How much STUFF do we need?

[Jen12]

Have you all been watching the coverage of Black Friday and the hype for Cyber Monday? People seem to be crazed! How much STUFF do we really need? My condo complex is at war because there is no space in the visitor places because residents park their cars there. Why, you ask, do they do this? They can't fit their cars into the 2-car garages because of all their STUFF! I think it's insane.

Yet, I'm a bit guilty too. I look around at home and I'm starting to get a little bit uncomfortable that every surface seems covered with something - books, souvineer cotchkees from vacation trips -- just--whatever.

Do you feel like you have too much? Or do you need more?

[Biciclista]

too much stuff you've got it. I didn't go shopping this black friday or any of the others actually. I can't remember when i have.

[ladyicon]

Definitely too much stuff. But I could not resist cyber Monday deals. :D

[Owlie]

I do have too much stuff. I'm a packrat, though some of the clutter in this place is due to my being lazy and the necessity of squeezing a two-bedroom apartment worth of furniture and kitchen things into a one-bedroom place. (Some of this stuff is DBF's and it's not my place to get rid of it.)

I did do some shopping today and Black Friday, but it was practical stuff, both for me (I needed some dressier clothing), and to give as gifts. Besides the bike stuff (that doesn't count, right? :D), my biggest problem is yarn. I have an ottoman full of it. I eventually get around to using it, but I usually just pet it and imagine all the awesome things I could make with it...

[Koronin]

I also did some Black Friday shopping. We drove 2 hours to Raleigh to buy cat food. Cats need to eat and the closest place to get their food is in Raleigh. However, we made sure that we would not get to Raleigh until after noon. After that stopped at the mall so I could buy some new undies and bras (yep need to throw out some old ones) and then to Performance where we bought hubby a new cylocross bike. The reason we stopped there was to see what was on clearance, clothes wise, not bikes. So we came home with a new bike. LOL

[indysteel]

I definitely could have less stuff. Before marrying two years ago, I was pretty minimalist. The only thing I truly had a lot of was books and cat toys. My husband came with a lot of stuff. When we first moved in together, I sort of freaked out about it. I just felt like his collections of things were taking over the house. I still feel that way, but I have grown used to it for the most part. But add in daily clutter and I start to feel overwhelmed. Add on some additional joint stuff--like bikes and camping gear--and I know that I am no longer a minimalist. It's on my list of things to work on, hopefully with DH, next year.

[Koronin]

I'm actually working on getting stuff together for a garage sale in the spring.

[Miranda]

http://brooks-palmer.blogspot.com/

This link above is to probably the best book ("Clutter Busting" Brooks Palmer) I've ever read in my life. Because it literally has changed my life.

The link is to the author's blog, showing his already published book, and one to follow in 2012. I just love him lol... a natural response to someone you feel such gratitude towards in being a tool for positive change, I suppose:rolleyes::o.

He defines clutter as "anything that is not serving your life in the present". This goes beyound our physical possessions, but activities, relationships, etc. The nature of our society to aquire more things is also adrressed.

His simple, yet profound, insights are amazing and so helpful.

Just can't say enough good about finding his work.:cool:

Fwiw.:)

[Tri Girl]

We are such over-consumers in our society. It's crazy! I didn't shop on Black Friday- in fact, I did the Buy Nothing Day (http://www.buynothingday.org/buynothing.html)celebration.
I did do some shopping on Saturday morning for Small Business Saturday aimed at getting you to spend your money to support businesses in your community. My business? The local thrift store run by Catholic Charities- so the money goes directly to those in my community. Win-win for all of us. ;)

About every other month I have this guttural desire to purge things. I sometimes give away things I'd wished I'd kept months later, but most of the time I don't mind the de-cluttering and purging.

[jyyanks]

Yes I have way too much stuff and can't seem to resist buying more. What's worse is that I'm spoiling my kids by buying them even more STUFF for Christmas. I remember getting one gift from my parents as a kid (ie cabbage patch doll) plus stocking stuffers from "Santa" (lip gloss, pencils) --- that was it. I keep telling my DH that we have to dial it down but then all the relatives go crazy. One year, I'm ending this cycle, I thought it would be this year and then Black Friday came. Ugh!

[Red Rock]

I guess I'm like everyone else here. To much STUFF. However, I have been moving to a new house. With the move, means going through everything that we own. Our garage is full, but we can still park our two cars in there (and bikes). We have given away a whole lot. As we are unpacking boxes, we are creating other piles of "donation". I'm sure after all this is finished, we could go through again and try to pair things down more.

Part of our collective problem has been we both came from another marriage where spouses died. So logic says to keep things for a bit before seperation. The good thing is that I can do this wiothout having a whole lot of emotional connection to things. However, my histioy is hard to throw away.

Ever since this recession occured, I have been on a spending diet for sure. I could not believe the numbers of people out on Black Friday. That was one day I made sure I had other things to do around the house.

Red Rock

[limewave]

We aren't really a "stuff" family. Yes, we have more things than we "need" but we don't buy things for the sake of buying. I have an incredibly difficult time spending money on things like decorations, household items, accessories, etc. I have ratty old kitchen towels--I can't bring myself to buy new ones, they work fine. Yeah, they're ugly and frayed, but they dry the dishes.

We also clean out the house every 2-3 months and make a donation to Goodwill or the women's shelter.

On Black Friday, I walked passed the last 32" Toshiba LCD flat screen TV for only $130 (a real deal). And part of me really, really wants an iPad. But the last thing I need to do is invest money on something that is going to encourage me to sit even more!

I will buy "stuff" for cycling, running, hiking, snowshoeing, etc. I see it as an investment in my health and that is well worth it to me. I had some extra $ to buy a new dress for the company Christmas party this year (it's a very elegant event) . . . and instead bought a light for my bike :) So I have to wear the same thing as last year . . . oh well!

[Pax]

Not a 'stuff' person at all. I'm actually the polar opposite and would be happy living in an efficiency sized place. My honey, not so much.

This is my dream house (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/fencl/), but I don't think it would hold her clothes and shoes. :rolleyes:

[limewave]

Not a 'stuff' person at all. I'm actually the polar opposite and would be happy living in an efficiency sized place. My honey, not so much.

This is my dream house (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/fencl/), but I don't think it would hold her clothes and shoes. :rolleyes:

I could live there too. I had this wonderful tiny apartment when I was single. The kitchen was actually quite big (comparatively) but the bedroom was so small that the bed went from wall to wall to wall--same thing with the couch in the living room. But the apartment was downtown. I spent most of my time walking around the neighborhood, visiting the library, coffee shops, etc. It was a nice, simple life.

[Pax]

I could live there too. I had this wonderful tiny apartment when I was single. The kitchen was actually quite big (comparatively) but the bedroom was so small that the bed went from wall to wall to wall--same thing with the couch in the living room. But the apartment was downtown. I spent most of my time walking around the neighborhood, visiting the library, coffee shops, etc. It was a nice, simple life.

I lived in a wonderful little efficiency in an old house before moving in with my honey, it had a walk-in closet, the living/sleeping room had a huge bay window, and the kitchen was separated by a four foot wall that I topped with loads of plants. I adored my perfect little space!

[Melalvai]

This article on NPR is relevant to this topic: "Pepper-Spraying the Holidays: Time and the Ethic of Consumption" (http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2011/11/29/142890136/pepper-spraying-the-holidays-time-and-the-ethic-of-consumption)

In addition to addressing how the time & efficiency movement in industry spread to stores and even to our lives at home, he suggests buying half the number of gifts and sending cards to the people not receiving gifts telling them how important they were to you this year.

We only give to immediate family and that wouldn't work for us, but maybe it's a good idea for someone else.

[Blueberry]

Not a 'stuff' person at all. I'm actually the polar opposite and would be happy living in an efficiency sized place. My honey, not so much.

This is my dream house (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/fencl/), but I don't think it would hold her clothes and shoes. :rolleyes:

I'm currently smitten with this one (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/a-harbinger-in-the-heart-of-north-carolina/?awt_l=Mg_Fd&awt_m=JUijO_ch8D8kBy). It looks more liveable than lots of their homes - but it's still small. And it's so cute!!

[Pax]

I'm currently smitten with this one (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/a-harbinger-in-the-heart-of-north-carolina/?awt_l=Mg_Fd&awt_m=JUijO_ch8D8kBy). It looks more liveable than lots of their homes - but it's still small. And it's so cute!!

That is a wonderful space!

[ny biker]

This article on NPR is relevant to this topic: "Pepper-Spraying the Holidays: Time and the Ethic of Consumption" (http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2011/11/29/142890136/pepper-spraying-the-holidays-time-and-the-ethic-of-consumption)

In addition to addressing how the time & efficiency movement in industry spread to stores and even to our lives at home, he suggests buying half the number of gifts and sending cards to the people not receiving gifts telling them how important they were to you this year.

We only give to immediate family and that wouldn't work for us, but maybe it's a good idea for someone else.

If I was one of the people who received a card, I would think that if I was really important to you I would have made the gift list...


I do not have too much stuff. Although some of my stuff needs to be replaced with better stuff.

[SadieKate]

I think George Carlin has the answer. :p

http://youtu.be/MvgN5gCuLac

If you feel the need to give a gift that isn't "stuff," try Kiva or Heifer International.

I was so relieved when our families on both sides decided to stop with the gifts. Nobody needed more stuff and a lot of it was s##t.*

*You have to watch this video to get the "stuff vs s##t" joke.

[amb]

My husband and I are buying a house so we're busy packing up and cleaning out.....so much STUFF! We have already taken several loads to the local thrift store. So much junk we don't need!

[shootingstar]

I am not going to pretend that I would enjoy living in super tiny space. However those little wee houses, Pax, are perfect, when I get old, frail and unable to move alot but would still want my independence.

My partner's mother had a newish tiny apartment of 400 sq. ft. for a few years and meant for the elderly, before she had to transfer to a nursing home. It was nice because it was bright and new.

Here, the only thing extra since photo is a couch and a huge box of more art supplies which I haven't gotten around to buying a piece of furniture to store it. It's a money thing... (Far away in orange dot, was Maidei on the mantlepiece. :))

I don't plan to get a tv. But if I have some artwork that I made, a computer to find info. /create stuff, etc. it's fine. I essentially moved only enough posessions to fill 8 large (4 ft. tall) boxes and 4 suitcase equivalents plus a bike. This would not be unusual for a young student bound for college/university. But I'm over half a century old. :)

75% of my stuff is still in another province. Do I miss it? Well every time I go back, I bring back stuff....usually clothing, books, etc. I have more artwork that I treasure which is somewhere else. Unfortunately I left behind my Christmas tree and all the decorations for now.. So when I go back to rummage for more stuff, I will be discarding some stuff too....alot of paper files, deconstruct photo albums. I had to accept a job and get myself over to another province, within a strict timeline. Relocation did not include employer covering any moving nor flight expenses. I really wanted a job. But yes, it is a job with solid reliable benefits.

[Crankin]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't like "stuff." But, I don't have any clutter or junk. I am not a saver and I've moved a fair amount of times, so I've always thrown out things that aren't used. Do 2 people need a 3,000 sq. foot house? No. But, I love my house, which took 5 years to remodel/make my own and I don't plan to move soon. My stuff is furniture, nice housewares, a lot of which are from my mom, my clothes, and my bikes. I don't have fancy, expensive art work, but some prints that I really like. DH is a gadget freak. He has a lot of tools and electronics, but the upside is that he does most of the fixing himself, because he enjoys it.
We don't have a traditional basement in this house; in fact, my last house was the only house I've had with a basement. We accumulated a lot of stuff in the basement over 9 years and it was a very big clean out job before moving last time. Our lower level here is my family room and guest room, but I have 3 big storage closets. None of them are really filled too much, but we have a storage space above the garage that has all of our kids' old toys, etc. I refuse to throw out some of this. DH still has not forgiven his parents for throwing away some of his childhood things without telling him! Even if I never have grandchildren, I will give them this stuff when I leave this house. I don't want to be blamed for giving away their things.
I like clean, modern lines, and I dislike "collectibles," or other tchochkes. It took me 20 years to buy any new furniture that was not Danish modern, and even that stuff is pretty minimalist. Every time I've gone house hunting, I am amazed at the amount of junk people have in their homes.

[shootingstar]

2 wks. ago there was a United WAy fundraiser where employees donated and sold their artwork.

I had to walk by and buy nothing, no matter how low cost.

And I was ACUTELY reminded of my own artwork that I created, still alot left behind in another province.

[emily_in_nc]

We used to live in a 2000+ square foot house with three car garage and garden shed. We had lots and lots of stuff. Over a few years, we downsized to an apartment and now to the 1BR condo we live in in Belize. We have no car, just bicycles. The condo is still on the large size for the two of us plus our little dog (~980 sq ft). We visited friends here today who live in a much smaller 1BR condo and realized that we could easily live in their space...no problem. The only thing we'd miss is our washer-dryer. We have our own, and they have a shared laundry facility for the eight units in the complex.

We do have a small area of "stuff" stored at my Mom's back in the US, but it's not a lot. I'm very happy that we were able to downsize the way we did. Only a few things have been missed -- mostly recreational gear that we weren't able to keep, like our kayaks, and a couple of extra bikes!

[emily_in_nc]

I'm currently smitten with this one (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/a-harbinger-in-the-heart-of-north-carolina/?awt_l=Mg_Fd&awt_m=JUijO_ch8D8kBy). It looks more liveable than lots of their homes - but it's still small. And it's so cute!!

I love it. I think we could live in it quite nicely.

[Tri Girl]

This is my dream house (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/fencl/)

OH MY GOSH- I have seriously dreamed of living in a place like that- but it will never happen. I love the tiny house movement. My hubs is a semi-hoarder and I could live with everything I own in a box (bikes, excluded). How do we wind up with such polar-opposite partners sometimes?

[bmccasland]

I'm going a year with much of my "stuff" still in packing boxes. Yes, I've survived a year without them. No, I'm not happy about it. I want to be able to unpack my sewing room. I want art on my walls.

The square footage of my rental house isn't bad, but the lay-out sucks. The livingroom is too big and the 2nd bedroom is too tiny. Because of a gas stove in one corner of the livingroom, I'm limited with the layout. So, I wouldn't mind having a house that's less than 1000 sq ft, but the layout of the rooms has to be right.

[Pax]

OH MY GOSH- I have seriously dreamed of living in a place like that- but it will never happen. I love the tiny house movement. My hubs is a semi-hoarder and I could live with everything I own in a box (bikes, excluded). How do we wind up with such polar-opposite partners sometimes?

I've often wondered that. :p

I keep hoping mine will be willing to try long term trips in the motorhome we're planning to buy... and with any luck enjoy it enough to consider making it our only home when we retire. *fingerscrossed*

[Melalvai]

I just read an article about a medical resident who has 89 possessions, and 36 of those he carries with him in a backpack (which is one of the 36). When he started this he had over 700 possessions, and he heard about trying to live with less than 100 things. He didn't think that was feasible for him so he cut back to 500. That was easy so he kept going.

We have 2000 books and 1000 CDs and I don't know how many DVDs. I guess you can cheat a little by getting a kindle or nook, and using an mp3 player. Even with that I'm sure we'd still have well over 1000 things.

Anyway my husband's also a bit of a hoarder. As long as he is that, my stuff is safe. :D

[Jen12]

On Black Friday, I walked passed the last 32" Toshiba LCD flat screen TV for only $130 (a real deal). And part of me really, really wants an iPad. But the last thing I need to do is invest money on something that is going to encourage me to sit even more!



That's a great deal for the TV. I'd love to upgrade mine, but I think they'll get even cheaper after Christmas. I'm not sure I'd really categorize a TV as "more" stuff because you're probably replacing one you already have.

Totally another issue, but I just received a check from my uncle with instructions to buy myself an ipod. He's enthralled with his. I feel guilty because it's incredibly generous on his part, but it seems redundant since I have a laptop already. I don't even have a data plan for my phone. I'm just not convinced I need internet access everyplace I go. AND I really could use the money to pay for several things I need more than I need fancy trendy technology.

[Reesha]

I'm currently smitten with this one (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/a-harbinger-in-the-heart-of-north-carolina/?awt_l=Mg_Fd&awt_m=JUijO_ch8D8kBy). It looks more liveable than lots of their homes - but it's still small. And it's so cute!!

Ohhhh that one is Sooooo nice. I can't wait to downsize. 1000 SF is way too much space for my boyfriend and I. The harbringer looks perfectly awesome!

[grey]

Ohhhh that one is Sooooo nice. I can't wait to downsize. 1000 SF is way too much space for my boyfriend and I. The harbringer looks perfectly awesome!

They did a really nice job decorating it and choosing materials. Most of the time small houses wind up looking cutesy or cabin-esque - but the lavender bath (too fun!) and the bright kitchen is really sweet.

The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the porch. It fell a little flat. Needs rails or steps to change things up a little - but I do love that they had a full table out there instead of just chairs. It says "we like having (and feeding) company" - very welcoming! I actually prefer a larger dining area than living room. I love to set a table, and have a big dinner with friends. It's nice to see others throw out that kind of welcome mat.

We lived in 425sq ft guest house for a few years while working on our house. It was actually pretty nice - 10x10 kitchen, small living room, small bedroom, stackable washer/dryer. It was really quick to clean, and it forced us not to have too much stuff because there was no room for more. So if you wanted something, you had to be willing to get rid of something else. I will say that I think another 50-75 sq ft would have been nice for an office area.

I did a post on small houses a few weeks ago - my favorite was the one on the Oregon coast - check the link in the article. They did TONS of research to make it self-sufficient and off the grid. It was so light and bright, too - and I'm a total sucker for weathered shaker shingle homes. http://www.crisangsteninteriors.com/blog/2011/11/teeny-tiny-living/

Oh and all that lavender growing outside. Can you imagine the smell of the sea heavily filled with that heavenly smell? I have ONE Provence lavender - and I can smell it halfway across my yard when it's in bloom.

[Reesha]

The one on the oregon coast is absolutely amazing. I absolutely love wood tones in homes... there is no limit for me. I think all that time in cabins in Maine and in Lake Placid have left their mark. In that particular house, I also love all the built in shelves. What a fabulous idea! The less useless wallspace, the better. I envision lots of built in sitting area as well.

Check this one out:
http://strataprojects.com/houchenscreek_01.php

[emily_in_nc]

Grey - thanks for sharing that blog entry. Those houses are amazing! The one on the Oregon coast is simply lovely, but I like 'em all. Don't think I could go for the 68-sq ft guest house (other than as a guest!), but I could live in the others. Love the little house trend! :)

[grey]

The one on the oregon coast is absolutely amazing. I absolutely love wood tones in homes... there is no limit for me. I think all that time in cabins in Maine and in Lake Placid have left their mark. In that particular house, I also love all the built in shelves. What a fabulous idea! The less useless wallspace, the better. I envision lots of built in sitting area as well.

Check this one out:
http://strataprojects.com/houchenscreek_01.php

I love it! I think you just handed me another blog post. That place is beautiful! I'll write them and see if I can get more pictures and information.

[pll]

I just saw a video clip from BBC News on tiny houses and remembered this thread. Perhaps the clip might be of interest, so here's the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16348594

I like the concept of the tiny houses, but just don't think I could live in the long run with a loft bedroom. I think I'd go for the tiny condo instead, everything on one level.

[shootingstar]

I would not do great in loft homes since my vague fear of heights would make me wonder if I would fall and trip at night or from the ladder when I am by myself.
For the past 20 years, I've lived in 1 level condos under 770 sq. ft. in different cities.

Perhaps having an extra 100 sq. ft. would give me more comfortable workspace for doing art.

But I did paint, using the dining rm. table for several years. It just means unpacking and repacking art supplies with a drop sheet after a few hrs. of dabbling.

At this time in my life, it is nearly inconceivable t(to me) to have ie. a 1,000 sq. ft. place when we don't have any children at this time with us.