If you are a packrat, what do you save?

Question

I'm a packrat! I don't think I'm a hoarder; ( that might be a more serious condition!) I like to think of myself as a collector! However, I sometimes get overwhelmed by my sentimentality and attachment to certain items. I save old magazines, ( I'm going to read them all someday!) I have lots of old clothes ( when I get skinnier, I'm going to wear them all someday!) I have lots of taped VCR movies,( I'm going to sit down and watch them someday!) I love pillows, ( they're here and there, and everywhere!) You get the picture! Whatever I save, I have tons of it!
What unusual things do you "collect"? And do you have a hard time throwing some of this stuff out? For me, there's always a reason I have to keep it!
My house is clean, I'm very clever at hiding the stuff! ;~)

Answer 1

Throwing things away is hard for me:

I might be able to use it later.

I can recycle it and don't want to waste it.

I want to read it later.

I like the memories that are associated with it and don't want to lose them.

Somebody else might need it.

I can sell it at a garage sale (that I never have).

Answer 2

As an organizing professional, I am here to tell you that you will indeed NOT read the magazines some day. You will indeed NOT wear the skinny clothes again, and you will indeed NOT watch the taped movies. Ever.

Because your thrill is in the saving. Your love lies in the "idea of potential value" and not in actual value.

First thing you need to do as a collector IF you want to change your behavior is to change your self-talk. On the other hand, if you don't want to change your behavior, then don't worry about it.

Answer 3

Books! You never know when there's going to be a nuclear holacaust and you're gonna need something to do. When I moved, I didn't realize I had 14 bookcases! When I had to pay overage to the military for going over our limit (a dollar a pound!!!), I knew I have to pare down for the next move this March.

My sister says I have magpie syndrome. Pretty shiny things attract me. I have windows covered in sun-catchers and I love irridescent ribbons. Fire opal is my favorite color, don't you know!

One tip about the magazines, if you make some folders - "Dream House," "Tips," "recipes," etc., you can tear out the articles you want to save and toss the magazine. Then every once in awhile, go through the folders and toss the ones you wondered why you saved... funny how your taste changes over time.

Answer 4

my husband says I am a pack rat, but I feel like I have useful things. Gift bags, craft stuff, party stuff. anytime I want to have a party or make something, i have stuff to do it. I remember when I first moved out of my parents house (my mom is the same way) it was weird not having anything to do "things" with.
By the way-she might wear her skinny clothes again. I have two kids, my youngest 18 months, and I am now wearing the clothes I fit into before I got pregnant with my 3 year old. Unless those clothes are out of style...then just get rid of them.

Answer 5

String, that rolls into a ball.
Wrapping paper, off presents, and the bows that come with them. Can be cut and reused for smaller presents.
Rubber bands galore. Good for shooting flies and mosquitoes.
Bubble wrap, in case you want to pad a letter or send a porcelain figure to a friend.
Large cardboard boxes, in case you have nowhere to store all of the above.
Plastic tubs and things you get takeaways in, so that you can store leftover food in the fridge.
Notes from my husband and mother, for sentimental reasons. They just say, "I'm fetching Jilly today, you don't have to." Or "Your share of pizza is in the oven."
Every wedding invitation, menu, service booklet and table gift that comes with the wedding of some beloved friend or relative.
Babies' first haircuts and first cutting of finger nails, together with the tags round their wrists at the hospital.
Stones and pine cones from places visited during holidays.
Seashells and dried leaves from same. (Maple leaf from a tree which is 600 years old.)
And I am only starting this list of things...

Do ask me again so I can prepare a list of the rest of them.

Answer 6

I saved those varieties of issues from my sons college yet that may not a packrat. I actual have little that I actual have saved considering that I actual have little room to do such issues. Memorbilia is for saving and something no remember if it rather isn't any stable for something I tose out. I actual have books i do no longer study I provide to the library for somebody else to savor. ((Kim))

Answer 7

Well, I'm not really that much of a "pack rat," but for a long time I was collecting something a little strange, and that was five dollar bills! Every time I ended up with a five dollar bill, I'd put it in a box.

In January of this year, I relocated from the US to Singapore, and my collection of $5's was taken to the bank to get deposited. They processed them through their slick, automated money-counting machine, and there was well over $1,500 in that stack!

Answer 8

i'd say the thing i packrat the most is greeting cards. i must have every card, any family member gave for the last 25 years. thats a lot of cards and i just cant seem to throw them out . what if someone dies or something. i think i need help

Answer 9

lol i like your style.
I am basically the same way. i love my bell's and chime's i could'nt tell you how many i now own.
vcr tapes omg 100's & 100's one closet is full. stacked nice & neat. i have three VCR racks in my front room full alphabitacally in order.i have teddy bears only a few get to sleep in my bed,lol.dvd'c are my next collection i already have 250 and i just started that collection.so i think it is safe to say I am a packrat,lol there is alot mor things i collect but not enough room to write them down,lol.

Answer 10

I can relate to that. I have collected books mostly reference. and music boxes, brass, crystal, oriental figurines, old doorknobs,, and loads of jewlery, but my favorite are my rocks.
I am in the process of moving and believe it or not, my books and rocks are staying with me. everything else can go. The rocks keep me grounded and the rocks i have remind me always of what an amazing world we live on, and how the evolution of it is constantly changing. the rocks become our precious stones