One Million and Beyond

Buying Junk!

By Matt - Wednesday, December 6th, 2006

Ok admit it, you’re guilty of buying junk, we all are. Before any of you start saying that the stuff you buy isn’t junk, some of it might not be I will grant you that. But each and every one of us that has expendible income or access to it via high interest credit cards that provide the illusion of money has junk in our homes. What do I mean by junk? Well it’s those gimmick purchases or all those gizmos that we like to have around us. To give you an example I bought a Handspring (think Palm Pilot) many years ago and I did use it from time to time but in the end it became junk. I can still use the thing but it’s limited in its memory and what it can do, it’s just a simple electronic organizer. So why do I call this junk? Well it’s a gizmo that I don’t use and I’ve been refusing to throw it out because I might use it some day and I spent close to $400 on it back in the day.

Realistically our lives are full of junk some of it has useful traits but in the end after we stick it into a dresser drawer or closet it becomes nothing more than clutter. Now we’re in the worst time of year for acquiring junk, Christmas. This year I’m going to make sure I don’t keep any of this junk, I’m asking for specific gifts that I need and I’m not going to be wooed by gizmos and gadets at the stores because I don’t need them.

When you’re at the store and you see some junk that catches your eye and makes you go ‘oooh I want that’ stop and think if you’re really going to use it. Is it really something you need. I’m on a bit of a mission to get rid of the clutter and junk at home because it costs me time, money and energy.

The hidden cost of clutter (and the junk that comprises a large part of the clutter) is huge in my opinion. The money you spend on all of this stuff added up over time is substantial, for me if I looked around and found all of the little Handspring like things I’ve purchased the original cost will easily add up to a nice vacation or a healthy investment that could turn around and make me money. Another thing is that we waste time with our clutter, we have to clean it, tidy it and make sure it’s nicely hidden away, not to mention the stress of figuring out what to do with all the clutter/junk.

Do you have junk that clutters your house and your life that you desperately cling to because you really can’t bring yourself to throw it out?

Technorati Tags: Junk, Clutter, Cost, Buying Junk

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