Anyone else... buy things then never use them?
Replies
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I've never had the need to buy things just to buy things so, no.4
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r3d_butt3rfly_ wrote: »I've never had the need to buy things just to buy things so, no.
Same. I work too hard for my tiny paycheck.4 -
seltzermint555 wrote: »I am definitely not a true minimalist but I've gotten kind of into some of the ideas behind that sort of lifestyle. It has really helped.
I have a lot of friends who own like 400 books they have never read. That blows my mind.
The main thing I buy and don't use "enough" are shoes, clothes, etc. Especially because I like to thrift shop and find cheap deals. But it's not a deal if you don't WEAR the thing. So my new rule is I only buy things (thrift or otherwise) if I KNOW 100% that I'll wear them in the next 7 days. And then I usually do. The exception would be out of season items, in which case I ask myself honestly if I will be *excited* to wear the item when that season rolls around or if it's just okay.
I've really been cutting back on what I have. Having moved recently, put a spotlight on the situation and needing to cut back a lot. So, that's what I'm doing. I've cut down my clothes to just a few days worth, instead of weeks worth. Looking at it, I still think I have way too many. So, time to re-evaluate.
Other things, I'm slowly working my way through. Especially kitchen items as I don't plan to cook things as extravagently as I once did. I'll also cut back on the number of dishes I have. Makes no sense to have enough for a table of eight when it's rare for there to be more than me in the home. I might do four...
Books are going the way of Kindle. I don't own a kindle. But, I do have the kindle reader app installed on phone and tablet. There are some books that aren't avaialble on kindle, or it's just easier to keep the print version due to text books or shop manuals.
Goal is to get everything I own, into my car and the few furniture items into a 5x8 trailer. this would be bed, kitchen table, small entertainment center a bookshelf and a few odds 'n ends.
This would be a significant change from when I moved where I had so much crap I was giving away things just to not have to deal with it2 -
cyaneverfat wrote: »I'm not a "collector". I have too many pairs of shoes that are under or not ever worn, and 2 sock drawers in my 4 drawer dresser, but in general I use most of my stuff. I do stress about unused "stuff" too tho. I have a mental list of stuff to get rid of.
Also, I hate when I have something and I haven't used it in say, a year - I think to myself someone else may enjoy this - so I donate it...and sometimes think about it later, even years later (especially with clothes/shoes I think "damn, I used to have that")
Just curious, did you grow up not having a lot of "things"? My mom is a "collector" - its very hard for her to get rid of stuff, and my brother suggested it may because they didn't have as much "stuff" as he and I did growing up (and especially true for my grandmother - so maybe it was a learned behaviour for her?)
Maybe you can afford stuff you like/want or think may be useful, so you buy it with good intentions? Or maybe it's the acquisition that brings you pleasure, instead of the item?
Anyways, I think a good rule of thumb is if its taking up space in your life (you have to clean, maintain, don't have space for) and haven't used it in a (set period of time) know that someone else may like and use it - so donate/sell it, whatever.
As for using said items - even if they've been collecting dust for 5 years, try them out at least a few times before getting rid of them - may as well while you have them.
2 sock drawers :-O
I think I grew up with an average amount of stuff. I gave a bit away because I have moved around a lot.
I think I buy things because they are things I always wanted or intended to buy eventually, but I don't find time to use them. I think you are right, I do like aquiring things, and saving up money for them. It makes me feel like I've won a trophy or something.
I get that, its nice to be able to afford and/or save up for things you think you want - even if you don't use them. I bought a guitar last year because mine was reclaimed by my stepfather (he is an actual musician, and it belonged to him before he gave it to me, and his new one was very sadly broken), I just wanted it "incase" I wanted to play with it and for fun (and because its pretty!) I've touched it maybe 4 times in the last 10 months...twice just to tune it.
And ya...my sock situation is out of control! I'm weird, fussy about socks...another story altogether!
I want to get a keyboard... hopefully I would use it, would be cool to write some songs and muck around with it. My sister had one that was preloaded with music, and the keys you had to press would light up- pretty cool!1 -
honeybee__12 wrote: »I am completely addicted to buying clothes online.
At least half I never wear and they hang with the tags on them.
Why don't you wear them?
I've got too many black clothes. Guess I'm trying to hide my fat.1 -
r3d_butt3rfly_ wrote: »I've never had the need to buy things just to buy things so, no.TarryTaffy wrote: »r3d_butt3rfly_ wrote: »I've never had the need to buy things just to buy things so, no.
Same. I work too hard for my tiny paycheck.
That's admirable.1 -
XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »I am definitely not a true minimalist but I've gotten kind of into some of the ideas behind that sort of lifestyle. It has really helped.
I have a lot of friends who own like 400 books they have never read. That blows my mind.
The main thing I buy and don't use "enough" are shoes, clothes, etc. Especially because I like to thrift shop and find cheap deals. But it's not a deal if you don't WEAR the thing. So my new rule is I only buy things (thrift or otherwise) if I KNOW 100% that I'll wear them in the next 7 days. And then I usually do. The exception would be out of season items, in which case I ask myself honestly if I will be *excited* to wear the item when that season rolls around or if it's just okay.
I've really been cutting back on what I have. Having moved recently, put a spotlight on the situation and needing to cut back a lot. So, that's what I'm doing. I've cut down my clothes to just a few days worth, instead of weeks worth. Looking at it, I still think I have way too many. So, time to re-evaluate.
Other things, I'm slowly working my way through. Especially kitchen items as I don't plan to cook things as extravagently as I once did. I'll also cut back on the number of dishes I have. Makes no sense to have enough for a table of eight when it's rare for there to be more than me in the home. I might do four...
Books are going the way of Kindle. I don't own a kindle. But, I do have the kindle reader app installed on phone and tablet. There are some books that aren't avaialble on kindle, or it's just easier to keep the print version due to text books or shop manuals.
Goal is to get everything I own, into my car and the few furniture items into a 5x8 trailer. this would be bed, kitchen table, small entertainment center a bookshelf and a few odds 'n ends.
This would be a significant change from when I moved where I had so much crap I was giving away things just to not have to deal with it
Sometimes I think it would be cool to just have what would fit in a backpack- clothes plus a tablet. I think minimalism is cool and you save a lot of money, but rent is still expensive?1 -
I love the book The life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo. I followed her program completely- involves keeping only items that spark joy- it drastically changed my shopping habits.
Her book talks about the desire to hold onto things due to guilt over wasted money. She points out how negative that is- every time you see that object you feel guilt. Goes through the emotional work necessary for some to let go of stuff. Imagine living in a space where there are only objects that spark joy. If you're going to use it, start now. If you're going to let it go, "thank it" for the joy you got out of purchasing it and let it go. Great advice, really good stuff.2 -
healingnurtrer wrote: »I love the book The life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo. I followed her program completely- involves keeping only items that spark joy- it drastically changed my shopping habits.
Her book talks about the desire to hold onto things due to guilt over wasted money. She points out how negative that is- every time you see that object you feel guilt. Goes through the emotional work necessary for some to let go of stuff. Imagine living in a space where there are only objects that spark joy. If you're going to use it, start now. If you're going to let it go, "thank it" for the joy you got out of purchasing it and let it go. Great advice, really good stuff.
Thank you. I've heard good things about that book.1 -
cyaneverfat wrote: »I've got too many black clothes. Guess I'm trying to hide my fat.
I love black clothing. It's a very sophisticated color & was the base of my wardrobe most of my life.
Now that I'm in FL, I wear lighter colors. Don't want to scare the locals into thinking a goth vampire is roaming freely amongst them.
2 -
cyaneverfat wrote: »XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »I am definitely not a true minimalist but I've gotten kind of into some of the ideas behind that sort of lifestyle. It has really helped.
I have a lot of friends who own like 400 books they have never read. That blows my mind.
The main thing I buy and don't use "enough" are shoes, clothes, etc. Especially because I like to thrift shop and find cheap deals. But it's not a deal if you don't WEAR the thing. So my new rule is I only buy things (thrift or otherwise) if I KNOW 100% that I'll wear them in the next 7 days. And then I usually do. The exception would be out of season items, in which case I ask myself honestly if I will be *excited* to wear the item when that season rolls around or if it's just okay.
I've really been cutting back on what I have. Having moved recently, put a spotlight on the situation and needing to cut back a lot. So, that's what I'm doing. I've cut down my clothes to just a few days worth, instead of weeks worth. Looking at it, I still think I have way too many. So, time to re-evaluate.
Other things, I'm slowly working my way through. Especially kitchen items as I don't plan to cook things as extravagently as I once did. I'll also cut back on the number of dishes I have. Makes no sense to have enough for a table of eight when it's rare for there to be more than me in the home. I might do four...
Books are going the way of Kindle. I don't own a kindle. But, I do have the kindle reader app installed on phone and tablet. There are some books that aren't avaialble on kindle, or it's just easier to keep the print version due to text books or shop manuals.
Goal is to get everything I own, into my car and the few furniture items into a 5x8 trailer. this would be bed, kitchen table, small entertainment center a bookshelf and a few odds 'n ends.
This would be a significant change from when I moved where I had so much crap I was giving away things just to not have to deal with it
Sometimes I think it would be cool to just have what would fit in a backpack- clothes plus a tablet. I think minimalism is cool and you save a lot of money, but rent is still expensive?
Minimalism does have a degree of romanticism about it. However, that small of items is almost impossible unless under extreme circumstances in a modern culture. Work also dictates some, or how much stuff one may need. Such as special clothes and equipment, etc.
Rent can be expensive, especially if you rent a furnished apartment.
There's been twice in my adult life where I've owned very little. Both times I was happy with knowing I could move with relative ease. Miss that, and getting back to it is definitely an exercise of the mind.2 -
TarryTaffy wrote: »cyaneverfat wrote: »I've got too many black clothes. Guess I'm trying to hide my fat.
I love black clothing. It's a very sophisticated color & was the base of my wardrobe most of my life.
Now that I'm in FL, I wear lighter colors. Don't want to scare the locals into thinking a goth vampire is roaming freely amongst them.
Haha, I like the goth style, but don't really dress that way1 -
XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »cyaneverfat wrote: »XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »I am definitely not a true minimalist but I've gotten kind of into some of the ideas behind that sort of lifestyle. It has really helped.
I have a lot of friends who own like 400 books they have never read. That blows my mind.
The main thing I buy and don't use "enough" are shoes, clothes, etc. Especially because I like to thrift shop and find cheap deals. But it's not a deal if you don't WEAR the thing. So my new rule is I only buy things (thrift or otherwise) if I KNOW 100% that I'll wear them in the next 7 days. And then I usually do. The exception would be out of season items, in which case I ask myself honestly if I will be *excited* to wear the item when that season rolls around or if it's just okay.
I've really been cutting back on what I have. Having moved recently, put a spotlight on the situation and needing to cut back a lot. So, that's what I'm doing. I've cut down my clothes to just a few days worth, instead of weeks worth. Looking at it, I still think I have way too many. So, time to re-evaluate.
Other things, I'm slowly working my way through. Especially kitchen items as I don't plan to cook things as extravagently as I once did. I'll also cut back on the number of dishes I have. Makes no sense to have enough for a table of eight when it's rare for there to be more than me in the home. I might do four...
Books are going the way of Kindle. I don't own a kindle. But, I do have the kindle reader app installed on phone and tablet. There are some books that aren't avaialble on kindle, or it's just easier to keep the print version due to text books or shop manuals.
Goal is to get everything I own, into my car and the few furniture items into a 5x8 trailer. this would be bed, kitchen table, small entertainment center a bookshelf and a few odds 'n ends.
This would be a significant change from when I moved where I had so much crap I was giving away things just to not have to deal with it
Sometimes I think it would be cool to just have what would fit in a backpack- clothes plus a tablet. I think minimalism is cool and you save a lot of money, but rent is still expensive?
Minimalism does have a degree of romanticism about it. However, that small of items is almost impossible unless under extreme circumstances in a modern culture. Work also dictates some, or how much stuff one may need. Such as special clothes and equipment, etc.
Rent can be expensive, especially if you rent a furnished apartment.
There's been twice in my adult life where I've owned very little. Both times I was happy with knowing I could move with relative ease. Miss that, and getting back to it is definitely an exercise of the mind.
Yeah, you definately need things for the kitchen, bathroom etc. No one really needs a treadmill though, you can just go to the gym or walk outside. I don't know if there are gyms you can pay per use in my town. Would be worth checking out.0 -
I'm unsure on the gym aspect. Most 'm familiar with are monthly costs, and not a punch card style. But, could exist and not aware of it.
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XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »I'm unsure on the gym aspect. Most 'm familiar with are monthly costs, and not a punch card style. But, could exist and not aware of it.
I know they have them for the swimming pools and for zumba but they work out to be so expensive! (pool is $6 per session, zumba is $10)0 -
cyaneverfat wrote: »cyaneverfat wrote: »Kitchen stuff... small appliances and specialized implements. Anything other than the Keurig, toaster, crockpot and hand mixer will just gather dust. Yet for some reason I own two blenders?
I have a slow cooker I don't use... it doesn't help that the 2 meals I cooked in it turnt into slop
That's why I stick with slop food like stews and soups in the slow cooker.
I was under the impression there are countless things you can make in there?
Apparently there are, but most of them I don't eat (meat, poultry) so I'm wasting its talents. I've made bread pudding in it, I guess that wasn't slop. And long ago some weird cottage cheese protein "bread" thing.1 -
cyaneverfat wrote: »I don't know if there are gyms you can pay per use in my town. Would be worth checking out.
I've traveled extensively & have lived in over 1-dozen states. Most places sans monthly fees are WMCA/WYCAs, usually $5-8/visit. In most cases, in my experience, that's more than the daily cost for a more modern gym membership, but it does depend on workout... I'm a swimmer, so am always looking for a lap pool. The Y's normally have longer pools.
I hope you find something perfect, really close to you & affordable. Working out shouldn't be cost prohibitive... imho, it often is for the average worker.1 -
XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »I am definitely not a true minimalist but I've gotten kind of into some of the ideas behind that sort of lifestyle. It has really helped.
I have a lot of friends who own like 400 books they have never read. That blows my mind.
The main thing I buy and don't use "enough" are shoes, clothes, etc. Especially because I like to thrift shop and find cheap deals. But it's not a deal if you don't WEAR the thing. So my new rule is I only buy things (thrift or otherwise) if I KNOW 100% that I'll wear them in the next 7 days. And then I usually do. The exception would be out of season items, in which case I ask myself honestly if I will be *excited* to wear the item when that season rolls around or if it's just okay.
I've really been cutting back on what I have. Having moved recently, put a spotlight on the situation and needing to cut back a lot. So, that's what I'm doing. I've cut down my clothes to just a few days worth, instead of weeks worth. Looking at it, I still think I have way too many. So, time to re-evaluate.
Other things, I'm slowly working my way through. Especially kitchen items as I don't plan to cook things as extravagently as I once did. I'll also cut back on the number of dishes I have. Makes no sense to have enough for a table of eight when it's rare for there to be more than me in the home. I might do four...
Books are going the way of Kindle. I don't own a kindle. But, I do have the kindle reader app installed on phone and tablet. There are some books that aren't avaialble on kindle, or it's just easier to keep the print version due to text books or shop manuals.
Goal is to get everything I own, into my car and the few furniture items into a 5x8 trailer. this would be bed, kitchen table, small entertainment center a bookshelf and a few odds 'n ends.
This would be a significant change from when I moved where I had so much crap I was giving away things just to not have to deal with it
I love using my local public library for books, whether digital or print books. I submit a "suggestion for purchase" any time there's something I'd like to read that is not in their catalog, and 90% of the time they get it. I don't even live in a huge city, either (mid-sized). It saves me so much money because I read at least 1-2 books per week.
I don't think I would really ever want to own a tiny house or live a truly minimalist lifestyle. I do subscribe to some of the ideas though, for sure.
It is crazy how much a person can accumulate without even really "trying" or shopping excessively. In 2011, I literally started over from scratch when I went through that tornado and had to get all new things from clothing to furniture. I really have made an effort for the past 8 years not to consume so much and be so materialistic...yet every time I go through my closets and the rooms of my small home to look for donation items, I come up with a huge bag (or two!) of items I no longer want or need. I don't know how it's even possible.
2 -
Motorsheen wrote: »..... always remember, it ain't hoarding if your *kitten* is cool.
Oh wait annnddd hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahhhhhhhhhahahahahahahahah0 -
cyaneverfat wrote: »Are the bottles reuseable? It's good if they help you drink more.
Yep, totally! Cute ones, practical ones, plastic, glass, or metal...I really try my hardest to keep away from single use plastics. Sometimes I argue with myself a lot about this. Is it really that eco, if I'm buying new ones all the time? Isn't that not all too different that buying a case of bottled water, with just a little extra work involved? But I just hoard them, not throw them away, so it can't be all that bad, right?? lol it's like a cartoonish court case in my head sometimes 😂1 -
TarryTaffy wrote: »cyaneverfat wrote: »I don't know if there are gyms you can pay per use in my town. Would be worth checking out.
I've traveled extensively & have lived in over 1-dozen states. Most places sans monthly fees are WMCA/WYCAs, usually $5-8/visit. In most cases, in my experience, that's more than the daily cost for a more modern gym membership, but it does depend on workout... I'm a swimmer, so am always looking for a lap pool. The Y's normally have longer pools.
I hope you find something perfect, really close to you & affordable. Working out shouldn't be cost prohibitive... imho, it often is for the average worker.
$5 per visit is probably too much for me. I wanted to do a zumba class, but its $10 per session. Might just look it up on youtube.0 -
seltzermint555 wrote: »XxFunctionalStrengthxX wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »I am definitely not a true minimalist but I've gotten kind of into some of the ideas behind that sort of lifestyle. It has really helped.
I have a lot of friends who own like 400 books they have never read. That blows my mind.
The main thing I buy and don't use "enough" are shoes, clothes, etc. Especially because I like to thrift shop and find cheap deals. But it's not a deal if you don't WEAR the thing. So my new rule is I only buy things (thrift or otherwise) if I KNOW 100% that I'll wear them in the next 7 days. And then I usually do. The exception would be out of season items, in which case I ask myself honestly if I will be *excited* to wear the item when that season rolls around or if it's just okay.
I've really been cutting back on what I have. Having moved recently, put a spotlight on the situation and needing to cut back a lot. So, that's what I'm doing. I've cut down my clothes to just a few days worth, instead of weeks worth. Looking at it, I still think I have way too many. So, time to re-evaluate.
Other things, I'm slowly working my way through. Especially kitchen items as I don't plan to cook things as extravagently as I once did. I'll also cut back on the number of dishes I have. Makes no sense to have enough for a table of eight when it's rare for there to be more than me in the home. I might do four...
Books are going the way of Kindle. I don't own a kindle. But, I do have the kindle reader app installed on phone and tablet. There are some books that aren't avaialble on kindle, or it's just easier to keep the print version due to text books or shop manuals.
Goal is to get everything I own, into my car and the few furniture items into a 5x8 trailer. this would be bed, kitchen table, small entertainment center a bookshelf and a few odds 'n ends.
This would be a significant change from when I moved where I had so much crap I was giving away things just to not have to deal with it
I love using my local public library for books, whether digital or print books. I submit a "suggestion for purchase" any time there's something I'd like to read that is not in their catalog, and 90% of the time they get it. I don't even live in a huge city, either (mid-sized). It saves me so much money because I read at least 1-2 books per week.
I don't think I would really ever want to own a tiny house or live a truly minimalist lifestyle. I do subscribe to some of the ideas though, for sure.
It is crazy how much a person can accumulate without even really "trying" or shopping excessively. In 2011, I literally started over from scratch when I went through that tornado and had to get all new things from clothing to furniture. I really have made an effort for the past 8 years not to consume so much and be so materialistic...yet every time I go through my closets and the rooms of my small home to look for donation items, I come up with a huge bag (or two!) of items I no longer want or need. I don't know how it's even possible.
At least you don't come up with like 11 bags like someone on this thread (I think).
I haven't used the library in years. I still have a lot of books at home I haven't read. And on the tablet.1 -
mrschwarten wrote: »cyaneverfat wrote: »Are the bottles reuseable? It's good if they help you drink more.
Yep, totally! Cute ones, practical ones, plastic, glass, or metal...I really try my hardest to keep away from single use plastics. Sometimes I argue with myself a lot about this. Is it really that eco, if I'm buying new ones all the time? Isn't that not all too different that buying a case of bottled water, with just a little extra work involved? But I just hoard them, not throw them away, so it can't be all that bad, right?? lol it's like a cartoonish court case in my head sometimes 😂
I've brought a few protein shakers and my mum borrows them, then loses the middle part- argh!!! I'm wondering if I can make one in the ninja blender or it it will get blended too much.0 -
One of my vacation projects was to completely clear out my basement because I'm having a huge area of flooring redone. I've found way too many things that I bought and never used. As in, 12 years' worth. There are quite a few local organizations that have benefited from the donations I've hauled out.1
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Shoes....1
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MaverickMatt_ wrote: »Shoes....
I wish I had a walk in wardrobe! I have trouble finding beautiful shoes in my size though0 -
This is one problem I don't seem to have, ha. I like when everything is organized and in it's place so if I don't have room for something I don't get it or I get ride of other stuff to make room. I have a good size house, but also have 3 kids so if anything I think we have too many toys (and I go through the toy room monthly when my kids are gone and take toys to donation).2
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cyaneverfat wrote: »I'm terrible...
a bike, an indoor bike, a treadmill, a juicer, etc. I could probably list about 30 things. I feel so ashamed for wasting so much money.
Why can't I bring myself around to use these things? why am I so spoiled and selfish?
I don't want to give these things away or sell them, but I don't want to waste them either. Does anyone have any tips to use the things you just had to have? (because other people had them and they looked so cool?). What drives/motivates you to use things?
I'm actually considering talking about this in a therapy session. Wondering if this is some kind of disorder. Why am I collecting things to gather dust? It's like those celebrities or rich people that have massive wardrobes with thousands of clothes that you know they are only going to wear -1 time.
**cough cough** An elliptical. I don't know why I keep it other than I don't know how to get rid of it without just throwing it away, which would be a huge waste of money. I'd be okay selling it, but I live on a military base and no military person is going to spend anywhere near what it's still worth and would constantly try to haggle me down on it, so nope. In my home it sits.1 -
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This is one problem I don't seem to have, ha. I like when everything is organized and in it's place so if I don't have room for something I don't get it or I get ride of other stuff to make room. I have a good size house, but also have 3 kids so if anything I think we have too many toys (and I go through the toy room monthly when my kids are gone and take toys to donation).
I wonder if they still have toy libraries?0
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