the collecting habit

[theparrots]

does anyone else have the collecting habit and how can you break it, ive been an antique collector for many years the trouble is its got a lot worse since i got myself a debit card it dosent feel like your handing over the cash, my home is full of brasses, bronzes, plate, clocks of which i have so many they are in the way, my latest craze is marble busts, the problem is when i get fed up with a certain line i take them to the charity shop, do you think im just bored ive been retired seven years now live alone and have knowbody to leave everything to.

[TTG]

Try selling them on ebay or local antique shop for the heavier stuff.

Have a nice holiday with the proceeds.

[Jemisa]

If you've got no-one to leave your stuff to you'd better make a will anyway & leave it to a charity.
Who's gonna sort out your affairs when you do depart this world.

I collect glass jugs v/small ones that hold a gil or less. some are antique and very pretty.

jem

[theparrots]

the wills sorted TTG everything goes to macmillan nurses,but im hoping for a few more years yet.

[boxtops]

parrots, yes. I have collected shedloads of stuff over the years, you can barely get in my house for it. Spoons, teatowels, bras, peacock stuff, books - it's hoarding not collecting. I have at last stopped doing it - a) I can't afford to buy anything (and don't kid yourself that the debit card bill isn't cash, it still comes out of the same account!) b) I don't have room c) I don't need it. I'm now selling stuff on eBay with some success to other people who are collecting my stuff! - and making much more sensible use of my money, we have enough to pay the car insurance from recent sales of stuff we don't want any more. Besides, I am learning that you feeling better if your house is clearer - room to think. If they don't sell then you can take them to the charity shop, but at least you've tried to recoup a bit of your money first. PS My sister told me that under no circumstances was I to die first, no way was she clearing out all my stuff, and nobody else in the family would want most of it.

[boxtops]

^^oops, that should be brass not bras (although I've got a few of them as well - and combining interests, I've not long sold a bra made of peacock feathers, LOL!)

[rowanwitch]

better to have a few things you really love that give you pleasure every time you see them...i have a few nice pieces of coloured glass, not especially valuable but lovely when the sunlight shines through them...

[wolf63]

theparrots - my parents were both hoarders. When my mum died all that was thrown out was some of her clothing. When my dad died my brother and I finally had a chance to see what was hidden in cupboards and drawers - it actually resulted in much hysterical laughter. My dad used to tease us about having to clear the house out after he died and it took us months to get to the bottom of it. My mum was a bit like you - she would decide to start collecting something specific and collect like mad for ages and then start collecting something else.

boxtops - I did snigger at you collecting bras. My brother says that I had better not die before him as there is no way that he is clearing my house out. Just wait until he finds out that I have left the house and stuff to the kitties.

[KikiTiger]

Do you have a local auction house? Take a few bits in and see what the auctioneer thinks. Or set up an Ebay account, if you own a digital camera take photos and see what you can make on there. You may as well earn a few quid.

[boxtops]

Eh wolfy, when I finally get round to putting the laundry away, OH and I both have a fine collection of pants, gathered over the years! I used to buy more when I couldn't find clean ones in the pile (althought not these days!). I confess that once with OH No. 1, I couldn't be @rsed to iron his shirts so I went out and bought more...

[kendra20]

I would suggest you get yourself a little job, in a charity shop or something to occupy yourself and meet other people. Cut up all credit cards and throw them in the bin. Im 68 and recovering from breast cancer, and I work in cafe a few afternoons a week. love playing golf and car boots, I have loads of hobbys that cost very little. join an art class they are fun. you wont need to gather things like a squirrel you will be too busy, hope ive been a little help.kendra