how do you do it?

[Cristy 4]

Casey and I decided it is going to be more financially beneficial if I don't rent a uhaul trailer and just bring what fits in the van. So now I have to chose what is coming and what is not. Some of it can go to my moms, like photos and stuff....but what about the rest?

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGG This is tough

It is going to be so hard being there without any of my stuff!! I figure we can fit about 6 boxes ...that will pretty much be clothes. So I can't bring anything.

I know it makes sense money wise to just buy new stuff but this is tough.

How do those of you who could not bring your stuff deal with it? I am having a little breakdown today.

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Keep the stuff you really can't bear to part with - pack it off to mom's with the pix

What other 'stuff' is it you're having collie-wobbles over?

I've been chucking 'stuff' out for weeks now..Im pretty goood about getting rid of clothes and not so good about getting rid of books (tho Im down from 1000 to 400 )..photos I keep cos they help my memory - cards and letters, I keep only ones of great significance (like my first mother's day card) - I'm keeping my fave perfume, makeup n stuff like that, a couple of cuddly toys just cos I like em, lol...other things..Ive junked.

So tell us what stuff is giving you pause for thought and we can chime in

Edited June 18, 2006 by Jaylen Brit

[gimygirl 0]

can you explain a bit more how it makes sense to buy new stuff versus bringing it over in a rental?? some of us on the board are pretty handy when it comes to getting deals ... can you give us a bit more info without delving too much into your finances??

[Cristy 4]

Ok well a small trailer is $300, we figure it is going to raise the gas by at least $100 bringing it through the mountains.

So if I figure I was going to bring a bed, a dresser and then some boxes it does not make sense to pay $400 to do that. Now I know $400 is not much but this is tapping me out big time , plus we both just had major car/van repairs that he has put on his credit card.

To get a new dresser is cheap and my waterbed I really can do without.

The other stuff.....just like my grill, my pots, a tea pot and cookie jar I got when my grandma died. Some blankets my grandma made for the kids. My pictures I bought in AZ last year....they are 4X3 and so nice.....I should have left them there in hind sight.

I think we can fit all the really important stuff. I talked to my mom and we are going to rent a little storage room at a storage facility and then she can ship stuff down by bus bit by bit. I think that will take the sting out a bit.

I already got rid of all my books, that was hard lol.

And then there is the issue of selling other stuff....I have so much to sell...appliances and furniture etc... And so little time to do it.

It is getting so close that I am freaking a bit. Casey thought it meant I was changing my mind but it is not that at all. It is just really overwhelming getting rid of all you have accumulated in your life and to leave everything and everyone you have known.

I need a drink. lol

[Jaylen Brit 0]

HAve u had a trial pack yet? Cos u may find u can shove (lever, shoe-horn) stuff in a lot tighter than you think now..and some of it can go in the car as well right? Pots n pans..those you can replace if you need to - keep the stuff from grandma and junk the rest (if you really can't fit it in) Blankets from grandma you can use to wrap stuff in to prevent breakages..

If you dont have enough time to sell things then get a friend/your mom to do it for you and send the money on.

Now go have a drink

[iceyspots 0]

I understand, I have an emotional attachment to my belongings too but... I've learned to let go with Ebay lol

[Fandango 1,439]

I understand, I have an emotional attachment to my belongings too but... I've learned to let go with Ebay lol

Icey, did I miss summat? Are you not coming back to the US? I'm confused why you're getting rid of stuff.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

I sold everything, and I mean everything before I left. I sold it all on Craigslist and at work. I posted about 6 boxes, brought 3 suitcases on the plane and that's all I have in the world right now. Double check the bus thing, I don't think they bus it over the border and it ends up on a plane costing you mucho $$.

I haven't opened the boxes so I'm guessing I really didn't need the stuff I thought I did, but it made me feel better knowing it's here. You can replace pretty much anything, cram in the things that are priceless.

[Cristy 4]

I checked the bus and you are right they don't go over the boarder. Fedex is cheapest at $40 for a 30 lb box.

But my mom is coming down to AZ in Feb so she can bring some stuff.

Most of it is totally replaceable but it is mine lol. I guess it is just a weird thing having to move into his house, with his stuff, his money supporting us. I am so used to doing everything alone.

I don't know if we have craigslist here, I should check.

[keltic 1]

having your mom bring what she can when she visits is a great idea... and check the prices of just using the postal service... you can get it insured probably for not much money... it may take a little while for it to all arrive, but if you could get your mom to send little packages at a time, coupled with her bringing stuff on visits, you should be able to have most of the smaller stuff... including grandmas cookie jar

best of luck with it

[Cassie 8]

I was ruthless when I packed up my apartment -- I sold all my furniture except for three special pieces that I wouldn't be able to replace, and a whole bunch of other stuff -- made almost $1000! The rest that I couldn't bring with me right away, we stored in my parent's garage until we could arrange to have it shipped. I have to admit, it didn't feel like "my" house too until I had some of my pictures and thingys about.

Oh, and I also shipped big boxes of stuff through Canada Post -- everything got here in one piece, and not for a ton of money either!

[Reba 2]

You'd be amazed at how much stuff you can cram into a van! Its like playing Tetris, it may take a couple of tries, but you can fit in quite a lot.

And take your teapot, one thing I've learned since moving here is that you can't find a decent teapot anywhere. My Aunt who lives in FLA said the same thing. She had to make a trip back up to Toronto to get herself a new one when her old one broke.

Anything else you absolutely cannot part with have your Mum mail it or bring it with her on trips, and you can also bring stuff back when you go back for visits.

Whatever you can sell, sell it. I had a yard sale before I left to get rid of some odds n sods, made me some pocket money.

Good luck!

[Chuckles 0]

Fortunatly your stuff will not be too terribly far away, and I am sure you will return and have another chance to load the van/car/truck with stuff you missed.

[Kajikit 65]

Make sure you take some of the things that have an emotional attachment for you, like photos or things that beloved relatives gave you etc. It's really hard to cut yourself off entirely from the past. I left a lot of that stuff behind in Australia at my parents house and I still miss it... but the clothes etc were easy to replace. I left a closet of clothes behind and mama said 'you'll have to come back and get them' but now I only remember what one outfit looked like and I've told her to donate all the rest to charity.

[MrsAmera 41]

My husband came here with 2 suitcases. Granted he's young and he's a guy he left a lot of stuff behind and hasn't said a peep about it. Me on the otherhand would have a fit. I packed 3 suitcases to go visit him for 2 months! I think the advice given has been really good. Stuff/cram/shove everything in that you can, and rent little place to hold the rest until you can go back for it. Or you might find that when you don't have it you don't miss it - then give it to mom or have her sell it off....?