Some really good insight here. Thanks! Will ask DW to read through the posts.
Most of the problem is caused by me. I don't consider myself a hoarder, but as a frugal manager... saving things that I could use... saving time and money. We pay full price for almost nothing. Large storage containers for plumbing, bike parts, computer parts, rope and cord, canvas and vinyl covers, Wires of all kinds, small misc. parts, and jars and small cabinets for screws, nails, washers, and a metal cabinet for all chemicals, paints oils etc. A source for myself, but also for neighbors.
The rest of the excess "stuff" is for hobbies, which I continuously alternate.
It's a psychological thing... While I'm aware of it, I don't think it extends to the hoarder stage,,, where the lady sits in the midst of a pile of garbage, and argues the removal of every old magazine. I have room for storage and while most of the items won't get used, when the time comes that they're needed, the price is "free". The garage, storage sheds and closets are neat and organized, and the house is not cluttered at all. There's just a lot of it.
So... the value is there. We still go to our "stuff" when we need something. The challenge really comes up when it's time to move. At that point, the value is essentially zero, and when it comes time to move we expect to have a net cost to declutter. I think of it as an athlete... hanging up the spikes for the last time.
The big decision will be WHEN... As I read through the suggestions I'm more and more inclined to go through the three days and gone route... finished off with the Waste Management Containers. If it costs $10K or more... cheap at half the price compared to mental anguish.
As I look back at our original retirement planning... trying to convince ourselves that we had enough net worth to retire, I have to laugh. We counted all of our furniture and household goods as part of the number... overestimating our nest egg by many thousands. It all worked out anyway.
Now, money doesn't mean as much as time.
Most of the problem is caused by me. I don't consider myself a hoarder, but as a frugal manager... saving things that I could use... saving time and money. We pay full price for almost nothing. Large storage containers for plumbing, bike parts, computer parts, rope and cord, canvas and vinyl covers, Wires of all kinds, small misc. parts, and jars and small cabinets for screws, nails, washers, and a metal cabinet for all chemicals, paints oils etc. A source for myself, but also for neighbors.
The rest of the excess "stuff" is for hobbies, which I continuously alternate.
It's a psychological thing... While I'm aware of it, I don't think it extends to the hoarder stage,,, where the lady sits in the midst of a pile of garbage, and argues the removal of every old magazine. I have room for storage and while most of the items won't get used, when the time comes that they're needed, the price is "free". The garage, storage sheds and closets are neat and organized, and the house is not cluttered at all. There's just a lot of it.
So... the value is there. We still go to our "stuff" when we need something. The challenge really comes up when it's time to move. At that point, the value is essentially zero, and when it comes time to move we expect to have a net cost to declutter. I think of it as an athlete... hanging up the spikes for the last time.
The big decision will be WHEN... As I read through the suggestions I'm more and more inclined to go through the three days and gone route... finished off with the Waste Management Containers. If it costs $10K or more... cheap at half the price compared to mental anguish.
As I look back at our original retirement planning... trying to convince ourselves that we had enough net worth to retire, I have to laugh. We counted all of our furniture and household goods as part of the number... overestimating our nest egg by many thousands. It all worked out anyway.
Now, money doesn't mean as much as time.
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