changing up how I do business (not a question)

[keziak]

Various people who follow me here know I've had a very bad "hoarding" habit especially since discovering Facebook Marketplace during Covid. This was bad for two reasons: piling up more unlisted stuff and spending way too much time driving hither and yon to do pick ups. 

Fast forward to today when I have developed arthritis in my hip as well as my knees. That writing on the wall is a neon sign. My current goal is to do serious listing with the outcome of being caught up and developing  a much minor status quo of buying and listing books. Basically what I can get in a week and list while working part-time. Being prepared to dial it back if even this little is too much. 

So far I have cut out MP, local libraries, the used book store and thrifts. I've been listing hard and filling many boxes to shelve. I'm not remotely done but I can start to see the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately I have a lot I would like to sell at auction but those are dead so probably I will be dumping more stuff on charity. I need to empty the storage unit, too, but tackling the house is top priority. The whole thing could possibly take 6 months but I feel like I am finally on a better track.

[keziak]

That was awkwardly said. I do mean that in a given week I might get a box from the used bookstore and maybe a box from the library I volunteer for. That's enough to list in a week. 

Of course I could sell it all off and retire. I like the sales though. 

[keziak]

You are sweet, thank you. I am reasonably optimistic. I just finished all but one box of "single listing" books upstairs. That was a boatload of boxes but now it's done. I have a couple in the family room then two large boxes of Osprey books to go. I will also finish my inventory work in the basement, that kicks out books to list and the rest to donate.

Unfortunately one of my less inspired purchases was professional magic books. In the past they all sold for me but now I have so much. Alas some are highlighted. So that's boxes of books staring me down. That's one of my next projects. I guess if searching proves them hopeless I can either try lotting them up or chalk it up to a failed experiment and donate them. I will have to do the same thing with dishes I bought to resell. I haven't been working on them for a while.

[chapeau-noir]

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@keziak wrote:

I was offered a shot for my hip but said I'd try PT first. It mostly hurts due to getting stiff lying and sitting down but I know perfectly well all the heavy lifting can't be helping.

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Do both. I have problems in both my hips from an old mountainbiking accident that bashed up my hip/pelvis. They get wonky but I can still run, bike ride, etc., I don't have arthritis but I do have bursitis in both that flares periodically and this actually puts me on crutches it get so bad. I get a shot for this and it's like a miracle. 

Once you get the inflammation calmed down with the shot, the PT goes much easier. 

But yeah, keep moving (pace yourself!) and I know this sounds counterintuitive, but your PT will give you strengthening exercises and these will help you more than anything. 

I have a two libraries to clean out (I'm about 20% through) and have a low threshold for donating. Our local library will take two boxes of books from me so I'm packing those up. They have an ongoing sale which is popular (I live in an area of readers). 

So one foot in front of the other!

[pls-consignments]

Sounds like you've thought this through carefully, good for you to reach your conclusion. I'm well into my 60's, and have learned how to view the acquisition of inventory in a far more efficient way. In fact, I have a saying that I've used for decades that has been a beacon of objectivity for my business career.  It's simply this....

"When your outgo is more than your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall'  

[keziak]

thanks, I will think about the shot. The doctor says it's in the bag of tricks but she likes PT first. I went decades ago for my knees but didn't keep up the exercises. Only later I found out that walking, then swimming really helped my knees. NOt so much the hip though. 

The library I volunteer at has Friends who more or less hate donations because they won't mount sales and their ongoing sale isn't very popular. But they are lovely about  me working there and hope we get good donations for me. Often that's the case: affluent area of people who read and take good care of their books.

[keziak]

I violated that for years and my tax return showed it. But I was so concerned about my sources drying up even though I already had so much. I feel good about what I've done so far. Usually August is a good month for books and I am listing a lot in anticipation. Funny how the books don't sell when in stacks of boxes. 

Another of my not-so-great purchases was boxes of vintage noir books. I haven't done anything with them in a while. I need to get back to lotting them up and maybe selling them at auction. I had some success with that when I worked on them a while ago. 

[tsme35]

My hip went bad last year, I couldn't even sit in my computer desk for more then 30 min. without pain.  Worse is I have to go to the VA. They sent me to PT before I even saw a doctor, then got the shot and then saw ortho. Took them 5 times to get the needle in what was left of space in my hip joint but did make it alot better. They won't do the surgery until I lose 45 lbs, tried all last year but finally qualified for Zepbound weight lost shot. Down 6 lbs in the 1st week but now I have to quit smoking, can't even vap.

 But next year will be my end, 20 yrs on here, just working too hard for less money. USPS rate increases and getting even harder to source inventory. Trying to buy off FB, hitting yard sales and Flea markets, people are asking more then they use to, just no profit in it anymore. 

 I'm also dealing with meniere's disease, takes me out for a day or 2 at a time. I can make more on disability then early retirement and I'm not working 7 days a week.  

[gloryglorygifts]

Do you have any metaphysical shops in your area? They may be interested in your magic books. Worth a shot to look into it and it just may empty out more boxes for you. Just a thought. 

[keziak]

I am sorry, that all sounds so grueling. Scouting here is hard, too. I was spending too much time driving around finding few books. 

[keziak]

That's an interesting idea but I don't think we have anything like that. T here is the used bookstore but so much of the material is pamphlets. Probably I should just lot them up in small batches.

[meme6253]

Heavy lifting is only adding to the problem, Try to avoid that!

[keziak]

That's what my goal is, once I get rid of the boxes (my son helps) I hope to majorly cut back on how much inventory I bring into the house.  I feel pressure on myself to seriously get with the program and clean out. My office for example is still stuffed. I have a great many credit points at the used bookstore due to shoveling boxes in there (I'm not spending the credit, it's my piggy bank for the future when I need books).

[gloryglorygifts]

That sounds like a plan. Good luck to you!