Take my life, please.
It's a reversal of that old Henny Youngman joke, but it's no laughing matter to Ian Usher (left) of Perth, Australia.
We first told you what he was up to last March. And now, he's about to get his payoff.
Usher is the man who broke up with his longtime girlfriend of 12 years and decided he needed a change. He didn't have the cash to make it happen, so he came up with a radical idea - sell his entire life to the highest bidder.
Whoever makes him the best offer gets everything but his name. That includes his $397,000 home, his car, his motorcycle, his big screen TV - complete with video game system, his hot tub and spa, all his outdoor sporting, jet ski and kite surfing equipment, his website and every possession he owns except his bank account. He plans to leave the country and start over while someone else takes on his existence.
"When I say everything is included in the sale I mean EVERYTHING is included!" he writes. "Upon completion and settlement I will walk out of my home for the last time in just the clothes I am wearing, and carrying only my wallet and passport."
And when he says he's selling you his life, he means it. The persuasive Usher has convinced his boss to let the winner take over his job at a carpet outlet with a trial run to make sure the victor can actually perform the necessary duties.
Not only that, you'll also inherit his friends, who have somehow agreed to go along with the crazy scheme. They promise to fill the newcomer in on the highlights of life in Perth and treat you just like their former pal.
"Yes, somehow, Ian's got us to agree to this. But then again, we're quite used to his unusual ideas so, why not this one!" write the BFFs, who included Melanie, Em, Paula, Marty, Baxter (the dog), Andy, Karen, Dazz and "the others."
"We're not about to lose a friend, we're looking forward to making new ones."
The sale will be completed one way or another this Sunday, and the 44-year-old is hoping to finance his new existence with the proceeds. So how much is this eccentric man's life worth? Usher hopes to make up to $500,000, although the winning bid - if there is one - won't be revealed until the weekend.
He admits he's been surprised by how many letters of support he's received since he launched the idea earlier this year. "I was taken aback by how much interest there has been and by the amount of people it has inspired and had an impact on," he concedes as the clock ticks down on his old life.
"I've had emails from people saying they decided it was also time to sell their house and move on after suffering a loss."
He insists it's not a gimmick, that he's made almost nothing from ads on the site and that he still hasn't heard from the woman named Laura who inspired his life altering quest. "This is nothing to do with revenge or making someone feel guilty," he responds. "It's about me doing what is right for me."
Usher vows to keep his promise, provided he gets a minimum bid that satisfies his future needs. "As long as the auction is a success I will leave Perth with my passport and wallet and I'm off," he promises.
But some might argue this auction proves he's already 'off.'
What You'll Get If You Win
LIFESTYLE:
Move to Perth, Western Australia
ASSETS:
House
Car
Motorbike
Jet Ski
Bicycle and more
HOME:
In home Spa
Home Entertainment System
TV, DVD Players, DVDs and CDs
Computer Equipment
Cameras
Sofa and Rug
BBQ,
Hammock and Outdoor Equipment
All the house contents, including bed, furniture and appliances
INTANGIBLES:
His friends
His job
See video of what's being offered here
See the eBay page with the auction here