I know that each of us has a different idea of what ENOUGH is, and each has an idea of what TOO MUCH is. I am curious what everyone thinks.
It can be household items, food, money, just stuff in general.
I know some people may wonder why I have so much food, considering there is just me. Well, first reason is - it makes me feel secure. My second reason - it is smart. My third reason - I can help others if so desired. Fourth reason - it's none of their business! Yep - I said it!!!!!!! LOL
I do have a lot of STUFF in my home that needs to go. I keep working on that, it seems to never end. I know what it is like to have to clean out a home after someone has passed - it isn't a fun job. I really hate the idea of someone having to that at my house someday. Thus, I keep working on it.
Too much? Well, for me, I think too much is when things go to waste and help or aid no one. When we can be comfortable and could help others and don't.
I don't want food or consumable items to go to waste. I will share and I will use before that happens.
IF I had tons of money, I would surely do good with it. YES, I think there is a point that a person has too much $ - but it is not my call. I can just think that - but they have to decide.
I do help and do good when and where I can with what I have. Give me a ton of money and I would have a blast!
I guess for me, it comes down to things being wasted and not used. I don't want to throw food away - goodness knows, that happens all too much today. I hope that whether it is food or stuff or money, that I can bless someone else. I don't want to see our resources wasted.
I am very curious to hear everyone's views on this. Is there such a thing as ENOUGH? Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH?
I guess I have been doing deep thinking lately, and this is something I have pondered.
What say you?
No judgements - just curious as to different thinking.
Blessings to all.
With the cost of food keep rising I don't think it is enough unless something will go bad. Dish soap, toilet paper, canned goods I don't limit. Need to watch somethings that can go off faster than we use it. There are only 2 of us but being diabetic my husband will literally use 5 blueberries in his oatmeal. I don't need a 2 year supply when I need it for butter and meat.
ReplyDeleteYes, we need to pick and choose! Very good point. I am not one that worries about dates, but do know that some things will eventually go bad. I don't want that to happen. Things that never go bad - stock as much as possible while it is available.
DeleteThanks
I have been thinking about this in relation to natural disaster emergency supplies. We live in and earthquake and wildfire zone so prep could be lifesaving but how long does one need to prepare for? Evacuation supplies are quite different from sheltering in place. We are also surrounded by quite elderly people who might need assistance. On the other hand having a home that is easy to maintain and not packed full of stuff is very important to me. No answers just questions and trying to hit my own comfort level.
ReplyDeleteGood points. I am so very thankful that I do not live in a zone that has those types of natural disasters. We have tornados at times - but not something I think about much.
DeleteHaving shelter for others would be wonderful. More space - more people helped.
That is IT! What are we each comfortable with.
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I have also been working on finding my comfort level as I continue to work on decluttering. Many years ago my siblings and I cleaned our our mom's home, and it was painful. There was so much stuff. Both my mom and dad lived through the depression, so they kept just about everything - 4 floors of stuff. I decided then and there that I would not put my children through that.
DeleteWanita
Wanta I totally understand that. I did that for my folks home, and trust me, they never got rid of anything! It is very painful. I have no children, but I sure don't want my heirs to have to do that. I totally understand and agree with you. We are surely works in progress!!!!
DeleteTo me, enough is having basic needs met with more to meet an "emergency" situation. So I can say that I have more than enough. When asked, "How are you?" I often reply, "Good enough." For what? For me. When it comes to household supplies, I usually have one extra on hand. There is a well-stocked pantry/freezer that would serve me for months. I will buy extras of things that are used regularly. I think "too much" is when what you have can't be managed in a reasonable manner. So that could involve waste or being overwhelmed with it all physically or mentally. Cheryl, what a good question.
ReplyDeleteI love that answer "good enough". I may use that one!
DeleteI know there are hoarders out there and to me that would sure be overwhelming, both physically and mentally!
I too, feel I have enough. A feeling of security.
Just was hoping to get everyone thinking.
Thanks
I have enough. I want open spaces in home-I did a huge clearing decades ago and still I wander around on occasion and find more unused and off it goes to a new life with someone else. I have enough money-I am able to share w/local organizations that feed and help others, contribute to school teacher needs through "Donors Choose" (check it out if you have $5 or more-it's awesome!) and on a whim I am able to do things for someone which brings me great joy. I have enough food-my garden grows and I can, cook/freeze and share w/neighbors. I can buy what we need to fill out meals.
ReplyDeleteCompared to some, I have too much. Compared to others I have too little.
I am Blessed to have Enough :-)
If I won the lottery half would immediately go to the community foodbank. I would like never again, to hear from a teacher that the children in the classroom are hungry. Never again! I never had a hungry thought as a child (raised on a farm), and it causes me heartache to know this is true in our country.
Sharing is such a gift. You sound like me - big lottery win here - food pantries, homeless shelters and animal shelters would be big for me.
DeleteSO true - compared to some - too much and compared to others not enough. It is all perspective. Others would love our lives and others would be devastated.
Hunger should not happen in this day and age, especially in this country.
Thanks
Thank you Elle from a former teacher who received 15 donors choose grants - wonderful materials that my students were so excited about!
DeleteTo me Enough is being able to meet my and my family's needs. There is just my husband and myself but I like to do things for my kids/grands and others. Therefore, I stock up and also save. There have been times in my life where we were close to losing everything or an appliance broke and we did w/o until we could scrounge up the funds to replace. So, perhaps, my Enough is inflated compared to others. The freezers are full,the pantry is full, canning jars are being filled, etc. We spend below our means so we hopefully never get to the way things were when we were younger.
ReplyDeleteToo much...is when you can't afford what you have, don't share and as I age...when you can't take care of what you have. So, the latter will be evolving. I am already thinking of things to pass to others or donate. We have a huge garden and yard...not too many years that will be our Too Much. I kinda think the individual definition for each of us will depend on our life's experiences and what stage of life we're in.
Great post. Had to step away and think about it before responding.
Thinking was my purpose! Your enough sounds a lot like mine.
DeleteThose times that we have had to go without seem to make us stronger - I think. I like to think that anyway.
Good point - can't afford! Many live a good looking life and they really can't afford it. So right, can't take it with you.
Life experiences sure DO have much to do with what we do.
Good points - Thanks
Oh, Cheryl, this conversation is more timely than you know! Thank you so much for bringing it up today. I've always said God has a sense of humor. 2022 has been a year of full reevaluation for me.
ReplyDeleteBefore our move, during multiple trips here, I paid close attention to what we'd need... and NOT need. Such as, dressy shoes are irrelevant in a rural, country area with plenty of dirt, dust and mud, while boots and sturdy shoes are your feet's best friend. I've always loved jewelry since playing dress up with my mom's collection of Sarah Coventry and Avon sparklers as a child. When my kids were growing up I had little jewelry of any kind, but from about 2000 on, built a collection of beautiful things. Can you imagine losing a diamond on a rambling, rustic acre? That's all stashed for now.
This area has a strong LDS presence, and one of the things they do is stockpile enough food, sundries, etc. to last a year. I hope to learn from that, as I've been learning from you and others here. Can you have too much food? If you're having to throw it away, yes. Otherwise it seems wise to have a stockpile. Especially now, when food prices have jumped enormously nationwide in the past few months! That's going to get worse before it gets better.
We donated quite a bit BEFORE our move; what's surprised me is how much we continue to donate AFTER our move. Why? Because they're not things we'll need/use in our new home. Better someone else can get use from them. But moving also means having to buy new stuff. The gutters were installed yesterday (hurray!!!), but that meant getting down spout extenders for now and planning for rain barrels later. The wood pellet stove is coming. We'll stock up on bags of wood pellets during summer sales. What's more important, then? A cute top--or decorative item--on sale at a store? When I have 1/2 a closet of clothes? And new jeans/shirts/bras/undies in storage?
My mom has every closet in her house stuffed with clothes. At 89 and in failing health, she spends nights and most of her time at my sister's house, but won't consider selling her house because she doesn't want to get rid of her stuff. Or pare it down. No judgement. It makes her happy to have an over-abundance of things to choose from to wear. But most of it is never worn. Is it too much, then?
We're more blessed than we can possibly realize to live as we do today. Thanks again. --Elise
P.S. Sorry that was so LONG!!
DeletePlease don't apologize - you are fine. It is truly amazing how each and everyone of us evolve over time and our priorities change. Food for the pantry and heat is much better than a 1/2 off shirt! ANY DAY! We are truly blessed.
DeleteI imagine your mom lived during a time with things were scarce. I guess if it makes her happy - it is hers. I want things I can use that make me happy - the rest of it just takes up space. It took a long time to learn that.
LDS has some wonderful ideas and resources. I belong to a FB group that is LDS inspired. Pretty neat.
Thanks!!!
I'm learning---albeit slowly--that there are things it makes sense to stockpile, and others not at all. If you're a hard fit, it's best to stock up on sale/clearance prices for bras, jeans, etc. (IF you can afford to), as styles are regularly discontinued. Sheets/bedding/towels are also good to keep ample supply of, so long as they fit the beds you have. Food, of course. Household cleaners. Paper products, And toiletries, although I went 3 months at my sons house with no make up or skincare, and when I started using it again, broke out in hives! God's humor? --Elise
DeleteI agree - just makes sense to have some things on hand and an ample supply. It saves money and time in the future.
DeleteAmazing on the make-up. I hardly ever wear it anymore - and I must not leave it on too long. God's way of saying be the natural beauty I made you!
The older I get the less I need...especially as it relates to material things. As others have mentioned too much is when waste occurs for example: food that can't be composted, clothing ending up in landfills, and electronics that aren't recycled. The list goes on.
ReplyDeleteI think that is true. Older and wiser! I think many of us look at enough the same. No one wants to be wasteful - so we do our best.
DeleteThanks
I was raised in a small community in Michigan -- a community with lots of summer cottages and family resorts, but rural enough that you had to travel 15 miles to get to a well-stocked supermarket. Groceries were generally bought every 2 weeks, and my grandparents had a garden plot to sustain the family. It's also in the fruit and vegetable belt, so canning and preserving (dehydrating, freezing, or root cellar) was a way of life. Even though I moved to the big city after college, I continued to shop the way I was raised, trying to get most everything for 2 weeks in a single shop, and supplement as needed. That then went to every week, and eventually every couple of days. After my husband's passing, I went back to the way I originally learned, in panic mode when the finances suddenly changed. I loosened up a bit when I became accustomed to my new normal, but with Covid, I was thankful that I had built up a stockpile. I try to keep enough canned goods for 3 months, and enough home-canned goods to last at least 6-9 months or until the next season. If I want to cook or bake something, I don't want to be running to the store for a missing ingredient. I want to have what I regularly use on hand and ready to go when I need it. I sort and inventory every 6 months and if items are getting close to the "best by" date, it goes to the local food pantry. (I also keep a bin for when there's buy-one-get-one sale, where it's one for me and one for donation.) I stock up on TP and paper towels when they go on a good sale. I came into COVID with somewhere between 6 and 8 12-packs of TP and got a 12-pack of Dial on clearance / end-cap that first week -- plenty for me, and I was able to share with my Mom and with my daughter, when they were having difficulty finding a supply. I always keep a back-up or 2 (or 4!!!) of toothpaste, deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent, and have an emergency supply of hotel-size bathroom supplies, gathered over the years and for use when I have houseguests. I guess, for me, it's about feeling "safe", that I will have enough if something were to happen to prevent me from leaving my house. I have a full pantry, meat in the freezer, and a grill that is connected to natural gas for cooking, lots of beverages (some not so healthy, a hmmmm ...), a pond across the street -- a bit lily-pad covered right now, but if push came to shove ... Could I sustain myself in an emergency situation? Yes. And that's what I strive for.
ReplyDeleteHow cool. Your upbringing had so much to do with the way you live - that is so neat. I think we have all gone through those periods when we cut loose and did 'our thing' - then we went back to our old ways. It shows we learned!
DeleteNo worry - I have a few of 'those' drinks at my house too! I mean if it all goes to poop - a girl needs a special drink! LOL
I love that you include so many things, including the pond across the street.
Great ideas.
Thanks
I agree that it is only your business and the same for us. We can do as we please. We have a huge pantry and we feel that it is wise right now but we know our kids think we are nuts.
ReplyDeleteWe are doing battle with two of the partners in our vacation house once again because they are determined to make all of us sell the house and get the money out of it. For us the value in being able to get away has no monetary equivalent. A chunk of money means nothing in comparison to being able to spend 8 weeks a year at our favorite place. As far as money goes can you ever say I have enough? Yes, we can when it comes to taking away our get away and rest place.
I think quite a few younger folks think we are crazy! Someday they will get it.
DeleteDon't be pressured to sell. You are absolutely right - some things are just more important. You love your share - it brings you enjoyment and peace - that is priceless!
We need to enjoy the things that flavor in our lives.
Thanks.
Definitely food for thought, Cheryl! I think enough for me is what will absolutely be used in some capacity. No hoarding so I can be 'the one who dies with the most toys wins.'. I don't count things like toilet paper and such. I figure that we're young enough now to buy cases from Sam's. Plus, we've got a basement. The price is only going up. And even if we die tomorrow, it's all gonna be used by someone. But food will eventually rot and that's just wasted. My husband's grandma had hundreds of jars and cans of food. So old that nobody even wanted to try and save the jars! Certainly a Depression era mentality on speed. I feel like I got that mentality from my grandparents, but in a good way. The sense to save, but not in a frantic way. Granted, I do admit to hoarding jars and I could live to be 100 and keep myself busy in my craft room lol, but I'm content. You could take 90% of my electronics (my 500# 80s era TV if you can lift it lol) and I'd still be busy all day, ever day.
ReplyDeleteIn case you're wondering why I don't replace my TV, it's for a couple of reasons. First, I've worked in electronics manufacturing and the amount of toxic waste to create phones and TVs are crazy. I've made it my personal mission to use them until they are literally kaput! I'm nearly 60 and have never bought a new TV. To date, I've spent just $25 on them in my entire life! My first Tracphone was my fave in 2004. They made me update it in 2008. I hated the new one but tolerated it. Another forced update in 2020. DESPISED the new one and gave it up entirely. I donated it to the domestic abuse shelter. They are always asking for them.
Yes - being prepared but not frantic. Being prepared and not panicking. Just being prepared and knowing that things will be used and will only go up in price.
DeleteUsing up and wearing out are great mottos to follow. I have one of those huge heavy TV's in the basement. Can't find a sole to bring it up.
Nothing wrong at all with using things till they can't be used. Saves money and trash.
I never want to have a smart phone or TV - that word 'smart' is very telling in my book!!!!!
Thanks
OH my, Debby, I completely agree with you about the Tracfone. I had one that had to be updated same time yours was, and now another new one that I really do not like. I don't know what to do, as I need one when I travel and Tracfone is the least expensive. I also use up these electronic things until they are *finished*. I have old computers that need to be "gone" but where? My "new" one I am using is from 2013. :)
DeleteMaryB in NC
I am that way with old computers. I have several - but how to keep all the info out of the wrong hands?
DeleteI have cleaned out homes of deceased loved ones numerous times and every time I'm done, I come home and do more sorting and giving away. I agree with you about not wanting to leave that so someone else. Lynn Ewing
ReplyDeleteIt is not a fun thing to do. I really don't want that to happen to someone I love. Slow and steady - will get us there.
DeleteThanks
Perhaps we should all explore the concept of Swedish death cleaning. Most things are cleared out before death, which makes it a whole lot easier for the families. I have cleaned out several houses and it takes lots of time and energy. I am guilty of keeping too many things of my mom's, but have finally gotten rid of all but the most precious things. Fortunately my girls want family items.
ReplyDeleteWe are abundantly blessed and are focused on what is usable and practical. I can hear my mom saying "you might need that". The key is to be realistic. We don't dress up so most everything has gone to charity. Our bodies change as we age and especially our feet! No high heels for this old gal.
That is a different concept. Another idea for many. I am trying with some things - then I get "what's wrong - why you giving things away?".
DeleteUsable and practical - more great tips. I gave away most all dress clothes and no heels for me either. I used to have a pair to match every outfit - now NONE!
Thanks.
I think enough is what I can use now and later. My mother was oppressed by daddy. He controlled every penny. We did not get panties when we needed them, only when he would give her the money, his money. When she started drawing ss, she got things she needed and started going to yard sales. At one point around the time he died, every wall in the house was plastered with pictures and all sorts of items she hung there. Barely an inch of wall was visible. But, she was doing something she had not been able to do freely for over 40 years. I said nothing because she was happy. So, someone telling another what to acquire, keep, or get rid of is cruel as no one knows the circumstances. Enough is very personal.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I do get rid of things. And, since Tommy is amenable to cleaning the house he moved into 42-years ago, I am asking, not telling, him what he wants to keep and what send on its way.
Someone comes in to clean. When I was more capable and wanted to clean it, he objected. So, things have been shoved back and now have to be unearthed.
We have enough tp, soap, deodorant, other personal care and cleaning products. The freezer is full of meat, olive oil, vegetables, and bread. I paid fully price for none of this. So, it is enough for us right now.
Yes, enough is a very personal level. Your mom was living her best life and doing what she wanted for the first time and that is just sweet. Many may not understand, but they don't have to.
DeleteBaby steps - subtle suggestions and little improvements, can help someone change their way of thinking. Glad Tommy is starting to come around.
I don't buy many things, most all of them are practical things I need for the house. I just need things to make my life easier, comfortable and simple. The last things were a new steam mop and a small carpet cleaner. To me they are must haves because of my dogs. They sure can make a mess but I could not be without their company.
ReplyDeleteI do keep a full pantry and keep the freezers full of meat. I buy everything when they are loss leaders or a really good sale. I do that with toiletries, paper goods, cleaning products. I have enough that I won't run out of things I use all the time. Saves me money and there is not that constant need to run to the store. I have become very good at just getting what I need and leave.
Right now, with the weather so hot I don't like to be out in the heat. I went to the store this morning for basics, cabbage, potatos, onion, celery and ice cream. Yes, ice cream is a basic in the summer! LOL It was 6:00 am, I still came home damp with sweat and overheated.
I know you are out there in the yard and garden, Please take care not to overheat and to drink plenty of water. The heat can sneak up on you real quick.
Hi there!! Have missed your posts! Good to see you.
DeleteSome things are just must haves for the home and they are different for everyone. I think we probably all have them.
You shop smart and frugal and that means you can keep those pantries full. That is so wise.
I feel so sorry for you - from what I understand it is sooooo hot there! I can imagine why ice cream is a basic!!!
My goodness, it is awful that it is still that warm that early. Please do take care and stay in whenever possible.
I take good care and tend to do any outdoor work very early - I always have my water with me and my hat!!!
Be safe and thanks!
I’m with you on the food, having a stockpile feels right to me. It is food security at a time when that may not always be the case.
ReplyDeleteWe had help with hauling off the items we threw away after Mom passed. We also had someone come in to pick up the items we donated, so we had help with what needed doing here. But I agree it can be a long process.
I am so glad you had help - it truly is needed. I had my siblings helping when my mom passed - but still - 65 years in one place worth of stuff! It can be overwhelming. So glad that is now behind you.
DeleteYes, we need to take heed and be prepared for whatever may come down the pike!
Thanks