Beware the Dangers of Estate Sales When Decluttering (Your Parent’s Home)

One adage about decluttering is to not shop where you donate. The point is to avoid the temptation to come home with something you didn’t really need. I try my best to heed this advice but sometimes I can’t resist!

About 15 minutes away, we have a very lovely, very expansive, retirement community where several of my friends’ parents have downsizes. They have everything from choir to pickleball and multiple restaurants and probably thousands of one and two-bedroom apartments, some with cute patios and mountain views. Honestly, at moments it seems like a great option for now - I’m tired of cooking dinner!

The best comparison I can make is to think of it as Denver’s version of The Villages in Florida - but I haven't seen flamingos in front of people’s residences - yet. On Tuesdays at 10 am, they host estate sales for residents who recently, err, “moved out.” They raise funds to support a variety of needs in the community, so you feel good about spending money there, if a little awkward about rifling through someone’s recently-used medicine cabinet.

As I am always on the hunt for a good bargain, my friend has turned me onto these sales. Occasionally on a Tuesday when juicy deals are listed in the flyer, we go. For Sale Listings include items like:

* Dishware

* Adjustable height bed

* Walker

* Recliner

* Curtains

* Kitchen Aid Mixer

* Lamps

* Framed Art

* Sewing Machine

As someone who loves to sew but is currently without a working machine,I am on the hunt for an awesome sewing machine deal. One of the European brands like Necchi or Bernina that cost $100s of dollars new but that will last forever.

The last time we went there was a line down the hall of about 30-40 people queued up 30 minutes before the apartment door even opened. You feel the excitement build as the opening bell draws nigh.

It can be a little stressful to find the best loot as fast as you can before the other early shoppers. But I have learned that some of the door rushers are really there to chat and be nosey, not seriously shop, so no need to panic. The wives speed shop going through clothes, hutches, and medicine cabinets, while the husbands take up valuable shopping space talking about bird watching or pickle ball and write the checks. It’s a very orderly and efficient system they have going. Everything is well marked and the check out process is a breeze.

This time I got an amazing full-sized, electronic label maker for $4 and a forehead thermometer for $2! I mean those are deals - who doesn’t need an electronic label maker? And I needed a new thermometer.

If you need healthcare durables, these are a great place to pick some up.

However, when faced with the Viking sewing machine from 1988 for $75, I couldn’t pull the trigger. I know a tune up costs about $200 and what if the tension was too far gone? Maybe next time. I’ll pack my scraps of fabric to test it out on the spot.

I did note the numerous 1980’s and ‘90’s digital cameras on offer for $50 each. My mom loves to tell me how much they could get for their collection of digital cameras on Facebook Marketplace. They are now in great demand by college-aged teenagers and their social media feeds. But seriously, who is going to do the selling of these digital cameras on FBMarketplace is the big question.

My mom has no fewer than 4 sewing machines at home. Some work, some don’t, some might. I should really get one of those on the plane home on my next visit. Or drive out there to grab more china and those crystal glasses I have my eye on!

So I gave up on the sewing machine but, I totally scored the killer jewelry box featured above! I have been wanting something to go in my closet for jewelry I never wear because it’s in a box in a bag in my sock drawer. I imagine it could look super fab painted in a high-gloss bright blue?

When I got home and unloaded the car, I had a minor panic attack. I’m trying to convince my mom to downsize her stuff and here I am adding to mine! Ack! What am I doing? My daughter told me maybe my condition was genetic. I’m pretty sure this is a “nature vs. nurture” debate where nurture comes out on top. I’ll have to work harder to attain the minimal, clutter-free existence I try to espouse.

But that might mean avoiding estate sales, and I am not sure I’m ready for that - yet.

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