I Sold My House (And Everything Else)!

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Michael Tucker

The house pictured above USED to be mine!  Beautiful and unique as it was, I decided to sell it as I prepare for my trip around the world.  As everyone who visited knows, this house was cool–I will miss it!  One of the themes of getting ready for this trip has been giving up something good that I have for something I want more, and this is one more example.

DownstairsLiving Room

If you are going to spend a year traveling, you have to figure out what to do with all of your stuff.  Since I am not sure where I’ll end up after this trip, and because I thought it would be fun, I decided to liquidate just about everything that won’t fit into one carry-on suitcase plus one small backpack!  So in addition to my house, I have been selling and giving away everything I can.  Here is what has become of everything I used to own:

SOLD: Ultra-modern, 2-story, 2-bedroom, East Austin house, furniture, TV, stereo

GIFTED: Pots, pans, dishes, cooking utensils, smoker, barbecue utensils, sports gear

DONATED: Clothes, shoes, bicycle, small appliances, tools

TO BE RETURNED: Honda CR-V (I am leasing my car and have extended the lease so that it ends when my trip begins)

STASHED AT MOM AND DAD’S HOUSE: 3 guitars, 2 diplomas, music collection, suits

Going through everything you own can be an eye-opening experience.  I learned a few useful lessons that I will use next time I have a permanent location:

  1. I wear about 25% of my clothes.  I could be a much better dresser if I spent the same amount of money on one-fourth the number of items I currently have.
  2. Buying nice, new furniture doesn’t make sense for me.  Instead of using it like I want to, I try to keep it nice and new.  Next time I’ll buy used furniture and not have to worry about it.
  3. Even though my house was small, there were rooms I never used.  Yet, I paid for those rooms, paid property taxes on them, bought furniture for them, and used air conditioning on them.  With the money I spent on my guest bedroom, I could have paid for all my guests to stay in the nicest hotel in Austin every time they visited.
  4. Some things are worth the money.  I don’t regret any of my purchases in the fields of grilled and smoked meats or music.

 

About Michael Tucker

Michael Tucker is the author of Tucker Goes Global. In addition to traveling and writing, he enjoys playing the guitar, attending rock concerts, playing soccer, singing karaoke, and going SCUBA diving. Michael has a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Master's Degree in Accounting from the University of Texas, is a Certified Public Accountant, and most recently worked as the Financial Manager for University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, Texas.
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2 Responses to I Sold My House (And Everything Else)!

  1. Roberto Sarmiento says:
    January 8, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Very inspirational Michael…hope I can be so drastic when my time comes. Buen viaje muchacho!

  2. Jane Cassel says:
    January 11, 2013 at 10:11 pm

    Keepin’ it real!!! My philosophy…never buy what you don’t need; if you haven’t worn it, used it (really used it) – time to move it on. stay thirsty my friend.
    Miss you,
    Jane

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