Date: 5-5-2014

Due Date: 5-5-2015

Resolution: Notice I didn't say all, but I do plan to get rid of most of my worldly possession and start mostly anew. 

My apartment is furnished with mismatched furniture, random dishes, tattered clothing, and ancient bedding. Barely any planning went into the purchase of these items. For the most part, the Feng Shui of my apartment is made up of good enough replacement and cheap enough needs.

I'm getting tired of looking at the hodgepodge of a collection so I'm going to get rid of it.

Here's the game plan.

1. Donate the furniture, kitchenware, and various items that are not worth trying to sell. Which is pretty much everything but my futon, office furniture, and several electronic devices.

2. Sell my futon when I'm close to being able to afford its replacement.

3. Furnish my apartment one piece at a time with an actual game plan.

4. The home office stays as is being that I actually did coordinate this area of my living space.

5. Live happily in my cozy clutter-free apartment.

As always, I will keep you posted.

Result #125: I'm Down To Owning A Desk… A Chair… A Computer… Some Clothes… And Some Small Stuff… But… All Of The Big Stuff Is Officially Gone!!!

Update #1: A Failure With A Silver Lining, A Dollar In Bus Passes… And A Bullet…

Date: 6-17-2014

Three weeks ago I scheduled an appointment with The Salvation Army to pick up my bed, love seat, and old television to start the process of beginning anew.

Granted all this stuff is filthy, old, and unwanted by me, so when the people arrived to pick up these items… the driver informed me that this stuff is filthy, old, and unwanted by most, I wasn't all that offended. I'm just not sure why he had to use an accusatory tone as if I was trying to pull one over on him by donating this stuff for free.

So that left me feeling a little grumpy.

The driver told me to try calling 1-800-GOT-JUNK. I was interested in getting an estimation so I gave it a shot. I called the number, told the customer service representative the situation, and was quoted $140 to $600 the latter if I filled the truck which neither of us thought would be the case. He guessed it would be closer to the $140.

This caught me off guard because I spent the last three weeks thinking this stuff would be gone for free. I told him I couldn't afford this right now but would call back if I decided this was the route I wanted to go.

He would not let me hang up. He kept informing me that I should just continue with the estimation and I kept informing him that I don't have the funds right now but I will call back when I do.

He then tried to be extra clear that it would probably be closer to $140 and managed to offend me by seeming shocked and offended himself by my reiteration that I could not afford that much right now. Almost as if he thought trying to do some haggling of my own.

NO, I'm not haggling. I just want to get off the phone. I called your stupid number because your ad claimed there was a FREE ESTIMATION with NO OBLIGATIONS.

I got the estimation and you lost a customer due to your inpatients. I probably would have called back on payday to move forward in the process, but instead, after having to fight with the guy just to get to the point where it wasn't rude for me to hang up on him, I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my belongings become trash-can sized.

It felt good to let out a little pent up anger from today's dealings with customer service. I also had a sense of adventure having just read about some guys finding a bundle of money in a thrift store couch.

Unfortunately, all I found was an ID wallet filled with a senior citizen’s Reduced Bus Fare Permit, a bus transfer, one dollar in $0.25 bus passes, and a bullet.

Maybe I'll have better luck on the next piece of furniture I disassemble as I get rid of this stuff one piece at a time like Johnny Cash in reverse.

Does anyone need a bed, box springs, frame, or big-screen TV???

Update #2: The Conclusion…

Date: 5-5-2015

My move back to San Diego forced a complete furniture cleanse. Now it is time to start anew. Though my current abode is furnished, I only own the desk and chair, and both were bought with intent and not out of affordable necessity.

I have everything I need to get by for now so rather than fill my room with stuff that I don't want, I can casually refurnish my place with items that I can take pride in. This phase is going to take a while, but I'm fine with that.