Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)

2. I don't equate being a packrat with frugality. On the contrary.

Tue Dec 20, 2011, 09:37 PM

Dec 2011

Compulsive hoarding of stuff can be very problematic in many ways. Holding on to stuff you don't need or never use. Availability of space. Lack of recycling. Fire hazard. Clutter. Possible psychological issues.
Frugality is about efficiency in terms of finances and resources. Letting go of things we don't need so they can be recycled or serve the needs of others. Sharing. Reducing our carbon footprint. Curbing our consumerism. Being creative.

By nature, I am a pack rat. Had lots of room as a kid. That didn't last. Then moving around from town to town, country to country, really put a damper on things. Transported crap all over the place or bought it all again. Storage bills. I saw gypsies and wondered how they did it. Not that complicated really. Figured out what I needed and if there was any room left, prioritized the things I really wanted. Then tried fitting them all into the smallest space I could comfortably live in. An apartment in Manhattan was a learning experience. Finally graduated to a boat. That was 21 years ago and I still force myself to let go of things every day, but it gets easier every day.

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Where does one draw the line between being frugal and being an OCD packrat? [View all] canoeist52 Dec 2011 OP

I would draw that line when Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #1

I don't equate being a packrat with frugality. On the contrary. Starboard Tack Dec 2011 #2

I only keep what I know I'm going to possibly be able to use in the near future or have a plan maddezmom Dec 2011 #3

Talking of crafts and recycling Starboard Tack Dec 2011 #4

she's a crafty gal maddezmom Dec 2011 #6

Aw, very cute. Starboard Tack Dec 2011 #7

I often get comments for relatives because I have this plastic box of candles setting in my room. jwirr Dec 2011 #5

I love candles. And (frugal alert), I make my own Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #18

That is a good idea. I did get the quilts done. The whole family has been watching me progress on jwirr Dec 2011 #19

Awwwww, how sweet. I am glad you finished the quilts. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #20

As mentioned above, organization and review is key... Phentex Dec 2011 #8

ooo paper yeah.. stuntcat Dec 2011 #14

I struggle with this too, and I found that buying less is a good approach. yardwork Dec 2011 #9

Me, too. I rarely shop for anything other than food and other provisions cbayer Dec 2011 #10

It can be a revelation. We are programmed to buy buy buy. yardwork Dec 2011 #11

Have a strategy for saving/discarding items that have potential reuse. MH1 Dec 2011 #12

when it no longer saves you money. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2011 #13

Being a packrat can be the antithesis of frugal Kennah Dec 2011 #15

I can be somewhat OCDish about holding on to things. badhair77 Dec 2011 #16

Living in a very small space helps with this. cbayer Dec 2011 #17

A year is my general rule too laundry_queen Dec 2011 #21