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Downsizing - the things I bought and never needed

Posted: Feb 7, 2011

I finally realized I do not need to follow Martha Stewart or those other people around and need to have everything in the world to show how great my housekeeping and entertaining abilities are (and they are both still terrible anyway). I have 2 relatives who live a long way away, a brother and a niece and she has no children. I have no children. I have been a widow for 30 years.

Now tell me why I need 3 full sets of dishes (nice china, etc.) with service for 12. Why do I need 3 different sets of drinking glasses, 4 sizes in each, service for 12. Why do I need 2 sets of cooking pans when I never cook? I have enough linens to stock Anna's Linens and only use 1 bed and 1 bathroom. I did not splurge on silverware, I only have 2 sets of that with service for 12 in each.

I have every cooking appliance known to man, just because they looked so handy. My husband was the type of person that always wanted a "backup" just in case something broke, so I have at least 2 of everything.

I have 3 computers that still work, 4 TVs and I never watch TV, 3 printers, 6 keyboards in case one breaks, software from the day computers were invented (I still have my disks for DOS just in case it makes a comeback someday I guess). I have 3 knitting machines and never use any of them. How about 3 sewing machines? 4 vacuums? 2 microwaves?

Wish someone who needed some of this stuff lived nearby. I am calling Goodwill tomorrow and they can pick up 90% of it. It is boxed and ready to go.

Just a word of warning. Do not fall for this stuff that you absolutely have to have a full set of glasses, 4 sizes, to set up housekeeping. They just take up space and require a lot of work to keep sparkly clean.

No, my house does not look like those junk collector houses. I am just venting about my stupidity over the years and how long it has taken me to realize it.

;

LOL - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I know it is not funny to you, but I loved your story. Since you are going to call Goodwill, where they will sell it to someone, have you thought about looking into a woman's shelter or a homeless shelter or something like that also. I'm certainly not knocking Goodwill, I have donated to them also, but a shelter or a place like that would truly help people and would make you feel really good about yourself in helping them. Just a thought.

There's also Craigslist, both for selling old stuff or - giving it away. Most of my current - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
furniture, gardening tools, and household appliances were bought off of Craigslist.

so in need - brokeMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Three computers that work? Please, send me one... any one! I lost my second job becuase my computer stopped turning on and I cannot afford to get it fixed or get a new one!

I wish I had that problem. My house has all kinds of broken appliances and TVs, like a farmers backyard full of old cars... my house is full of broken items waiting for a time where I have money to get them fixed.

broke MT - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I know how you feel! I have various items in my house (like the vacuum and microwave handle) adorned with a lovely silver shade of duct tape. LOL

Freecycle - Rainy

[ In Reply To ..]
Search for a Freecycle branch in your area. It is an online offer/request site whose goal is to keep things out of the landfill. I have given away quite a few things this way. Not saying you will find a computer, but no harm in asking. I hope things take a turn for the better for you soon.

I thought I had learned this lesson. - But I need to bump it up a notch.

[ In Reply To ..]
My mother is a hoarder. When I was growing up, I hated that situation so much that I vowed never to be that way. Now, she's not as bad as you see on t.v. Her house is fairly tidy, but she saves everything, and she stacks things into unused rooms. She throws nothing out, and I think she has condiments in her refrigerator that were there when I was in h.s. 30 years ago.
When I set up in my own place, I tried to keep the clutter away and refrain from spending on things that I just don't need. I'm not always successful, but I think I do better than most. Now that I'm middle-aged, I've starting asking myself one key question before I buy something: If I die tomorrow, what will happen to this?

Seriously. I know I'm going to be the one who has to deal with all the stuff my mom will leave behind when she's passed on. What will I do with that jar of used screws and washers that she's saved? With the extra toaster oven that she had to have? This has helped me a lot. When I see some little decorative knick-knack, I know that it won't be useful to anyone when I die, so I just don't buy it. It's a helpful way to put some of these purchases in perspective.

I think lots of people who were growing up during the - Great Depression are now - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
hard-wired to save absolutely everything: Broken appliances, string, tinfoil, paper, you name it.

And now that we're currently in a depression again, I find myself doing the same things. I used to be ruthless about throwing old stuff away and getting new stuff, like throwing out rubber bands that came on newspapers or broccoli, and then buying identical new ones later at Office Depot. Now, I save all sorts of stuff because "I might need it".

It seems to work out to about 50% of what I save I later need, 50% I don't. Now I'm just trying to get better and more discerning about what I will save, and what IS truly worthless.

That's a good idea. I should follow that rule, too. - Backwards Typist

[ In Reply To ..]
I'll take that jar of screws and washers. I never seem to have the right size needed in mine. LOL

DH has a bunch of stuff, too, but usually after he has kept something a few years, he'll wonder why, get rid of it, then a couple months later, finds he could have used it to do "this"....well, all except the Cummins motor still hanging on the motor lift for the past 20 years.

I have a collection of at least 40 dolls I would love to get rid of after 30 years, so I can finally get into the room and fix it up. Been thinking of eBay, but then there's the hassle of taking pictures, making the ad, waiting for the auction to be over, packing and mailing the dolls, etc. Called an auction house and they want a 25% fee. I really would like to move them out all in one swift move, but after 2 years, still have them. Some day.....:-)

my wake up call - sm - chicklet

[ In Reply To ..]
Never thought of myself as a person of "excess." Then at bible study, ladies were talking about a refugee family the church was helping and different items they might donate. One of them said they brought a set of cups to this large family and they said, "oh, no we don't need cups thank you, we already have one." This whole family would share ONE cup at dinner and thought nothing of it. Just reminded me how much STUFF we all have and take for granted. Downsizing will clear some clutter out of your life as well as your mind/spirit (I know from experience).

Hahahaha. I have your life. Except for the sewing machine. - Olive

[ In Reply To ..]
I always wanted a set of Fiesta Ware and bought a service for 6 because I like the colors and they were on sale. I live with my dog. Never entertain. Good thing is I don't have to run the dishwasher that often. I'm giving my other two sets of dishes away. Toaster/bake convection oven big enough for a whole pizza. No more buying.

Thank you for validating my outlook on things - awesome post

[ In Reply To ..]
I've gotten by on a set of Correll and odds and ends from thift stores. Their glasses always were more interesting.

I still use sheets from 10 years ago. They get softer as they get older.

I don't think you are stupid. Stuff is fun. ;-) Getting rid of it is fun too.

Bless your husband's heart. He must have really cared for you a great deal to insist you have backups. That really touched me.

If IC, have Salvation Army come and get and get a - nice size tax deduction. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
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