To just throw the boxes away?

[Vinomcstephens]

first posting here and possibly more of a WWYD but I'm very interested in your thoughts please!

DP and I have moved several times in the last 5 years and each time we hoik boxes filled with, well, I've no idea what they're filled with, as we haven't opened and unpacked them at any time since the first move 5 years ago! They live under the stairs and if either of us had to, on pain of death, say what was in them, we'd be done for as we haven't got a clue. So, here's the thing: we're going to be moving again in 6 months and I think I'm brave enough to just bin them! No looking in them - if we've not missed what's in them for 5 years it clearly isn't anything of pressing importance. DP thinks I'm insane and that we will take them with us when we move even if we haven't opened them.

I know, I know, we could just stop being lazy and unpack the damn boxes but then I KNOW DP will consider everything in them to be essential and will clutter the house up with it all, whereas I'm more of a 'sod it we haven't got room' frame of mind. We haven't got any family jewels so I know they're not hidden at the bottom

So.....WWYD? Unpack? Throw out??

Bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it bin it :o

Sparkling Don't think there is an official rule (and I love rules so wish there was) but I worked off the self-imposed rule that if it wasn't good enough to go into an album or made me look like shit however momentus the occasion it wasn't worth keeping. Most photos now safely in albums (except the 300+ on the computer of the DCs that we haven't got around to printing)

Mmmm. I want to go through them but don't want to look at them IYKWIM. I was 20 years younger for a start. DH hasn't even seen them.

It is a law that you have to keep photos.

Definitely open them and go through them when DH is OUT.

GML sort of knew what was in hers, totally different situation. You can't just bin boxes that may have important things in them, just because you haven't needed them in 5 years, doesn't mean things are important.

... and of course, we now need to know what's in them!!

Ah you have to take a look Sparkling as it'll bring back (hopefully) happy memories of who you used to be before life got in the way people and events you've long since forgotten. Also leave a few lying around to remind OH that you were loved by others before he came along

But he will remember I used to be young, slim and had pert boobs in the right place and wonder what happened,

Right, have made my mind up, think I've reached a reasonable compromise! I' going to open the boxes when DP is out and not expected back for hours and after a fair and reasoned discussion with myself, I'll select what needs to be kept and what can be thrown! Am actually having a bit of a flashback to a school trip to France when I was 15 and wondering "ooooh maybe the photos are in there!" and you never know, maybe great aunt myrtles antique pearl and diamond necklace is nestling away in one of them.....

I would have to look in them, but is you are feeling brave enough just to get rid of them, how about posting them on eBay?

Put a full explanation that they may be worthless or may contain things of value, and offer them for collection only. You never know what someone might be prepared to bid.

Yelp! Don't stick them on ebay without checking! Unless you're certain there's nothing incriminating or personal ID stuff (birth certificates?) in there.

Hmmmm I think I need to check that my husband is not leading a secret double life...

So, have you looked yet? Want to know what was inside 'em