what to do with your stuff ???

[jniolon]

something I've pondered for a long time and staring at my 61 birthday only makes it stick in my mind even more (the glass is below half full). Several years back I wrote an article about my collection of 'stuff' and what to do with it either before or after I'm gone..

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/6/227/article/What_To_Do_With_Your_Stuff.html

I don't have kids that care about tools and my best choice was a nephew/wrench turner but sadly he died last year at 33... so my quandry still looms large..

Some of you guys have multiple times more than I do so I'm sure you've considered the same... the thought of an open garage door and a garage sale sign makes my heart cramp up.

what do you plan of doing with your stuff ???????????

john

 

[dxdexter]

Mine are going to my two boys. They are not that interested in mechanical work, but everyone needs a set of tools and I have enough to make two good sets. I would hope they will appreciate them as I do, and pass them on to their children.

If they sell off some of the larger tools then so be it. It will be theirs to do with what they see fit. I wouldn't worry about it

 

[jay50]

Great article...
With the advancement of technology and society, the basic work skills that are passed on and used by the next generation is less and less. From what I have observed, most kids today don't even care to learn skills or a basic trade; would rather sit on their a$$ all day in front of a computer. They will be forever at the mercy of paying $$ for small tasks they could have easily performed (plumbing, electrical, car maintenance) with some tools and basic skills training. I guess that is why the handyman trade seems to be popular; people no longer have skills their parents once had.

Realistically, I think your article accurately pointed out what will happen to most guys tools after they have departed this earth:

"The outcome was looking dismal and I had a clutching pain in my chest as I envisioned yard sale vultures grinning and slobbering over my "stuff" as they pay my wife pennies on the dollar "

Our local CC was donated a Mac Maximzer tools box packed full of MAC and SO tools a few years ago. Within one semester, most of the tools were stolen....

Enjoy your tools and hobbies for your own satisfaction...

 

[Junkman]

My cars will probably be given to friends that will appreciate them, and I am not certain what will happen with my tools. I have no children, and the few younger relatives that I do have are not inclined to be using them. I have told my wife to give them all to a friend to eBay for her, and split the money. Hopefully, by the time I am deceased, no one other than a museum would be interested in having any of them.

 

[RickP330]

Interesting topic. I just sold my collectable car which I was saving for when I get older (I am now 38) I haven't driven it in several years and when I do drive it I really didn't enjoy it much as I used to. It pained me but I decided to cash it in and bought a super duper daily driver that I use every day. I don't know If I'm made a mistake or not, but my daily commute puts a big smile on my face every day now. I know this car is going to get used up driving the way I do, but what the heck? I say cash in all your stuff and treat yourself to something nice.... What's wrong with that?
RickP

 

[PoorOwner]

depressing thought.. does it matter though? as long as it doesn't create any crimes and conflicts, maybe some of the tools becomes another member's "tool score", or get bought cheap and sold on ebay. When we die, what we pay for these tools and cars are lost, as with everything else.

 

[Chris Adams]

depressing thought.. does it matter though? as long as it doesn't create any crimes and conflicts, maybe some of the tools becomes another member's "tool score", or get bought cheap and sold on ebay. When we die, what we pay for these tools and cars are lost, as with everything else.

Good answer.

When I go, soon I suspect, my wife will keep a rollaway or two (she's tool savy) let my relatives pick over the rest, then hopefully sell the stuff on e-bay.
She's already told me she will sell my truck and most of the cars.
My books go to a broker.
Oh well, when your gone you won't care anyway.

 

[PanelDeland]

I have never seen a hearse with a luggage rack or a U-Haul trailer.I figure my stuff will probably be left in an estate that will not provide enough funds to throw my wake.The QOV doesn't understand the $$ is a vanishing thing and tends to make them "Vanish" as fast as we can earn them.

 

[rsanter]

I am only 42 but I used to worry about the same thing. I have a daughter, a wife that really does not know about tools, a brother that knows less about tools....etc

I have the collection of cars, tools (including large equipment), trains, and more...I love the stuff and do not want to get rid if it, but I have gotten to the point that I refuse to worry about it. you need to think about what you are worried about. are you worried that nobody will love them after you? are you worried that your kids wont ket the dollar value for them when they sell them?
I am sure you would like to give them to a relative that would love them but thats not always the case. dont burden yourself with the problem is my advice.
I do not expect my daughter to keep or love my stuff. when I am dead she can sell them if she wants and I do not care.
EBAY is great. you do not have to know jack about the thing but you can put it up and get often a reasonable amount for it.
I hope to eventually have a son in law and perhaps some grandkids that will want the stuff, but if not then let it go to the next person and dont worry about it.

if its the value of the stuff then you should write a letter that will outline the relative value of the stuff to whoever will have the responsibility of liquidating it.

bob

 

[Junkman]

I have never seen a hearse with a luggage rack or a U-Haul trailer.I figure my stuff will probably be left in an estate that will not provide enough funds to throw my wake.The QOV doesn't understand the $$ is a vanishing thing and tends to make them "Vanish" as fast as we can earn them.

Never say never............

 

[Rickster]

When my oldest got a job and moved into his first place way out in Tucson AZ the company paid to move his belongings. When the movers arrived in Tucson, they had a surprise for him. I sent him my first Craftsman roller box loaded down with tools for home and auto. He was really happy about that! A lot of the tools were from garage and estate sales and some were my displaced ones from my main box by upgrades I'd made.

 

[filthy]

With all honesty, stuff is stuff. I left everything to my wife and child. If they want to sell of give to anybody, i could not care less. As long as i used/profit from/enjoyed the stuff, that is fine with me.

 

[eschoendorff]

With all honesty, stuff is stuff. I left everything to my wife and child. If they want to sell of give to anybody, i could not care less. As long as i used/profit from/enjoyed the stuff, that is fine with me.

Pretty much what he said. i hope my wife sells all my **** and buys herself something pretty....

 

[Crossthread]

Don't know if you belong to any car clubs etc, but you could always request that whoever looks after your stuff, monitor that scene until they find some young guy that's a decent person but kind of down on his luck. Either way, at 61, my hope would be you find some young kid near you someday that asks you how to fix something. Then he'll watch you do it and you'll have someone to pass your skills onto.

The tools may raise some cash on ebay, but your knowledge is what's valuable and will be missed.

 

[jniolon]

The tools may raise some cash on ebay, but your knowledge is what's valuable and will be missed.

Crossthread.... that is the reason for the second article... "what to do with the stuff in your head"

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/6/011/article/Dumping_Memory_What_to_do_with_the_stuff_in_your_head.html

something I'm trying to remedy with my s-i-l and daughter (she's more mechanical than he is ) and soon my grandson... if he takes an interest... the tools, truck and shop all go to him...

all good thoughts... thanks guys..

john

 

[Theo]

I have a few things I collect, a few hobbies I enjoy and a few talents I can exploit. I plan to expose my kids to the things I enjoy in the hopes we can enjoy them together. Maybe they'll learn a thing or two and teach me a few things along the way.

If they don't want to use my tools or drive my old cars I'll sell the cars and pass along the tools as I run out of things to do with them.

It would be really cool if one day my son turned a wrench that was once mine and smiles a little though.