The clash between keeping things 'just in case' vs. a strict one-year rule

I used to hold onto everything that might be useful someday. Old cables, extra screws, clothes that didn't fit but might again. Then last spring I moved apartments and realized 3 boxes were full of stuff I never touched in 5 years. Now I give things exactly 12 months before they go to donate or trash. But some folks say that's too harsh for things like tools or rare parts. What's your cutoff point for deciding if an item stays or goes?

3 comments

3 Comments

wesleyb203d ago

Start with the one-year rule and see how it plays out in a real emergency. I kept an old power supply brick for a laptop I sold three years ago and guess what happened last week? My new computer's charger died and that old brick actually fit the port and got me through a deadline. That's two years past your cutoff and it saved me a hundred bucks and a trip to the store. You never know when that random part or tool will be the exact thing you need, and donating it just makes you buy it again later at full price.

lee8473d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah but what about all the other junk that never gets used?

lilya761d ago

Damn, you got me. I hoard way too many cords and you just made a good point.

-3