In the great depression, nothing was throw away and I mean nothing. Even my mom who was a depression baby didn't throw anything out. When she passed away, her home was a warehouse with trails. She saved rubber bands, bits of string, buttons,ect. There have been some recent post about hoarding.
Where do we draw the line on responsible living and hoarding? We see alot of this when we do listing presentations. I'm sure the current economy, mirroring the great depression plays in here somewhere.
I remember my mother talking about how tough things were. I would not consider her a hoarder; however I know we always had at least 25 pounds of sugar in the pantry.
Keeping large supplies of food, medicine, fuel, and water is "Disaster Preparation".
Saving rubber bands, plastic wrap, empty containers is "Frugality".
But the heaps of old magazines, and mountains of bric-a-brac that I saw in a house the other day - THAT is hoarding!
Richard: Now you are talking about me!
Fred: Thanks now we have a definition of hoarding!
Rob:
It could be hoarding. Some people have trouble parting with possession. As they age, they want things to be the same as they were and those possessions are part how things were.
Insecurity might be a reason for hoarding as well. I guess if it's clean and orderly is frugal and if it's disorderly and unkempt then it's hoarding but who am I to judge.
Hoarding is more about keeping things you will never use in a chaotic manner. People who are frugal or prepared should not be lumped into this category. You are right.
I think you are partially right about why it is happening. I know my grandparents did it, my mom did it and from time to time, I even catch myself doing it. It is tough to not throw things out knowing that one day I may need it.
Mary: areful now, you are talking about me. LOL
Todd: I usually can't find it when I need it.
There's a line between keeping and storing things that can truly be used, and heaping up piles of trash! If you can't use it, take a trip to Goodwill. Someone will benefit.
Likely during the Great Depression people had to save nearly everything. Today, when the "saved items" start to encroach on normal daily activities and prevents anyone in the home from enjoying all of the home's features, I think the line is crossed and it becomes hoarding.
It's funny... Our parents lived through the Great Depression and many became savers.
My Mom was one of those. I used to laugh at her re-using aluminum foil, but now, if it's still clean, I smooth it out and stick it in the drawer to use again.
And, I'll admit that there are other things I don't toss because they might be useful later or because it simply seems wasteful. (Anyone need the ends of 3 or 4 skeins of yarn that I have left over from some Christmas projects?)
My mother-in-law, on the other hand, never kept anything. If she wasn't going to use it that day - out it went.
I agree with those who said that it becomes hoarding when the "stuff" interferes with living in your home.
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