British Expats

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-   -   Pros/ Cons (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/pros-cons-756453/)

Mummy in the foothills Apr 30th 2012 1:25 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 10034200)
Owning stuff is a big problem long term.. Eventually you have to rent a dumpster to throw it out. I've belatedly realized it is best to avoid the temptation in the first place and just never buy anything unless you really need it.

How on earth do you do that/ The Stuff calls me constantly and even Dh who hates to shop at all has managed to collect a lot of stuff. We are in the process of getting rid of said stuff, but once you clear a spot more stuff appears :confused:

Primula Apr 30th 2012 1:29 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 10034206)
How on earth do you do that

Watch Hoarders on AETV.com. It will put you off buying stuff for life.

http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/

Jerseygirl Apr 30th 2012 1:33 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 10034200)
Owning stuff is a big problem long term.. Eventually you have to rent a dumpster to throw it out. I've belatedly realized it is best to avoid the temptation in the first place and just never buy anything unless you really need it.

I realised that when after my parents died. All the things they'd worked a lifetime for mostly went into a dumpster.


Originally Posted by Primula (Post 10034204)
I emigrated with one small suitcase and now I have a house stuffed with Lord knows what.

We only brought clothes and a few personal things...now every cupboard/closet is bursting open. I am now going through everything...getting ready to downsize.

Primula Apr 30th 2012 1:36 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 10034215)
I realised that when after my parents died. All the things they'd worked a lifetime for mostly went into a dumpster.

I was annoyed last year when I found out many photographs and whatnot of a family member's home in England had just been thrown into the dumpster. I would have loved that stuff. So cavalier to just throw out a person's entire history.

robin1234 Apr 30th 2012 2:12 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by Primula (Post 10034218)
I was annoyed last year when I found out many photographs and whatnot of a family member's home in England had just been thrown into the dumpster. I would have loved that stuff. So cavalier to just throw out a person's entire history.

My wife has a cousin who is a few years younger than she is. She lived in New Jersey for many years and worked in Manhattan, but now she has retired and has moved permanently to her condo in Florida.. She can play golf every day, and no more snow shoveling. She told us the other day that she is selling or throwing out all her NJ furniture and possessions since she'll be selling the house. Do we want anything? Well she has a beautiful old antique desk that had belonged to their grandmother.. My wife remembers looking through all the cubby holes and secret compartments when she was a child. However we are downsizing too, possibly moving to England.. Have to let the desk go.

Primula Apr 30th 2012 2:20 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 10034253)
possibly moving to England

No kidding? After almost 36 years!

robin1234 Apr 30th 2012 2:26 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by Primula (Post 10034264)
No kidding? After almost 36 years!

Well we've gone back and forth a few times. Been here twenty one years this time so maybe time to go back (or is it forth?)

Jerseygirl Apr 30th 2012 2:27 pm

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by Primula (Post 10034218)
I was annoyed last year when I found out many photographs and whatnot of a family member's home in England had just been thrown into the dumpster. I would have loved that stuff. So cavalier to just throw out a person's entire history.

Mum had given quite a lot of things to my sister. I have some photos and a few momentoes. What else can you do when you live thousands of miles away? What do you think will happen to your belongings...especially if you don't have any children?


Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 10034253)
My wife has a cousin who is a few years younger than she is. She lived in New Jersey for many years and worked in Manhattan, but now she has retired and has moved permanently to her condo in Florida.. She can play golf every day, and no more snow shoveling. She told us the other day that she is selling or throwing out all her NJ furniture and possessions since she'll be selling the house. Do we want anything? Well she has a beautiful old antique desk that had belonged to their grandmother.. My wife remembers looking through all the cubby holes and secret compartments when she was a child. However we are downsizing too, possibly moving to England.. Have to let the desk go.

I have no intentions of taking any of my furniture when we move from this house. We have already furnished our condo in Toronto and our house in the UK...if we buy a place in Florida I would like different furniture.

Orangepants May 1st 2012 5:11 am

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 10034200)
Owning stuff is a big problem long term.. Eventually you have to rent a dumpster to throw it out. I've belatedly realized it is best to avoid the temptation in the first place and just never buy anything unless you really need it.

This is so true. I lost everything in Hurricane Ivan 2004 except the stuff I took into shelter and it really didn't matter. When I went back to the destroyed house, the only thing that made it was a large box of photos and 4 wine glasses - what more did I need. :thumbsup:

Having said that - our SC house now resembles an Aladdin's cave!

Uncle Ebenezer May 1st 2012 5:27 am

Re: Pros/ Cons
 

Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 10034200)
Owning stuff is a big problem long term.. Eventually you have to rent a dumpster to throw it out. I've belatedly realized it is best to avoid the temptation in the first place and just never buy anything unless you really need it.

Yep - we just rented a dumpster ($800 for 10 days) and filled it with all the crap we've generated in just 9 years.


Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 10034206)
How on earth do you do that/ The Stuff calls me constantly and even Dh who hates to shop at all has managed to collect a lot of stuff. We are in the process of getting rid of said stuff, but once you clear a spot more stuff appears :confused:

You have to be ruthless - the alternative is to become one of those compulsive hoarders you see on "reality" TV.


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