prepper or hoarder?

[izzy_mack]

thanks guys, I think I am a hoarder, not a bad one but I could do better. I've decided that stuff I envisage using/needing is prepping and the stuff I have kept for others is hoarding! i have stuff that others in my family no longer wanted, clothes shoes etc, and I stored them away, as if shtf ever occurred they would probably make for home (me). Few trips to the charity shop and I,ve freed up a lot of space. This seemed mean until I realised that if I replaced a box of shoes with a box of food, we could always barter the food for shoes if that was more needed, but at least that way we had an option as its unlikely we could do it the other way round, and if the s never htf, the food will be more use anyway.

The other thing that occurred to me was that perhaps I've been doing my family a dis-service by always having what they need. this week i've had requests for aa batteries, duck and insulating tape, boot laces, mole grips and a gas cylinder regulator! All from family who have left home and become "independant

I would prefer to see them supply themselves so I reckon it's time to not have any of what they're looking for unless I think it's important to help.Maybe then they'll think for themelves and equip their homes better. I did give them a lot of everyday stuff, batteries first aid, medicine cupboard, sewing kits etc. when they left but I guess it's used up now, it is difficult as a parent to say no, even when they're adults but it seems it'll be a kindness in the long run. Will probably have them drag me to to the drs if they find my stash of stuff after I've said I don't have anyany, they'll decide I've gone senile

[Hamradioop]

In my case its Mother In Law who has asked for stuff.

[tanstaafl]

Murphy's Law


RICHARD'S COMPLIMENTARY RULES OF OWNERSHIP
1. If you keep anything long enough, you can throw it away.
2. If you throw it away, you will need it the next day.



Here http://zira.home.xs4all.nl/murphy.html

[featherstick]

Murphy's Law


RICHARD'S COMPLIMENTARY RULES OF OWNERSHIP
1. If you keep anything long enough, you can throw it away.
2. If you throw it away, you will need it the next day.



Here http://zira.home.xs4all.nl/murphy.html

In some cultures, this natural law is expressed as The Glove Rule: The best way to find a lost glove is to throw away the other one.

[Selkie]

If you know you will definitely use whatever it is in the near future then its not clutter.

.

Hi Decaff, Ah now here it depends a lot on your definition of 'near future'. The 'near future' being synonymous with 'sometime' in some peoples envisioning of time as opposed to those who have a concept of a fixed period in the future where useful items become clutter.

[Decaff]

If you know you will definitely use whatever it is in the near future then its not clutter.

.

Hi Decaff, Ah now here it depends a lot on your definition of 'near future'. The 'near future' being synonymous with 'sometime' in some peoples envisioning of time as opposed to those who have a concept of a fixed period in the future where useful items become clutter.

Good point!! My near future is within 6 months, maybe less for some things. Also, if you've had this "stuff" for a long time chances are you won't use it anyway, that's what I've found.

[jansman]

I am gradually clearing stuff. I find the less I have to 'tidy' and 'store' the easier I am in the mind. If that makes sense. Tools are the thing for me. Gradually I am condensing my workshop down to a set of power tools , carpentry box, mechanic box, and so forth. It did not help when Dad died and I took a lot of gear in. I do prefer a more minimal approach, even if I don't practice it!

[The-Mendologist]

I am the worst one for keeping stuff and junk as i can always see another use for it or repurpose it somewhere else. I have a shed full of stuff that i should really get rid of but you know the day you load the trailer and take it all up the tip, your are almost certainly going to need a switch or a part out of something a couple of days later, it always happens and then you kick yourself as you then have to buy one.
But you can only keep so much of it as it then becomes too much to store and keep tidy, or in my case, i know that i have got it but it takes me a couple of days to find it due to the amount i have to go through just to find it.

[Stasher]

Hoarder/stasher/prepper it's all the same, just degrees of insanity I guess

Little story for you. Family bereavement resulted in 'the shed' of deceased rellie needing a going thro and disposal of 'stuff'. Oh he was always a hoarder, who knew he had all this rubbish said the family

Rubbish? Rubbish? Okay, there was a load of stuff that needed chucking, but alpha male and I were well impressed. Rellie was clearly a prepper and into serious opsec

Shed is still being gone thro, but so far the following is amongst the 'rubbish' uncovered

Four gennys, 1 hardwired into the house
Numerous water carriers
Numerous fuel carriers (with fuel)
Daysacks
Waterproofs
Thick winter clothing
Bicycles (enough for each close family member)
Ship biscuits (the long life survival ones)
Good quality tarps, some still in packaging
LED lanterns
LED lights
Hurricane lamps
Batteries, more batteries. Batteries anyone?
Having lived near a river all his life, we found A BOAT, outboard motor, paddles, life jackets
Solar energy stuff
Knives
Air rifles/pistols
and that's just some of it

I have new found respect for him

Naturally we volunteered to 'get rid of' a load of 'rubbish' but I am pleased that his eldest son would appear to have caught a little of the prepping bug and was keen that some items remained

Well impressed, see, you just don't know about people do you

[izzy_mack]

Now THAT'S what I call an inheritance, Stasher!! Wonder what they'll think of my stuff when I'm gone?