Upon retirement, one of the things I've noticed is just how much I used to rely on my job as a crutch to help distract me from a lot of uncomfortable thoughts from entering my mind. Thoughts like, "Hey, what am I going to do with all my junk that I've accumulated when I die? Who is going to clear through all this, my kids? Do they even want it, or better yet, maybe I should start cleaning all this stuff early?" or "Hey, do I still want to move overseas, where things are much cheaper?" I'm still on the fence on that one. For now, I remain in the US because my parents and my kids are here, but if I really do intend to expat some day, I should do so as soon as possible....
To take it a step further, I used to value durable goods, like a tool set. Well, I still do, as they do come in handy for minor repairs and DIY projects. Plus, these things last a lifetime. But the point here is, somebody will likely have to go through all of this when I croak some day. So, I shouldn't accumulate too much stuff in general, regardless of what it is.
Plus, as punishing as that camping trip was for me, I am starting to look back at it as a positive experience where I got a chance to hang out with one of my buddies who is otherwise still quite busy and distracted by his family life and career. Now, things like maybe a cruise, a trip to Yellowstone national park, or even Vegas-- basically experiences in general over accumulation of stuff-- seems much more appealing as bucket list ideas, because they are also not stuff that my friends and family would have to sift through some day....
Switching to a more palatable subject for this fine Friday, I made something called Mississippi Pot Roast in the crockpot that should be ready in say another hour? I've tried making this in the past before, but without satisfactory results. I think the reason why is I like adding onions, mushrooms, and even cabbage to everything, which the original recipe doesn't call for. And while that may be fine in general, but I've also learned that whenever I veer off from any recipe, my cooking has a lovely tendency to derail in spectacular fashion haha. Well, that and I don't normally make mississippi pot roast. Like, why spend the extra money for exotic ingredients like pepperocini when a regular pot roast will do just fine, right? Anyway, I am hoping this latest attempt will turn out well. Will find out in about an hour!
June 13th, 2026 at 02:16 pm 1781360204
Ahhh ... just thoughts we think about .... LOL
June 13th, 2026 at 05:20 pm 1781371245
Also, I hope this entry wasn’t too morbid or weird. At this point, I can’t tell what is weird and what is not, only what’s honest, but I wonder if I should share out loud or not haha.
June 13th, 2026 at 07:49 pm 1781380154
My parents divorced 60 years ago and I never lived with him after that.
He and my Stepmother ‘downsized’ 30 years ago, and soon after she died. Much ‘stuff’ is still in boxes, and every cupboard and drawer is full - and not always logical.
If it were just me, I would be trying to clean out while I am here but my much younger half siblings will need to weigh in on what stays and what goes and they are no where near ready.
It is really overwhelming how much ‘stuff’ will need to be gone through.
I am throwing out stuff like pantry items that are obviously expired and things like wrapping paper that has been in the basement for years, but it is a tiny dent.
I live in a small space but when I finally get home I am putting stuff again because I only have nephews and they won’t want my stiff.
So yep, throw away, give away, sell what you no longer use!
June 14th, 2026 at 05:55 am 1781416542
June 14th, 2026 at 12:58 pm 1781441922
June 14th, 2026 at 11:58 pm 1781481518
My previous husband was a shopper. I mean big time. For a while, one of our hobbies was to hit the thrift stores once a week. I usually had something I was looking for, and I eventually filled my wish list for this and that. I then started getting rid of a few things that I either replaced or realized I did not need. But he wanted to keep buying. I explained we have no kids and someone is going to have to deal with this when we die. He didn't get it. This wasn't the reason we divorced, but I will say one of the things that was hard for me was to leave a lot of my things there. I did take some things and every so often I will say I wish I had, but then I start to reason with myself, it is just stuff, and I don't need it. The emotional attachment isn't going to make it worth more. I have plenty of stuff. That being said, when I married DH, his late wife was a shopper of decor. There were over 30 huge totes of decorations. This was not Christmas stuff, but other things. I spent lots and lots of time going through it all. The stuff that was broken I pitched. The rest we packed up and donated. His comment was he gave the kids first choice of taking anything of their mom's they wanted and since they didn't take any of this stuff, he wanted it out of the house so they would not have to deal with when we die.
Now, those tools. I don't think you can equate those with your normal knick knacks or doodads. They are something you use.
We are now more apt to look for experiences instead of stuff as well. I take photos, tons of them, but I don't print them. And when we get home, I edit them down, so I have enough for memories.
June 15th, 2026 at 01:05 pm 1781528734
DK: The pot roast turned out well enough. I think I might blog about it, because I have thoughts about it that's a bit lengthier than a comment?
As for your previous husband, wow, you're saying buying stuff is literally what caused your divorce? I mean I know things are always more complicated than just that, but there's usually that one major catalyst right? Mine was basically over money. She was the spender, and I was the saver. We were raising 3 young kids at the time, and money was tight. We were on the verge of even being unable to pay our mortgage and getting foreclosed on, but she resented me for "not wanting her to be happy". Her literal words, not mine.
So, in a way, I understand... but I also don't understand the concept. But I speak as a guy who is admittedly pretty minimalist myself, talking about concerns of over-accumulation, on a saving website blog. So... maybe I'm biased in my own way, but, I don't know. Personal finances is just so universally important, and yet, so many others seem to not even care about it?
And yes, to be clear, these were tools that I have bought like more than a decade ago, and haven't not bought anything since. They're working just fine, and I don't need more.
Yeah, all of my photos these days are now digital. I think there's something less... personal feeling when it's not printed out? Or maybe I'm being too old-fashioned about it? I don't know, I guess it depends. For the most part though, this works well enough for me, and I can look and easily share any photo I want with anyone, very quickly.
June 15th, 2026 at 06:33 pm 1781548409
Having lived here for 31 years now, I guess I've accumulated stuff. Not a ton compared to most people, and I think living in a small house really restrains you. At least it does me, because I really dislike having a cluttered home.
So since joining my local Buy nothing group, I've given away tons of really nice things because they no longer served a purpose for me, or they were duplicates. It's a great way to unload stuff.