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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how into 'stuff' are you?

181 replies

Missmarple87 · 15/04/2024 15:18

Seems like a weird question and I'm asking from an impartial position because I find it so intriguing! I suppose I'm also asking because how much we should spend Vs save is a point of discussion in my marriage 😉 .

At a party at the weekend of people all in professional jobs and with decent amounts of disposable income (I know you can't know about people's finances, really, but it's clear most have some cash left over at the end of the month). From conversation it was clear that some really liked 'stuff', ranging from the latest tech to fashion to interiors stuff to cars etc. and that acquisition was important to them. Others clearly weren't into at all - completely genuinely just not bothered (old phones, old cars, old clothes). Others weren't into it as a point of pride e.g. my old car, despite being able to afford a new one, is a status symbol in itself.

Where do you stand on this?

OP posts:
BlancheSaysYes · 15/04/2024 19:31

JennyForeigner · 15/04/2024 15:32

I like nice things but it's all about the joy of the chase. The lovely big ginger jar I found in a charity shop at the weekend and will use to store laundry and dishwasher tabs brings me joy - I had coveted one for years. I wouldn't have bought one from a shop though. Same with books and clothes.

We have three young kids and all of our money goes on childcare, so I take pride in the things that make our house look put together but are bought on a shoestring.

I love a good charity shop find. There's a re-use, recycle, repurpose shop near me, where you make a donation, nothing is priced, you just put whatever you can afford in the tin. There's always treasure to be found.

therealcookiemonster · 15/04/2024 19:30

Catza · 15/04/2024 15:23

As little stuff as possible. I change my phones every 6 years or so. My car is 14 years old, most of my tech is 8+ years old and I think my mac is approaching teenage years.
I just refuse spending money on stuff, I'd rather pay for a nice day our or for an interesting course. Oh, and books.

you sound like my twin

Grumblevision · 15/04/2024 19:21

coastalhawk · 15/04/2024 19:16

Hate new stuff cos it's destroying nature and forests etc - and cos that new stuff then reminds me of the state of the planet

I also feel like this. I buy secondhand... But even so. I often wish there just wasn't much available to me, that there was enough and nothing more.

Ruminate2much · 15/04/2024 19:20

I've had a few moves in recent years, so try to keep my possessions to a minimum, as it's such a hassle lugging them around!
Also, I'm not very well off, and trying to save, so can't really afford much stuff. I try to hold things lightly, as I'm spiritual, and know we can't take material things with us when we go...

OneBadKitty · 15/04/2024 19:20

I absolutely stuff and have far too much of things I like- makeup, toiletries, coats, shoes, jumpers, bags etc. I like quality though and don't have lots of cheap crap- would prefer one nice coat to 5 cheaper ones. I don't tend to get rid of things which is my problem as it's all too good and I keep things I like for years.

taxguru · 15/04/2024 19:19

coastalhawk · 15/04/2024 19:16

Hate new stuff cos it's destroying nature and forests etc - and cos that new stuff then reminds me of the state of the planet

I agree.

I also hate the people who constantly buy new "stuff" and then justify it by saying they take the old for recycling!! Completely oblivious to the rare resources being used/wasted, and the transport, pollution and energy costs of the entire recycling industry.

Far better not to use stuff up in the first place by making things last longer, repairing things, etc., than virtue signalling and justifying waste by recycling.

coastalhawk · 15/04/2024 19:16

Hate new stuff cos it's destroying nature and forests etc - and cos that new stuff then reminds me of the state of the planet

Happyholidays78 · 15/04/2024 19:12

We have a saying in our home 'experiences not stuff'. Our spare income is spent on travel, day's out & nice meals out. Birthday/Christmas presents are usually an outing or trip somewhere.

peerante · 15/04/2024 19:06

I like certain stuff, generally less mainstream tech like mirrorless cameras and lenses, but I'm quite behind with general tech like phones and tablets. I don't care for clothes, bags or shoes, though I do like good quality functional clothes and bags (like waterproofs, but they don't get replaced often).

I get more pleasure out hoarding finances, checking my investment gains, clearing debt and keeping an eye on my house price than spending money on things. We spend a lot on experiences like theatre trips and days out though.

LindorDoubleChoc · 15/04/2024 19:02

Not at all into stuff. I honestly think we spend more on food, wine and entertainment (football season ticket, going to shows, going out to dinner, nights in the pub, holidays) than anything else.

I almost never buy anything new. Not even clothes particularly. I have 3 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of linen trousers, a denim skirt, 2 summer dresses, 2 winter dresses and various tops, t shirts and cardigans, 6 bras, and at most 10 pairs of shoes.

Grumblevision · 15/04/2024 19:01

I loop around on this. I like looking at big fancy houses but the thought of trying to maintain one gives me the genuine horrors. I hate cleaning. I don't know how people have perfect houses. Ditto my car. I love my small car because driving a big one similarly gives me the fear. But I am terrible with spare money, it nags at me so much to just have it sitting there. Always been the same. I buy things but they never satisfy me. And so it goes. Forever. I also struggle to throw things away. I'm not at full hoarder level but it exhausts me ... Wish I could not care about stuff. People who just sit on their money and forget it astound me.

muggart · 15/04/2024 18:59

i'm not into 'stuff'. fashion, tech, fancy decor, fine wines... couldn't give a crap.

I am fortunate to be one of those people with cash at the end of the month and I use it on things that makes my day-to-day better and easier e.g. i have a cleaner and I'll hire a handyman or a taxi at the drop of a hat rather than deal with inconvenience.

BobnLen · 15/04/2024 18:56

I buy a new iPhone every 4 years, not bothered about cars as long as they go, I like house stuff but don't spend such a lot on it. I spend a lot on TV streaming as we have Sky and all the streamers and have ad free but that doesn't really count as it's not physical stuff but still frivolous.

Thepeopleversuswork · 15/04/2024 18:53

Define "stuff".

Some stuff I treasure and covet: books (far too many), cooking paraphernalia, plants, nice clothes (not particularly into fast fashion).

Couldn't give a tinker's cuss about new technology as long as I have a working computer and phone. Don't own any jewellery. Have never owned a car in my life and never will. I like nice things for the home up to a point but can live without them and don't miss them if I can't afford them. Would never bother about colour coordinating a room or worrying about stuff matching.

I'm definitely not into conspicuous consumption and I don't like the idea of buying that goes into landfill but I also find puritanical types who lecture others about acquiring stuff and make a big show of being eco-friendly and parsimonious a bit tedious and self-important.

Trulyme · 15/04/2024 18:52

I’m not into stuff either.

I think MNers mostly are very into ‘stuff’ and keeping up with all the new things/fads.

My home is minimalist but I do keep hold of sentimental things.
Most of my things are second hand.
I also don’t like to follow the crowd and try and have unique things.

I would rather have experiences and do things, rather than stuff.

ReallyUAreAnElegantChap · 15/04/2024 18:47

In between - not that bothered, not proud of that fact though, and sometimes I do want some stuff, but then I get annoyed by the amount of stuff at home and want rid of it all!

neverbeenskiing · 15/04/2024 18:41

Couldn't care less about tech, don't need the latest phone, never been fussed about new gadgets. I have a nice car, but it's not what I'd call flashy.

I love my house and I'm proud of it so I'm happy to spend money on it. I suppose that means I'm into house 'stuff', but I don't think I buy house 'stuff' constantly or needlessly. Also happy to spend on holidays and experiences, probably value these more than stuff.

I collect vinyl records and get a lot of pleasure out of researching and buying them as well as listening to them. I have all my Dad's old vinyl and when I die my collection as well as his will pass onto the DC. Technically 'stuff' but has sentimental value and more of a hobby so not sure that counts?

HideousKinky · 15/04/2024 18:36

As I get older (now 64) I like stuff less & less - I have steadily been clearing out a great deal and we have recently had a renovation on the ground floor which has left lovely clean uncluttered lines.... DH wants to fill the space up with Things but I just love it the way it is!

Dontcallmescarface · 15/04/2024 18:34

I'm just looking around my living room and nothing is less than 6 years old. Unless I need to buy stuff (to replace anything broken or worn out), I just don't have it as I'm not at all bothered about the fact that I don't own
A smart TV
A smart speaker
The latest fashions
A car that's newer than 10 years
A dishwasher/tumble dryer
More than 2 handbags
More than 1 pair of trainers

We do go to gigs quite a lot and if we are going away for a weekend (we don't really "do" holidays as such), then we will usually travel 1st class and stay in a 4* hotel....although if it's just an overnight trip then a Premier Inn or Travelodge will do just as well.

mambojambodothetango · 15/04/2024 18:26

Me, not really. DH, very. It has caused friction, though he's the higher earner by a long way so I guess it's up to him.

Hartley99 · 15/04/2024 18:25

Not into it at all. Sometimes I worry that I'm being left behind. The main reason is I'm so flippin bad at science and so hopeless with all forms of technology (it's a miracle I'm able to type on this forum). I only have a vague idea what an App is, for example, and not a clue about things like TikTok. Banks, phones, computers, in fact anything to do with numbers or technology intimidate me.

I'm ascetic by temperament. I have no interest in cars or furniture. I absolutely hate crowds and noise and stress, so would rather go without than face a car dealership or a DIY store at the weekend. The only things I truly love are books. My house is bursting with them – many unread, and likely to remain unread. I also have a mild interest in clothes and fashion, but not passionate. Other than that I'd make a pretty good hippy.

Beezknees · 15/04/2024 18:25

Not into "stuff" at all, in fact I don't even care about what type of property I live in and would live in a studio if I didn't have a child to consider. I value experiences. Travel, days out, drinks with friends, etc and that's what I spend on.

BeaRF75 · 15/04/2024 18:24

Very little stuff, but also not cheap and nasty either. (So if I do want basic clothes, it would be John Lewis and never Primark).
9 year old car, hardly any tech, hardly any kitchen gadgets. Small house and not constantly redecorating.
All my money goes on books, and "experiences", eg theatre tickets, train tickets to London to go to the theatre, and good holidays.

Pomegranatecarnage · 15/04/2024 18:19

I don’t care about cars or phones, but I don’t buy cheap clothes (like from Primark) and I prefer to have better quality furniture that lasts. I buy most of my clothes in charity shops.

Tel12 · 15/04/2024 18:17

At work a colleague related how the cleaner had damaged the furniture with carelessness. She cried. My colleague died a few years ago after several years of illness. Makes you think that worrying about stuff is over rated.