Living Car Free - So Much Stuff! (rant)

Why no matter how much stuff I donate, throw, or use. I feel like I have way to much crap. I am moving via UPS and gee I thought I was doing pretty good. Then I started packing my boxes.


I have been slowly getting rid of my crap ever since 2003 after a divorce. I have close to 9 boxes of stuff now, and I should be happy, but I am not.

Argggg...


The less I have the happier I am. Something going car free has taught me.

Nine boxes isn't a whole lot--although it sure seems like a lot when you go to move it! Try using one of those vacuum pack thingies on your clothing and bedding. That might reduce the number of boxes.

I've got about eighty boxes of stuff plus furniture. My purge via Craigslist and ebay is going slowly but it's going. I would be much happier if I had just twenty boxes.

When I moved last September, I had 25 or 30 boxes of stuff plus furniture, but that included groceries, and I keep a well-stocked kitchen.

What seems to be growing uncontrollably around here are wheelsets. I have three bikes and six wheelsets.

What seems to be growing uncontrollably around here are wheelsets. I have three bikes and six wheelsets.:D

Yeah, and they take up a lot of room too. Only the biggest boxes or tubs will hold bike wheels, and they still stick out of the top. My son was cussing me out when he helped me move: "You know---a bicycle is supposed to be a TWO-wheeled vehicle!"

I've got about eighty boxes of stuff plus furniture. My purge via Craigslist and ebay is going slowly but it's going. I would be much happier if I had just twenty boxes.
Its been a long struggle, so I was just disappointed. I have purged thousands of dollars of crap. Keeps me from buying more though.

I sold my BOB trailer today woot woot one less thing err box.

I am not sure what happened. Its like I am turning Buddhists or something. I am not even happy with 8 boxes.

Since moving gain is SOOOOO far down the list for me, I don't know how many boxes of stuff I have; I do know, though, that my project to reduce my possessions to those that can be carried readily is going well.

I recently got rid of the heavy, bulky, but oh-so-utilitarian teacher's desk I received free from my older brother (now a retired teacher), and replaced it with one of those steel rack shelf units and some very portable fold-together boxes. (I still have the desktop, as I plan to make a work bench top out of it -- maybe) There are a couple of pine tables and a circular cabinet table that just have a place in my heart, can't seem to let go of them yet; another steel rack unit will soon replace my entertainment center.

Sometime in the next five years or so, I will get to the point where nothing I own cannot be hauled in/on a bike trailer. I currently have a rear-facing open kids' trailer that is about done for, and a metal-frame one that's next-to-new. I'll add a flatbed in the next year or two....

How big are the boxes?

What seems to be growing uncontrollably around here are wheelsets. I have three bikes and six wheelsets.

A wheel is a handy spare to have around the house. My front wheel suddenly lost a couple of spoke this afternoon. I was able to take a wheel from another bike.

We should distinguish between junk and useful items. I have books that I have been keeping since the late 1960s. I never read them and their pages are yellowed. I think a personal library is a wonderful thing, but only if you use it.

I am not sure what happened. It's like I am turning Buddhist or something. I am not even happy with 8 boxes.

Then maybe the problem is not the stuff, but an attachment to not having anything.

Since moving gain is SOOOOO far down the list for me, I don't know how many boxes of stuff I have; I do know, though, that my project to reduce my possessions to those that can be carried readily is going well.

I recently got rid of the heavy, bulky, but oh-so-utilitarian teacher's desk I received free from my older brother (now a retired teacher), and replaced it with one of those steel rack shelf units and some very portable fold-together boxes. (I still have the desktop, as I plan to make a work bench top out of it -- maybe) There are a couple of pine tables and a circular cabinet table that just have a place in my heart, can't seem to let go of them yet; another steel rack unit will soon replace my entertainment center.

Sometime in the next five years or so, I will get to the point where nothing I own cannot be hauled in/on a bike trailer. I currently have a rear-facing open kids' trailer that is about done for, and a metal-frame one that's next-to-new. I'll add a flatbed in the next year or two....

Great Job! You are about where I was in 2004. I had my first bike move by myself in 2008. Yes those Baker racks (folding shelf's) are awesome and were the first purchase to a bikeablity.


How big are the boxes?
I can post some pics.



We should distinguish between junk and useful items. I have books that I have been keeping since the late 1960s. I never read them and their pages are yellowed. I think a personal library is a wonderful thing, but only if you use it.
Yea, I would put my stuff in the 6 mo pile. If I used it then I would take it out of the pile. After six months (it) found a new home if it was still in the pile.


Then maybe the problem is not the stuff, but an attachment to not having anything.
I think you nailed it. Since this follows my interaction with people.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6467/p1170455.jpg

First load 99 LB.

How big are the boxes?

That's an important consideration. In my case, I bought either 30 or 3 dozen Bankers Boxes 15 years ago. They're perfect because they're strong, they're uniform size, I can't overload them, they have covers, and they fold flat for storage until the next move.


http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6467/p1170455.jpg

First load 99 LB.

Those two boxes look equivalent to six of mine.

Then maybe the problem is not the stuff, but an attachment to not having anything.

Good point :)

It's often hard to tell the difference, isn't it?

Good point :)

It's often hard to tell the difference, isn't it?

I am attached to the internet. Maybe there is hope for me.

I am attached to the internet. Maybe there is hope for me.

If you start a blog, we'll know there is no hope. :)

If you start a blog, we'll know there is no hope. :)

:roflmao2::thumb:

I have more than one....:innocent:

Aaron:)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9023/p1170457.jpg


Second load. 60 lbs



Key word start a blog. Well I have like 16 then.

3rd load
http://img199.yfrog.com/img199/6910/p1170458.jpg

These pics make me insanely jealous. I've been shedding stuff with every move for the last decade, but still, I'll have to use a POD for my next move, cross country, and many many boxes. Also, just love your bike / trailer setup. So clean.