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Retiring! Finally! Yippee!
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jonesantiques ( 6768)
Member since: Apr-10-99 07:31:08 PDT
Location: United States
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Retiring at the End of the Year
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May 2007
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retiring, selling everything, antique dealer, 30 years
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23 comments

Retiring at the End of the Year

Posted May-20-07 18:04:42 PDT Updated Aug-04-07 14:46:03 PDT

I am retiring this year!  Well, the beginning of next year.  I will be 59 1/2 in December, and I am selling everything I own.  Yepper, that would be everything - the house, all of it.  I have been an antique dealer for almost 30 years, and boy, do I have stuff.  I am going to buy a 5th wheel RV/toy hauler, a Ford F350 diesel with 4 wheel drive, dualies and a gun rack, and I am heading out.  My miniature dachshund Lola, is going to ride shotgun.   I want to skydive at all the drop zones, cave dive in Mexico, hike the Appalachian trail, and see the country!

The days are creeping by, and yet they are moving at the speed of light.  There is so much to do!  I am working harder than ever right now, doing all the things to my house, so I can put it on the market, listing all my stuff, trying to keep up with work!  I have a TON of books!  I need to find a home for them, too!  I am thrilled, I have found a home for my cat.  She is 13, and a lovely old girl.  She has a great disposition!  She, sadly, gets carsick.  I have been really worried, but I found some nice people who are going to take her!  Yeah!  She will really like it there.  She will be their only pet.

I am working to get my skydive certification, and hope to have that finished before I head out, but I don't think I am going to make it.  I think I need to wait till I am on the road, as I am so BUSY right now!!

Please, please, purty please, buy some of my stuff!  Check back on Thursdays, as I am posting new things on Thursdays.

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Comments
chilidog53
Good luck to you. That sounds GREAT!!
May-20-07 18:06:45 PDT Report this comment
5499marsha
THAT SOUNDS LIKE ALOT OF FUN...BEST WISHES
May-20-07 18:08:17 PDT Report this comment
claire2005freedom
what a life! Good luck and very jealous!
May-20-07 18:10:46 PDT Report this comment
nikki0407
You go!!!!!! Many blessings for all of the funfilled years ahead.
May-20-07 18:13:39 PDT Report this comment
dcluttersales
How exciting - I hope you sell everything quickly - better get listing!!! And have a blast travelling!
May-20-07 18:14:11 PDT Report this comment
pineconestation
Way to go!! That's my dream to do the RV thing all over America!!
May-20-07 18:15:26 PDT Report this comment
treasurehunterduos
can you come by and pick me up...lol. have a super retirement...
May-20-07 18:15:44 PDT Report this comment
postcards2go
Good luck!!

Welcome to the blogs :)
May-20-07 18:16:22 PDT Report this comment
bushellcollectibles
wow, sounds great! best of luck!

wish I could help but I am going in the opposite direction, selling the starter home to buy our home for the next 30+ years so I am on a budget now.
May-20-07 18:20:35 PDT Report this comment
one*more*time*4*u
GREAT!!

You'll love it!
May-20-07 20:39:53 PDT Report this comment
jonesantiques
Thank you so much to all of you with your kind wishes! I cannot wait. I feel like a kid at Christmas. I never could wait for that, either. I always picked open the ends of my packages to sneak a peak. I am currently employed at a Technology Company (yech), so I am working full time as well as doing the Ebay thing. I try to sneak peaks during the day at fifth wheel rv/toy haulers. They have Ebay blocked (the nerve!). Too many people were spending their work hours with Ebay! I want to go high-end on the RV, as its going to be my home. If anyone has any ideas about what a good one would be? I have looked at quite a few. Also, if anyone knows anything about RVing in Mexico, I would like to know that, too. I am going to keep my Ebay business going while I am on the road. I sell primarily antique holiday decorations, which are small. I am planning on taking about 6 months at a time with me. There are some high-end satellites that will keep me connected. I figure I can accept money through just Paypal, and mail as I go!
May-21-07 17:50:46 PDT Report this comment
jonesantiques
Thank you thank you thank you, to everyone who bid! I really really really appreciate it! I know you are going to like your new "stuff"! I have LOTS more, so if you didn't find something the first two rounds, STAY TUNED! Even with all the stuff I have just sold and am selling, you can't tell I have sold anything. My house looks JUST THE SAME! Ok, maybe a little dirtier, since I am doing Ebay and not cleaning. Sure! Blame it on EBAY! That's the ticket! LOL! (I hate cleaning.) I am going to be putting up my collections of tins, bottles and very small jars. More bookends. Oh, and LOTS of cool books. I was an antiquarian book dealer for awhile, and I have lots of signed books to sell. Also, lots of science fiction magazines. I bought an entire collection, and am probably going to sell them as a collection. There must be 600 of them. Anyway, I really appreciate all the kind words, and all the best wishes. Its nice to have so much positive energy flowing my way! Becky
May-29-07 06:00:44 PDT Report this comment
sassylady!
Wish I had your money. I can't even find another job since I lost my in March and my home burned down last year and the insurance company (State Farm) denied our claim. They threw out all we owned and then denied the personal property that they did and so that denied the whole claim. We are trying to sue if we can find the right lawyer to do it. It's been tough and getting tougher. We have no savings or anything. I need to stay away from ebay and the poodles. I really have to. I guess I will try my hand at the flea market first and then do ebay, or vice versa. Good luck and best wishes. I am so glad that someone at your age, which is not much older than I am, can do this.
May-31-07 15:57:13 PDT Report this comment
jonesantiques
Try it! Go to garage sales! Go to Flea Markets! Go Dumpster Diving! There is some great stuff out there that folks don't want. Buy something YOU like, and then list it. You might be surprised! Ebay is lots of fun, and the folks that I have met through Ebay have become good friends. I have made two new ones, recently. One was a gal from Tampa who likes my stuff, and one is another retired gal from California, who invited me by in my RV! I WILL probably show up, LOL!
Jun-12-07 23:42:29 PDT Report this comment
glaia
I read your MySpace words, and what you wrote here, and all I can say is: good for you! I SO admire the way you have gone on despite the horrible tragedy in your family. Congratulations on your strength and on your character. You are the kind of a person who is truly an inspiration to others and you are a terrific example and role model for your grandchildren.
I guess you'll never know the extent of the wisdom and strength you pass on to them, but I believe that they will always look at your life and it will give them so much help in their own lives.
Congratulations and all the best to you!
Jun-17-07 14:26:46 PDT Report this comment
sabablue
You rock, sister! You are my new inspiration! I, too, have come to realize that my stuff owns me and has completely taken over my living space. My husband has known all along, of course, and has been waiting impatiently for me to let go. Like you, I also work in technology and I'm ready to retire. I'm 46 and trying to figure out what else I can do to supplement my current salary, so I can retire at 59-1/2, too. Since I love to travel and buy STUFF, I plan to open an online store within the year, while also selling things on eBay. That way, I can still have the stuff I like around me until it finds a new home.

One of my co-Red Crossers and her husband wrote a book about RV-ing in South America. Harriet & John Halkyard (and their dog, Brindle) would love to hear from you. (Tell her Mary from Red Cross told you about her book) http://www.99daystopanama.com/BookSamples/Sample.pdf. Their contact info is in the book, so drop by a bookstore and check it out. You will adore Harriet - extremely clever and aways entertaining!

Cheers to you and your adventure!
Jun-23-07 14:44:53 PDT Report this comment
nita_v
Hi Rebecca, great story about you in St. Pete Times. I have the same plan you do. Also, I live in your area and it would be fun to get together for coffee or lunch and talk about it. Have you read Sharlene Minshall's books? She's written at least 6 of them about solo RVing. Hope to hear from you soon. Anita
Jun-27-07 06:59:00 PDT Report this comment
jonesantiques
Wow! Thank you all! I would love to meet with you Nita! I will contact you. And Sabablue, I appreciate the tip about the book. I will contact them, and tell them that you said I should contact them. To everyone else, I really appreciate the support. When I first started this, it was just me, in my office, selling my stuff. Now I feel like I have a whole community of people behind me. Thank you again. Becky
Jun-29-07 08:01:51 PDT Report this comment
mtmcnam8
Hello Becky, I think it's courageous and great for you to be free of the 'stuff' you love. At age 52, I'm still gathering 'stuff' for my first-ever owned home. I was at an estate sale today, and (bought) and thought, who's going to do my estate sale (now single, no kids) and really thought about my current 'collections'.
Then said, If I want too... I can do what Becky has done.... or leave it to ......... as I'll be elsewhere ...... in a different/better place.

I do hope to 'win' at least one of your auctions.... I look forward to your new weekly postings. MTM
Aug-03-07 18:32:21 PDT Report this comment
jonesantiques
I really appreciate all the comments from everyone! It is such fun getting to know everyone! MTM, I hope you enjoy your home. I have certainly enjoyed mine - it has been my haven for many years. I have had to work to support myself and my children, but I am moving past that, now. I am healthy, and I want to do so much out there. I tell people that I am not afraid, but I am. I am going to do it anyway! My house is starting to look like someone is moving! It doesn't quite look like a home, anymore! I have to find a home for all my clothes. I was thinking a resale shop? I have lots of really nice clothes, but they are for work, and I am going to be playing! I will keep some, but don't need the designer suit jackets! I have a lot of shoes, too. Its easy, deciding which pairs of shoes to keep - I am getting rid of all the ones that hurt my feet! Purses are hard, too. I have lots of purses! Once they are gone, I will not miss them!
Aug-04-07 14:42:02 PDT Report this comment
scottydoglover123
DEAR NITA,
YOU ROCK GIRL!!!!!!!!!!LOVE YOUR STUFF. HOPE TO FUND YOUR TRIP WITH MANY PURCHASES. IF YOU ARE EVER IN THE SOUTH JERSEY AREA STOP BY. I HAVE 3 WESTIES WHO WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOUR DOG. SORRY ABOUT THE CAT. I HAD 2 I HAD TO GIVE UP WHEN I MET MY HUSBAND AND IT KILLED ME BUT I TOO FOUND GOOD HOMES FOR THEM AND THAT REALLY HELPED. I HAVE 10 MORE YEARS PLUS TILL I RETIRE AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. HAVE A GREAT TIME AND ALWAYS ENJOY YOURSELF. LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO.
LOL,
PATTI REILLY
Aug-12-07 19:32:49 PDT Report this comment
bj_n2or
I would look for a used 5th wheel. Lots of times people get them and do not use them much, or find that they do not like camping; sadly, you may find one that a widow has to sell, and it will help both of you. Check in camping magazines or check with a large camping organization such as Good Sam Club.
Best wishes. I envy you your new journey/next stage in life!
~from another Becky :)
Sep-15-07 16:07:39 PDT Report this comment
gjm11653
I have a hard time understanding why you would want to do this, yet in a certain way I understand entirely. I am nearing 55, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up! I became a widow 7 years ago, and my husband of 31 years chose suicide. I have often wondered what to do with what is time is left, but I just keep right on doing what I have done since I was married at 16, keep house and spend time with my children and grandchild now. I too envy you, as I think it should take a lot of courage to change ones life so drastically. I have felt like running away from time to time, but I am afraid I would only feel guilty later! Good Luck, and Fly High!
Sep-18-07 13:17:32 PDT Report this comment

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