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Feb 9, 2025    |      0 comments

Facebook Marketing Place for the Win!

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As I’ve gone room by room clearing things out, making lists of things that need to be done, and packing things up, I’ve been listing anything and everything on Facebook Marketplace that I don’t plan to store or keep with me. As empty as the house already was with the kids all taking furniture and things with them, I still have alot of “stuff.”

In the past, I just packed it up and donated it. And I’m still doing alot of that. But wow, selling things on Facebook is alot easier than expected.

Take a few pictures, shoot a 1 minute or less video, write a description, and name your price and voila, making money!

Here are some of the things I’ve recently listed:

small corner bookshelf washable rug electric standing desk costume jewelry - earrings and necklaces sturdy wood picnic table - painted orange black wicker patio set black and white metal patio set pink leather crossbody bag 2 rustic farmhouse style lamps with 2 USB charging ports each 8MM projector L shaped sectional couch/sofa antique glass front china hutch

To date I have made just over $1,000 and have 10 active listings still.

Tips for Listing on Facebook

I am by no means an expert at listing things on Facebook Marketplace. But here are 5 tips I have learned in the last couple of weeks.

1. Describe the item in detail. Include measurements, condition, damages (show in pics too). I sold two rugs within minutes of listing them, the buyer indicated that seeing that they were “washable” and the measurements made it an easy purchase for her. This will save you a lot of back and forth.

2. Set a price that you are willing to negotiate. I think people see haggling as part of the fun. It’s definitely garage sale pricing, but give yourself some buffer when you list the price. And be willing to walk away if someone low balls you. (I had someone offer me $20 for the desk when they were here picking up the couch. I held out and ended up getting $60.)

3. You don’t have to have it in pristine condition. But be honest. Does it need a good cleaning? Come from a home with lots of dog hair? Been outside for years? You never know what someone is looking for.

4. Check out the buyer profile. I’ve gotten lots and lots of offers from “spam” accounts. It’s taken me a minute to catch on, but I’ve learned to ignore them. And if I am not certain, I just respond with CASH only and the spam accounts tend to remove themselves. Not sure what they are trying to get out of it.

5. Decide if you will hold an item. I have chosen to go with first reasonable offer + first come. People would say I want it, I’m coming or let’s meet, then disappear. Now I say, you message when you are ready to meet and purchase and if it’s still available, it’s yours. I don’t provide address or meet location/time until they have cash in hand and are ready to meet. The no shows are prolific. And this has definitely saved me a bunch of wasted time.

Keep on Selling

I’m down to just a few more inside items now. And just started on outside stuff yesterday. Going room to room has kept it from being an overwhelming project. I’ve got a checklist with due dates for every part of my house.

It helps me keep organized. And keeps the task of purging from being overwhelming.

I’ve not decided what I’ll do with some of the items if they don’t sell. Will I donate? Just take them to the street for someone to pick up? Or hold onto them?

I anticipate all that will be left in the house by the beginning of this next week are the things that will be going into my car when I really leave.

Feb 6, 2025    |       18 comments

Car Camping

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I realize that my choices are not for everyone. People here at BAD hate my kitchen remodel, couldn’t believe that I chose to homeschool my kids, never liked that I chose contract work over a corporate career, and I help my kids too much, etc. I could probably list a dozen other of my decisions that the BAD community has not liked about my choices.

And there are probably 1/2 of those that in hindsight, you were right about. Way too many cars, too much money/efforts spent on kids’ activities, etc. I definitely have made more than my share of screw ups.

But here’s the deal. For the first time in, well, as long as I can remember, I am on the cusp of what I cherish most. Freedom.

What’s in my favor

As I work toward selling my house and moving into my car, these are the things I believe are in my favor:

  1. Almost all if not absolutely all of my debt will be paid off with the sale of my house. *these numbers are dependent on how much my sells for, but I’ve got a plan for this and #2 based on that amount
  2. I will also have some money put away for when I do settle again. *these numbers are dependent on how much my sells for, but I’ve got a plan for this and #1 based on that amount
  3. I can easily live on what I am bringing in now after my debt is paid off, my mortgage is closed, and I no longer have utility bills.
  4. My car is paid off. It’s been well maintained. And there is no reason that I can’t go another 100K miles with just regular maintenance costs. This is wholly economical and gives me what I need to have the freedom to go and see the world, or at least the United States.

What about your family, your future

  1. My kids are all wholly independent and making wise financial choices. (I did something right.)
  2. I can help my mom and dad during her final time her on earth without the constant need to return back to Georgia.
  3. When I do decide to settle again, and I truly don’t have any clue where or when that could be, I will have everything (outside of a bed) to set home back up. I realize many of you think $79 for storage is crazy in this situation. But there are just things that I will not get rid of. And I won’t apologize for that.
  4. I can travel to my hearts content. Something else the BAD community has had issue with. I’ve tried out car camping over the last two years multiple times. I’ve read up on everything. I’ve planned extensively for what I need in my car and what I don’t. Starting when the must haves and a list for “future” should it become a longer term thing.

What’s the plan

Do I plan to see my family and spend time with them in Texas? Yes, absolutely. Especially while my mom is still living, so I can give my siblings and dad a break. They have been her full time care givers for almost 5 years now. (She’s been on hospice for 2 1/2 years now requiring 24 hour, complete care.)

Will I be able to contribute, yes. I will cook and make sure my dad eats real food. I will give my dad much needed breaks from the house. Have I asked and discussed ad nauseum these expectations with my dad, yes.

It won’t be easy. But we’ve already discussed me taking breaks and travelling for weeks or months at a time. My car is set up. I’ll share more on that later.

I will have two dogs with me. This is planned for. And they enjoy life on the road. (We didn’t think Cali would live into this year. But until it’s her time to go, she will stay with me.)

It’s not for everyone. It’s not forever. It’s not chaos. It’s exactly the type of adventure that I have longed for, for years, if not decades now.

Free at last

And I will be debt free. And staying debt free. Isn’t that what you want for me to do? This is the quickest route there.

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