Transmute Jun
Queen of the Bird Missiles
I am a Swan.
40 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 04-04-2007
Posts: 20978
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You have to prioritize. I moved this past year as well, and that's the perfect time to get rid of stuff. Essentially, if I haven't opened the box or looke at it in years, it goes.
Now there are exceptions, like collections of stuff which is your current obsession. But generally I let past obsessions go. So if I haven't been 'into' something for 5+ years, and haven't even opened the box of itesm, I pick out a few mementos and let the rest go. You wouldn't believe the piles of video tapes and magazine clippings and such that I got rid of.
And my guilty 'I'm keeping it no matter what' item is: my record collection. Yep, bona fide LPs, 12" singles, 7" singles, and even a couple of 10" singles. I have a record player for it too. 
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05-11-2009 13:23
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amethyst
Wanted: $1000 Reward
I am a Condor.
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 15-07-2009
Posts: 6248
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You can also prioritize stuff:
1. Value -- collectibles, antiques, items that will likely continue to appreciate.
2. Sentimental stuff -- Family heirlooms (may or may not qualify above), mementos, etc.
3. Cool Junk -- stuff that doesn't fit above
If the cool junk is taking up space but not providing a benefit, toss it or consign it. If you're holding onto your grandma's turkey platter because it was grandma's but you've never used it, give it to another family member. Valuables decide on space and interest or if they were investments.
Hubby and I have collected trading cards. Over the years we've sold off most of them. I still have two unopened boxes of the 1990 Star Trek cards, and he still has a few albums baseball cards plus some 1960/70's SF Giants players that bought because those were the players he loved while growing up. The albums have been kept to teach the kids, and are mostly dimies to $5 cards, but aren't taking up much space.
You can also ask yourself, when was the last time I needed this? When will I need it again? If the answer isn't realistic, find the item a new home.
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Perspective Alters Reality
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05-11-2009 16:03
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lborgia88
Gatchamaniac
I am a Condor.
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 27-06-2007
Posts: 5991
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I accumulate very little; in fact I'm that rare woman who can say that her boyfriend has more clothes, and shoes, than she does. For most things, the "one year rule" works for me: if I haven't used it/worn it in the past year, I can manage without it. However, I have one big exception -books. I have hundreds of books, and having to get rid of any of them would really, really hurt!
But if I had to, I think I could cope with it as long as I knew they weren't going into the trash, but instead were going to someone who would appreciate them as much as I do. Then I would feel like I'm passing on a legacy, and that would be some comfort.
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05-11-2009 17:04
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clouddancer
Gatchamaniac
I am an Owl.
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 10-04-2007
Posts: 12239
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| quote: | Originally posted by lborgia88
I accumulate very little; in fact I'm that rare woman who can say that her boyfriend has more clothes, and shoes, than she does. For most things, the "one year rule" works for me: if I haven't used it/worn it in the past year, I can manage without it. However, I have one big exception -books. I have hundreds of books, and having to get rid of any of them would really, really hurt!
But if I had to, I think I could cope with it as long as I knew they weren't going into the trash, but instead were going to someone who would appreciate them as much as I do. Then I would feel like I'm passing on a legacy, and that would be some comfort. |
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I think we could be sisters LB. My clothing wardrobe is minimal, my walk in closet is practically empty. Like you I do a seasonal clear out of my clothing - If I have not worn it since last year then out it goes. As for shoes, I think I can count on one hand the number of pairs I have.
But my book shelves ... those are full. Although it does not sound like I have quite as good of a collection as you do - probably because the price of books here in Canada is about double the price in the US. *remind me when I visit next year for Comic Con to stop by a book store and stock up.* 
But if I added in all the books I have collected for my classroom - for the children to read, I would not know where to store them and would have a very good collection.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
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06-11-2009 01:19
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clouddancer
Gatchamaniac
I am an Owl.
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 10-04-2007
Posts: 12239
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| quote: | Originally posted by lborgia88Sounds like a plan -as long as you can fit them in your luggage when you return home (a problem I've encountered when hitting bookstores while travelling)!
I remember, back when the last Harry Potter book came out, my mother informed me that she hadn't gotten a copy for my niece (who was then staying with her in Nova Scotia for part of the summer) as she thought my niece could wait until she got back to Ottawa in a few weeks and then read her older sister's copy. Feeling for my niece's Potter-deprived plight, I said it wasn't that expensive (I'd paid about $18 for mine, in the US) and was informed that it was going for $45 at the local bookstore where my mother lives -I was shocked, as I had forgotten how much more books cost in Canada. |
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Which is why I still have not got the last copy of Harry Potter .... wait, or did I? I was waiting and waiting for it to come out in soft cover and it never did. I managed to borrow a copy from someone in the end, but I can not remember if I ever purchased a copy for myself to complete my collection.
I have learned to hold off and frequent used book stores to buy m books now, except things like the Harry Potter books or Terry Goodkind never appear in used book stores, or if they do they are not there for long. I am still trying to fill in the gaps of books I lost when I had my flood a number of years back.
I grew impatient enough that I started looking on Amazon finding all the books I wanted and then realizing it was going to cost me $6 each book on shipping fees across the boarder, even when I was purchasing from the same seller. They would not combine orders. I gave up on that and have gone back to watching the used book stores.
Thank you James, I do remember the Borders from when TJ and I visited two years ago. I may have to go searching those used book stores though the next time I am there. Maybe I can convince LB to come with me. As for suitcase problems .... I may have to plan on checking one on my way back home, if I am so lucky to find a lot of books I like. 
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by clouddancer on 06-11-2009 at 02:25.
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06-11-2009 02:25
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meridianday
Galaxy Girl
I am a Devilstar.
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 27-06-2001
Posts: 1640
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LOL - my daughter's pushchair is still up in the old house's attic - she's 10 years old now. I don't go up there because I have a strong fear of heights and the hatch is right over the stairwell. All the clothes that don't fit her have been given away around the time they stopped fitting. All the clothes that don't fit me any more eventually found their way to charity shops as well 
And I know the pain of disposing of books. My husband is making no sense at the moment, because he wants to avoid having bookshelves but he reads more books than I do! I have decided we will have bookshelves in the bedrooms. That way the living space remains clear but we are still able to keep them. I don't understand why he has no objection to DVD shelves though because I'm sure we spend less time watching them than we do reading books. We have boxes of books, and I know full well that there are many we'll never read again, but it's so hard choosing which ones are to go.
Thing is, although I'm not active in the fandom as much any more, I've never stopped being a Gatch fan. There are still very few days that pass without me thinking about Gatch. The size of my collection means it has to be kept in boxes where I can't see the contents, but I haven't lost interest in the items at all. Since it is a collection of toys, it doesn't get "used", but I enjoy knowing that it's there. But, some of it has to go. I've been back to the old house this morning to move some to the new house, and I am finding it hard to choose. I think the kits will go onto ebay, because I'll never make them, but then I think of my sister who does make kits, and I think how I could ask her to make them for me so I would have the models instead, so even that decision is up in the air.
Bah.
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 Mallanox : "My mother was Irish and my father was an alien. I was an only child and I dress funny."
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06-11-2009 09:58
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gatchamarie
Gatchamaniac
I am an Eagle.
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 18-06-2009
Posts: 5129
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| quote: | Originally posted by meridianday
Thing is, although I'm not active in the fandom as much any more, I've never stopped being a Gatch fan. There are still very few days that pass without me thinking about Gatch. The size of my collection means it has to be kept in boxes where I can't see the contents, but I haven't lost interest in the items at all. Since it is a collection of toys, it doesn't get "used", but I enjoy knowing that it's there. But, some of it has to go. I've been back to the old house this morning to move some to the new house, and I am finding it hard to choose. I think the kits will go onto ebay, because I'll never make them, but then I think of my sister who does make kits, and I think how I could ask her to make them for me so I would have the models instead, so even that decision is up in the air.
Bah. |
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You surely have a bit of a dilemma there, Meridianday! The only thought that crosses my mind when hearing you say that you'll find a solution rather than disposing of your kits is that you are really reluctant of separating yourself from them! Why not ask your sister to help you and put them in a well deserved and visible place when they're ready (if always it's possible!)?! Rooms like studies and family rooms that could be left for hobbies or as relaxing areas, if available, could be nice places hosting such collections and memorabilia which could be displayed without looking like clutter. This could be achieved by planning beforehand good and suitable shelving units or display cabinets always in the case that there is space available!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
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06-11-2009 10:33
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Or I have to pay £700 a year to store it somewhere else, which I don't want to do. What is the point in having it, if it's somewhere else? The idea of selling bits of it actually hurts me. I love my stuff.
I suppose you could make an appointment with Dr Nambu for a theorapy sesssion...sit back on the couch...only to discaover its his day off and the Condor is waiting to hear all about it and put his arm around you...after he loves devilstars.
