Keeping possessions to a minimum

In principle I love the idea. I love travelling light. I love simplifying my daily life during vacations. But in a way that's a luxury I can indulge in for a short period of time because I actually have much more stuff at home.
So once I get bored and need to read something new or do a different activity, at home is where I keep all my possibilities, so to speak. Plus I like being able to repair stuff and make stuff or paint a wall without going out shopping, so we have a lot of DIY stuff at home. I'm not sure I really want to declutter all of that.
How about you? One thing I'm good at, I don't hang on to a lot of stuff for sentimental reasons.

I am the antithesis of a packrat, I end up not buying things or getting rid of things I still need because I don't like clutter. My honey is the opposite of me, so it's a good balance. :D

Sometimes if one has relocated to another city/region or country, that forces one to really think about what's worth accumulating at home.

I have my possessions --clothing, books, furniture and bikes split across 2...provinces (in 2 cities). Yea, there's a block of stuff I only see a lot less annually, than where I am right now. But some of the furniture is being used now daily. It's like this, because where I am, I may not live here for the rest of my life.

But am slowly weeding. I actually have bought a lot less dress/work clothing over the past 5 years. I don't go to art shows to buy "something". I have some problems with the art I create --where shall I store it. I will slowly give away art I've made, to some family members.... but right now, I really like some of my pieces! I have a ton of art supplies which means I don't need to buy for awhile, etc. I'm not worried. I know there are some family members who could use the stuff (and I have given some stuff away.).

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Same. But I do get annoyed when I have to re-buy things I gave away to get ride of the mess (clutter). :D

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I thought I was done riding motorcycles so I sold them off and got rid of all my gear a couple of years ago... last week I was looking at a bike again. :p

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

(oops, I meant, rid, not ride. But then, I do type the word 'ride' a lot. ;)



N + repeat. :D

And I thought I was bad for buying a pilates dvd, deciding I hated it so I sold it on TE, only to re-buy the exact same one later.

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If I lose enough weight before I decide on a new bike I'd need new gear anyway (hows that sound??). ;)

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

You mean moto gear?

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Yup. I got rid of a $1500 BMW riding suit/boots and several helmets. D'oh!

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Not exactly the biker chic look.

How much does a good moto helmet cost?

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$300 - $700 The ones I wear run about $450.

I am right into doing some major decluterring at home (little bit per weekends). Not that I keep a lot (not a fan of knicknats and I like my surfaces to be clear of junk). But still too much in drawers, or not put in the right places. Hubby does tend to keep everything...in case.

Imagine what the workshop can look like. Just this past Sunday, I spent the afternoon just sorting through one shelf (mostly bolts and stuff that were loose and not in their respective containers), empty boxes, etc. I think I would need 2 weeks vacation just to clean/re organize that shop (it's big) to what I would love to see. I have almost 2 weeks off for xmas vacation and I told hubby to get ready to work on cleaning up the shop! No way getting away from it!

Like you LPH, I need to keep stuff as we do our own furniture (woodworking) and I do all my home renos so I need the paint and all stuff related to that. But at some point, paint cans are not really good after a while. So I end up just keeping the lid (for colour code and an idea of colour) in case we need to get a new gallon. We have way too many things we keep for "just in case".

But it is clean-up time one room at a time. Trying to get hubby to imagine if we had to live full time in a motorhome (our future goal) what would he need to get rid up as it has to fit into a tiny living area. That could be very interesting to see. hihi Not getting anywhere so I have to take the bull by the horn and start and then he whines and complains but ends up helping.

I gave or recycled a LOT of books, binders and junk that we were no longer using but was collecting dust. Lots of music CD (we never use CDs anymore and all is downloaded into a hard disk and then into our iphones, tablets, etc.

So part of the basement (that I turned into my gym) is done now that the "office" area is cleared. And I'm sure I'd do this room in 4 weeks and still would find stuff to "eliminate". I wil take pictures of my gym room once it is to my liking. Not there yet! hihi

This weekend is not going to be great outside so I will attack my clothes closet as I have to get my winter stuff out. I'm sure I will have a full gabarga bag of very good shirts, pants, etc. to give to nearby shelter. And that is like this every 6 months (change of season). And those night table we keep stuff for nothing or misplaced.

I am not sentimental or very little on stuff. I keep our wedding videos, and pictures but that is about it.

I have major packrat tendencies. I do go on cleaning purges from time to time, but I wrestle with hating to throw things away if they could still be useful to someone or could be recycled, so I end up with piles of things waiting for me to find time to go to Good Will. On the other hand, I have a small condo apartment with only 3 closets, so periodically I have to just get rid of stuff.

I used to have lots and lots of books, but I got rid of most of them after moving to my current home. I used my kitchen renovation as a chance to get rid of various cooking implements that I never used. After searching in vain for a way to recycle all my old VCR and cassette tapes, I tossed them all in the trash (except for a few party tapes from college, for the souvenir box). I do have a couple of plastic storage bins that I use for sentimental things. I own more clothes than I need because I get bored if I have to wear the same thing too often.

One issue is saving things like empty boxes because I think I might find a use for them. And I do use some of them to keep things organized in closets and cabinets. Also I'm currently renting a storage unit (this is supposed to be temporary while I have work done on my condo, though the work always seems to be delayed for one reason or another, currently delayed while I wait to find out if I am going to be unemployed soon), and I use some of the bigger boxes to move things there.

After I finally get the major work done on the condo -- hopefully this winter -- my next project will be to have my closets redone so that I can make better use of the space. That will push me to do another closet purge.

I love shopping at The Container Store -- they have great things like special boxes for storing photos, which helps me get rid of large storage boxes in favor of smaller ones.

I hate clutter and I am sure my children hate me for being a Nazi about keeping everything picked up and in its place. We just don't let things pile up. We've only had one house out of 5 with a basement, so that helped! However, I have been married for just about 35 years. We have a lot of stuff, just not clutter. DH has tons of tools, little things for household work. But, they key is, it's all organized in appropriate containers. We have a couple of junk drawers in places, but it would take me like 15 miutes to purge them.
I am not sentimental, either, but I have thrown out a few things that I wished I hadn't, and I knew I would regret it as I was throwing them out. These were more memento types of things, not valuables, or junk. Our next move will be downsized. We seriously will need a storage place, as DH has a whole workshop/bikeshop in our utility room/laundry area. This is what's stopping us from buying a townhouse without a basement. We may end up with a small house. Heck, where would we put our bikes and all the gear that goes with them? We also have a lot of kitchen stuff. That will be gone through, but there's not that much that we don't use.
My current house has lots of cabinets and storage closets, as well as our bike shed (really a garden shed) and a storage loft above the garage. We've cleaned out the storage loft, as it mostly had my older son's junk, and when *he* bought a house, we made him rent a truck and come get it! We also got rid of all of old text books from college. I've moved 5 times, including once across the country, and we are extrememly quick at packing/organizing/unpacking. You can't be like that if you have a lot of junk.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Mementos:

Take interesting pictures of these items, make into a scrapbook, even an e-book; donate or sale original items. Presto. Mementos saved. Clutter gone.

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I've actually taken photos of my better art work for my blog and I just post it. A painting has already been gifted. Not sure if sis has seen her gift online...since the whole world can see it online. Another justification for having a blog with some text...interesting/better e-photos to share...and also text to explain the photos. By the way, a blog can be made private and blogger can provide password access to family members. Or the whole blog can be turned into an e-book. (except slideshows don't work well ..yet).

I actually look at my personal blog...similar to looking at a favourite photo album..it is the best of stuff on specific topics and experiences!

I'm kind of like Pax's brother, I guess. We didn't move quite as much as a military family, but often enough, and without the solidarity that comes from knowing other kids in similar circumstances. And with my family situation, the only stability or security I had came from things. Combine that with the influence of my mom, who grew up in even more chaotic circumstances (three continents and two wars before she was 12, fabulous wealth to grinding poverty) and her tendency to conserve lest all the rest is taken away ... let's just say that in a few decades I might be far enough in therapy through the other stuff, to declutter ... :rolleyes:

Interesting to read you all!

And OMG...at dinner at the restaurant tonight, was reading some of your replies. Told Hubby we should go to Home Depot and get some of those perforated panels so I can do some tidying up this weekend while he is working on our snowtires. I figured he'd freak out (as he does when I talk about de-cluttering - as he sees nothing wrong! Deuh!). But not only did he agree to get there, we also bought all the hooks and other things to hang on those. Wow!!! I think he's fed up hearing me talk about it so probably saying: let her do the job then we'll move on to other things. haha

War is not over yet, but I won a huge battle. :D I think I'll take pics just to show him how that workshop was mess before I put my nose into it. hihi

I also like the idea in principle but find it hard in practice. Some of this has to do with the fact that I enjoy lots of activities and each comes with a certain amount of gear (though there is some overlap) so that is one way I end up having what feels like too much stuff. I am also the kind of person who likes to be prepared for a variety of situations, and this can also lead to accumulating stuff that gets used only rarely--it's always a battle between the desire to be prepared for things that come up vs. the desire to keep the amount of stuff under control. Usually every year or two I get sick of clutter and get rid of some things I haven't used in a long time, but it would be nice to not get to that point in the first place!

I'm wrestling with this right now. Some of the stuff I'm trying to sell isn't moving, despite being in perfectly good condition. It seems people would just rather buy new.
On the other hand, I recently bought a carpet shampoo machine because I was tired of lugging home the rentals, finding they weren't completely clean from the last renter, and then having to race to shampoo every rug and carpet in time to get the machine back on time. It was worth it to me to be able to clean when I wanted to and even just do one carpet at a time if need be. And of course, it gets done more often. So, for that reason - and the fact that it was on sale for half price - it was worth buying.
My husband is a bit of a packrat, it's about the only thing we ever have arguments about. I used to be, but my shopping habits were drastically changed when I volunteered for an annual charity rummage sale three or four years in a row. The first year I put on my change apron, walked out into the sale, and looked at tables and tables piled high with donations. The thought that ran through my mind was "Wow, this is how we live in North America. We have so much stuff that we have to give it away to keep from drowning in it." It changed the way I shop. I look at non-essential items and ask myself if I'll use it often enough to justify buying it. Things like seasonal ornaments, I buy at thrift shops and then re-donate. When I see knick-knacks in places like Winners (T.J. Maxx in the 'States) I wonder how long it will be before I see it in a yard sale or thrift store.

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Originally Posted by nuliajuk

I'm wrestling with this right now. Some of the stuff I'm trying to sell isn't moving, despite being in perfectly good condition. It seems people would just rather buy new.
On the other hand, I recently bought a carpet shampoo machine because I was tired of lugging home the rentals, finding they weren't completely clean from the last renter, and then having to race to shampoo every rug and carpet in time to get the machine back on time. It was worth it to me to be able to clean when I wanted to and even just do one carpet at a time if need be. And of course, it gets done more often. So, for that reason - and the fact that it was on sale for half price - it was worth buying.
My husband is a bit of a packrat, it's about the only thing we ever have arguments about. I used to be, but my shopping habits were drastically changed when I volunteered for an annual charity rummage sale three or four years in a row. The first year I put on my change apron, walked out into the sale, and looked at tables and tables piled high with donations. The thought that ran through my mind was "Wow, this is how we live in North America. We have so much stuff that we have to give it away to keep from drowning in it." It changed the way I shop. I look at non-essential items and ask myself if I'll use it often enough to justify buying it. Things like seasonal ornaments, I buy at thrift shops and then re-donate. When I see knick-knacks in places like Winners (T.J. Maxx in the 'States) I wonder how long it will be before I see it in a yard sale or thrift store.

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It can also be hard to donate some stuff, especially furniture. Many charities won't accept it because they will have trouble re-selling it. There is a group down here that takes furniture and household items to give to people who are transitioning from homeless shelters to apartments, but they have very limited storage space so they will only take furniture if they know they have a current use for it.

Or just put it on the curb on large item collection day. Pickers go through the night before, or early in the morning, and take anything usable or restorable, anywhere I've lived.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Or just put it on the curb on large item collection day. Pickers go through the night before, or early in the morning, and take anything usable or restorable, anywhere I've lived.

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Yes we have large trash pickup once a week here, and sometimes people will take the usable stuff before the garbage trucks arrive.

We have an agency that takes donations of all household goods, including furniture. They have a large warehouse in the neighboring town. It's for anyone that can prove need, not just people transitioning from shelters. I've written letters for a couple of clients. Also, I know quite a few people who volunteer there.
Nuliajuk, we have quite a few household items/tools like the rug cleaning machine, because it's easier for DH to do it himself. Personally, I would pay for people to do anything, but, I am totally useless when it comes to mechanical things/fixing stuff/operating machinery. DH even has a tool to help him do the snow tires on his giant SUV, but in the spring I heard him grumbling it might be time to start taking it to the tire place. None of this stuff is in the way, though, and some will go when we move. We sold our tractor mower for a 1.00 to a neighbor who fixed it up, when we moved to this house. It was broken, we hadn't used it for years, as we had gardeners, and this house has no lawn, thankfully.

My partner bought the carpet shampooer cleaner...whereupon he shampooed and cleaned the carpet..um several times. It makes a difference if it's your own and on your own time doing it. Strange as this may seem but we really didn't want to buy any counter kitchen appliances --no toaster, blender, food chopper or pannini grill. Hand blender and stowaway egg/batter beater is all broken down, stowed away. We live in condo for 2 @ 770 sq ft. We do have lockers to store bikes. He has an elaborate happy storage locker for his bikes (we cannot keep bikes up in our suite at all, too dirty and not enough rm.), most of his cycling jackets, trailer, several panniers, just stacks of stuff. He even forgot once he had a brand-new of panniers.

But it's all put to good use --we have basic bike, accessories stored in 3 cities now. I know it sounds crazy but honest we are long enough in a city where there is family, that bike rental would be $100.00+ for several days in total or if we shipped our bikes everytime we visited families that's $50.00 one way per bike (Air Canada). Cities where we each aren't often, we leave behind one of our older bikes /cheaper bikes and allow family members to ride if they want.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with free cycle? I would use something like that to unload items that are good but not needed. But you have to register just to see what it is about. I am so tired of registering for things and then finding out it is not what I expected. I end up convincing my husband to donate usable items to Goodwill or Value Village. I have been saving things for our children if they move out on their own only to find out that either they don't want it or need it! Oh well.

I also struggle with the clutter demon, although I'm pretty strict about keeping things past the point of needing-loving-using them. What I love to do is pass something on to someone who can need-love-use it after I'm done. One tool that helps me is Craig's List, the free section and the curb alert section. If I can't sell something for cheap, I just post it there and boom, it's gone, and often to young folks just starting out. It's a good feeling.