# How to Approach Concessions Required of Us as We Age **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 4, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878 "2025-05-04T23:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/41 "2025-05-06T17:32:13Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Not because I expected to get any substantial payment for the high-end but dated furnishings, but because the auction house sent _their own crew and trucks_ to take it all away as part of the service. Their free labor made the paltry payoff one of the best deals I’ve ever gotten. We’ve been doing piecemeal downsizing for about ten years. Every month or two months, we get a pick up from a national organization whose trucks/drivers load it all up. This convenience is why we do it. I know the people who pick up from us are associated with a thrift store in the Valley. The way they keep clamoring for us to schedule another pickup indicates to me that they’re happy to get our stuff and can make a profit on it. We have some nice stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/42 "2025-05-06T17:36:10Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > They grew up poor and they just don’t throw things out that might be useful later. My parents grew up during the depression, so, yeah, if it could be used later, they kept it. My father would keep motors from old washing machines and driers - he used them to replace the motor on his table saw; he made his own rock polisher with one. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/43 "2025-05-06T17:39:43Z")
Hey we may be back to that soon! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/44 "2025-05-06T18:46:41Z")
My Dad saved boxes. Just in case it had to be returned under warranty. I emptied at least 20 product boxes from the garage. A box for nearly every small appliance they had bought in the past 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/45 "2025-05-06T18:53:59Z")
How many of those boxes still had corresponding appliances? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/46 "2025-05-06T19:00:59Z")
I remember the TV and Microwave were still being used. Maybe a toaster and croc pot. I didn’t pay much attention. I was focused on clearing out the house. It’s true the box is needed for warranty returns. But my dad didn’t remember to toss the box when the warranty expired. I keep a box for a couple weeks. If the thing works that long, then the box gets trashed. I don’t have room to keep a big TV or microwave box. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/47 "2025-05-06T19:11:36Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I keep a box for a couple weeks. If the thing works that long, then the box gets trashed. The problem is that some boxes, especially Amazon boxes, are REALLY GOOD BOXES. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/48 "2025-05-06T19:23:27Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I think a hard truth for a lot of people is the simple fact that nobody wants your stuff. I know my father was really disappointed by this. After my mother died, he wanted to sell off most of the furniture and stuff from the house so he could downsize. There was absolutely nothing special or valuable there, but he hired someone to do it all (he had trouble finding anyone who would stoop that low) and was really shocked by how little money was generated. When he died (he had lived alone in a regular apartment), we had a lot more success by having a combined garage sale with his former neighbor (I had to cart everything over to her place). She handled the customers for 20% of the take. It wasn’t huge, but better than I expected (this was 16 years ago). ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/49 "2025-05-06T19:23:50Z")
Maybe I can use them later for something? You never know. Someone may be moving? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/50 "2025-05-06T19:25:36Z")
Exactly. The fact that I have at least 20 of them already should not be a factor in my decision. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/51 "2025-05-06T19:49:44Z")
My parents are a decade or two too young for the Depression, but they were poor immigrants so same deal. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > We were taught as kids to treasure random used rubber bands. /\* looks, shifty-eyed, at the drawer that holds the used rubber bands \*/ …I’m feeling really seen right now. Not sure I like this! ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/52 "2025-05-06T19:50:03Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I know my father was really disappointed by this. After my mother died, he wanted to sell off most of the furniture and stuff from the house so he could downsize. There was absolutely nothing special or valuable there, but he hired someone to do it all (he had trouble finding anyone who would stoop that low) and was really shocked by how little money was generated. Once in a while I’ll hit a flea market and find a booth with loads and loads of those Franklin Mint collector plates. Ads for those plates used to air frequently in the 80s and early 90s, and you could get plates with historical figures, Star Trek, Gone with the Wind, John Wayne, etc., etc. I don’t think many of them even sell for the price you would have paid for them new. Even when those ads were airing I couldn’t figure out who their customers were. I read an article a few years back about heirloom fur products and about how younger people don’t want them. Fur coats used to be a desirable status symbol and of a quality you could reliably pass down to the next generation if you took care of it. But it’s been more than fifty years since a fur coat was a desirable status symbol, younger people aren’t going to start wearing them, and they don’t want to have to maintain what is essential dead weight to them. I have a very modest fossil collections I plan on bequeathing to my niece. It’s durable enough that she won’t have to take great care with it and I plan on including instructions that she’s free to dispose of the collection as she sees fit. Most of my household furnishings, clothing, and goods will be donated (if anyone wants it). Hopefully by the time I’m ready to kick the bucket I will have pared down everything to a fairly manageable level. If Mrs. Odesio goes before I do I’ll just rent a dumpster and toss anything I don’t think worth donating. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/53 "2025-05-06T22:58:28Z")
Decluttering one’s house and reducing the amount of stuff in it isn’t something only for those at the tail end of life. I am contemplating a cross-country move and received a of roughly $5,000 from a moving company to pack, ship and unpack my one-bedroom apartment. I looked around at all of the stuff in it, and checked Amazon prices for various things. The Corelle dinnerware could be replaced with brand-new stuff for maybe $60. About $120 for a new set of pots and pans. And so on. I think we could _all_ benefit by having less stuff; both disposing of what we already have and not acquiring too much new stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/54 "2025-05-06T23:12:15Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Franklin Mint collector plates. Ads for those plates used to air frequently in the 80s and early 90s, and you could get plates with historical figures, Star Trek, Gone with the Wind, John Wayne, etc., etc. I don’t think many of them even sell for the price you would have paid for them new. Even when those ads were airing I couldn’t figure out who their customers were. My wife. My mother-in-law. I’m looking right now at a John Wayne collection, and a Shirley Temple collection. I (luckily) was able to convince my wife that if you like the image, buy it. It is not an investment. The secondary market won’t be there. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/55 "2025-05-06T23:21:39Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > We were taught as kids to treasure random used rubber bands. It sounds like no other kids explained to LSL the joy of shooting rubber bands at unsuspecting targets. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/56 "2025-05-06T23:40:00Z")
Pushing 60, and just moved down from 10,000’ to 5400’, but more north (Montana vs CO). We built our new house with aging in place/infirmity in mind–living spaces are all one floor, guest space up half a floor, but we’re 10 miles out of town and get a fair amount of snow. The biggest thing for me is that I’ve always gotten my ya-ya’s out by being an athlete–skiing, MTB, trail running, dirt biking. With arthritis and injuries these avenues are closing, and with anxiety about aging and the state of the US (world) I’m not doing so great. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/57 "2025-05-07T00:30:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The era dying now and the past 20 years are Depression children, many of whom cannot part with a random used rubber band without pangs of regret. > > The next gen just now taking over the bulk of the dying from those earlier folks are us, who are the children of Depression babies. We were taught as kids to treasure random used rubber bands. Some of us still suffer badly from that affliction. > [@raspberry\_hunter](#): > > /\* looks, shifty-eyed, at the drawer that holds the used rubber bands \*/ > > …I’m feeling really seen right now. Not sure I like this! Stares at the little pile of used rubber bands sitting on a laundry shelf. But there was that one time I needed one and couldn’t find one anywhere! Back in '96 I think it was… Yeah, it’s a lingering problem. I’ve gotten wayyyy better than I used to be (as have my surviving parents, to be fair), but I still accumulate clutter that has to be purged once in awhile. My deceased mother though, good Christ. She was outwardly _neat_, but every single closet and drawer was stuffed to the absolute gills with thrift store clothes, tchotchkes and other random junk. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/58 "2025-05-07T01:14:30Z")
Oh thank god, I thought this was discussing _concussions_… ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/59 "2025-05-07T03:07:12Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I think a hard truth for a lot of people is the simple fact that nobody wants your stuff. There might be a few items your kids or other relatives want for sentimental reasons or because they share similar interests or tastes, but for the most part your things are a burden to whoever has to deal with them after you’re gone. This is one of the primary issues for me, in a nutshell. I know few will want my stuff, even though I do have some valuable items. I know I should sell these things and have the benefit of the funds for other concerns, but it’s hard. There’s a lot of sentimentality wrapped up in them and in some cases, a lot of family history. It’s going to take a few sorts through this stuff to develop a workable game plan. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878/60 "2025-05-07T18:31:29Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > The biggest thing for me is that I’ve always gotten my ya-ya’s out by being an athlete–skiing, MTB, trail running, dirt biking. With arthritis and injuries these avenues are closing It is possible to stay athletic without doing activities that are as hard impact. New skills. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-approach-concessions-required-of-us-as-we-age/1017878.md?page=4)