Comments on: 5 steps to taming materialism, from an accidental expert http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:20:06 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Simple Living News Update: Week of October 5th http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-210236 Simple Living News Update: Week of October 5th Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:32:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-210236 [...] 5 Steps to taming materialism form an accidental expert [...] [...] 5 Steps to taming materialism form an accidental expert [...]

]]> By: Wilbert http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-206773 Wilbert Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:48:23 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-206773 I like how you presented the five step technique. I think that the best way to taming materialism is to be grateful for what you have. Knowing that what you have can all go away very soon makes people respect the value. Personally, I wouldn't give anything away i would give things that I don't want to others who might need it. I like how you presented the five step technique. I think that the best way to taming materialism is to be grateful for what you have. Knowing that what you have can all go away very soon makes people respect the value. Personally, I wouldn't give anything away i would give things that I don't want to others who might need it.

]]> By: Online Shop http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-206365 Online Shop Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:30:03 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-206365 Just 5 steps, very easy to practice, but very useful with me, they help me very much. Thank for your post. Just 5 steps, very easy to practice, but very useful with me, they help me very much.
Thank for your post.

]]> By: Sandy http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-204682 Sandy Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:39:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-204682 I'm not sure exactly when or why I started downsizing, but I'm now at the point where I can travel the country in a camper van. At this point, pulling a trailer that serves as a "closet" and having a very portable business, I find that even a yard sale doesn't attract me like it once did. At first I thought the lack of an address would hamper my ability to acquire more things via mail order. But even that became a non-issue once my attitude changed. I'm visiting my thrift store sister now, and she simply has to visit every thrift store within a 25 mile radius of her house every other day or so. I have been going with her, and did find a few handy items to make cooking in the van easier. But I also donated several items from the "closet" that weren't as handy as first anticipated. It's hard for us hunter/gatherers not to hunt and gather, isn't it? I'm not sure exactly when or why I started downsizing, but I'm now at the point where I can travel the country in a camper van. At this point, pulling a trailer that serves as a "closet" and having a very portable business, I find that even a yard sale doesn't attract me like it once did. At first I thought the lack of an address would hamper my ability to acquire more things via mail order. But even that became a non-issue once my attitude changed.

I'm visiting my thrift store sister now, and she simply has to visit every thrift store within a 25 mile radius of her house every other day or so. I have been going with her, and did find a few handy items to make cooking in the van easier. But I also donated several items from the "closet" that weren't as handy as first anticipated.

It's hard for us hunter/gatherers not to hunt and gather, isn't it?

]]> By: Anne http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-204640 Anne Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:36:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-204640 Interestingly, in Vermont our farms have been carved up and dotted with mini storage units. The irony is that the farms have been in families for generations and are deeply rooted in our landscapes; the storage sheds are for those in transition and uprooted in their lives. Yard sales, tag sales, garage sales and moving sales are also part of the Vermont landscape. It is like maple season for some, you really look forward it! The sales offer up something you really need (or not). The VERY best of these are the moving sales, because at moving time one has a tendency to truly clean out life's residue. The thought of moving the unused but usable items is more weighted and the lift one gets from lightening the load is real. The second best sales are at the storage units themselves! The sales are excellent for young people going out on their own. It is here that just about anything you need can be found, and if you go to the affluent areas, the chances of filling your first apartment with gently used stuff begins the cycle accumulation. Interestingly, in Vermont our farms have been carved up and dotted with mini storage units. The irony is that the farms have been in families for generations and are deeply rooted in our landscapes; the storage sheds are for those in transition and uprooted in their lives.

Yard sales, tag sales, garage sales and moving sales are also part of the Vermont landscape. It is like maple season for some, you really look forward it! The sales offer up something you really need (or not). The VERY best of these are the moving sales, because at moving time one has a tendency to truly clean out life's residue. The thought of moving the unused but usable items is more weighted and the lift one gets from lightening the load is real. The second best sales are at the storage units themselves!

The sales are excellent for young people going out on their own. It is here that just about anything you need can be found, and if you go to the affluent areas, the chances of filling your first apartment with gently used stuff begins the cycle accumulation.

]]> By: Xjaeva http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-201585 Xjaeva Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:26:30 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-201585 Bedbugs are the devil. We're on the tail end of them. I only felt slightly sad about losing our furniture when we had to dump it into the dumpster. People who haven't been through bedbugs think you're being overly dramatic about how traumatic it is. "Losing" the "stuff" gives a sense of relief. Bedbugs are the devil.
We're on the tail end of them. I only felt slightly sad about losing our furniture when we had to dump it into the dumpster.
People who haven't been through bedbugs think you're being overly dramatic about how traumatic it is. "Losing" the "stuff" gives a sense of relief.

]]> By: Erin http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-199714 Erin Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:13:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-199714 As I was reading this I couldn't help but analyze the difference in how I grew up and my husband grew up. I grew up in a family that had little where my husband grew up with a family that had all the latest toys until his dad decided it wasn't worth not being with his family and he lost it. I'll admit because I can now afford to eat out, buy the toys I never had, etc. I find myself typing this in a three bedroom house for two people, a dog, and a cat. Do I need all these things and all this space? No. This is what I am struggling with. While I, being the organizer, would love a scaled down household, my husband (and another part of me) likes the basement full of the big TV, pool table, pinballs so we can entertain friends and family. Your post helps put some of what I'm wrestling with in perspective and some great links for me to check out. Thanks. As I was reading this I couldn't help but analyze the difference in how I grew up and my husband grew up. I grew up in a family that had little where my husband grew up with a family that had all the latest toys until his dad decided it wasn't worth not being with his family and he lost it.

I'll admit because I can now afford to eat out, buy the toys I never had, etc. I find myself typing this in a three bedroom house for two people, a dog, and a cat. Do I need all these things and all this space? No. This is what I am struggling with. While I, being the organizer, would love a scaled down household, my husband (and another part of me) likes the basement full of the big TV, pool table, pinballs so we can entertain friends and family.

Your post helps put some of what I'm wrestling with in perspective and some great links for me to check out.

Thanks.

]]> By: Jenny http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-199220 Jenny Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:27:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-199220 Penelope, I cannot believe what a nightmare bed bugs are. What did you do with your shoes during the bed bug escape? We're having our own bed bug issue now, and it would be very expensive to buy everyone new winter boots (we're in Vermont-the boots have to be the real deal). Our exterminator seems pretty blase about the whole thing, saying we can get away with checking the boots for bugs then bring them inside. I think he has inhaled too many fumes and is not quite right in the head. Any thoughts on this? Penelope,
I cannot believe what a nightmare bed bugs are. What did you do with your shoes during the bed bug escape? We're having our own bed bug issue now, and it would be very expensive to buy everyone new winter boots (we're in Vermont-the boots have to be the real deal). Our exterminator seems pretty blase about the whole thing, saying we can get away with checking the boots for bugs then bring them inside. I think he has inhaled too many fumes and is not quite right in the head. Any thoughts on this?

]]> By: McK http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-199164 McK Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:02:59 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-199164 I agree and I love that phrase. My job ended (temporary requirement for a degree) and I was forced to move home and put nearly everything I own in storage. It was a little weird, but I grew to love it. Stuff clutters your life and soon you are busy dealing with the "stuff" that you can't remember how you got it or why you want it, but refuse to throw it away. It was very freeing to live without all the "stuff". It has made me a picky shopper and I try to minimize the junk and the extra, material stuff. Rather, I try to save money and use it for experiences I will enjoy. Also, I read a great book my Micheal Pink about this topic.. I agree and I love that phrase. My job ended (temporary requirement for a degree) and I was forced to move home and put nearly everything I own in storage. It was a little weird, but I grew to love it. Stuff clutters your life and soon you are busy dealing with the "stuff" that you can't remember how you got it or why you want it, but refuse to throw it away.

It was very freeing to live without all the "stuff". It has made me a picky shopper and I try to minimize the junk and the extra, material stuff. Rather, I try to save money and use it for experiences I will enjoy.

Also, I read a great book my Micheal Pink about this topic..

]]> By: Rachel http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/comment-page-3/#comment-186736 Rachel Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:52:26 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/07/5-steps-to-taming-materialism-from-an-accidental-expert/#comment-186736 Penelope, My boyfriend and I went through a similar experience when we found bed bugs in our L.A. apartment. It was incredibly emotionally traumatizing. I spent so many nights afraid to fall asleep and subject myself to feasting by the bugs. We boxed up all of our belongings for two years b/c, as you said, the bugs can live for 18 months without feeding. We moved to a house about a year after we found the bugs and bought new furniture, never bringing the boxes of books, CDs, photographs, Christmas decorations, etc into the house until we passed that two-year mark. While the experience was a nightmare, it definitely taught us the importance of having a minimalist lifestyle. I was surprised when I didn't miss that "stuff" at all. Three years later, some of it still hasn't been unpacked. Penelope,

My boyfriend and I went through a similar experience when we found bed bugs in our L.A. apartment. It was incredibly emotionally traumatizing. I spent so many nights afraid to fall asleep and subject myself to feasting by the bugs. We boxed up all of our belongings for two years b/c, as you said, the bugs can live for 18 months without feeding. We moved to a house about a year after we found the bugs and bought new furniture, never bringing the boxes of books, CDs, photographs, Christmas decorations, etc into the house until we passed that two-year mark. While the experience was a nightmare, it definitely taught us the importance of having a minimalist lifestyle. I was surprised when I didn't miss that "stuff" at all. Three years later, some of it still hasn't been unpacked.

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