Comments on: Simplifying versus Stewardship?

By: Lily

Lily — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:52:59 +0000

We used Norton anthologies of English literature at University, here in Italy. I lovingly keep them too.

Here it’s like in Singapore, I guess – no charity shops or garage sales, which is a pity. I’d love to be able to shop secondhand or resell my stuff. I often try to sell things on eBay but only some are sold, and in the end I gladly pack my stuff and put it in the RedCross bins. Sometimes bf and I give away home items through FreeCycle, it’s nice to see people happy to get your old stereo or coffee table!

By: V. Higgins

V. Higgins — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:08:23 +0000

In many ways I think that simplifying is the first step towards good stewardship. The biggest part of making the transition is making sure the things that are useful get used, even if not by you (this is where Goodwill, Craigslist and Freecycle come into play). Why store something that you might use once in an 18 month period when someone else could be using it more? When you simplify and tweak your thinking, you become more purposeful in 1) what you buy 2) what you need. This allows you to not only be a better steward of things, but also of your time which is a much more valuable resource.

By: Fern

Fern — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:16:37 +0000

Great question and post! I just found your blog through a link to your soap making tutorial. I can't think of a single thing I've given away that I ever missed. I use a couple of techniques that help me keep things that are meaningful or useful and still not drag around a bunch of things that aren't of any real value to me. First, I keep my sentimental objects out where I can see and enjoy them. What is the point of having family heirlooms packed away? But since I only keep sentimental things out in the open, I can only keep things that have a dedicated spot. I have one small display cabinet and that's it! And second, I periodically donate to charity anything I haven't used or worn in a year. If I am unsure about something, I'll put it in a box with a date on the box, one year from the day I put it in there. If I haven't gone to the box during that year to use the object, then I donate it. Fern's last blog post..Another Frugal Gardening Tip

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:14:31 +0000

Seriously, I was just considering this today, as I took down the rest of my winter clothes from the attic. I am trying to lose weight, and have a significant amount of clothing that won't fit unless I lose at least 10 lbs. Is that feasible in this season? Yes. Should I keep everything I now own, just in case the economy gets worse? No. I don't think so. Here's why--a very good friend who has almost no money could use the clothes *this* season. Should I give away everything that does not fit me now? No. There are pieces that I know I can use for years to come, and *will* use for years to come. They are classic, "me," and worth saving. What a great topic! Deb's last blog post..On the Rocks

By: Judah

Judah — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:01:51 +0000

I came to understand that I don’t need to own something just because I happened to like it. It is good to be able to admire something and not have to own it.

My real needs are not nearly as great as I had once thought. What are your real needs?

Recognizing that those needs were already truly met, I found the rest could be more easily seen for what they are, namely, wants rather than needs.

Ask oneself “does this really improve my quality of life?” before making a purchase. Do the same when deciding what things to give away.

Possessing more than we need can become a weighty burden. Good stewardship involves managing possessions wisely, not keeping everything exclusively for one’s own use. Giving responsibly (yes, responsibly – not thoughtlessly) truly does return you a reward in knowing that you have shared your wealth with others.

When you give good gifts, you have not lost anything. You often gain far more than you have given away.

By: Vintage Mommy

Vintage Mommy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:32:03 +0000

We've just been working on cleaning out our basement. Some things were easy to part with, some impossible - at least for now. Those things are baby clothes and some baby equipment (we wanted a second child, it didn't happen and now I'm thinking about becoming a foster parent); and a giant box of china that my husband's mom (who has died) hand-painted. Today I decided we will have a "we can't deal with it" area and move on. This is a really interesting subject on so many levels! (the economy, living green, simplifying, being frugal, etc etc) Vintage Mommy's last blog post..Show and Tell: “Use It or Lose It” Knitting

By: juliet

juliet — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:39:09 +0000

Follow the trail of the item your are thinking about buying. Consider the energy required to manufacture and ship to you, the quality of the stewardship of the company that made it as well as the conditions under which it was produced, including the possibility of an exploited and/or underaged worker. This will probably eliminate 99% of your optional purchases.

By: Jennifer in TX-

Jennifer in TX- — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:03:04 +0000

This may sound a little “out there” but honestly the SCARIEST Bible story I’ve ever heard was the one in Matthew about the rich man who couldn’t bare to part with his worldly goods to follow Jesus…. I guess that has been the fuel to my fire in giving away just about everything we have except the bare necessities, if you don’t own it for a long period of time how can you grow attached to it? – now the plus side to that is that with no possessions we are not drawn to hole up in our house, we get out there and visit friends and family, travel, go to parks, zoos, etc.
Besides, God can’t send you on bigger adventures without smaller luggage!

By: Megan@SortaCrunchy

Megan@SortaCrunchy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:15:16 +0000

Oh my gosh – I totally kept my Norton Anthologies, too! I think those are the only texts I still have . . . I’ve tried to give away as much as possible on Freecyle in the past few years.

And I guess that answers the question. It is PAINFUL for me to give things away – especially because I always have big dreams of using and re-using things again. But your second point – blessing others in need – has become my driving force. I could always find a way to justify keeping anything, but the thought of an item being used in the RIGHT NOW by someone instead of “maybe someday” in my dream world of future plans . . . well, it’s great motivation. I try to be wise in what I give away and trust that if it’s an item I truly will have need of in the future, that God will make a way to provide for it again. (Kind of what Keri just wrote!)

Megan@SortaCrunchy’s last blog post..Grateful for mercies, ever new

By: Nicki S

Nicki S — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:53:09 +0000

I’m more of a purger than a keeper. If I don’t need or use something I am happy to give it to someone that does. If I can help it, I don’t throw things in the trash or sell them, but rather give them to a person that would need them or a resale shop. I think that’s being a good steward AND simplifying because my home is a (mostly) decluttered, (mostly) organized haven, and I haven’t taken anything useful to the landfill.

Another tip for cluttered kids rooms: I only have 1 child so far and she is the only grandchild on one side so she has WAY TOO MANY toys. What I do is separate them into categories such as: play food, cars and trucks, dolls, learning toys, etc. and I only put two or three categories of toys in her room at a time. I put the rest in clear containers in my shed, and rotate the inventory every couple months. It keeps her room tidy and it keeps her toys interesting. Before I did this I was finding she only played with the toys on the top of the toy boxes. She didn’t even know the others existed!

Sorry for such a long comment. Hope it helps