Am I a hoarder?

[Sara_H]

My mother always throws things away that she doesn't immediately need... often buying replacements as a result a few months later. [Especially clothes that don't fit according to how much her weight see-saws at the time...]. The waste infuriated me in my teens which is why I keep things far longer than I should...including the packaging/ boxes for things that have a warranty in case they need to go back... all kept in the loft. It has been useful a few times. Should have a clear-out.... one day.

Same with packaging. I recently found boxes for a sat nav and a couple of phones I no longer own.

I also keep padded envelopes and the like, just in case!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Certain items should be excluded from any accusations of hoarding, these include (but are not limited to):

• LPs
• Books
• Tools
• Kitchen utensils
• Notes reminding you never to create a poo bag man

 

[Sara_H]

Certain items should be excluded from any accusations of hoarding, these include (but are not limited to):

• LPs
• Books
• Tools
• Kitchen utensils
• Notes reminding you never to create a poo bag man

What if I write a note reminding me not to make a poo man and stick it on a broken laptop. Can I then keep the broken laptop?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

What if I write a note reminding me not to make a poo man and stick it on a broken laptop. Can I then keep the broken laptop?

Makes total sense to me.

 

[Globalti]

You're not a proper hoarder, this is a hoarder:

 

[tyred]

You're not a proper hoarder, this is a hoarder:

Where'd you get my photo?

 

[Sara_H]

You're not a proper hoarder, this is a hoarder:

I know the psychologist who appeared in that programme. Maybe I should ask his opinion.

 

[Arch]

Although I hoard I blame my folks, two 7.5 ton truck loads moved up in addition to their day to day stuff and furniture. Take their stuff out of the equation and there would be just enough room for Arch's stuff when she moves in!

Well, excuse me!

(Now, don't read this next bit )

Sara, you sound perfectly normal to me. My first thought was, if you really are never going to use those buttons, but you can't bear to just throw them away, send them to me.....

Ever since I had the idea of one day making a living from making stuff out of recycled materials, I've given myself a licence to hoard. Even if I'm not quite sure what, I have this feeling that so many things could be made into something new and useful, or pretty. I follow a few green blogs of Twitter, and see links to upcycled craft, and I'm right, there are so many opportunities! I just need room to store and organise, and time to make, and sell...

Seriously, charity shops can take loads off your hands. Even the buttons - or a local playgroup or school might be happy to take stuff for craft activities.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

You're not a proper hoarder, this is a hoarder:

I have a 2 or 3 customers like that.

Last time I went round to fix the PC for one of them he has so much stuff he had to leave the house so I could get out with the PC in my hands as there wasnt enough room to pass him

So Sara do you still think you have a problem

 

[tyred]

I've just realised I have two huge boxes of 7" singles in the attic. My Uncle used to own a pub back in the day and he always passed on the records from the Jukebox, only the ones that nobody listened to, so they're mostly all shite by long forgotten bands.

 

[Night Train]

Well, excuse me!

(Now, don't read this next bit )

Sara, you sound perfectly normal to me. My first thought was, if you really are never going to use those buttons, but you can't bear to just throw them away, send them to me.....

Ever since I had the idea of one day making a living from making stuff out of recycled materials, I've given myself a licence to hoard. Even if I'm not quite sure what, I have this feeling that so many things could be made into something new and useful, or pretty. I follow a few green blogs of Twitter, and see links to upcycled craft, and I'm right, there are so many opportunities! I just need room to store and organise, and time to make, and sell...

Seriously, charity shops can take loads off your hands. Even the buttons - or a local playgroup or school might be happy to take stuff for craft activities.

LOL, I was going to suggest that.

We are making progress on gradually reducing down the stuff my folks have hoarded. We have already done some trips to the tip and have sorted some stuff that can be given to charity shops or sold.

I currently have four cast iron baths and may be looking at a fifth. I only need three so when properly located and utilised the remainder will go.
The winches are into double figures....

 

[Arch]

I've just realised I have two huge boxes of 7" singles in the attic. My Uncle used to own a pub back in the day and he always passed on the records from the Jukebox, only the ones that nobody listened to, so they're mostly all s***e by long forgotten bands.

Bowls made of warmed up and shaped vinyl are all the rage these days, as are tiered cake stands....

I don't know if they take small donations from individual, but if anyone has a load of material that might be crafty, Scrapstores take suitable waste from businesses and sell it on to schools, playgroups, and individuals. There's info on where the scrapstores are on the website.

http://www.scrapstoresuk.org/

Speicher of this parish has connections with one, I know. I think I'd love to volunteer at one, but it might be dangerous, I'd bring more stock home!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I ran the website for Suffolkscrapstore.co.uk for years, although I wish they'd spoken to me before registering a domain name that can be so easily mis-read.

 

[postman]

Just this summer we had a clear out,house,garage,shed green house and garden.The skip was filled to the top.It did feel good.

i love the word ,tidy,tidy tidy.

 

[Arch]

LOL, I was going to suggest that.

We are making progress on gradually reducing down the stuff my folks have hoarded. We have already done some trips to the tip and have sorted some stuff that can be given to charity shops or sold.

I currently have four cast iron baths and may be looking at a fifth. I only need three so when properly located and utilised the remainder will go.
The winches are into double figures....

I think it can help to be a step removed. I can look at your folks' stuff and think nothing of selling it or giving it away. I might find it harder to do it with my Mum's stuff, but you might find it easier.

(Should point out, the folks in question are all still with us, and NT's Dad has said the things are his to do what he wants with. But we don't want to just throw/give/sell stuff away regardless)

My grandma was a hoarder - when she moved from a three storey Victorian house to a 1930's semi, we had to rationalise the 'collection'. I've got the hoarding gene alright.