After cutting way back,I find that I don't miss alot of things.

That's a really good idea to make some extra money. I myself have things that I know are just sitting in closets that I don't use anymore mostly clothes. I was going to bring it to salvation army or somewhere. I really don't splurge on myself anymore for the fact I'm always worried about money and getting the bills paid. My friend told me "money comes money goes take the money and use it on something that you really like that you know your going to use" I have I bought my new computer. I find that I don't need alot for it just ends up somewhere and I don't seem to miss it. So I have cut back myself on getting stuff and trying to get rid of the stuff that I have now.

i dont miss much either because i have replaced them with other things such as visiting the library instead of buying books, getting movies from the library instead of renting them and doing more crafty things. i also find that i like stuff because i have cut back such as shopping at thrift stores and looking for bargains...that sort of thing. we have 3 garage sales per year and make enough for my family (of 4) to go to an amusement park or water park.

I remember when we closed our foster home...I had to have yardsales for 3 weekends straight to get rid of all the extra. I need to start doing them again but just haven't gotten to it. I like not having alot of clutter and junk piled up around the house. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

I agree with you. You have done a good job on having a yard sale. It definitely will help in paying some bills. Many times, we think that we need all those stuff that we bought or have in the house, but when we really make an account, many of those things can be cut off. I appreciate you for doing those cut-backs! I think, we really should do that as we try to cope with these times of economic crisis.

Because I move around so much, I stopped accumulating stuff. The same as you, I found I was much happier living a simplified life. With so many different things to buy, I think some people get drawn into the illusion thst more is good. Once you start spending money, it's hard to stop. I made enough money from my last garage sale to finance my trip to my next destination. For me, the lesser the better.

Once we can let go of all of the things we are afraid to lose, then we are truly free... I've heard this worded many different ways, many different places. It seems the "words of wisdom" we've always heard, just mean more when we've actually experienced it. People need to learn to let go and just be. If we lost everything we own, we still have our soul and who we are. And in the end, that's all we had. The only thing we every truly had, has been with us all along...

Stuff is just that "stuff". When you stuff a pillow or stuffed animal, isn't it just empty filler. I will be the first to admit that I have more than my share of "filler". But, like you I've gotten rid of alot to, especially after I got married to my hubby and we combined the two households. I got rid of some of his, and alot of mine. I also know what you mean...when I was on my own, I had to have a garage sale one month to pay my rent and bills. I even went as far as selling most of my furnature, and my bigger t.v. I kept the 9" one to watch since I didn't watch much t.v. You are right about another thing, you really don't miss the things, because things aren't what make us truely happpy. Simplifying by ridding ourselves of the extra bulk in our lives, leaves us open to new and exciting things.

that's true. we got rid of cable because although hubby watches TV, the shows keep repeating and only if we subscribe to pay per view then we can get something interesting. I thought he would miss it, but after a while I notice he doesn't. We could have done it earlier, but he is a kind of person that always delays everything including cutting back. I could've had a large garage sale with what he has been hoarding all these years and before our marriage, yet he doesn't allow me to. So all I can do is selling my on stuffs on ebay, and the house is still cluttered although these unused stuffs are hidden somewhere so I don't see them all the time. Sometimes it gets frustrating if I don't love him that much I would've got rid of him with his junks.

Well I too have so many things in my house that I could get rid of and not miss at all. They are only collecting dust. But I never have any luck with yard sales, I am not in a great location to have one. but I told my daughter I was going to have another one soon. Probally end up giving the stuff to salvation army in the end, to get it out of hear, I a glad you made enough to pay your bills, I am never that lucky at my yard sales..

I have been gradually doing that only I have been just donating my stuff. I should maybe try selling some stuff on craigs list. I don't have time for a yard sale. I will soon be moving to a smaller apartment. I am actually enjoying getting rid of some of my stuff that I've accumulated over time. Some things are tough. I had a collection of knickknacks ...most of which were given to me by friends and family. I packed them up but haven't gotten rid of them yet. I like the look of my shelf without them but some of them were special and given to me by some people that are no longer living. anyway, it feels good to get rid of the clutter.

I've grown accustomed to doing without a lot of things so I don't notice it anymore, and it's funny when someone hears about something I do/don't do and they think that it's odd or they could never do it. There are few things that I probably would not cut out (internet being one), but I'm flexible on most anything else. And I'd much rather see a savings account or a debt decreasing. It's a good feeling ...

I agree with you. I just to hoard a lot of things before, even old love letters. Eventually, the accumulations that I had almost buried me alive. So then, I had to decide, if these things will not be useful I might as well get rid of them. And I did, But it was not that easy. Organizing was really that hard. Deciding which to keep and which to let go was a struggle. But then, as time goes on, I learned to let go. My shoes are the hardest to let go. So I first gave them away to friends or neighbor how liked them, then I see them wearing them, I felt good. So now, it's not that hard anymore. I don't have much mess anymore.

if someone can forget anything that he want to forget ,he would be a superman in mental. sometimes we can not control our mind and thought.

It's funny you should post this; I was thinking just the other day about what luxury items I could give up. After living in Africa, I realised how much the western world has in regard of assets and luxuries. When in Africa, I told myself I would give up lots of things, give loads away to charity and sell lots of items, but when I returned I got caught up in trying to find a new job and quickly forgot all of my earlier thoughts. However, just recently I have been reminded of my 'pact' I made, and I think I am going to make a list of everything 'essential' that I need, and start to de-clutter my life. Thanks for the post! :)