Comments on: Difficult downsizing decisions

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:56:10 +0000

As I have been engaging in some serious uncluttering, I have been facing similar decisions, but for a very different reason – I misplace things all of the time. So, I am forever facing the question of – Did I not use this because it’s not something that I would use or did I not use it because I couldn’t find it. I have been using the deadline approach and so far, it’s working well. If noting else, it takes the “sting” out of getting rid of something that you never used.

By: Alex Fayle

Alex Fayle — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:33:17 +0000

I loved reading this post – great job on the decision process! The trick now, as others have said, is to remember to review your space in three months…

By: Geoff E

Geoff E — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:00:38 +0000

Ironically, I was just looking to buy one. I think that, like many tools, only a high quality one is useful. A good mandolin can slice some artful shapes, save you time, and is easy to clean. A bad one fails to cut, wobbles about, and then breaks.

As to Kevin’s earlier post, we just moved and the kitchen is about to be blown away. So we only unpacked kitchen utensils as we needed them (since they will be repacked soon). It has been amazingly informative.

By: verily

verily — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:42:14 +0000

That sounds like a good idea, labeling it and giving it a deadline basically.

It wouldn’t work in my situation, where the mandolin gets heavy use in the summer and next to no use the rest of the year. I use it for processing lots and lots of cucumbers/squash.

By: Kevin (ReturnToManliness)

Kevin (ReturnToManliness) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:53:44 +0000

This is yet another good reason to move occasionally. My wife and I have been on the every 2 year plan since the new tax laws for real estate came into affect. Every time we move, we realize just how much stuff we gathered for no reason whatsoever. I didn’t think about putting the sticker on the item though.

One thing we have done is prioritize our packing. We don’t unpack a box unless we need to. If it is still not unpacked after 6 months, the contents go under death watch and will most likely end up on ebay, craigslist, garage sale or thrift store…

By: helix

helix — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:52:35 +0000

I like my mandolin too. It gets used just barely enough to justify a place in the kitchen. It can’t be beat it when it comes to making very thin slices of fennel, carrots, and potatoes.

Just remember to always use the safety holder thing. Using your bare hands to run veggies across the blade is dangerous (I speak from personal experience!).

By: A.T.O.

A.T.O. — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:16:50 +0000

I have this very same slicer/mandolin, and I love it! I just have to remember to make a point to actually use it – and once I remember to, I remember how much I LOVE it! It’s so perfect for summer (yellow) squash and zucchini… We also like to use it to make ultra-thin onion rings, and then we saute them to caramalize the onions, and boy they are TASTY!

It doesn’t take up THAT much room, after all.

By: KateNonymous

KateNonymous — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:12:16 +0000

I got a mandoline as a wedding present, and it’s still sitting on the shelf in its box. Just recently I thought about getting rid of it, but then I thought, “We’re going to move later this year, and wherever we wind up will include a bigger kitchen.” This reinforces my decision to keep it–I do think I’ll use it when I have a place to do so. If not, I can get rid of it then.

By: mercurial scribe

mercurial scribe — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:46:22 +0000

I so need to do this. We’re moving in a few months and we definitely need to purge.

By: Bex!

Bex! — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:29:04 +0000

I want to use our mandolin enough to feel very justified in having it. However, most of the time I think of using it, I decide it’s much simpler to use a knife, then to have to wash all those pieces, make space on the counter to sue it, etc. Still, I really want to like it.

By: Journeyer

Journeyer — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:55:33 +0000

That’s a great way to deal with “undecideds”. I usually stick them back in the cupboard and forget about them all over again.

I use my slicer at least once a week. While there are other tools that do a similar job, it’s a real timesaver.

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:55:29 +0000

An alternative method to finding out if you ever use the gadget would be to set yourself a reminder in your reminder system of choice. For me, I prefer “I Want Sandy” because I genuinely find it the most uncluttered reminder system. I set the reminder by email and Sandy emails my reminder back to me at the right time. So in this case I’d probably take out my iPhone and type “remind me to eBay slicer if I haven’t used it in three months” as a new email to Sandy. Doesn’t require a new calendar (more clutter) or new software (more clutter).

The reason I suggest this is that I could imagine that if you never use the slicer at all, it’ll sit peacefully undisturbed with its sticker for years, unless you are reminded of it.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:09:04 +0000

There’s a huge difference between a unitasker that makes your life easier (because it’s a task you need to do frequently) and a unitasker that just takes up space. Mandolines are great if you need a lot of slaw/thin slices, waffle irons are handy if your family’s tradition is waffles for Sunday brunch, and garlic crushers are good if you (like me) put garlic in everything.

Also, homemade potato chips are made of win and awesome.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:46:23 +0000

I consider a mandoline type slicer a must, but I use mine more. We should all be eating more salads, I think.

By: Mer

Mer — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:26:48 +0000

Hang on to it and definitely try to make sweet potato chips with it. Yum!

Your husband has a point. With more space, it might be easier to get to and you might actually use it. Of course you should put a sticker on it and get rid of it if you don’t use it in 3 months. That’s very reasonable.