I told my kids that I'm bu**ered if I'm going to do lists in case I croak.. they want to inherit then they can do the work. If it were possible I'd rather spend my time findign out about tall those rcreational drugs and loose women I keep hearing about – though doubtless I'd just embarass myself.

I have been writing 'tales of pgk' for years – just the amusing bits rather than academic or professional cases.

My list of unfinished jobs is growing and i shall only fo what I fancy and worry about the horrible chores if I make it through.

I stopped at the chip shop today – apologised for not being in for months 'cos i was on a diet and health kick – but that seems rather pointless now….

pgk

I could write my life history down on paper and sign it but they might put me in jail

I stopped at the chip shop today – apologised for not being in for months 'cos i was on a diet and health kick – but that seems rather pointless now….

Not pointless at all. That improved diet and health kick, could well stand you in good stead if/when this virus takes hold of you!

Well you can put your head in the sand but like it or not over the next few months there are going to be some widows getting fleeced by house clearers and garage traders claiming there is no market for an immaculate Myford.

For most people, when you lose a partner such material matters suddenly become completely irrelevant. Puts it all in a very real perspective : it's only old junk. Hubby had his fun with it. Its purpose and value are now over. Then there is the painful business of getting rid of it. Quick and easy is best.

Better to spend your time now telling and showing your loved ones how much you love them . Dont take for granted that they know this already or think that it's silly etc . They won't be there forever.

I wouldn't dare tell my insurance company what my shed is worth!

Jim

I now my insurnace co would expect every item over a set value being listed and then give a massive hike on their rates and if disaster strikes they'll revalue everything at lowest secondhand value and give you a proportion. I've just had to accept that some things will be uninsured. My insuranace rates are high enough just with the needs of owing this piece of rural Wales and the liabilities I have to cover for roadside hedges and trees and the fact that the public might take short cuts across it and trip on a molehill or let their kids fiddle with farm machinery….

Nothing unexpected in the responses. but, as a f'instance, Bazyle's concern re 'fleecing' would be avoided by … what? His decision (not to be negotiated?) on the value of his various machines. 'Book value' (no such publication) ? Initial cost minus x years depreciation? Latest 'bidding war' similar item on Ebay? … etc., etc. There are no useful guidelines for 'valuing' our machines – it's 'piece of string' territory, so how does the 'avoid being fleeced' idea work?

rgds

Bill

When we were trying to sort things out after my parents died, one of the hardest things was finding passwords. I would recommend getting a password manager e.g. Bitwarden Set the master password to something that you and your SO will remember and make sure your children know where to find it too.

You can also store secure notes, so lists of where all your money is and useful things like NS&I numbers can be safely stored.

Regarding the workshop, perhaps some notes on how to dispose of it all would be a kindness. We regularly see posts from relatives asking either what is it worth or how do I sell it.

A point just made by my wife. get out all your photo's and write on the back who they are etc.

Grim times, but I wish everyone of you the very best of luck and hope to see you all on the other side.

Adrian

"Write down the values?????"

Lets get real about this.

Who the hell is going to buy it???

The vast majority of those left hardly know how to make toast, few years ago, 17year old grandson rang his Mother to ask "How do I make a bacon sandwich?" I was there when the phonecall came in and yes, did someone get a right b********g !

Regards Ian.

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I have made two young relatives my Executors and willed my model-engineering and caving-related possessions to the relevant clubs, save only any money from models to be for the Estate , as they are potentially more valuable than the tools and machines). I am preparing an instruction-sheet to accompany the Will, with names of societies and other useful details. (I've not mentioned how to move a Harrison L5 lathe and Myford VMC mill through a 2-foot doorway and across a lawn…)

In my own ME society it has become established now that when a member meets his own maker, one or two fellow-members act for the family in disposing of the workshop contents as best they can. Even If not raising a fortune it will still be a lot more than the clearance-firms will offer, and at least the family know the assets are going to people who will appreciate them (often, within the society).

This does not affect only model-engineering either. A number of Mendip Hills-based cavers have organised the Mendip Cave Registry Archive to collate and store for all manner of relevant, original literature (exploration histories, surveys, photos…) that would otherwise have been simply thrown away by uncomprehending relatives or house-clearers.