OT Too Much Stuff? OT

[PatS....]

July 2007

by Paul Graham

"I have too much stuff. Most people in America do. In fact, the poorer people are, the more stuff they seem to have. Hardly anyone is so poor that they can't afford a front yard full of old cars.

It wasn't always this way. Stuff used to be rare and valuable. You can still see evidence of that if you look for it. For example, in my house in Cambridge, which was built in 1876, the bedrooms don't have closets. In those days people's stuff fit in a chest of drawers. Even as recently as a few decades ago there was a lot less stuff. When I look back at photos from the 1970s, I'm surprised how empty houses look. As a kid I had what I thought was a huge fleet of toy cars, but they'd be dwarfed by the number of toys my nephews have. All together my Matchboxes and Corgis took up about a third of the surface of my bed. In my nephews' rooms the bed is the only clear space.

Stuff has gotten a lot cheaper, but our attitudes toward it haven't changed correspondingly. We overvalue stuff.

That was a big problem for me when I had no money. I felt poor, and stuff seemed valuable, so almost instinctively I accumulated it. Friends would leave something behind when they moved, or I'd see something as I was walking down the street on trash night (beware of anything you find yourself describing as "perfectly good"), or I'd find something in almost new condition for a tenth its retail price at a garage sale. And pow, more stuff.

In fact these free or nearly free things weren't bargains, because they were worth even less than they cost. Most of the stuff I accumulated was worthless, because I didn't need it.

What I didn't understand was that the value of some new acquisition wasn't the difference between its retail price and what I paid for it. It was the value I derived from it. Stuff is an extremely illiquid asset. Unless you have some plan for selling that valuable thing you got so cheaply, what difference does it make what it's "worth?" The only way you're ever going to extract any value from it is to use it. And if you don't have any immediate use for it, you probably never will.

Companies that sell stuff have spent huge sums training us to think stuff is still valuable. But it would be closer to the truth to treat stuff as worthless.

In fact, worse than worthless, because once you've accumulated a certain amount of stuff, it starts to own you rather than the other way around. I know of one couple who couldn't retire to the town they preferred because they couldn't afford a place there big enough for all their stuff. Their house isn't theirs; it's their stuff's.

And unless you're extremely organized, a house full of stuff can be very depressing. A cluttered room saps one's spirits. One reason, obviously, is that there's less room for people in a room full of stuff. But there's more going on than that. I think humans constantly scan their environment to build a mental model of what's around them. And the harder a scene is to parse, the less energy you have left for conscious thoughts. A cluttered room is literally exhausting.

(This could explain why clutter doesn't seem to bother kids as much as adults. Kids are less perceptive. They build a coarser model of their surroundings, and this consumes less energy.)

I first realized the worthlessness of stuff when I lived in Italy for a year. All I took with me was one large backpack of stuff. The rest of my stuff I left in my landlady's attic back in the US. And you know what? All I missed were some of the books. By the end of the year I couldn't even remember what else I had stored in that attic.

And yet when I got back I didn't discard so much as a box of it. Throw away a perfectly good rotary telephone? I might need that one day.

The really painful thing to recall is not just that I accumulated all this useless stuff, but that I often spent money I desperately needed on stuff that I didn't.

Why would I do that? Because the people whose job is to sell you stuff are really, really good at it. The average 25 year old is no match for companies that have spent years figuring out how to get you to spend money on stuff. They make the experience of buying stuff so pleasant that "shopping" becomes a leisure activity.

How do you protect yourself from these people? It can't be easy. I'm a fairly skeptical person, and their tricks worked on me well into my thirties. But one thing that might work is to ask yourself, before buying something, "is this going to make my life noticeably better?"

A friend of mine cured herself of a clothes buying habit by asking herself before she bought anything "Am I going to wear this all the time?" If she couldn't convince herself that something she was thinking of buying would become one of those few things she wore all the time, she wouldn't buy it. I think that would work for any kind of purchase. Before you buy anything, ask yourself: will this be something I use constantly? Or is it just something nice? Or worse still, a mere bargain?

The worst stuff in this respect may be stuff you don't use much because it's too good. Nothing owns you like fragile stuff. For example, the "good china" so many households have, and whose defining quality is not so much that it's fun to use, but that one must be especially careful not to break it.

Another way to resist acquiring stuff is to think of the overall cost of owning it. The purchase price is just the beginning. You're going to have to think about that thing for years—perhaps for the rest of your life. Every thing you own takes energy away from you. Some give more than they take. Those are the only things worth having.

I've now stopped accumulating stuff. Except books—but books are different. Books are more like a fluid than individual objects. It's not especially inconvenient to own several thousand books, whereas if you owned several thousand random possessions you'd be a local celebrity. But except for books, I now actively avoid stuff. If I want to spend money on some kind of treat, I'll take services over goods any day.

I'm not claiming this is because I've achieved some kind of zenlike detachment from material things. I'm talking about something more mundane. A historical change has taken place, and I've now realized it. Stuff used to be valuable, and now it's not.

In industrialized countries the same thing happened with food in the middle of the twentieth century. As food got cheaper (or we got richer; they're indistinguishable), eating too much started to be a bigger danger than eating too little. We've now reached that point with stuff. For most people, rich or poor, stuff has become a burden.

The good news is, if you're carrying a burden without knowing it, your life could be better than you realize. Imagine walking around for years with five pound ankle weights, then suddenly having them removed."

http://www.paulgraham.com/stuff.html

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I used to have way too much stuff. Wouldn't get rid of anything because as soon as it was gone, I needed it!!!

Then I realized that the stuff was taking over. That was a move I made in 1983. I was single and it took a 30 foot truck box TWO trips loaded to the roof to move a two bedroom apartment.

I'm happy to say I'm over that now. All the little hunks of 2X4 and plywood are gone. All the bent used nails and screws are gone. The "good" dishes are gone. Etc etc.

Feels great!!!

[mackster]

I luckly am still poor and oddly enough I don't have much and I usually don't collect stuff Idon't need. Mostly because my space is very limited. and the wife throws everything I don't use. I sometimes ask for things I havent used for a year and yup you guess it, GONE! It kills me but I think is the only way to live without a garage. remember when the garage was used to parked the car?

[BobT-47P15]

Nowadays....when people have too much stuff for their house, they rent a mini storage space to keep the excess stuff.... Which of course costs them even more money....on an ongoing basis.

Then one day they clean out the mini storage and throw away a bunch of that stuff in the big dumpster out front of the place.

As I pass by two mini storage facilities, I see people rummaging thru those dumpsters, finding for themselves some valuable free stuff. Will they sell it for its presumed value, or keep it to add to their own collection of stuff?

[BobT-47P15]

And.....yeah, i surely have too much stuff, but i rather like a lot of it, so reckon it will stay a while longer.

However, I do need to reorganize the storage of that stuff and scientifically fit more items into the available space.

[Johnny S]

I have one of those "mini-storage" units and its holds all of the little cars I've gathered over the years.....mostly Hotwheels.......neatly stored in apple boxes. Costing me about $75 per month to keep. It also holds the seats to one of my old plymouths, a doll house, a kitchen set for my daughter (who is now 21), two tires, hundreds of books, my duck decoys, a pair of chest waders, some fishing gear............and more stuff where that came from. It's probably a little too much stuff.

[Don Coatney]

My family has always collected stuff so I get it naturally. The house where my parents lived had a huge attic and a full basement both were loaded with stuff. In the attic were a couple of old steamer trunks. After my parents died Lisa and I moved into my parents house. I already had a house full of stuff as did Lisa. So we had an auction and sold a huge amount of the stuff from all three houses. Kept the steamer trunks and assorted other pieces of stuff. Later we sold this house and moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania, then upstate New York, then California. Before we left New York we had another huge auction and sold another bunch of stuff. However the steamer trunks and other assorted stuff survived the auctions and went with us on each move. In California I went through the contents of the steamer trunks. What I found was a huge collection of letters and other bits of communication written by my family members from the early 1800's. to the mid 1950's. From these letters I have been able to meet my ancestors and almost know them personally. I even had a life insurance policy for my grandmothers half brother who died 80 years ago. Just this week I finally made contact with a grandson of my grandmothers half brother and was able to return this insurance policy to its rightful owner. My point being that although some of this stuff may appear worthless it has a value not necessarily of a monetary nature but a value none the less. I will proudly continue to collect stuff.

[PatS....]

Don, my grandfather had a similar trunk...actually a big old toolbox...full of family letters, postcards trinkets and old important documents.

One of my cousins decided that it was just worthless old junk and sent the whole box to the Salvation Army after my grandfather died.

Every time I see him, I have to resist the urge to drift him in the head.

I think this article was referring to a different class of "stuff"

[Plymouthy Adams]

I'll have my people contact your people for the possible exchange of stuff ..

[Plymouthy Adams]

I am extremely guilty of too much stuff...and 98 percent of the time I know it is true but yet I still have it...I have been a bit better of late getting rid of things just laying around..this has cost me a few trips to the hardware store to find a suitbale item to use for what I threw away now, that two weeks later it would have been the idea item to repair some other "stuff" with. I fully believe this is the driving force behind those people with stuff that actually use their hands and shops for the repair of items owned or in the course of some hobby they like..to some, there is no more joy that can be found like fixing an item to work again in the manner it was designed. Sometimes were become slaves to this stuff..other times this stuff is the only source of sanity we have, then again it can drive you crazy..finding a balance, if such does exist, is the never ending dream of the "tinker"

[JerseyHarold]

My friend once told me his 'Rule of Garbage": If you make space by getting rid of stuff, more crap will magically appear to take its place.

That's been my problem my whole life!

[Ed Griffin]

As my neighbor looked in my garage one day the first thing he said was " man, you've got a lot of stuff." Proudly I said " yes I do dont I?"

When I went in the military I gave away many items I owned as a kid and regret it now. Redline hotwheel cars, first series G.I.Joe's with gear and equipment, etc. etc. most which now days bring a pretty penny and yes I would have sold them by now. Even the 67 Firebird I told my father in law to sell for 100 bucks.

Regardless of how much stuff I have, organizing it has always been my downfall. With that in mind I will continue to add to my "stuff" because of the uses I do find for them. For example, did you know a modified bench press makes a great motor and tranny stand, a washing machine case works great for a trunk bed, leftover cuts of man made marble make great bases for models, dumped picket fence boards make great antique looking picture frames, etc. etc.... .

[Don Coatney]

As my neighbor looked in my garage one day the first thing he said was " man, you've got a lot of stuff." Proudly I said " yes I do dont I?"

When I went in the military I gave away many items I owned as a kid and regret it now. Redline hotwheel cars, first series G.I.Joe's with gear and equipment, etc. etc. most which now days bring a pretty penny and yes I would have sold them by now. Even the 67 Firebird I told my father in law to sell for 100 bucks.

Regardless of how much stuff I have, organizing it has always been my downfall. With that in mind I will continue to add to my "stuff" because of the uses I do find for them. For example, did you know a modified bench press makes a great motor and tranny stand, a washing machine case works great for a trunk bed, leftover cuts of man made marble make great bases for models, dumped picket fence boards make great antique looking picture frames, etc. etc.... .

Eddie;

I just dispatched my old washing machine (still has some dirty clothes useful for rags once they dry out) to Millington general delivery. Keep an eye out for it.

[John Mulders]

Guilty of too much stuff.....

We can't afford to live smaller , where can I put the cars and the boat. I need space....

Good story, seems to fit everyone of us I guess.

Some thoughts.....

- If I can't find anything in my stuff will a burglar find anything usefull

- Burglar can't take everything, will take more than one trip !

- Everyone knows, you throw away something, you need it soon.

- We can't take anything to the next life, so cleanup is payback for those who stay behind (only applicable in certain cases!).

- I just hate to throw away good things , at some point you give it to charity.

- I hate to throw away broken things, I may be able to repair it (actually happens sometimes).

Guess partly a luxury.

Last : I blame the fact that we are no longer nomads!

If we still were we could not travel far !

John

[Norm's Coupe]

I have to agree with PatS. Get rid of the stuff. I use to collect all kinds of stuff. At one time, when an appliance such as a dryer, dishwasher, etc. stopped working, I would take it apart. Keep the screws, take the body apart and keep the sheet metal, etc. Finally got smart and dumped it all. Even took out one workbench and cabinet from the garage and dumped it. When I did that, I went through that cabinet, both the shelves and drawers. About 90% of what was stored in that cabinet was just junk that I had saved over 20 years ago because, I might need it someday. Well.........someday never came and it was still there, so it got dumped too. Now, I have very little stuff and proud of it. When someone offers me free stuff, I refuse it. If it turns out that I needed that item later, I just go buy it new and don't give it a second thought. I had held onto the last three heavy duty drum pumps and spray equipment we use to lend customers to apply our roofing customers in my shed. Thought I would sell them one day. Didn't want to dump them 10 years ago when we discontinued the roofing products, because they were still good. Each kit contained the 55 gallon drum pump and a 4 foot long spray gun, plus 200 feet of high pressure material line rated for 4400 lbs. psi burst strength. Each pump and gun was in a separate crate about 7 feet long x 15 inches. Hoses were in stored in a 55 gallon drum. Had given away about 400 feet of 1/2" air line several years ago that went with them. New each kit had ran about $4500 each. Finally, a few months ago I decided they were in my way and taking up too much room in my shed. So........called a scrap guy and told him to come get it for the price of his gas to get here. After he picked the stuff up, it was like building a new shed. Lots of room now. I can actually walk in my shed now.

You have to get rid of the stuff. Like Pat said, it becomes a burden. My mother is now 85 and has a few health problems. Would be nice if she sold her house and moved into something smaller. However, she won't do it. Why? She says what will I do with all my stuff? The house has 10 rooms of stuff. She doesn't need a 10 room house full of stuff living by herself. However, she won't give it away or sell it because she likes her stuff. So......she's stuck in that house.

My wife makes several trips to Goodwill each year getting rid of stuff we no longer use around the house. So no stuff in the house either, unless we have a regular need for it.

[Johnny S]

I just went out to a flea market and brought some more "stuff" home today. Now.....where to put it? My wife knows.....at least she told me where to put it.

[Norm's Coupe]

I just went out to a flea market and brought some more "stuff" home today. Now.....where to put it? My wife knows.....at least she told me where to put it.

Johnny, only one way to not bring stuff home from a flea market. Don't go and you're sure not to bring stuff home. I've even stopped going to rummage sales for fear I might find something I don't need, but gotta have.

[Ed Griffin]

Eddie;

I just dispatched my old washing machine (still has some dirty clothes useful for rags once they dry out) to Millington general delivery. Keep an eye out for it.

Don, could have saved you shipping by you just sending the case instead of the whole works.

I have yet to get rid of the inside basket, frame, etc. to the last washing machine. Thought it may make a good parts cleaner but would rather see it gone. As mentioned previously the wife knows where I could put it

[Don Coatney]

Don, could have saved you shipping by you just sending the case instead of the whole works.

Fear not, I sent it COD:cool:

[Ed Griffin]

LOL!!!!!!!! I'll be waiting.

On a serious note, last year a fellow wanted me to list his old washing machine on ebay. It turned out to be one just like "that" one. Had to break it to him that there were some on ebay and not worth the money he thought it should be worth. I wonder if he's ready to get rid of that 57 Chevy 2 door he had wasting away under the tin roof now, hmmm, maybe time for another visit.