Reply by Sandra

Hi,
Chiming in with my opinion here… as both a tool junkie and as a wife.
Statistically, the chances are good that I’ll outlive my husband, as he is 8 years older than me. He’s in his 50s, I’m in my early 40s. A health crisis for me this past year and a bit however has forced me to think about this very topic from both perspectives. Hopefully we have many more decades before it’s an issue, but ya never know.

I also go to yard sales occasionally and I can tell you, there are two types of sales
1. The sale where the seller prices according to the value the item holds for them
2. The sale where the seller prices according to what someone might be willing to pay so as to get rid of the item.
When I arrive at a sale, as soon as I realize that it’s #1, I turn around and leave.

Personally, I know that if I’m the surviving spouse I probably wouldn’t make much money on my husband’s ‘stuff’ although it’s worth a lot to him. He has a lot of mountaineering gear, sports equipment, and memorabilia. Too much, if you ask me. (takes up too much room in the garage!) I would contact anyone I know who is involved in those things and ask them to come take what they want. They would value it far more than any stranger would. Then I would likely donate, or have a sale in the #2 category.

Not sure how it works from a male’s perspective, but whenever I buy a new tool, if my husband happens to ask how much it cost, I might, um, ah, mmmm, stretch the truth a bit toward the low end :) I’m sure none of you have EVER done that….... So if he lets my tools go for cheap if he outlives me, I guess I’d be to blame!

-- No, I don't want to buy the pink hammer.