A Retirement Hope Chest - Page 3

dex · ‎03-09-2010

Retirement is three years away and you just can't predict what you will need at that time.I think you should enjoy your new things now and sell or donate the old items.It will be easier to move with less stuff.I think you would be better off if you started downsizing your possessions gradually now so that when the time comes you will be ready to go.

FrostyBabe1 · ‎05-09-2016

I'm lost on the concept of saving new things for later. Why not use them now and get rid of the incomplete silverware and dish sets? Get new towels, sheets, etc, when you know exactly where you'll be living and have a better idea of what you need/want.

When my grandmother passed away, we found all kinds of beautiful things (clothing, linens, housewares) that she'd stowed, all with the tags still on them or still in the boxes. She didn't have any memory problems that would've caused her to misplace things, she was simply saving things for "later". My grandfather jokingly said "I guess she was saving them for her second husband". What a shame that she never got to enjoy them.

~The more someone needs to brag about how wonderful, special, successful, wealthy or important they are, the greater the likelihood that it isn't true. ~

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@FrostyBabe1 - my grandmother was the same way. Her Hope Chest was filled with things she was saving for later that had to be thrown away because they had dry rotted.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Desert Lily wrote:
This past year, I started a "Retirement Hope Chest." I won't qualify for Medicare for another 3 years, but I'm looking ahead after working hard all my life. My plan is to downsize from my house and move to a condo in a different state. Maybe it will lessen the stress and chaos when I finally move and I won't be scrambling. I've been going through everything: bed linens, kitchen towels, bath towels, all of my furniture, mattresses, electonics, flatware, and on and on. I'll probably throw out half of my clothes and replace only some with new later. I'm missing some pieces of silverware, so I bought myself a lovely set. I already purchased a few bath towels, laundered them, and put them in those plastic vac bags. My plain white set of dishes is no longer complete, so I bought a new set and am keeping them in the boxes so I won't have to pack them later when I choose what other dish sets I'll keep. I also bought new baking pans (still in their box) and downsized with a new set of cooking utensils. I've thrown out a lot of stuff and given away some furniture. I bought a new laptop and will likely need a new one before I retire. I'm waiting until the year before I retire to refresh my TV's with technology changing so often. I see it as just one way I can prepare for a new beginning. One of my friends has decided to start her own hope chest.

@Desert Lily

I'm hoping you are SURE that this move to a different state is going to be a positive move and you know that area. Too many retirees sell their long time home and move to an unknown area based what they "think" will make them happy, only to regret the move, but unable to move back to where they were happy.

Like others have said, throw out (or donate) the kwap and start using the new stuff NOW. There'll be plenty of new things to buy in the new home. Leaving new stuff you like in boxes for years just doesn't make any sense to me. Use the new things now.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Makes perfect sense to me. First I'd get rid of the tattered items and then only buy what is needed to replace them.

sandy53 · ‎03-12-2010

I think the hope chest is a great idea. In moderation. Since she knows she is moving, leaving things boxed is a good idea. I certainly wouldn't use them now and have to repack them later. It gives her something tangible to look forward to. Most everyday items will be easy to purchase in her new area when the time comes, but I think special items that she finds now and loves make sense to purchase.

elated · ‎06-09-2010

I think planning ahead makes sense for financial planning. How do you know what is going to happen in the years ahead. Why not enjoy each day of your life and use your new items and donate the other items. I think it would be stressful.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

This sounds like wise planning up to a point. Buying a new car, new TV, computer, etc or even having certain types of surgery while one is still drawing a full working income is logical. But, I would do it within six months of retiring, not now. If you do it now, or even a year from now, it won’t be new at your projected time of retirement.

I really don’t see the point of buying new dishes, silverware, appliances, etc now. Use what you have and buy them up the road apiece, or buy new now and toss the old stuff now.

Once you start preparing for a move, especially if you’ve lived at your present location a long time, you will smack yourself for making double work - getting rid of the old and packing the new both. There’s no real need for that.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Bridgegal · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:

Just keep in mind that youll have to pay movers to move all the things you buy. When I retired, I got rid of my older furniture, big things like a china cabinet and large sofa, heavy bedroom furniture and bought new after I bought a new house and determined what pieces were appropriate. My bill for moving was considerably less than than the estimate, which included the heavy pieces.

This is what are planning on doing. Get rid of large furniture first and replace when we get to the new place, which we are hoping is Santa Fe.

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

@Desert Lily. Don't let anyone talk you out of what you know in your heart is right for you.

If storing things away when you want to open them new in a new place in a new city then by all means do what's in your heart.

I'm also a single parent and working professional. When I packed up and left my hometown people said I was crazy. I didn't shed a tear as the movers drove away.

When people told me I lost my mind, it was like no, I'm actually just finding it.