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Across the Fence:  Our Things are in SC...  |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
 Posted - May 18 2014 : 2:03:07 PM
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As some of you may remember, I've mentioned on here before that DH and I were homeless last year, though we were fortunate to have family and friends who took us in as they were able. Now, we are in Hickory, and have a house of our own (renting). DH has a job now, and we're trying to rebuild our lives (things keep getting in the way).
We have moved at least 6 times in 2013. The smart thing to do in these situations is to carefully go through all the items in one's home, taking only what is needed for survival, any pets, and maybe some family photos. If there's room, a couple of priceless treasures can come along as well. But we were not this smart, as we had planned not to be homeless as long as we were, and didn't wish to waste our money trying to replace the things needed for a house.
Long story short, about 60% of things we own is in storage in Aiken, SC under a friend's care. The storage unit is the friend's, but he and his family would like to move to a smaller unit -- spring cleaning and all that. The most expensive item in the unit is our bed -- a queen-sized memory foam mattress, that DH needs for his back.
DH and I no longer have a vehicle, and we're struggling so much financially, that even a bus trip to Aiken and a UHaul back would be too much. However, we feel it very unseemly of us to leave our stuff for the friend to deal with. There are some items in there (kitchen equipment, my welcome-home sign from deployment, wind-chimes, and the bed) that we really would prefer to see again. The rest, we would either toss, donate, or sell on Craigslist -- Craigslist is really helping us out of late. Surprise mini-pay-days throughout the two-weeks between actual pay days.
I am wondering if anyone here may have an idea that might help us out?
Things we've considered:
1. Let friends sell what will sell, and throw the rest out. They get to keep the money for their trouble. -- This is the easiest solution. But there are things I want to keep and cannot replace. And I really don't want to put my friends to all that trouble. It's embarrassing.
2. Tried finding someone on Craigslist to bring it to us. Most people wanted a lot more than we could pay, the rest didn't have the right sized vehicle.
3. Save money. Travel by Greyhound. Get a UHaul for the trip back. -- We really don't have the money for this.
I'm really kicking myself that we left certain things there that are so special to us...
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
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Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2014 : 12:41:00 PM
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You might try some crowd-sourcing to get funds to go get your stuff with. I have a friend who is doing that very thing now, trying to raise 3K to get the rest of her stuff from storage in one state and have it moved to where she lives now. It has taken a little while and she shares her link every week or so on social media, but she is over half way to her goal. I see nothing wrong with using that as a method to get some help when you need it. It serves a way to get the help you need, it allows others to "pay it forward" and you are receiving some good fortune, which you can, in turn pay it forward when the time is right. I believe that is what I would try anyway. I think the one she has used is called Go fund Me (or something like that). It SUCKS to lose stuff that is dear to you, even if it is "just stuff".
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
www.madameapothecary.com |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13821 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13821 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2014 : 5:05:33 PM
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I know that this is done, but I don't know how you would contact anyone, perhaps your friends would know or could find out, but . .
. . . many times there are truckers who are headed out to a destination for a load, but they are running empty from point "A" to point "B" and many of them are willing and able to haul things for folks, perhaps for a small fee . . or nothing.
I don't know if that's a possibility for you but I hope it might help!
Wishing you the best!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
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Ruby V
True Blue Farmgirl
220 Posts
Ruby
Chilliwack
BC
Canada
220 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2014 : 09:03:31 AM
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If it were me, I'd go ahead and ask my friends for help. That's what friends are for and I don't see why they would mind helping you out, since they're already storing your items.
I'd send them a list of the things I really wanted to keep and ask them to continue holding those items for now. Then I'd tell them to dispose of the rest of the items as they see fit. If they want to sell them and keep the money, great. If they want to just haul them off to the dump, then that's okay too.
I know it's hard sometimes to lean on friends, but I'm sure down the road you'll find a way to repay them for their kindness. Good luck!
Ruby ~ Sister #3597 |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9623 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9623 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2014 : 04:37:36 AM
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I agree with CJ. If you can find someone coming your way from the area your stuff is in. Even someone with an empty trailer. That is what my husband did when we traveled to visit my parents in Florida. If we could find a load to help pay our gas then it worked out well. You are only a state away so it shouldn't be to difficult to find someone going through. Dh uses a trailer for his work and when we had to bring it back empty or go down there empty he would always check Craiglist or somewhere before we would leave.
Denise
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Our Things are in SC... |
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Our Things are in SC...
