Number One Garage Rule

[albaran]

As I am well into my seventh decade of existence on this planet, one of my greatest pleasures is to work on projects in my garage. However, I have seen many situations where car lovers have passed away and left quite a mess for their families. They accumulated a lot of stuff in the hopes of using it some day.

The rule: Don't buy future projects.

If you aren't going to finish it right away, you probably never will. In my old age I want to simplify my life. I don't want a dog, a pool, a second home, or vehicles that don't run or haven't run in years. At this time in my life, going out to work on something in the garage is a great pleasure just like most of you or you wouldn't be on this great website.

 

[budget76]

thanks for this. only in my 3rd decade, but already starting to heed / hear this advice from others. I'm definitely guilty of stalking for that killer deal, or repurposing that thing out on junk day, but sticking it in the corner for the future

perks are when I do get the itch I have something ready to go work on, but the **** sure does accumulate Been working to find that balance of collect vs work on vs playing

 

[Colin Len]

It's funny, I'm not even quite 40 yet and I think about this quite often. I have a tendency to collect/hoard stuff but at the same time am fervent in regard to regularly liquidating things that are taking up space or I've finally decided it's a project I won't tackle.

I saw what a massive chore it was for my grandfather, who passed 4yrs ago, to clear out a lifetime of "stuff" he'd acquired over the years. And I'm not seeing my father in law start to prepare for the same by beginning to clean out his garage.

I for sure know that I do not want to leave that burden for my wife when I go. I'm hoping that being aware while I'm this young will help things not get bad as I age.

 

[engineer2]

The rule: Don't buy future projects.

Excellent advice. I'm finally starting to learn this. I hoarded **** for decades under the guise of it might be useful or collectible someday. With retirement and moving on the horizon, it's going to take a couple of years to de-crapify.

Adding to this:
Don't buy materials now for future home projects. Plans can change.
Ebay has proven that your stuff isn't as rare as you thought.
If you haven't used it in a couple of years sell it or scrap it.
Electronic gadgets are poor investments that become obsolete in a few years.
Technological progress always diminishes or eliminates the physical device or media.

 

[Steveodle]

I agree brother,66 here and selling off my projects. I will keep my twin engine experimental.

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[240sxguy]

It took ALL my willpower to avoid doing that just last week.

 

[ssdave]

....

 

[nmk_61802]

It took ALL my willpower to avoid doing that just last week.

There's always THIS week

 

[rhythim]

Having cleaned out 43 years of accumulation in my dad's shop and attic after he passed in 2016, I gained a whole new respect for the phrase "when in doubt, throw it out."

We literally filled 4 open top dumpsters just getting the pile down to the stuff that we actually WANTED to move, and then after the move wound up getting rid of probably half of that.

It's why I have ONE project in my shop, and built the shop with that one project in mind. Not starting anything else till the '67 Mustang is done, even if that takes the next 10 years.

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[WisJim]

I've been working on downsizing for the last two years in preparation for a move into town and a lot less space. It's been interesting meeting people that I sell or give stuff to. But it takes awhile to sort and clear out over 40 years accumulation when I've had almost unlimited storage space. But it keeps getting easier.

 

[GRivera]

This is a great thread and a good reminder for me - only in my 5th decade...

In the same vein, if something is valuable/collectible make sure you let your family know so it doesn't end up in a yard sale or in a dumpster. I have a couple of items in this category. One is an police call-box from early 1900s for the department I'm employed with. Would hate to have it end up in a yard sale...

 

[CoogarXR]

Plus, car projects are never "done". I have had the same project car for 12 years. I got the drivetrain and body finished 11 years ago. But, because it's old, and I actually DRIVE it, it always needs something fixed, modified or upgraded. If I had a bunch of project cars laying around, I wouldn't have space to keep up on the important cars, lol.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I thought the number one garage rule was; nothing beats free stuff. Just this morning my wife asked if we had any need for dehumidifier free from her aunt, I thought no we don't need one. Then I remembered that I want to build a dehumidification kiln, sold!

 

[klassenl]

I recently went to one customer's place where he told.me.he was going to build another 60x80 pole shed to store all of his stuff so it doesn't get stolen. He was well into his senior years 10 years ago when i started working for him. Never mind the 40x40 garage and the 40x80 Quonset he already has on his yard.

 

[nadogail]

I am working on finishing an old project so that it will be ready for my successor to use the day he receives it.

I am no longer seeking to accumulate "neat stuff" and am actively working on turning over my store of "raw material" that consists of fasteners, steel, and lumber.

 

[tarmy]

I thought the number one rule is no girls...

I am “uncluttering” my areas these days as well...

 

[ezzzzzzz]

Same situation here in my early 60s. One boat, one old camper, one 240Z and several land rovers. I've not bought anything in over a year and have made efforts to clean out a bunch of stuff. The Z will likely go up for auction on BAT along with too many parts to count. I love it but the rovers are my passion now. The reality is I'll never get everything done before I'm dead or broken down. I do not want to leave it for my wife or daughter to deal with either.

 

[Showkey]

Have seen this in friends and relatives.......think and plan........Timing is every thing.

I would add a caution to making hasty decisions on getting rid of stuff like the fishing boat, dog, special car, golf clubs, tools down sizing to an apartment pretty soon your looking at the walls or TV siting on the sofa.

The classic no plan lately is listing the home thinking it will take 6 months to sell..........it sells in two days. You have no plan on where your going to live with closing in 30-45 days.

 

[CoogarXR]

Another option too-

I quit my job about a year and a half ago, thinking I would do a little independent contract work, take some time off, and DO all these projects I have laying around. Then came the covid scare, and I haven't been in a hurry to get back to an office job, but I digress...

I have been selling all my overflow/hoard, fixing things that I bought to fix-and-flip, and selling them, and knocking projects out like crazy. It's been pretty great. Seems like I have been making just enough each month to pay the bills and keep the projects rolling along, that's all I could ask for.

When I run out of **** to sell and the contract work dries up, hopefully covid will be over and I'll just go back to work, lol.

I guess what I am saying is, I didn't consider myself THAT BAD of a hoarder/procrastinator, but I have been living off the proceeds of my junk pile for about a year and a half. Some of you might be able to do that too, lol. Granted, I do have some contractor money coming in, but it might account for like 30% of my income this year.

 

[couch67]

This will go over like a fart in church here, but I extend that rule to tools as well. For a long time I bought tools that were on sale or were a good deal on online classifieds. Might have made sense when I was first building the tool arsenal, but there was a time where I was buying tools for the future that I'd likely rarely or never use. Had to put a stop to it, expensive hobby!

 

[p00p]

why do today for what you can put off for tomorrow... maybe.

 

[steve308]

I turn 70 next September. I to am no longer adding 'projects'. Have begun the process of 'this is the last time' repairs / maintenance on the home. New roof, HVAC, windows doors etc.., Wife is 10 years younger and I don't want her to have to deal with any of this **** if I depart any time soon. Letting my magazine subscriptions run out. Don't need to be tempted to purchase a new faster boat or car. Scaling back on the tool inventory by putting together kits for my son and daughter. I guess I really don't need 5 complete socket sets. I intend to live until I don't! If you haven't put together a will or trust don't put if off. Don't need people picking thru my junk wondering WTF I was saving it for or fighting over what of value I do have.

 

[Lassen Forge]

And have a plan for your stuff. If you have a kid (or kids) who share your interests or hobbies, have it set up so they get your stuff when you change from real to virtual. Do it sooner rather than later. And if you have stuff of theirs make sure they get it back. Don't leave it for your 3rd wife to dispose of it "properly", because to her, once you're gone, "properly" for her may be a series of 40 yard dumpsters. That 84" epiq full of tools your kid lusts after? Yep, just that much space in the ol' dumpster. The 95% basket case car project you wanted for your son? That he wants to have as a memory of you? Yep, I bet a scrapper will give me $20 for this "worthless ****". Those old cars that represent 40 years of your life? Bet I can auction them off quick and put the proceeds towards buying some shoes, and spending the rest on my new boyfriend. Your kids? F*** them.

Once you've seen that from the outside, or worse, experience it firsthand, well...

 

[egnorant]

I have found that since I proclaimed my prohibition on new project (2005), I have been blighted with deals ranging from screaming deals to being paid to take. Free scooters, couple of tire machines, someone else's Mustang project among other stuff.

 

[el monte slim]

"A place for everything, and everything in its place."

 

[SweetD]

This is a great thread and a good reminder for me - only in my 5th decade...

In the same vein, if something is valuable/collectible make sure you let your family know so it doesn't end up in a yard sale or in a dumpster. I have a couple of items in this category. One is an police call-box from early 1900s for the department I'm employed with. Would hate to have it end up in a yard sale...

About to enter my fifth decade. I have told my teenage son many times, "If I happen to go, do NOT let Mom deal with my tools. Contact my friend at work. He knows what they're worth...".

 

[kaymccampbell]

One shop project at a time. Only because I can't stand too many loose threads.
If my family junks everything I've accumulated over the years, who cares? Surely not me. I've had my fun with it.
And, no boys. They're icky.

 

[jmiller_2308]

Only 60 but retired almost 4 years ago. Number 1 rule is always keep things organized and well stored. If I end up gathering stuff that I can't store or that impedes my work space stuff has to go.

I still start projects but try to have only 1 big project going at a time. Being freshly retired also means I'm still adjusting to money changes and that helps me skip past projects that I know will cost more than I want to spend. Also spending more time in the shop has allowed me to cull a bunch of stuff that I really didn't need.

I love having projects to spend my time on and ended up picking up a "worked when stored" motorcycle that hasn't been run for more than a decade as a winter project. Its been great using up some of my stashed parts to work on it but in the end I suspect it will end up costing me almost double what I wanted to. When I do get done with the bike I'll use it as a trainer or just keep it in my stable.

Yes... the poor person that has to deal with my stuff when I leave will have a bunch to deal with but it will all be working useful stuff and not so many parts or potential projects. It won't matter to me if the stuff gets given away or tossed but hopefully tools, bikes, etc. will go on to somebody that can use them.

 

[mmb617]

Not starting anything else till the '67 Mustang is done, even if that takes the next 10 years.

I saw this and had to take a quick trip to off topic land. My son just brought a '67 Mustang project home on Jan 3,2020. While working full time he spent countless hours nights and weekends to go from this:

To this by early October:

He still has a few interior pieces needed to finish but it's licensed and road worthy now.


As for myself at 69 I'm not starting any new major projects in the garage. Keeping up the stuff I already have is enough.

 

[rhythim]

I saw this and had to take a quick trip to off topic land. My son just brought a '67 Mustang project home on Jan 3,2020.





He still has a few interior pieces needed to finish but it's licensed and road worthy now.





As for myself at 69 I'm not starting any new major projects in the garage. Keeping up the stuff I already have is enough.

Nice. Mine's been in the family since 1973, but was a victim of the "I'll get to it next year" disease. I wasn't old enough to remember the last time I rode in it. I'm taking care of that now. Slowly getting the body ready for paint.

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[cdestuck]

I have a good size garage and shop. Not a hoarder but it is filled with all kinds of tools and materials. I’ve instructed the wife, should I croak before her, pull your stuff aside and call the auctioneer. Too easy.

 

[CraigStu]

While I agree in general, and our moves 6 yrs ago and 1.5 yrs ago certainly helped me chuck stuff, I have one kind of opposite rule. Never ever sell any kind of tool.

 

[Brent T]

My rule is don't let the wife use the garage as her extra storage space. I've built 24" deep shelving up high in every walk-in closet in the house. She has filled every inch. Every so often extra boxes start creeping into the garage and we have "the talk". We made this agreement when we built this house 15 years ago. So far it's worked out most of the time.

 

[bwringer]

My Grandpa and my Dad were both hoarders. They lived together for about their last ten years, and died about six months apart.

Dealing with the huge amounts of junk took about four months of hard labor.

My Dad was a genius, but his workspaces, tools, materials, etc. were always a completely disorganized mess, and he had endless struggles actually completing stuff since he never could find everything he needed.

Since I was a teenager, I've always reacted against that bad example. Dealing with two generations of hoarding after he died only reinforced that.

My garage is pretty full with my motorcycles and tools, but things are fairly well organized and I am absolutely ruthless about getting rid of parts, tools, etc. that I don't need right away.

And yep, one project at a time is my ironclad rule, and no project motorcycles come in without a clear path to completion and exit in a reasonable timeframe. And if I need to do something that could disable a motorcycle or car or keep me from moving it, I plan these projects very carefully so I'm not stuck or trapped, and to minimize the time required.

 

[harley jim]

Six decades here and I'm going to be the one that goes against the grain. The reason I built my shop was to fill it with all the things that I love. There are more projects in there than I could ever hope to finish but I pick the one that is important to me at the moment, or a swap meet find part that will finish a project that has been waiting for said part.
My wife is in full agreement with what I do and even helps me when I need an Idea or an extra pair of hands and I have told her that when I'm gone take what she wants to keep and call in an auction company and liquidate everything else.
Until then I keep it contained in the shop and I keep the property clean and manicured so I have the appearance of being a normal member of society. Jim

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[Renegade1LI]

Six decades here and I'm going to be the one that goes against the grain. The reason I built my shop was to fill it with all the things that I love. There are more projects in there than I could ever hope to finish but I pick the one that is important to me at the moment, or a swap meet find part that will finish a project that has been waiting for said part.
My wife is in full agreement with what I do and even helps me when I need an Idea or an extra pair of hands and I have told her that when I'm gone take what she wants to keep and call in an auction company and liquidate everything else.
Until then I keep it contained in the shop and I keep the property clean and manicured so I have the appearance of being a normal member of society. Jim

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I'm with you on this Jim, I've spent a lot of years acquiring things, not junk, at least not to me. I plan on being around a while longer but after that I told the kids there is a list of almost everything with values. Take whatever you want & sell the rest for as much as you can. I do try to label everything & keep it well organized & in good working order. & when I get something new or better I sell off the one it replaces.

 

[woodzy]

I have accumulated a bunch of stuff in my life time - just over 6 decades and about 6 months until retirement. Like most, all my stuff is good stuff - a 30 x 64 two story barn if full of stuff from CNC mill to Boley jeweler lathe. Metal working / wood working / electronic gear. I have enough raw material to build just about anything you need. I have told my wife, when the time comes - give these 6 items (in my will) to my boys and call in an auction company. The lot will be packed with pickups / vans for that auction and a day later she will have an empty building and some money.

 

[niget2002]

I always thought the number 1 rule was "Don't use the grinder without pants on".

One thing I know about having a shop full of projects is, I can go spend an entire day out there and never feel like I got anything accomplished. Then a few weeks later, I can do the same thing, but feel like I got a lot done (especially if I finish off a bunch of the smaller projects). I also always feel like half my time out there I'm cleaning something up. I have 4 trash cans spread out around the shop, but trash never seems to make it to them :/

It's one of the many problems with having too many hobbies. It's too easy to float from one to the next.

It is nice at the end of the day. The wife will ask me what all I did and I'll go through my list.

 

[Professor Fate]

Number one rule: "Don't ask to borrow my tools"

Number two rule: "No dear, you can't put your stuff in my garage"

 

[brownbagg]

graduated high school in 81, bought my first brand new toyota in 85, its still in the driveway with the other 6 toyota. why do I have seven toyota, because they wont die. but in my old age, i need to sell get rid , but they wont die, damn i wish it would die, so I wouldnt feel bad about getting rid of it