Class of 2013 is awful quiet

[Dale P]

Susan and I have been living in our rig since May 2012. Currently we are in a trailer park, waiting on my final performance review. We both are wondering if I will get a good raise or nothing. So anyway, we have a rally to go tomin April, where I am taking 2 Wks vacation. When I get back I will submit my paperwork. Due to out vacation policy, i have to do it this way. I have informed my management that when the temperature gets between 100 and 105 degrees, I am gone. However this is a game I am willing to play, while having fun doing it. We still have a few items to sell, if they do not then it is good will.

[pintada]

After just over two weeks on the market I have a buyer for my house. The offer was lower than asking price, but I expected that in this economy, so accepted it. I'm hoping for no glitches so we can make it to closing in about 30 days. With luck I'll be homeless soon. Yippee! The dream of full-timing is getting closer.

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

After just over two weeks on the market I have a buyer for my house. The offer was lower than asking price, but I expected that in this economy, so accepted it. I'm hoping for no glitches so we can make it to closing in about 30 days. With luck I'll be homeless soon. Yippee! The dream of full-timing is getting closer.

 

Congratulations on the quick sale! We're in about the same place as you. Our house inspection was yesterday. Monday or Tuesday we should hear what... if anything...we need to do to keep them happy!

[roadhousecharley]

Glad to hear so many of us are making progress. We had a very productive weekend of stuff removal. Let's keep up the momentum!

[jmnfarrow]

Hey all, we're new to the forum and love the idea of joining your class of '13. We're a family of three and I've reviewed most of your journeys and now know I'm not alone! Our launch date is July 8th. Downsizing seems to be the big kicker. The process has taken us five years with much soul-searching of "what I need" -vs- "what I want". So far, things are going well and am continuing to fill cardboard boxes to get rid of stuff. The process started with a "FREE" sign at the end of our drive way (saved gas & toting stuff back that Good Will wouldn't take), moved to selling with a local auction house, and now taking pictures out of frames and filing anything we haven't already digitized. All new movies, books, and music are in the cloud! Love technology to save space.

 

Hey tool guys, if you're like me and have redundant tools (screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, sockets, ect..) you know who you are! Pair down early to carry boxes. I mean, how many Crescents can you turn at once anyway? No really, downsizing from a compressor that can run paint and impact guns to a portable that can still power up to 110PSI is a real thing that must be done if you want to be mobile. No body changes my oil, packs bearings, or fixes my plumbing but me. Lol... I guess there is a tool for everything, but can we do with a few tools for most things?

 

Last month we sold our house and now own nothing with roots. What a freeing feeling. Hope to add some encouragement to those working their plan. Stick with it. God has taught us much patience and continues to work on my heart as we downsize. Now my parents have decided to sell and asked me to help them downsize!!! Does it ever end??? Yes, on July 8th for us...

[lg61820]

I decided to start downsizing this past Sunday. I opened a box that had my mother's first set of "real dishes" in it and closed it, crying, thinking "I am not ready". I know the memories are in my mind, not the dishes. . . but still. . . they were my mom's!

 

Some days I think I could walk away without looking back. Other days I wonder how I could let my mom's things, my grandma's things, go to strangers?

 

I know I'll figure it out. I want an unfettered life so bad. I also know that my mom would not want me to be weighed down with "stuff".

 

Hope I can get away before the end of 2013. I'm thinking 11/12/13 sounds good. LG

[jmnfarrow]

Your rational is right... Memories are what makes you who you are. The question is: How does the material items make you feel? Sorry, I'm no Dr. Phil and could never claim to offer advice... However, I can put myself out there and be transparent. As a once unhealthy hoarder with much of my life feeling overwhelmed, I can now say I'm healthier with less. Being raised in a family of OCDers with siblings that can easily be invited to the next A&E show, I can truly attest to the attachment of stuff. In our society of collecting, buying, and basing our self-worth on what we surround ourselves with, it's no surprise that many of us struggle with downsizing. As the previously mentioned Dr would say "How's it working for you so far?" Talking to a professional with no family, friend, or forum ties can help when working through the rational thought and feeling parts of attachment... It sounds like you've already made the first step! I'm gonna try to attach a picture of one step at a time... You're not alone...

[roadhousecharley]

I decided to start downsizing this past Sunday. I opened a box that had my mother's first set of "real dishes" in it and closed it, crying, thinking "I am not ready". I know the memories are in my mind, not the dishes. . . but still. . . they were my mom's!

 

Some days I think I could walk away without looking back. Other days I wonder how I could let my mom's things, my grandma's things, go to strangers?

 

I know I'll figure it out. I want an unfettered life so bad. I also know that my mom would not want me to be weighed down with "stuff".

 

Hope I can get away before the end of 2013. I'm thinking 11/12/13 sounds good. LG

 

We both have "hoarder" tendencies but I prefer to think of it as not being wasteful. I know I will miss much of my stuff but I am willing to endure it for the adventure we're about to start. I'm hoping the comfort of things will be more than offset by the joy of freedom and new experiences. Do what works for you. If you don't want to let go of your things, find a place to store them until you are. My stuff is for the most part easy to replace and that makes it a lot easier for me. Mom's first set of real dishes aren't. I know this for a fact because I broke them all when I was little...

 

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[Invstr55]

We are experiencing two major projects ate the same time, finding space for the must haves in the RV while disposing of everything else. I never had thought that we would be camping with silver service and china but since we want to keep it and only have room for one set this is it. Actually the process is going better than I thought it would, guess we are just too busy to stop and really think about what we are doing. Bought and installed a washer/dryer so we are continuing to make the RV more full time friendly, replacing the storage areas so the things we need more often are the easiest to get to. Hope everyone else doing this now is having as much fun as we are..

[sdeasy]

March is here tomorrow and the month of our move into the RV. Saturday we bring to the house to see if what we think will fit into it will. On the 15th we move out and into the RV. We'll stay in a local park until the closing. We will stay for 3 months in an RV park in Asheville NC, attend the SKP Acre rally and hope to retire in June. If all goes as planned, we will be on the road. We had hope to be in the Class of 2012 but all that is behind us and we are looking forward to our fulltime life ahead.

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

Sorry to say, our house is back on the market. The buyer got cold feet and backed out. On one hand, I'm sorry that the sale didn't go on through. On the other hand, I don't want anyone to buy our house that is having second thoughts about it. So, we're back to the house showing stage again.

[Roadweaver]

I retire on June 1, have ordered a Nexus Viper 29V that should be ready around April 15. I am busy trying to downsize but my job has me traveling so it is very hard. Family is pitching in to help. I have located a camp ground to stay in the month before retirement about 20 miles from where I live. This has been a life long dream, I will be traveling solo, no pets.

Plan is to attend a woman's RV rally May 30 and start my new life around the third week of June heading to KY to visit relatives then to MO to visit a co-worker that is taking vacation just for my visit and to teach me some basic self=defense. From there I will go to OH to spend time with my sister and a few friends. Next stop with be the RV plant in Elkhart, IN because they want to see what I have done to the inside and video tape it. By that time, I am hoping that I feel comfortable enough to start towing and will have my daughter bring my tow car to me. I plan to be in IN for a week or two exploring and then head to VT to visit friends. I need to be in Searsport,ME to attend fiber college at a campground there the first week of September. Then head to Florida stopping to visit friends along the way. I would like to be Florida by the end of October. All these grand plans except Searsport is subject to change.

[sdeasy]

1362182685[/url]' post='605393']

I retire on June 1, have ordered a Nexus Viper 29V that should be ready around April 15. I am busy trying to downsize but my job has me traveling so it is very hard. Family is pitching in to help. I have located a camp ground to stay in the month before retirement about 20 miles from where I live. This has been a life long dream, I will be traveling solo, no pets.

Plan is to attend a woman's RV rally May 30 and start my new life around the third week of June heading to KY to visit relatives then to MO to visit a co-worker that is taking vacation just for my visit and to teach me some basic self=defense. From there I will go to OH to spend time with my sister and a few friends. Next stop with be the RV plant in Elkhart, IN because they want to see what I have done to the inside and video tape it. By that time, I am hoping that I feel comfortable enough to start towing and will have my daughter bring my tow car to me. I plan to be in IN for a week or two exploring and then head to VT to visit friends. I need to be in Searsport,ME to attend fiber college at a campground there the first week of September. Then head to Florida stopping to visit friends along the way. I would like to be Florida by the end of October. All these grand plans except Searsport is subject to change.

 

How exciting! We have a plan for the rest of the year, different than yours but lots of flexibly involved. We are looking forward to enjoying the journey. Best to you.

[Invstr55]

Last weekend was garage sale, went well now just a few large things to still dispose if, working our way thru 40 years of pictures and paperwork. Amazing how much we put into boxes. Eight days to closing and time is flying by, still have to sell car and truck. Waiting for Ram to build the new one before we really get away. A few warm-up trips around Texas before heading north for the summer. Since those that head south for the winter are known as snow birds I can only assume that we should be known as heat wave wanderers.. Good luck and great travels to all members of the class of13 and also to those that have lead the way for us.

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

I'll share a tip I learned today. We had our yard sale...sold a bunch of stuff at pennies on the dollar - that was fine. I sold more stuff on Craigslist. Did a bit better - usually around half the price of new. Then, as I got to nicer furniture Craigslist began to dry up. I still had some things I very much wanted to sell, some of our nicest things...

 

...before going on, our nice things aren't heirlooms or priceless antiques or anything like that, just our better items...

 

Anyway, I decided to post the items just to my friends list on Facebook. I couldn't believe the response. Three people wanting one item, a couple more asking for another. It was nice selling things we really like to people we know and like. There was no haggling over the price. It was pretty cool.

 

Anyway, if you are active on Facebook and have plenty of friends - don't over look this way to get the word out concerning your nicer things.

[kiperto]

The house closes tomorrow. We rent back until mid April '13. Hit the road in early June. 2013 on the road. The family is excited. And nervous.

[Koop]

It seems I've moved from the Class of 2014 to 2013...can't wait! I qualify for un-reduced early retirement in May, I'm 56 and originally planned to hang in for another year but as I posted in the Class of 2014 thread...

 

 

Well, after meeting with the Benefits Specialist at HR and reviewing my options...we're moving up to the class of 2013 as I'll be retiring late summer. I won't make an official announcement at work until May but Donna and I have decided to go for it. We have much to do in the next 4 or 5 months. I've already started to get rid of "stuff". Have guns and ammo for sale (that's a hot market right now), need to move motorcycles, yard equipment, guitars and amps...whew, it's almost overwhelming.

 

 

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

It seems I've moved from the Class of 2014 to 2013...can't wait! I qualify for un-reduced early retirement in May, I'm 56 and originally planned to hang in for another year but as I posted in the Class of 2014 thread...

 

 

Well, after meeting with the Benefits Specialist at HR and reviewing my options...we're moving up to the class of 2013 as I'll be retiring late summer. I won't make an official announcement at work until May but Donna and I have decided to go for it. We have much to do in the next 4 or 5 months. I've already started to get rid of "stuff". Have guns and ammo for sale (that's a hot market right now), need to move motorcycles, yard equipment, guitars and amps...whew, it's almost overwhelming.

Good luck! It's do-able, like eating an elephant, it's one bite at a time.

 

Our house is back under contract and we're cautiously encouraged.

 

I think that one of my words of advice to anyone considering full timeing is to start downsizing early. I was suprised at how many things we were able to sell that made absolutely zero difference in our lives. It they didn't make any difference, why did we have them in the first place?

[gfstryder]

I was wondering if this economy has caused 2013'ers to reconsider their target date.

 

It has definitely impacted us. Not nearly as much money in the nest egg as expected at this point or equity in the house. We still plan to hit the road July, 2013. Just feeling a little less comfortable.

 

We hope we can make up some of the loss over the next 2 1/2 years.

 

2013 - Sound Off - Have your plans survived????

We have our house on the market and our motor home is coming in this month. However, we may have to wait until next year to get on the road.

[gfstryder]

I was wondering if this economy has caused 2013'ers to reconsider their target date.

 

It has definitely impacted us. Not nearly as much money in the nest egg as expected at this point or equity in the house. We still plan to hit the road July, 2013. Just feeling a little less comfortable.

 

We hope we can make up some of the loss over the next 2 1/2 years.

 

2013 - Sound Off - Have your plans survived????

We have our house on the market and our motor home is coming in this month. However, we may have to wait until next year to get on the road.

[Koop]

Good luck! It's do-able, like eating an elephant, it's one bite at a time.

 

Our house is back under contract and we're cautiously encouraged.

 

I think that one of my words of advice to anyone considering full timeing is to start downsizing early. I was suprised at how many things we were able to sell that made absolutely zero difference in our lives. It they didn't make any difference, why did we have them in the first place?

 

 

Thanks. I understand what you're saying. I'm looking at so much "stuff" and realize it has to go. I don't use it anymore and it has value to someone. We'll try to move as many things as we can then go with a professional estate sale outfit.

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

Thanks. I understand what you're saying. I'm looking at so much "stuff" and realize it has to go. I don't use it anymore and it has value to someone. We'll try to move as many things as we can then go with a professional estate sale outfit.

 

We're in a densely populated area, Houston, and I sold a lot of stuff on Craigslist. A friend of mine in Montana says Craigslist is useless there and most replies are from scammers.

 

Still, we've worked hard since the first of the year. Some days we've fallen in bed exhaused. Finally, we seemed to get over the hump and it began to look managable.

 

Again, good luck...enjoy the journey.

[sisaac]

Well we are T minus 8 days to close on house. Been along time coming so exciting. We have been living in our motorhome in our driveway. It worked great the house is empty. Started on husbands shop today, the attic was brutal. So much crap. We have rented 2 storage units for now and will reevaluate in a year to poss purge even more. Our house was listed for exactly 1 month and got a contract for just below asking. So much hard work for about 1 1/2 years, but almost over...yippee

[sisaac]

Well we are T minus 8 days to close on house. Been along time coming so exciting. We have been living in our motorhome in our driveway. It worked great the house is empty. Started on husbands shop today, the attic was brutal. So much crap. We have rented 2 storage units for now and will reevaluate in a year to poss purge even more. Our house was listed for exactly 1 month and got a contract for just below asking. So much hard work for about 1 1/2 years, but almost over...yippee

[Medico]

Your fun begins in 9 days. Congrats!!!! As soon as our financing is approved we will be listing our house as well. Hopefully by next week! We are getting very excited!