Buying and Owning Stuff

Now that I've divested myself of just about everything I've ever owned, I have a different perspective on buying and owning stuff. First, I'm in the fortunate position to not have a container for all my stuff. Not having the container forces me to examine every desire for new stuff against the reality of my current life - can I hump it into and out of the truck?

Last Friday about noon, we'd finished our deliveries for the week so Victor drove the truck through downtown and dropped me off a few blocks from the couch I'm crashing on during my weekends in Salt Lake City. Years ago I'd bought a rolling duffle bag for very cheap while on a trip to Shanghai that fortunately is just about big enough to hold everything I take on the truck - with the addition of a couple of those nice insulated cloth grocery bags for stuff that I need more constant access to. However, with a seven block walk 'home' along the sidewalks of Salt Lake, I finally recognized what people are talking about regarding the poor workmanship of some Chinese products. One of the two very nice little rollerblade wheels on the duffle bag slowed, bent the axle and finally locked up after only four blocks. So now I really NEED a new and better duffle bag.

I also think I NEED a folding bicycle so I can explore other cities on my off-duty hours without having to get the truck in dangerous positions. But then I'll have to make sure my rolling duffle bag can attach to the back of the bike somehow, allowing me full mobility with all my possessions wherever I might be. I test drove one of these little bikes yesterday and found myself laughing like a crazy person as I rode it up and down the sidewalk. Wow. How much fun and freedom bikes provide. I'd completely forgotten.

I also NEED a new set of lenses for my eyeglasses. My vision has continued to decline with age and it's been almost eight years since I last had my prescription adjusted.

I also NEED a better set of headphones with a built-in noise-reducing microphone so I can listen to audio books while driving, and answer the occasional phone call on my Droid without switching headsets.

Once I get on my own truck, I will also NEED a harmonica. Not functional while someone else is sleeping on the bunk behind me.

Other than those things, I think I have every other physical possession I need for my life the way it now is. Thinking.... ....Yup. At least until summer comes and brings new situations that my current stuff can't handle.

Yet, walking around Salt Lake City today, I find myself desiring other stuff. I still look at men's clothing. Suits, shoes, ties etc. still suck me in even though I can't imagine a situation in the near future in which I'll need any more 'dress-up' clothing than the sports jacket, gabardine pants and ties I now have in a tiny storage closet on the west side of Salt Lake (for $20/month). And cars still draw my attention - saw a Porsche today with very cool headlights. And many of these nice little cottage homes with fine woodwork and cute little front yards in downtown Salt Lake make me desire a soft leather comfy chair and a good set of cookware.

If a guy with absolutely no need for such stuff finds it difficult to curb his materialistic consumerism urges, how difficult must it be for people with lots of money and ever growing boxes to hold more stuff?

Yup. It's a big problem. Here's a guy I found struggling with the same problem who's come up with a pretty good solution.

http://guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge/

I'm well below 100 things. Hopefully not into the ascetic and mentally unstable range. Yet.