Stuff

[theworm[$]]

Apparantly, I have quite a bit of it. You don't really notice how much "stuff" you have until you have to pack it. I have too much stuff, but I really like my stuff. I have decorative stuff and sentimental stuff, and cute stuff. I don't want to get rid of my "stuff", but I've packed 19 boxes and feel like I haven't made even a tiny dent in the "stuff" department!!!

How many boxes of stuff is it reasonable to own?

[emeleel]

I don't know. You want to talk about how much stuff gets donated to charity, too? That's more appalling to me - how much stuff I've let accumulate around here!

[conradd]

Far more than 19. Every time I clean closets, I find "stuff" I haven't seen for years, but it's still important stuff.

[phoenixx]

You're asking me, the queen of toss? Let me put it this way, when we moved a lot, before settling here, the rule was that everything we owned had to fit in a 6x12 uHaul and our two vehicles. Period. It's never failed us for controlling clutter. Nothing focuses your attention on what is important versus what is cluttering your life for "sentimental" or "just in case" reasons than giving yourself a space limit. Also, it benefits your friends when it is time to unload furniture, etc in order to move only what you really need. We still have little cleaning sprees every so often where I toss as much as possible.

[theworm[$]]

6 x 12!
Leslie, I like my stuff! I just don't like packing it!

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

Don't ask me, I still have some box stacks in two rooms and we moved here in Jan 2004. But some are Xmas stuff (no place to store them) and some are gram's antiques that we can't display (no shelves up yet).

[thinkerlady[$]]

I am horrible about stuff. I have boxes that we have moved 3 times, and still aren't unpacked. I clearly don't need the stuff, but can't part with it. But I think my son may have pitched most of it over the summer when he cleaned out the basement. Stuff.

[eris esoteric]

19? Then you're almost done. When I moved here, I had 23 boxes of stuff. 20 of them were full of books.

[theworm[$]]

I gave away a ton of books. I packed about 7 boxes of books so far and have about another 7 or 8 boxes of books to go.

I have lots of art and collectables and dishes. That stuff takes so much space. Books just go in boxes - stuff needs wrapping and bubble. Brian thinks we'll have less than 80 boxes. I think we'll have closer to 120. We'll see......... I got most of the stuff in the living room and dining room done. The kitchen will take a zillion boxes. THe office - half a zillion - the bedroom won't be so bad. I haven't thought about the garage. And I have a LOT of yarn!

[hadassahchana[$]]

I was wondering if you could fit all the yarn into Leslie's 6x12 foot U-haul!

[theworm[$]]

Sure, but what would I do with the furniture?

[emeleel]

Don't mention books to me. I keep thinking I'm going to come to the end of the books, and then turn around and, yep, there's another one!

[mtbat]

OMG don't talk about "stuff" and

I spent several hours today cleaning the basement, after the 10th or so spider, the dust and dirt... I'd had enough and I still have so much stuff to do. I'm moving in less than 2 weeks and I've barely scraped the surface. My way of doing thing is-get rid of EVERYTHING that is not necessary. I'm having problems getting rid of books big surprise there.

I cleaned my closets-12 bags of clothes, Bekka's closets about six, we've barely touched Tony's room. and we've done several runs of toys and junk

I don't ever want to move again.

[phoenixx]

Yarn. Hefty bags. Books, weed more. Knick knacks ("collectibles") - how much do you really need to keep? I'm a weeder. All stuff is unnecessary.

[theworm[$]]

I can't get rid of more books. I got rid of tons and the rest are packed. I brought sooooo much clothing to good will. Probabl 20 business suits! Gave away lots of gardening things. Frecycled photo frames and toys. Threw away a lot of "stuff".
My other stuff is my stuff. Necesary, no, but it makes my house my home. I was an art student. I love art and have lots. I have "stuff", but it's pretty stuff and artistic stuff and stuff full of memories so.....I'll keep packing. and packing, and packing.

I may have to move in 2-3 weeks too, we'll figure it out tomorrow, and I still have to find an apt to move to! Eek!

[emeleel]

Just be very, very thankful that the kitties can't whine, "But MOOOOOOOMMMM, that's my favorite milk jug ring in the whole wide world!"

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

emeleel said

Just be very, very thankful that the kitties can't whine, "But MOOOOOOOMMMM, that's my favorite milk jug ring in the whole wide world!"

Mine don't whine, they wait until I'm not looking and fish them back out of the garbage.

[theworm[$]]

Scooter and Tate both whine - quite loudly.

Bogey just gives you the saddest little kitty eyes till you give him what he wants.

[Dory]

When I went through my last move, I had to down size a lot. That was good. I really purged "stuff" that I really don't need and have been dragging from place to place for years now.

Although after this last move, I have also vowed NOT to move again for a long time. You can forget how hellish moving is until you are reminded by two moves in two months.

Just . . . pain.

[amykhar]

Talk about timing. This just floated across my newsreader:

The Simple Dollar » Your Stuff And You: Figuring Out What You Really Value - And Eliminating The Rest

[Dory]

You could also follow the guideline of, "If it smells, get rid of it." That works with clothes, food, pets, boyfriends . . . the list is endless really.

[theworm[$]]

Thanks, Amy!

I have a lot of "stuff" that I don't "need", but I do value it. As an artist, I liek some things for the aesthetic value. It might have no purpose, but it looks good and that makes me feel good. Packing sucks, but when my house is unpacked, I love it. I know I have more stuff than a lot of other people would want, but I don't think my home is cluttered. Everything was purchased of collected with love. Now.... if my next house is smaller, I don't want it cluttered, but as long as I have room, I like enjoying my things.

[theworm[$]]

Dory, every now and then the cats get stinky, but it doesn't last long.