Comments on: Using what you already own

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:35:57 +0000

I’ve really been working to de-stash my house the past few years. I do sometimes feel guilty at the things I’ve either given away or basically given away at one of my famous $1 garage sales. My philosophy is if it makes it to the garage sale it never comes back into the house so the price is one dollar! with few exceptions. Only occasionally do I regret my disposal of this-or-that but I enjoy going into my gloriously spacious attic, basement and closets. Great article!!

By: Brandie Kajino

Brandie Kajino — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:20:06 +0000

Wonderful article! Isn’t it amazing how much of our stuff we stash away? Why not use it? I’m going to dig out my china.

By: PJ Doland

PJ Doland — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:43:06 +0000

consumer_q - You could always split the set, then use Replacements.com to fill out each set and make it useful.

By: consumer_q

consumer_q — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:10:00 +0000

@Jacki,

After my grandmother died, we too thought it was neat to split up the china, giving everybody in the family a mini “set” if they wanted it. We soon realized afterward that this was a nice idea, but resulted in china with no utility; basically clutter. We then decided to reunite the set and give the full set to the person who would appreciate it the most.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:49:18 +0000

I once declared the month of November 2005 to be “Use What You Have” month, and blogged about it.

By: Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:09:30 +0000

This is FANTASTIC advice. If you’re not using something, it’s “clutter,” even if it’s very valuable and you enjoy owning it. I worried a lot about breaking/staining/chipping/losing things, then realized that if I wasn’t using my stuff, it wasn’t doing me any more good than if it were in the garbage.

By: Terrie

Terrie — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:42:53 +0000

Gotta laugh at the post above - my son has already told me he’s getting rid of everything when I’m no longer around so I’ve started using things instead of storing them to pass along.
I visited a with someone whom I’ve been acquainted with for a long time but not chummy with, and he had the heirloom silver in the silverware drawer and used it every day. What a difference it made at dinnertime!!

By: rositta

rositta — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:24:31 +0000

Your post hits home with me, I too have lots of wonderful things that I never use because they are “too good” and my Mom did the same…funny how that works. Now that my Mom has passed away I look at all the stuff she kept and wonder why. I’m going to start using everything I own now, if I die my kid is just going to get rid of it anyway, what’s the point…ciao

By: JAV

JAV — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:57:04 +0000

Couldn’t agree more. We use our Waterford Crystal every single night. At first I thought it was decadent, but now I just think it’s one of life’s pleasures.

By: WhyMommy

WhyMommy — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:28:13 +0000

Excellent point!

I struggle with this so, with family heirlooms and very young (2 years and 4 months) children at home. It is so nice to hear you say this out loud!

By: Dr. Ragan, www.psychologyofclutter.com

Dr. Ragan, www.psychologyofclutter.com — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:15:33 +0000

I recently re-arranged my work out area. I thought, “I need a cheap piece of furniture to put the cd/radio on.” Instead of buying a cheap stand, I moved the piece of junk I already had out of the guest bedroom and will start hunting for a good bargain on something nice for that space. It is not critical that there is a nightstand in there so I’ve got time to find just the right thing.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:28:05 +0000

My husband and I did not register for “everyday dishes.” Instead, we registered for very simple-patterned fine china that is both dishwasher safe and microwave safe and use it for every meal. I love, love, love eating off of pretty china, from pizza to the fanciest of foods that we make. But it is still really nice to put out for guests as well!

By: Jacki Hollywood Brown

Jacki Hollywood Brown — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:11:25 +0000

Good China…
I have a set that belonged to my Great Grandmother. She bought it piece by piece from England with the money she made from the cream she sold from the farm. It is a beautiful set that I haven’t used much for several reasons: 1) it doesn’t go in the dishwasher; 2) it doesn’t go in the microwave; 3) the kids were too young and might break it.
Now, the kids are older and I have started using some of the serving pieces and I am using the dishes more often.
When I die, I plan on splitting the set between them, or at least what is left of it. I would rather they have some pieces that will remind them of happy times and family history than a bunch of dishes Mom kept in the cupboard but never used.