Getting rid of "stuff"

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by fotze

But does appreciating things (stuff) more, make you happier?

If it makes you enjoy those things more, then I'd argue yes it does.

For example, when I was a teen, I had a Playstation. I worked my butt off to buy games for it. I remember paying $90 for FF7. I used to finish every game I bought, and had a great time doing so. Then along came CD burners, and mod chips, and before I knew it, I was able to get games cheap (albeit illegal, but that's a different story). All of a sudden, I had more games than I had time for, and a barely finished another game. Looking back now, I really think I had more enjoyment with my PS1 before it was modded.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Are you perhaps a middle aged asian?

One of the above

[WhiteTiger]

Having just finished a move, my wife and I went through this. She's much worse than I am about saving 'stuff'. I regularily purge through my stuff, but she likes to keep it, "just in case we need it sometime."

So before we started packing, we went through room by room, and she had to explain why we needed to keep this or that. I've found that helps quite a bit. Ask a friend, offer them some pizza or a beer, and then start going through the stuff. Have your friend ask you if you seriously think you will actually need that 'whatever it is'.

I also like the other folks response of "If you've not seen or used it in a year..."

For clothes...if it fits and you like/wear it, keep it. If not, you will likely buy more before you will fit into those ones that don't fit.

[bizaro86]

Every time you get something new, get rid of something old.

IE One new shirt in = one old shirt out, etc.

It won't fix a too-much-stuff problem, but it'll stop it from getting worse.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Every time you get something new, get rid of something old.

IE One new shirt in = one old shirt out, etc.

It won't fix a too-much-stuff problem, but it'll stop it from getting worse.

Often by preventing you from buying something new.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Every time you get something new, get rid of something old.

That's not going to work for a jersey collection at all...

[simonsays]

Originally Posted by username

...thinset...

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Doesn't cost you anything to store a bag of tiles in your basement. It's $15 more that you'll have in your pocket 4 years later. That's how I see things.

Storing a bag of tiles is a lot different from storing a bag of thinset. When you buy tiles you get a batch made from the same run. You will never find another tile that completely matches that run again. And if you break a tile you'll be happy to have a couple of spares for your handyman to replace the defective ones with. But thinset? Totally different.

My girl and I went through our stuff about 1/2 a year ago and junked/donated a ton of stuff. The only things left in our storage areas have future/emotional value and we still have too much stuff IMO.

[tvp2003]

As a follow-up to the donation aspect -- where's the best place to take stuff? I believe the Salvation Army accepts things like knick-knacks and other things in addition to clothing, and I figure the money raised goes to a worthwhile cause. Any other suggestions?

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

As a follow-up to the donation aspect -- where's the best place to take stuff? I believe the Salvation Army accepts things like knick-knacks and other things in addition to clothing, and I figure the money raised goes to a worthwhile cause. Any other suggestions?

As long as you are onboard with the SA's way of doing things, they always take stuff.

If you are looking to drop off a large collection of odds and ends, any Value Village will take it as well.

If you have clothes that you want to know will be put to good use, the Mustard Seed hasn't turned anyone away.

For womens/childrens clothes, there are a couple of womens shelters around town that would love to have them.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Are you perhaps a middle aged asian?

When Hack actually is middle aged it's going to be scary.

[DownhillGoat]

As suggested in another thread, I took all my stuff to Women in Need. Anything they had enough of or couldn't use went to SA.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by fotze

Sicne we are on the stereotypes, I have noticed chinese are quite hoardy, but the korean people I know seems to be very tidy and minimalist. Like the swedish furniture asians?

You can tell us apart because Chinese keep 900 rolls of toilet paper in the basement.

[Flamesoholic]

Originally Posted by red sky

Try watching an episode of Hoarders and you will be decluttering like no ones business.

Oh man can I ever attest to this. I've been packing up my stuff for a move and a soon to arrive baby and nothing has motivated me faster than watching a couple of these shows.
I'm no where near being a 'hoarder', but I'll admit that I do tend to hold on to sentimental stuff, so watching an episode or 2 of this show sure seems to make it easier to let stuff go.
In fact there was a marathon on a couple of days ago so I recorded a couple to play if I find myself wanting to hold on to stuff again. I'm finding it far more satisfying being able to donate some stuff than it was to keep it for memory's sake.

[Caged Great]

If you have a lot of excess stuff, you could always book a table at Hillhurst flea market on Sundays from 8-3. With the reno I'm currently doing, the tenant left a bunch of stuff that I'm trying to sell there to recoup costs and there's usually a steady stream of people there. Tables are only $25 which is really cheap compared to some others.

[freedogger]

On the other hand, we have a lot of storage shelves in our basement. For the consumables, shaving cream, shampoo, TP, etc we have probably a year's worth. For food with long expiry dates we also have a lot stored up. We made sure it is items that we use though. Good inflation hedge, cuts down on trips to the store and my wife doesn't have to haul a lot of crap inside with two young ones in tow. I don't see this in the same league though.