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Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Phentex

(16,330 posts)

8. As mentioned above, organization and review is key...

Reply to canoeist52 (Original post)

Thu Dec 22, 2011, 12:07 PM

Dec 2011

it's wasteful to hoard and keeping things you forget about is a sure way to repurchase them. I am guilty of hoarding paper for card making and really nice stationery. I'll think about saving it for just the right occasion and before you know it, I've got too much or I have forgotten about it. So I try to use it or lose it.

My problem is lack of storage. I will buy and store something only when I know its something I use on a regular basis.

What do you tend to packrat?

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21 replies

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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