If I Sell My Stuff And Get Out of the Hobby, Can I get Back Into it Later?

I am with Tman, IT's JUST a car...it's just stuff, take care of you, if you need anythingm PM me, I just had to do just this 2 years ago and now BAM, I have even more, you will prosper even more, if you take care of your own house first....DAVE RAMSEY ROCKS!

PS send me your address, I'll give you the book, if you promise to read it! free books seldom get read.....

 

Advice for the rest of you, never let the woman take the cars or tools. Ever.

 

Been there, done that. Stuff that didnt matter to me as much I sold. Auto related things that I aquired before I married, like my winfiled carbs, I boxed up and stored away. 10 years later, I began to sell off some trinkets like those carbs to start the finance of my project. I would save a few things. As time moves along, if you need some emergency cash, you can sell off more. When things begin to level off over time, I think you'll be glad you held on to some stuff. With my oldest daughter in college now, I never would have felt I could begin a build if I hadn't stashed some stuff away.

 

Thanks Tman. I've always been around, but two mobilizations and nearly one more (sold a '50 shoebox before it was cancelled) plus four moves and a bunch of jobs, I decided to just wait until I was truly ready to devote time and money to a project.

Did I meet you at the 2005 Lone Star Roundup?

SR

 

They can never take away your tools or your mind...

But if I were you, I'd sell EVERYTHING... buy an old car if that is what you want... and use that as a daily driver AND a way to get away from the shit.

It's all temporary, look up, man.
Sam.

 

Naw, have not made it down there yet

 

sell it all and move on. buying stuff is easy.you can do it any time.

 

Keep the tools and keep the dream car if you can.I haven't gone through the divorce thing myself but I have had friends who did and it seemed that the one thing that got them through it was having a project to work on everyday.Something to take up their time everyday when they came home. Just something that they could build on and see positive steps everyday. Because life is going to be different when you come home from work and it's going to get to you.Your life is going to be(or is already) permanently changed. Your giving up so much already. Do you want to get rid of everything and then come home and have nothing to work on to keep your mind off of your troubles. I think that would be tougher than dealing with the debt. Can you work a second job for a while to get yourself back above water.I'd rather work my ass off doing two jobs for 6 months or a year than give up a dream car that I was thinking about since I was 10 years old.At least it would keep your mind busy and help you get through this. Best of luck to you.Hope everything works out.Just remember, time heals all wounds.

 

Nope can't be done, you're out, you can't ever buy anymore prts. Well maybe 4 Hail Marys' will work and all will be forgiven and you may resume buying parts. LOL.

 

Thats why they're called possessions.......... they possess YOU!

Sell the stuff, keep the tools, put the wind at your back.
Travel, have some freedom, learn something new. Old cars will always be here. Like death and taxes!

 

Guess what? Your, mine, and everybody else's life will never be in order. Do what you wanna do. That's all I got.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

Lots of good advice here. Once you start selling a few things you'll feel better. Life comes first, this is a hobby for most of us. I'd keep a few pieces to keep the flame alive.

I'm going through a similar decision, albeit for different reasons. I've got a '49 Ford coupe and a '50 Ford convertible. I spent years looking for a solid ragtop and spent 2 years getting it on the road. I'm selling the ragtop and some parts to help finance the coupe and pay down some debt. With a young family, the mrs not working much and trying to build a business, I finally came to the conclusion I can't do it all. Projects suck $$ and are a major distraction. Many people think I'm nuts to sell the ragtop since it's paid for, but if you have debt, it's not really free is it? Yeah it may cost more in the future, but so does paying interest to keep it now.

I'm keeping a few key pieces I bought in the hope I can buy another one sometime in the future. I'm just a few years older than you are (37). We've still got time to work things out. If I was selling my dream car at 67 and I was broke, it would be different.

My 0.02: Sell the stuff, regroup and keep a few key pieces to keep the interest alive. It should get better. I actually felt better after I'd sold off some stuff.

 

Man you sound bummed! Since you asked, here's my 2c. Just because everything looks like shit today, does'nt mean it will tomorrow. Then maybe you'll regret selling up. Why not down scale, hold on to something you love. It'll give you identity and purpose until you get back on your feet. The things you leave behind can't always be regained. Don't let "them" take everything, try to hold onto something that makes you happy and you. NE ILIGITIMI CARBARUNDUM.

 

Life has changed, my friend.

I'm rarely home anymore. I get up at 5:00 AM, go to the ex's apartment, help get our 2-year-old twins ready for daycare, and drop 'em off on the way to work. Then I pick 'em up, bring 'em to their mom's, have dinner with them and their Mom, help get 'em ready for bed/bathed, and to sleep. Then I hang out for a while, and get home about 11:00 PM, and do it all over again... except on "My" days, when I have them and she wants us to go away...

So I have kids with me all the time. Granted, they're little now, but they'll be bigger someday, and can help in the garage soon. Maybe I should keep SOMETHING... I certainly don't want them "helping" me with my juke box project...

~Jason

 

Ah, I'd thought about it. But I'm with our 2-year-old twins the majority of the time. I got the house out of this thing, and I also now have an extremely nice job with benefits, paid days off, a decent wage, etc. It's killer.

It would be nice to pack up and move to Hawaii or something, and believe me I had thought about it, but I seem to have it pretty good here. And besides, as much bullshit has gone down, the girls still need to see their momma, ya know?

But yeah, I've decided (from previous posts) that I will keep at least something. Be it a part that I can build a project around, or a car... definitely the tools. My girls are almost three, and can already tell a hammer from a wrench, and can even do the whole alphabet by name and sound, as well as pick them out in books! They actually have a great sense of spatial relations, and how things work, and will be great helpers in the garage someday. I'd hate to not have something to work on with them someday!

~Jason

 

I've got two year old twins too, there's NO WAY I could be away from them. I don't blame you for staying grounded in that situation, and I'm glad you get to stay in their life, it's important for them.

Sounds like you're on the right track. It will get better.

 

Having a clear head has a value. What ever appears to be an anchor to your situation sell it. Do it in stages, Get rid on the biggest drains, storage payments etc. If what you kept is to much go to stage two. You may find that you circumstances may change and you can get rolling again. Hobbies can be good therapy, if you can't keep a car, rebuilt the cars an intake on your table, stop and go as you see fit. You get the therapy and a rebuilt intake]Not sure what your faith walk is like, all I can say it became important to me. I spent the first year actively attempting to disprove that God did not exist. He proved me wrong. He met my where I was, it was a life changing event

 

Life is knocking you hard right now but your attitude and priorities are spot on. Your twins are very lucky to have a father like you, and you are going to get through this with their love.

If keeping your Caddy helps you get through this, hang on to it. Sell whatever else you can to get yourself back on your feet.

Stay in the hobby if you truly enjoy it. Even if you can't devote time and money to a project, go to the swap meets on weekends, hang with the guys when you have time, etc.

Another way is to make your hobby work for you. Keep your eyes open for the deals, trade, buy and sell to keep you in it and make a few tax free bucks on the side.

Hang in there, I think you are going to to just fine!

 

Good to hear that you've picked up a good job, and that you're thinking of your twins.

Whatever you decide to do, go with your gut, and good luck!

 

I may have something cooking with that Cadillac. I mean, if I have newly-single status, I have to have SOMETHING to pick up chicks in, right?

Actually, the only girls I'll be riding around in it will be my kids. There's no more women for me - I'm out. I was actually going to go to the Seminary to become a priest when I found their mom. I'd always had other things than girls to worry about, so I'd actually never gone on a date or anything up to that point. Hell, I was 26 and in college when she found me and "corrupted" me.

She was my one and only, and I still actually wear my ring. I know, it's pitiful, right?

Still, even though I have 50 figurative cents, and can buy any figurative can of soda I want out of that figurative pop machine, even though I may end up with a Pepsi in my hand one day, I'll still be standing there in front of it, staring at the "Out Of Product" light on the Coke button, dying for a can of Coke.

Maybe you guys are right. A running, driving project will likely do wonders for me! It's been a while since I heard that '64 429 open up, subtle, but strong, singing through the glasspacks where the resonators used to be as I pull onto the on-ramp. Before I was married, THAT'S what made me smile the most...

It kills me to see it like this (see pic). It's not too happy about it, either... It's in great shape, and if I sold it I really would be pretty much giving it away. I think I'm coming to my senses...

~Jason

 

Two things come to mind. I could be reading it wrong, but it sounds like you're hanging out with the ex too much.

The other thing is it sounds like working on and driving the car could add some nice balance to your life.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

Did I mention that it was KILLING me?

Man, when stuff sits for too long, you kind of forget how it was. You know, the good stuff, like driving along at night after a voltage regulator blows and getting home with only a flashlight held atop the car out the open window and barely enough juice going through the plugs to fire 'em...

Or clearing out starter gear remnants under the car in like 110 degree heat on hot concrete until your black shirt ends up looking like you dove into the ocean. Or hell, working under it in the summer at night for so long that the oil and PB Blaster that dripped onto the flashlight lens has almost eaten through it... or the "unwise wiring experiments". Um... yeah.

Or giving folks the "motorcycle look" - you know, where you stop at a stoplight and look at the other guy, and he looks at you, and as you lean with your arm out the window just so, project an air of "Yeah... I've got a '60 Cadillac. And it's WAY cooler than your Camaro. Bitch." This is usually done with motorcycles, in the same "my bike is cooler than your bike" vein, but you ALL know what I'm talking about.

Or being too cool for AC or a radio... or a heater. All you need is style and a nice exhaust...

Damn, guys. Until today I hadn't thought of any of that in a long time.

~Jason

 

Don't totally give up on women Jason, there are some good gals out there that would appreciate a guy with your priorities. Just take a "time out" for a while. Read the thread "Wives/GF's...are they supportive of your hobby?" and you'll see that there are some good ones out there but they can be as hard to find as a gennie Deuce 3W. Go your own way, don't look back and she'll regret what she won't have again.

Your Caddy looks like a keeper, its hard to find a good solid, nice one of those these days. Your girls will love it.

 

Um, yeah, and yeah.

I would very much like to collect my testes from her purse. My friend Mike keeps an extra pair in the glove box for such purposes. LOL

While I do miss her, somebody's got to step up to the plate for those kids. Twins are pretty hard on your own. I do it, but I was a stay-at-home dad 'til August. too. Sometimes she needs help. So I'm not really "hanging out" all that much. I mean, sometimes we watch TV for a bit until the girls fall asleep, but if there's vomiting, or sick kids (like of late), it really does take two. At least then it's a fair fight.

Don't get me wrong, I'm upset about her running out on us with her ex-boyfriend 5 months after she was diagnosed with MS, but we're still pretty close. Perhaps that will change. Granted we're not married anymore, but over the past year the whole "While she plays, her kids cry" thing has never really set well with me. But she's slated to marry this guy in October, and I doubt I'll have too much to do with her after that. Somehow, the "hey, can you watch 'em tonight" deals will increase, and the opportunities where I can actually make sure they see their mom will decrease. She loves her kids, but Jeez... even when it's not "my night" it's "my night", you know?

I wouldn't have it any other way... just me and the girls.

And this post got a little too far off topic. Sorry.

Crap, I just wanted a little pat on the back, and for folks to tell me that the hobby would always be waiting for me, and I'm not screwing up selling all my stuff. I went from that to keeping my Cadillac, AND bring back a lot of fond memories of it. Thanks, guys!

~Jason

 

Damn man, it IS solid. And the trunk is FULL of extras, as is part of my mom & dad's house.

And it's waited for me to have a chance to finish. It deserves better than to be a resting place for boxes before I break 'em down to put out on trash day with the recycling. Hey - it pisses me off they're on there, so they get taken out.

As for women, they're pitifully easy to get - I'm not Fonzie, but I know how it works. I just need time. Hell, I need to fix this thing and go on a solitary road trip in it. It's been a while....

I really hope no BS gets in the way. I'll likely post pics as I get it going.

~Jason

 

For what it's worth getting rid of things doesn't mean that you have to give up the hobby. Use your rodder friends for support. I have three great ones that helped me get through my divorce and we spent hours at their shops, in their cars and going to events. They even included my son (9 at that time, now 15) and opened his eyes to pinstriping and cars. Friends can make all the difference if you let them.

 

I have been there my friend. I went from being on top of the world to rock bottom in 10 seconds. I was permanantly paralyzed from the nipples down after being ran over on my motorcycle and then hitting a tree from a courteous drunk driver on the wrong side of the road on a corner. He never stopped. I had some girl-friends following me who saw it happen. I dont remember shit. I know this is kind of off topic, but just because you have to sell your stuff doesnt mean you have to give up your dreams. I have seen rock bottom, 22 years old wearing diapers and shitting myself and having to have help with everything..... I took it VERY hard for about 5 months. One day I woke up and just decided to get over it. Stuff like this will really make you see who your real friends are. As it has ben said about 50 times, sell the common shit, stash your ultra-rare intake, keep the caddy and work on it as allowed. Get the girls involved somehow, even if it is just pretending to drive in it.... It took me 4 years but I have my car on the road now, the first one I have built from top to bottom, and it will be in a magazine this spring. It doesnt fit the bill here, but is still fast and cool. Good friends and a hobby you LOVE will get you through. I would like to add that I am very inmpressed and I commend you for stepping up and taking care of your daughters as you do. They are lucky to have you as a father. I dont think of cars as a hobby, it is my LIFE. It is all I think, read, watch, build, wrench on, sleep, eat and breathe. I wish you the best of luck and hope it all works out..... Get going on that caddy!!! Does it run? It looks like a driver!!!





NEVER GIVE UP........

"LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE, AND LOVE THE LIFE YOU LIVE"

-James

 

Good for you James.



It is a long way down.
And those who have never made that trip,can't possibly understand.

They will never know how lucky they are.

 

It would be a runner, but I got tired of the missing teeth on the flywheel, and the started gears it was eating. I parked it years ago until I had the time and money to finish. The rear end is totally destroyed inside.

Lol... "nipples". Never heard it quite put that way...

~Jason

 

Hey, Ian. You know, you have the nicest Ghia I've ever seen. And you should totally re-post the Magic Crystals paint how-to over here at the HAMB, if you haven't already. Awesome.

~Jason