Skip to main content
Post a Comment

Marie Kondo Helped, but What About the Extra Stuff?


#1

Honestly, the most important aspect is not purchasing bad items in the first place, but eventually, even well thought out purchases need replacement. For decades, I've followed the rule that one person's junk is another's treasure, particularly considering our very unequal world in NYC, at one time using Freecycle to give away items, eventually finding it easier to use Craigslist. For the most part, it has worked out well but depends on the item, but almost always, there are takers.

If it is electronics, there are often way too many people, so I follow a triage system. First, the ad, always with a good description and picture, requires specifying they supply a reason they need this item. It is not to be lurid or cruel, but if I am giving away an old computer, I need to know that it is going to a good cause. Yes, I could be fooled, but I try to be discerning, children, poor, disabled, etc. If there is no reason, it gets ignored. If it is simply for selfish reasons - you'd be surprised - it gets ignored. Eventually, I whittle it down to a few, the final filter is how fast they can pick it up. For lesser items, there are almost always takers, but it might take a day or two before it gets a response but even then, as long as it finds a home other than the trash, I am happy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/realestate/marie-kondo-decluttering.html?comments#permid=30667472

#2

I have long avoided bad purchases, selling or giving anything that has outlived its purchase. For giving away items, the ones I've used:

- Porch: Literally leaving decorative items and books - if you live in a borough of Manhattan - that slowly disappear...
- Craigslist: Since there are so many people that can use hand-me-downs, within reason
- Housing Works, for larger items like furniture, books, CD's, etc., if they fail to sell on eBay or Craigslist
- Homeless shelters: I had a number of high-quality suits, but never wore them anymore except for interviews and special occasions, so cleaned half and delivered to The New York City Rescue Mission
- Friends: After purchasing a vintage desk, needed to find a home for my old Bombay Company writing desk, and friends were happy to grab that. In another, friends selling their B'lynn townhome and moving upstate took our bed, a 30-year old sleigh, when we replaced it something a bit more luxurious.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/realestate/marie-kondo-decluttering.html?comments#permid=30667873

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, Third Edition

Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, Third Edition by Geert Hofstede My rating: 4 of 5 stars A detailed and fascinating review of Hofstede's dimensions, by the researcher himself, showing broad high-level insights into history and culture, although a bit tedious, as it often describes in detail relationships many of us implicitly understand. View all my reviews
Post a Comment
Read more

Global Warming and Methane Reduction

I was an ovolactovegetarian for several years in my twenties, in the late 1980's, but the lack of convenient food sources, social pressure, and mild athletic anemia, pushed me to adopt more meat-oriented diet. Also, being an insulin-dependent diabetic, eating low-fat, low-carbohydrate protein sources reduced my need for injections. Over time, I have returned to vegetarianism, although my reasons are grounded in self-interest and concern for the environment. My energy consumption is relatively low, as I live in a major city and very selectively use automobiles for transportation. Lately though, I have been reminded that domesticated animals are large contributors to global warming (methane creation) and inefficient protein producers (4 to 16 pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat). Additionally, vegetarianism, and related calorie reduction, are associated with increased longevity. Both have pushed my back to vegetarianism. Regardless of the history, vegetarianism is a better c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thoughts on Ageism

Let's see, I'm 46, fairly-fit (certified as personal trainer), intelligent (720 GMAT), youthful (look younger, dress well, tech literate), and vibrant, and I do fear aging. My biggest concern is the loss of intellect that accompanies age. I haven't had cosmetic surgery, but I am not averse to it. Thoughts: Caring about one's appearance is not ageist, and I imagine it is more often the anxiety of someone that is youthful and attractive. Personally, ageist comments have come from 20-somethings, not older people or managers. According to a study, management typically has a higher regard for older workers, in terms of productivity, as well as with people skills, although managers also think younger workers can be more analytical. On an intellectual level, older people tend to be neurologically slower, although the top few percent will increase their IQ up until the early 40's. After that, there is a typical, slowing and loss of intellect.
Post a Comment
Read more