children.

]]> By: Melissa http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-20848 Melissa Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:56:15 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-20848 Great post. Growing up, my mother actually had a "one thing in, one thing out," rule. When we got something new, we had to get rid of one thing that had been gathering dust, either by giving it away or (if it was really useless) throwing it out. This has helped me as an adult; I live in a fairly small space (600 sq. ft) with a minimal amount of clutter / things I don't need, and wouldn't have it any other way. Great post. Growing up, my mother actually had a “one thing in, one thing out,” rule. When we got something new, we had to get rid of one thing that had been gathering dust, either by giving it away or (if it was really useless) throwing it out. This has helped me as an adult; I live in a fairly small space (600 sq. ft) with a minimal amount of clutter / things I don’t need, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

]]> By: krantcents http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-20847 krantcents Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:52:59 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-20847 My wife and I routinely (every 2 years) go through our closets and stuff to clear out things. I sometimes think it is a way for clearing out things so we can refill the emptiness. My wife and I routinely (every 2 years) go through our closets and stuff to clear out things. I sometimes think it is a way for clearing out things so we can refill the emptiness.

]]> By: bigato http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-20476 bigato Sat, 15 Jan 2011 19:02:56 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-20476 When I was preparing to move from a huge house to a 20 ft square room, first I tried to sell things. Sold some. Then I started to give away. I thought it would be easy but I had a hard time! My time in the house was ending, so one day I just started to pile things up in front of the house. Some people showed up, asked what I was doing. I told they could take what they want. They called some people they know, and in some moments everything disappeared!!! It was so relieving. When I was preparing to move from a huge house to a 20 ft square room, first I tried to sell things. Sold some. Then I started to give away. I thought it would be easy but I had a hard time! My time in the house was ending, so one day I just started to pile things up in front of the house. Some people showed up, asked what I was doing. I told they could take what they want. They called some people they know, and in some moments everything disappeared!!! It was so relieving.

]]> By: jc http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-17729 jc Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:34:34 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-17729 I've also found a free ad on Craig's list is like magic. and the people seem to really value what they are picking up. I’ve also found a free ad on Craig’s list is like magic. and the people seem to really value what they are picking up.

]]> By: jc http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-17728 jc Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:31:57 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-17728 this is pretty funny. I do the same thing when I get bored and, now that I've well purged my own stuff, this makes my wife nervous. :) Sometimes I don't always check 1st and then it's "have you seen our...." this is pretty funny. I do the same thing when I get bored and, now that I’ve well purged my own stuff, this makes my wife nervous. :)

Sometimes I don’t always check 1st and then it’s “have you seen our….”

]]> By: Moneymonk http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-17727 Moneymonk Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:22:51 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-17727 I live a clutter free life. I use what we need. Nothing is useless. We mainly give our clothes and our daughter clothes and shoes to Goodwill I live a clutter free life. I use what we need. Nothing is useless.

We mainly give our clothes and our daughter clothes and shoes to Goodwill

]]> By: Beany http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-457 Beany Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:38:37 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-457 Inspired by you, I went through my closet and got rid of several clothes and extra hangers that I never use. I gave it to the local thrift store. I don't like to use freecycle to give away stuff, but don't mind using it to get stuff. Its mainly because I don't like waiting around for someone who may or may not show up or decide they don't want something if they do show up. I have no problems getting rid of stuff. My husband does tend to get a bit sentimental especially over paper (journals, old fiction with written comments, magazines, novels). But I think he's seeing the benefit of a minimalist lifestyle. I like to be minimalist because I am lazy - dislike the cleaning and dusting that comes along with owning stuff. I need to really get rid of everything we own as we're planning on a cross country move and plan on taking almost nothing with us. Inspired by you, I went through my closet and got rid of several clothes and extra hangers that I never use. I gave it to the local thrift store. I don’t like to use freecycle to give away stuff, but don’t mind using it to get stuff. Its mainly because I don’t like waiting around for someone who may or may not show up or decide they don’t want something if they do show up.

I have no problems getting rid of stuff. My husband does tend to get a bit sentimental especially over paper (journals, old fiction with written comments, magazines, novels). But I think he’s seeing the benefit of a minimalist lifestyle. I like to be minimalist because I am lazy – dislike the cleaning and dusting that comes along with owning stuff.

I need to really get rid of everything we own as we’re planning on a cross country move and plan on taking almost nothing with us.

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-434 Jacob Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:12:08 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-434 @antishay - looking forward to the list. I find that people tend to get inspired when you start to give things away. I've noticed DW looking around too after I got on my "downsize"-binge. craigslist is a very good source for moving boxes. @antishay – looking forward to the list. I find that people tend to get inspired when you start to give things away. I’ve noticed DW looking around too after I got on my “downsize”-binge. craigslist is a very good source for moving boxes.

]]> By: antishay http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-419 antishay Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:58:16 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-419 I recently rid myself of a lamp I hated and that was faulty (trash), a full dish set that I didn't want or need (to a friend), a second coffee grinder (to a friend), an umbrella (to family), and 40 collapsed boxes that I used to move with (given free on craigslist - the response was immense and unexpected!). I'm starting a big simplifying purge this month so this list should be five times as long in another week or so. GOD it feels good to get RID. I recently rid myself of a lamp I hated and that was faulty (trash), a full dish set that I didn’t want or need (to a friend), a second coffee grinder (to a friend), an umbrella (to family), and 40 collapsed boxes that I used to move with (given free on craigslist – the response was immense and unexpected!).

I’m starting a big simplifying purge this month so this list should be five times as long in another week or so. GOD it feels good to get RID.

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-413 Jacob Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:02:38 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-413 @simplicty in kansas - I don't think I've ever gotten rid of enough sufficiently fast to feel liberated or freed, but I do recognize the idea of spending time/money on "internals" rather than externals. @simplicty in kansas – I don’t think I’ve ever gotten rid of enough sufficiently fast to feel liberated or freed, but I do recognize the idea of spending time/money on “internals” rather than externals.

]]> By: Simplicity in Kansas http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-412 Simplicity in Kansas Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:29:26 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-412 Over the past several years I have downsized to a small apartment and limited possessions which has been a freeing event. I do not lack for anything as I have my iPOD, PDA, Computer yet not a lot of knick knacks and things that gather dust, need repair or take time out of my life. My direction change was to invest more time in my life balance sheet with exercise, education and enlightenment which has all been facilitated by not having so much stuff around me all the time. It is freeing to give things away... Over the past several years I have downsized to a small apartment and limited possessions which has been a freeing event. I do not lack for anything as I have my iPOD, PDA, Computer yet not a lot of knick knacks and things that gather dust, need repair or take time out of my life. My direction change was to invest more time in my life balance sheet with exercise, education and enlightenment which has all been facilitated by not having so much stuff around me all the time. It is freeing to give things away…

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-410 Jacob Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:55:17 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-410 @jane - sadly I no longer fit into the two suitcase mold. Too many books. Too many kettlebells, ... makes me more of a "the trunk of a car"-person. @betsy - maybe I should get into freecycling. One of my major issues with giving things away is that I want people to appreciate them as much as I did. @jane – sadly I no longer fit into the two suitcase mold. Too many books. Too many kettlebells, … makes me more of a “the trunk of a car”-person.

@betsy – maybe I should get into freecycling. One of my major issues with giving things away is that I want people to appreciate them as much as I did.

]]> By: betsy teutsch - MoneyChangesThings http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-406 betsy teutsch - MoneyChangesThings Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:45:17 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-406 I'm a local Freecycle moderator and I love it. I have quite a few freecycle stories up on my blog. A few days ago someone posted they wanted a basketball to shoot hoops. they're friends and I know they have a toddler, so I dug up to deflated balls my kids kept around here and handed them off. I love responding to freecycle wanteds. What an efficient market! I’m a local Freecycle moderator and I love it. I have quite a few freecycle stories up on my blog. A few days ago someone posted they wanted a basketball to shoot hoops. they’re friends and I know they have a toddler, so I dug up to deflated balls my kids kept around here and handed them off. I love responding to freecycle wanteds. What an efficient market!

]]> By: Dawn http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-404 Dawn Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:57:34 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-404 My room-mate has finally gotten in the mood to pitch, YA! This weeked we are going through closets and getting rid of stuff or selling it. Can't wait! My room-mate has finally gotten in the mood to pitch, YA!
This weeked we are going through closets and getting rid of stuff or selling it.
Can’t wait!

]]> By: jane in sf http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-403 jane in sf Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:25:07 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-403 I love giving things away! My favorite was posting my yoga/philosphy book collection on "free stuff" on craigslist and giving it to a good home. My standby is giving to Goodwill. I have had some beautiful shoes in my life - kind of wish I would have taken photos - but int the scheme of things, no big deal. My place is 700 sq.ft (2 of us)- slowly, but surely am getting stuff down to essentials - I love the challenge - but I am big on design/color & enrich my home that way (when I get my own blog, shortly, will include that aspect of rich/quality life without STUFF. Getting closer to fitting all of my important belongings in two suitcases :) (as per Jacob) I love giving things away! My favorite was posting my yoga/philosphy book collection on “free stuff” on craigslist and giving it to a good home. My standby is giving to Goodwill. I have had some beautiful shoes in my life – kind of wish I would have taken photos – but int the scheme of things, no big deal. My place is 700 sq.ft (2 of us)- slowly, but surely am getting stuff down to essentials – I love the challenge – but I am big on design/color & enrich my home that way (when I get my own blog, shortly, will include that aspect of rich/quality life without STUFF. Getting closer to fitting all of my important belongings in two suitcases :) (as per Jacob)

]]> By: savvy http://earlyretirementextreme.com/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html/comment-page-1#comment-401 savvy Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:07:43 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/downsizing-by-giving-to-charity.html#comment-401 It's nice to know I'm not the only person who does this. It drives my husband crazy though :-) It’s nice to know I’m not the only person who does this. It drives my husband crazy though :-)

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