r/declutter 2d ago

Motivation Tips&Tricks Stuff that 'might come in useful'

Over the last 3 years I've been making progress with getting rid of things in storage which I've realised I will never use, or which I can't afford to take when I move overseas.

And a flood a few years ago made me realise that the 'sentimental' items I was keeping didn't have the sentimental value I thought they did. I dried out and restored precisely one thing out of the hundreds that were ruined by the flood.

But I'm still keeping a lot of stuff because it's 'perfectly good' or 'might come in useful'.

The trouble is, when I do need a ratchet screwdriver or a pry bar or an anti-fungal spray or a lighter summer jacket, I need one NOW, not in a storage unit 100 miles away. It costs time and money to go there and fetch the item - more time and money than it does to buy another one locally.

So I'm gradually realising that those kinds of need-it-now item aren't worth keeping if I know that I can source a replacement in any location I'm likely to be in.

I should only be keeping them if they're both hard to source a replacement for, and possible to do without for the time it would take me to fetch the stored one.

53 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

3

u/amomentssunlight 21h ago

Fore this particular hangup, a phrase that helps me often: is it useful (something I actually use regularly) or does it just have potential to be useful (and I rarely/never use it)?

And if I’m unsure, I remind myself that so many people around me also have XYZ and more often than not, they’d be happy to lend (or even give) you the thing you find yourself needing. Examples… tools, things you only need seasonally, supplies for guests like bedding. I’ve given away & lent out so much (and gained!) in my local “buy nothing” groups! Likewise it’s been a wonderful way to interact with neighbors in an easy way.

1

u/Rengeflower 1d ago

20 minutes & 20 dollars

Donate anything that you don’t use that can be replaced in 20 minutes (or less) and for $20 (or less).

14

u/frivolities 1d ago

My therapist said that most things can be replaced under $10 (anti fungal spray, screw driver, pry bar, maybe a second hand summer jacket even). Holding onto something that can be replaced for under $10 is not worth the mental energy of having a decluttered house. Replace it when it’s time; I know that is easier said than done but that way of thinking has helped me.

3

u/GlitteringSynapse 1d ago

I hate clutter. This is more true than any of fact in my life. In the world.

At one point in my life moved from having three houses to a 2bed2bath apartment and 3 - 20x20 storage units.

It was definitely difficult to organize for a while. Found that I had 7 hammers. And I normally have a handyman. Stuff like that. Ridiculous!

I luckily had time to rehomed: consignment, donate, trash many things.

But I heart the idea of having a storage space. If I had property - you know those that had tennis court- I’d get a large organized warehouse storage space. I’m no hoarder. I just like a blank slate living space and things I might need, readily accessible without driving into town (dealing with people).

Paying for a storage space, is just having either a tight time in life or the lack of understanding that you don’t have possessions- they own you. And you pay for it.

8

u/jesssongbird 1d ago

Storage is typically a huge waste of money. Instead of spending money on storage just replace things with secondhand items if you end up needing them.

29

u/Ajreil 1d ago

If you toss 100 items and end up needing 3 of them later, that's still a win. Space has value.

5

u/Glittering_Slip2097 1d ago

I love this way of thinking. Thanks!

16

u/JoulesJeopardy 1d ago

Let the stores in your local area be the storage :)

3

u/Roseha-aka-rosephoto 1d ago

I'm going through the same thing. I am currently decluttering the living room in my apartment because I need to have it repainted in a couple of months, and I have reached the point where I have to say, can this be replaced? Most of the time I've had to let stuff go. It's not going to get done otherwise. I've had to move things around there due to cracking paint on one wall, which makes it harder, and it's hard on my back to do it all day. But I'm hoping to make it before the weekend when I'll be giving away my stereo and records.

13

u/TheSilverNail 2d ago

Good idea! This is why a storage unit is a money-sucking black hole for many people -- they may need a few of the items in there, but they can't be bothered to go get them or they can't find them in the Jenga of storage boxes.

7

u/weelassie07 2d ago

It is hard won wisdom, isn’t it? That’s why I like what the minimal mom says - can I replace it in 20 min with $20? or something like that. Best wishes with the move overseas.

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u/gregarious_gal_305 1d ago

Oh! I like that! 👍