I just returned from a funeral service for my brother Paul… Before the funeral we spent a couple of days at his house and I found that while Paul kept some records his wife did not have a clue as to what was the value of his toys — specifically his fishing stuff and his guns.
Does your mate know??? Mine does not. I am in the process of preparing an inventory of my toys and their value both new and used. I would hate to think that the wife disposed of some of my better fly rods for yard sale prices or sold some of my weapons for pennies on the dollar.
Panman,
I’m very sorry to hear you lost your brother. My sincerest condolences to all who were in his life.
Regarding the value question, I could never tell my wife the true worth of my toys. Telling her the truth would ,as was mentioned earlier, certainly hasten my own demise. I do however fear that someday, when the time comes, she will sell the stuff for what I told her I paid for it. Maybe when I’m really in bad shape where she’ll pity me and not take vengeance, I’ll tell her the truth and then DUCK just in case.
My sincere condolences to you in the loss of your brother. When I read your post I felt an ache for you and your family. Prayers for you and your brothers family will be shared.
As for the question about the value of toys … I think it’s a great idea to inventory the worth of hunting/fishing gear. My wife knows the values of the gear I have. None of it is really expensive, but all in all it adds up to a pretty good amount.
Panman
I would like to also express my condolensces. The world will always miss an outdoorsman. I couldn’t imagine loosing one of my brothers.
Regarding value of toys, I honestly wouldn’t mind if my stuff was given away or sold at a yard sale as long as it went to someone who would use it with as much respect for it and mother-nature as I have. If it brought someone the joy it brought me thus far in life, I wouldn’t mind seeing it go for cheep. Of course, like others, my stuff will go to my son and he’ll be taught to have that respect (he’s only 6 months old).
I hope that whatever my son and two daughters don’t want (my wife has never been and outdoors woman), will go to a newbie who’s getting excited about the sport. I have a few nice things, but most things are just off-the-shelf everyday tools and materials. Not enough to make a life-changing event out of their sale, even IF there was a buyer for it all.
I watched the Antiques Road Show on PBS last night and at the end of the show they do a quick part where people have a few seconds to say what happened to them at the show. This man and his family get on and the man says it took him 20 yrs to get on the show and his Tiger Skin was only worth a dollar!
When I’m gone my fishing stuff may as well be buried with me. Most people that have valuable stuff, don’t want to sell it and most stuff ends up in a Storage Unit and by the way, they are having a Auction on Saturday!
Doug
Thanks to all of you who expressed your sympathy. Paul will be missed. He was the type of guy who always had a smile on his face and enjoyed living. He was a joy just to be around.
Tim, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.
I agree with you everyone should have a list of their things and the value of them, also a list of what you would want done with them. John
I am sorry for your loss.
I just told the folks in my family what goes to where, including my yugins. That way I hope the dispute as to why, what, and to who goes to who thing could be discussed while I am still here, and that it won’t be a factor after I’m gone. I’v seen to much of that stuff in families, when I think what should be going on is the family coming closer together rather than fussing about stuff.
I pray for you and your family.
Tim,
Please forgive me on my insensitive reply. I am so mad at myself for losing track of WHAT your post said.
I am very sorry about the loss of your brother.
I hope you and your Wife are doing OK.
Sincerely,
Doug
Tim,
My condolences to you as well. The loss of a loved one is difficult, at best. Prayers go out to you & yours.
As far as value, I am BLESSED. My Colleen knows, & always has, the value of my equipment. She also understands & shares my feeling that giving my equipment to family and/or beloved friends sharing my love of fly fishing will make us (or her if I am gone) FAR richer than the sale of same. We intend to recover not ONE PENNY, but instead MUCH JOY in the distribution of my equipment when I am no longer able to enjoy using it.
Mike
Sorry to hear about your brother,I’m sure he will be missed.
Put everything of value down on paper–what you paid for it and what you feel it’s worth today---------
My collection,(hunting fishing woodworking,boat) some going back to the 30’s are itemized on paper for my wife and children showing what I paid and what I feel it is worth today. I was offered $590 at a gun show last week for one item I paid $30 for in the 40’s. If you have grown children or grand kid let them tell you what they would like.
My wife thinks I should have my Edwards Quad bamboo in my casket along with thousands of hook,but I insist they remove them before closing. For those that are hidding the real cost of their equipment ,would you like to know your $300 rod went for $25 at a garage sale? And then there is the garage sale buyer that gets that $25 rod and knows the value and sell it again for $300.
Thanks for the heads up , I had not thought of that aspect of it all. It is so nice of you, that in your time of sorrow you thought of us here.
Thank You.
I will leave a note in my safety deposit box outlining to my wife what the stuff is actually worth. And who in the family I would like to have it. Boy will she get a shock when she learns the true sticker price of some of this stuff. And if I’m lucky enough to be looking down at the time she discovers it I will be sure get a chuckle out of it.
