("My folks lived way below their means and still had tons of stuff"...JCQUILTS)

We folks get our "stuff" for Birthdays, Mother's day, Father's day, Christmas, etc. from our Kids! :-)

Me too! And I love George Carlin's quote and his monologue on 'stuff'....just too funny.

Blessings,
MaryAnna

Ditto! I just came home from 100 mile garage sale with my 2 sisters

Me too, and trying to get myself together and have a garage sale and get rid of it and if I don't see it the rest will go to goodwill or to someone who will come pick it all up!

That is my absolute greatest fear is to leave a mess to my family when I'm gone. Many years ago, could have been fifteen or twenty we bought an eight by ten shed that my brother put together for us. I took two weeks off of work and put all the time into getting organized and making the best use of the shed. When I was done and everything was clutter free and in it's place there were two wonderful things that happened. One, I could suddenly walk on air, I felt as if I was floating, their was no clutter to weigh me down. Life was so sweet for a couple of months while I was able to keep the house tidy. The second thing that happened was that if the Good Lord took me I was ready. I could die in peace knowing that no one would have to clean up after me.

For about 7 years one of my aunts gave me sets of fake nails for by birthday and Christmas. I have never been one to wear nails. In fact, I couldn't even think of a single person I could "re-gift" them to.

One of the sad realizations I have come to is that my children do not value or want all the stuff we have inherited from parents. I am going to start gathering it all up so I can take pictures and let them choose waht they do want. The rest I will put on Craigslist or take to Goodwill. It's hard, but we also had to clean out my hubby's mom's apartment, and I don't want to put my kids thru that. We still have a bunch of the stuff we brought home 2 years ago still in the boxes. Haven't had the energy to go thru it yet.

I'm chiming in again. My 3 sons have all told us what they care about and what they don't want. I'm glad I asked them b/c I was "assuming" they'd want more. All 3 are minimalistic but sentimental and want family treasures. It's making my de-stashing a lot easier.
One day my husband and I looked around our family room and honestly there were only a few things we really wanted in that room.
It's amazing when you look around. We both loved collecting stuff, mostly antiques and collectibles. But enough is enough.

Same here, have lots of craft stuff I want to keep incase I ever manage to get to it....but finally realized I have to pick one or two crafts and get rid of the other stuff as it is taking over all our living space!! So...I took some to the local senior center and took another load (card making supplies) to the childrens ministry at church (I called first to make sure thaey wanted it). I decided to keep all sewing/material/quilting stuff and crocheting. It actually feels good knowing the senior center ladies are happy and will make good use of the things I gave them and so will the little kids at church.

I hear ya on this. My kids are pretty much in the same boat. I've been to (drop off) at goodwill lately myself and have my mothers stuff I'm dealing with. I just can't keep it all. Have to part with stuff and let it go. It's a slow process but I do feel better when I make some headway.

I'm at this point in my life too. Too many treasures, craft supplies, aka stuff. But I don't like the word or phrase "get rid of it", it makes me think I shouldn't have bought it in the first place. I'd rather bless someone with it whether at a charity or thrift store or garage sale. I found this quote which I hope will help me declutter..."Let go of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful to you." Another way will be to say, "I love it and I'm keeping it, I love it and I use it often, Let go of these... It's useful but I don't love it, It's useful but lacking somehow or I have multiples. The hardest for me is papers, patterns and info that I think I need but still never seem to find it when needed! I'm so ready to simplify. Wish me luck!!

I am trying to downsize most of my stuff. Just not fun to collect anymore.

I watched the movie director on Oprah that gave up his big house, fancy cars etc. because he didn't need them. I am trying to simplify and I think he is right. Our footprint on this earth should be what we need and not all the things that really don't matter. I am gathering up a little at a time and taking it to Goodwill. I think I will feel freer when I finish. Now this does not include my fabric stash, but I am cleaning that room up also. Less to dust and worry with, the kids will probably throw most of it out when I'm gone any way.

I can't stand extra Stuff. I am minimizing and I feel a weight lifted of me. I don't like antiques very much, unless it is from my own family. I really like having the clutter-free home. I need to get rid of more stuff. I think I will de-stash my fabric some more. Every time I watch a hording show, I have to get rid of more stuff. I would rather spend my time quilting, than dusting stuff.

There sure are lots of responses on this thread. I guess most of us are tired of taking care of more than we need!

Well, I didn't try on clothes today. I did start going through books on the right bookcase in the living room. I have "gifted" about a dozen for Goodwill. Then I tackled a stack of really old history magazines. I tore out a handful of articles and the rest went to be recycled.

I asked DH to review a couple of books from the history shelf and he wants to reread the books. Tomorrow, I will go through the other bookcase next to the fireplace. DH is so good at purging stuff as he goes along. I seem to be the slow learner :-)

What I must realize that much will be accomplished if I keep doing this task regularly :) :) :) Thanks for your support....

I, too, have way to much "stuff", glassware, craft supplies, books, clothes, and fabric. I need to declutter and am beginning to with everything except the fabric. I love fabric and find it hard to part with it until I've "made something" with it.

However, I know that when I'm gone my DD will give it away, throw it away, or sell it in a yard sell. I told her it's OK for everything except the glassware that I'v collected. I want her to keep that for a while to see if she developes an appreciation for it.

I grew up not having much. Then got married in the military, and through countless moves, kept things to a minimum. I have been hoarding and now I find myself uncluttering.

The church here in town collected clothes for a free uard sale, would not even take a donation. YEP, went there, conquered the racks and left there with at least a dozen 100% wool blazers, some clothing for sewing and about a dozen mens ties.

It is the hunt, it is inbred in most of us. Do I wnat to fight it, somedays yes, somedays NO! See ya at the next sale.

I've given rotary cutters, mats, fabric and patterns to ladies who "say they want to quilt". None have even tried to start. I have been given sewing machines, fabric, some by the bolt and any other sewing related stuff.
People who know I have a passion for making quilts for abused kids have given me knits, linen and all other non-quilting facbic. I usually give them a big hug and thank you and then head to the thrift store to donate them for those that need that type of fabric.

As I clean our a cabinet or closet I pack all the unwanted or unneeded 'stuff' and drive it over to Good Will. 56 years ago we moved into a 4 room cape cod house with a small truck and a few cars. Over the years the house has been expanded and filled will furniture, etc. so now that it's just DH and me I'm downsizing a lot.

Giving my oldest granddaughter the silverware I inherited from my MIL, I never use it. My full set of china might be going to another DGD who will be married next year. One DGD received my FIL's old fashion ice cream scoop - she had asked for it when she was a child so I gifted it to her at her bridal shower. Also had the small diamonds in MIL wedding ring turned into small rings for our 6 granddaughters, oldest in each family got a diamond with 2 birthstones, rest of DGDs got a pearl from one of my rings with 2 birthstones. These gifts didn't get much 'stuff' moved out of our house but they are something the girls have as family memories.

A few months ago I cleaned out a closet with clothes I haven't worn in years and out they went along with the gowns I wore to the weddings of my 2 oldest sons, this summer they both will be married 30 years. I know I would never get even one arm or leg into the size I was 30 years ago, LOL!

Many years ago my husband and I received a serving tray and matching bowls in the shape of fish. We were living in an apartment at the time and put the "gift" and other assorted household items in the storage locker. With our luck, someone broke into the locker and removed everything ... you guessed it, except the "fish" bowls. A thief with taste?

Thanks...great ideas.

Kinda like that commercial where they steal everything but the old PC?

My husband hoards everything his mother made, bought, sat in, wore, etc. I've tried to put it all in one spot, but it's not easy. Maybe it's an Italian man thing sinc his brother is the same way. Mom must have been really something....

When we moved 4 years ago, after 32 years in the same house. WE SOLD THE HOUSE AND EVERYTHING IN IT AND BOUGHT A PATIO HOME THAT WAS A MODEL AND IT WAS FULLY FURNISHED . PICTURES ON THE WALL AND EVEYTHING. I DO REGRET SOME OF THE STUFF I GOT RID OF, BUT FILLING THIS PLACE UP WITH FABRIC NOW HA!

I shall return to write a novel on this subject! :thumbup: <wave>

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I could have written this same song, same words. Right now I have 2 different sides of my sofa filled with..left side...Goodwill drop off area.
Right side...Freecycle...a young couple burnt out needs household stuff, so I went through my kitchen area again and have a back car seat full for them tomorrow. And I have no idea of where it came from after it got out of there, just that there's a lot more room to move around in now.

Later...more is going out. To someone.

Now when I have any doubts about an item, I picture my sister looking at it and rolling her eyes (she's good at that) as she cleans up my house after I am gone.[/quote]
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I picture my kids holding something or other up and asking what on earth did I get this for? And then tossing it in the "Giveaway, throwaway or sell" box.