(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“The more stuff you keep, the more it becomes a monkey on your back. The stuff doesn’t go away without your efforts. One day, your heirs will have to clear out what you keep.”
You may be in the process of moving and need to downsize. Maybe you are going through the belongs of a loved one who has passed away. In either case you are faced with the emotional and daunting task of deciding what to keep, sell, donate or trash.
Julie Hall “The Estate Lady” and member of The American Society of Estate Liquidators® has your back and advises what to consider in valuing belongings, how to sell them and tips on hiring professionals to help you in her latest book, What Am I Going To Do With All My STUFF?
Hall reminds us that just because something is “old”, doesn’t mean that it is valuable. The law of supply and demand rules here. Some examples are that many “collectibles” were overproduced. Formal dinnerware and dark furniture is not as popular as it used to be. There are so many factors at play that I can’t mention them all.
She even mentions specific items that you normally wouldn’t think about, like how to neutralize old prescription medicine before discarding them.
Though Hall notes that the target audience of this book are baby boomers, I feel that adults of all ages will benefit. She gives you a plan on how and where to start the process of shedding material possessions. She advises how not to get ripped off by unscrupulous “professionals”. There is so much in this ninety four page book that you’ll want to keep it for reference.
I am writing this review on Black Friday as the media keeps telling us to buy more “stuff”. Instead I’ll remember Julie Hall’s advise,”Give to those who are really in need. That item that you “might need one day” is needed every day by someone else.”
Actually What Am I Going To Do With All My STUFF? will make the prefect gift for the holidays. I think my husband, mom and kids (who are in their 20’s) and many freinds will benefit from this book.
