So many "advice givers" want us to declutter.

[scaredychicken]

sea2summit - great projects, I have that kind of creativity, but I need assistance to do the builds, so I call in favours / skills between friends. it works out

 

[ultrarunner]

My wife said ... get rid of all the old cars, just flog them off (she fails to realize that I actually have made money on the sales) ... the vehicles all had / have a purpose, and then they are sold

in the past year or so, I have done my best to make progress ...

sold
- '92 Honda Civic h/b - needed something else, not so low
- '04 Toyota Rav4 - replacement, but sold for profit
- '00 Pontiac Sunfire - sold
- '03 Chevrolet Cavalier - sold
- '81 Chevrolet El Camino SS "Royal Knight" - sold
- '04 Hyundai Santa Fe - replacement, but sold for profit

I still have too many vehicles (some are projects, that will be sold yet), but I'm making progress

I have 3 keepers - a truck for hauling, an economical daily, and a classic muscle collector
my wife's car is worth more than all of mine, AND she has a classic project --- so I think we are pretty good

This will be a problem I gift to others.

They can call a junk removal or keep to enjoy the 50 or so vehicle collection…

My regret is coming close but never closing the deal on the ideal property to turn hobby to a side business…

Presentation matters… i.e. organized and grouped.

 

[ultrarunner]

Several good posts here but non so profound as to what really matters as yours.
I've owned Section 8 housing and managed some for others. After tenants have vacated it is common to find like new toys,and clothing along with non-perishable food left behind. Not only have the people been trained for intitlements,they are taught to not share what they don't need,otherwise they would take the stuff to non-profits. If it's a matter of no time or transportation,non-profits will come pick it up. At least they do when I call instead of dropping off. There's a direct connection between those promoting entitlements and those promoting de-cluttering. So direct they are the one and same people.
Taking the matter one step farther,I've never spent a dime of my salary to buy and maintain rental property. Not only do they pay for themselves,they turn a profit. Point being has nots are most often that way by choice because they are told to de-clutter and wait for the new shipment of goods.

Same here… the volume often left behind can be mind boggling.

All those new made in China dolls, vid games, bikes end up in the dumpster by Spring.

I’ve made more than a few happy with cast off toys and bikes.

I knocked on the door at one Section 8 rental saying not a good idea to leave the new bike at the dumpster because it will disappear.

The mom told me it is broken… it did have the chain off… I said an easy fix but she was tossing it.

Another I had offered newborn furniture and clothes… a doctor at work posted she was giving away… really good stuff!

The lady said my baby isn’t going around in hand me downs…

 

[ultrarunner]

I think
A key to a happy marriage is each having space freedom for their things.

One of the best marriage savers was when my retired Navy friend built his shop with wife’s blessing… he was away a lot so when he retired they really had to share.

High on her list was the attached garage… she said no matter what time I come home I want to push a button and park in an empty garage… no car parts, projects, saw horses, etc.

She had one small table on the back porch… whatever was on the table was banished from the house… goodwill, trash etc.

He was free to take any of it to the shop or let it be.

They really were a fun couple but not until he stopped checking car thermostats on her stove or washing parts in the dishwasher!

 

[ultrarunner]

When my grandfathers aunt who was born in 1900 had to go to a retirement home the comments of some had this sweet woman in tears…

They were just matter of fact saying she had to get rid of most of her belongings to downsize. Those old enough to remember the Mrs Folgers commercials can picture her.

A widow 3 times with no children.

Anyway I had a single car detached garage at a rental I had decided not include when re-renting and offered to store anything or all of her belongings for as long as she wanted… it was such a relief to her.

She moved into retirement and had me bring her a few things but not much.

As time went on I let her know of a families in need and to let me know if anything was forsale.

She gave away nearly everything… her dining table, refrigerator, sofa, tableware and was simply happy helping families in need and a thank you note brought her enormous joy and she even said see what I have isn’t just junk to haul away.

I’m very sensitive to this in older people and a little respect and appreciation is like a tonic…

Way off topic but she married her high school sweetheart the week he was deployed in WWI… only having 3 days together as husband and wife… she was only married a short while and lost her second husband in WWII.

At 50 she remarried an older man, my grandfathers uncle and they were very happy but he had a stroke and she spent years caring for him… never complaining saying she had the love of three good men.

I guess the point of my long winded tale is there is a right and wrong way when decluttering!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

OH NO! I failed..... my son came in the other day. He had two 10-20x 2" screws in his hand. He said he needed 3, and asked if I had any more.
I directed him to the shop.... red screw bins, bottom left.

He said that's where he got those 2 from... I had them sorted by thread pitch, assorted lengths... ..
Not but a week ago, I dropped that bin and a bunch of them went flying all over..... I picked up the majority, but some have been getting swept up and tossed..... I know I threw at least a few of the longer ones away.

.....Now I feel bad.....

 

[jaxs]

When my grandfathers aunt who was born in 1900 had to go to a retirement home the comments of some had this sweet woman in tears…

I guess the point of my long winded tale is there is a right and wrong way when decluttering!

Bless you for taking time to consider the lady's priorities. How can people be so crass to minimize what someone spent a life time accumulating and preserving? I don't expect everyone around me to view tools,firearms,items I crafted and things I inherited the same as I but their criticism of them or me for keeping them aren't welcome.

 

[goeduck]

When my grandfathers aunt who was born in 1900 had to go to a retirement home the comments of some had this sweet woman in tears…

They were just matter of fact saying she had to get rid of most of her belongings to downsize. Those old enough to remember the Mrs Folgers commercials can picture her.

A widow 3 times with no children.

Anyway I had a single car detached garage at a rental I had decided not include when re-renting and offered to store anything or all of her belongings for as long as she wanted… it was such a relief to her.

She moved into retirement and had me bring her a few things but not much.

As time went on I let her know of a families in need and to let me know if anything was forsale.

She gave away nearly everything… her dining table, refrigerator, sofa, tableware and was simply happy helping families in need and a thank you note brought her enormous joy and she even said see what I have isn’t just junk to haul away.

I’m very sensitive to this in older people and a little respect and appreciation is like a tonic…

Way off topic but she married her high school sweetheart the week he was deployed in WWI… only having 3 days together as husband and wife… she was only married a short while and lost her second husband in WWII.

At 50 she remarried an older man, my grandfathers uncle and they were very happy but he had a stroke and she spent years caring for him… never complaining saying she had the love of three good men.

I guess the point of my long winded tale is there is a right and wrong way when decluttering!

You are a good man

 

[stuckmotor]

I think
A key to a happy marriage is each having space freedom for their things.

One of the best marriage savers was when my retired Navy friend built his shop with wife’s blessing… he was away a lot so when he retired they really had to share.

High on her list was the attached garage… she said no matter what time I come home I want to push a button and park in an empty garage… no car parts, projects, saw horses, etc.

She had one small table on the back porch… whatever was on the table was banished from the house… goodwill, trash etc.

He was free to take any of it to the shop or let it be.

They really were a fun couple but not until he stopped checking car thermostats on her stove or washing parts in the dishwasher!

I'd like to have a shop dishwasher for items I don't want in the one in the kitchen.

 

[stuckmotor]

OH NO! I failed..... my son came in the other day. He had two 10-20x 2" screws in his hand. He said he needed 3, and asked if I had any more.
I directed him to the shop.... red screw bins, bottom left.

He said that's where he got those 2 from... I had them sorted by thread pitch, assorted lengths... ..
Not but a week ago, I dropped that bin and a bunch of them went flying all over..... I picked up the majority, but some have been getting swept up and tossed..... I know I threw at least a few of the longer ones away.

.....Now I feel bad.....

If I toss it today, I'll probably need it tomorrow.