my stash is well over 65 years old as about 1/3 of the fabric is my mothers....and then mine.....I really, really added to it when I worked for Joanns, and used to stand for hours and hours and measure and wrap remnants...I had the stack for the store and my stack to buy and take home.....anything under a yard is a remnant......I would pick up a lot of tone on tone, soilids, and small prints or dots..... After I retired I have used almost (but not quite) only my stash.... for all my quilts.....I know beyond a shadow of a doubt my stash will outlive me .....I have put into my will what to do with my sewing machine and my fabrics.....all to the local Quilt Guild for them to dispense as they feel the need and use......
When I see a new fabric that catches my fancy I will buy only a 1/2 Yard.....unless it is something really great then a yard.......and only more than that if the price is just too good to pass up, especially in todays market......