While I was working on my Wildcard Wednesday project today, which was my kitchen junk drawer, I became increasingly interested in the answer to a question that you might be able to answer for me...
When does being frugal and recycling become hoarding and clutter?
I try to hold on to things I might need again, such as interesting shaped or pretty bottles and cans...always planning to recyce them into a snazzy little gift for someone, but never seeming to get that done...then I have clutter!
Then, I get tired of looking at it, so I throw all the stuff away, like I did last week, and VIOLA! this week I found a wonderful new website that talks about recycling interesting shaped or pretty botttles and cans into snazzy little gifts...hmm..
Another example-needles and thread. I probably sew on three buttons a year, if I really stretch it. So why do I need a spool of thread in 20 different colors, and three packets of needles. Why? I'll tell you why...because I guarantee you if I throw away ONE SINGLE SPOOL OF THREAD the very next button requiring sewing will be that exact color.
Birthday candles are another thing. We have two birthdays each year that we still use candles on the cakes-DS8 and DS7. Yet, I have about 50 candles in my drawer, all bundled up neat and tidy in a ziplock and in their own little space...but I only use them twice a year. However, the reason I have 50 birthday candles in the drawer is because we do have those two birthdays each year...and each year I'd thrown away candles, I had to go purchase more for those birthdays.
Can you see my point? At what point is it a healthy, thrifty thing to do, and when does it get to be a sickness?
OK, this is a little tongue in cheek, but it really does bug me. What do YOU think?
When does being frugal and recycling become hoarding and clutter?
I try to hold on to things I might need again, such as interesting shaped or pretty bottles and cans...always planning to recyce them into a snazzy little gift for someone, but never seeming to get that done...then I have clutter!
Then, I get tired of looking at it, so I throw all the stuff away, like I did last week, and VIOLA! this week I found a wonderful new website that talks about recycling interesting shaped or pretty botttles and cans into snazzy little gifts...hmm..
Another example-needles and thread. I probably sew on three buttons a year, if I really stretch it. So why do I need a spool of thread in 20 different colors, and three packets of needles. Why? I'll tell you why...because I guarantee you if I throw away ONE SINGLE SPOOL OF THREAD the very next button requiring sewing will be that exact color.
Birthday candles are another thing. We have two birthdays each year that we still use candles on the cakes-DS8 and DS7. Yet, I have about 50 candles in my drawer, all bundled up neat and tidy in a ziplock and in their own little space...but I only use them twice a year. However, the reason I have 50 birthday candles in the drawer is because we do have those two birthdays each year...and each year I'd thrown away candles, I had to go purchase more for those birthdays.
Can you see my point? At what point is it a healthy, thrifty thing to do, and when does it get to be a sickness?
OK, this is a little tongue in cheek, but it really does bug me. What do YOU think?