The Order of Operations

If you remember nothing else, remember the order. Doing things out of order is where value disappears.

1. SECURE — cash, jewelry, coins, firearms, documents, medications. First, before anything.
2. CONFIRM AUTHORITY — who can make decisions. No commitments until it's clear.
3. CLAIM KEEPS — family takes named items, with deadlines, out before the sale.
4. EVALUATE — high-value, low-friction categories get a free expert look.
5. SELL — auction, estate sale, specialty buyers, online.
6. DONATE — usable items, with a receipt. Schedule pickup before clearance.
7. CLEAR — last. Once the truck is loaded, it's gone.

Clearance is Step 7, not Step 1. Not a 'let's clear it and see what we find' step.