To ask how into 'stuff' are you?

[Missmarple87]

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?

I do think people that buy buy buy all
the time whether or not they can afford it probably have some form of mental health problem. You don’t need to find that kind of affirmation if you are happy with your life. It’s such an incredible waste of money and the worlds resources to buy endless cheap clothes and tat.

Don’t believe in skin care? Can I ask why?

I meant I don't believe in using 50 expensive serums peddled by skinfluencers. I use Tret which is the only skin care that is proven to work, with a cheap moisturiser and sunscreen. Nothing else. I am happy with my skin.

I love stuff, unfortunately. I have far too many clothes and I can keep track of them all, loads need to be ironed, a lot of them haven't ever been worn. It's out of control. I also spend spontaneously- just ordered a silk scarf on my lunch break with pretty much zero forethought, for example.

Also love nice holidays such as skiing and long haul trips.

I don't need a fancy car, at least. But I do like having the bells and whistles such as a reversing camera, etc.

I like stuff (minimalism makes me very uncomfortable) and I have a lot of it, which I’ve collected over a number of years. Books, curios, paintings, etc.
I have loads of clothes and boots, too, but I am getting rid of quite a lot of that, as I'm retired and don't need to go to court or office, and I can revert to my bag lady crossed with art teacher look.

So I don't really need to buy anything these days and only occasionally see something that I really want.
Apart from books; that's a habit I don't think I will ever break.

I’m the same!

I definitely like stuff, I’d say I’m pretty materialistic. I like nice clothes, food, furniture, decor etc. A nice environment makes me happy and I’m willing to spend on it.

I don’t feel bad about it – I’m sure its not the best thing to be, but it’s far from the worst!

Edit: Don’t care much about tech, so doesn’t actually end up being that pricey.

Bit of both - you usually don’t regret experiences you’ve had and stuff certainly has its place in my life in the form of tech. I prefer to buy expensive stuff that are easy to use and that I know will last years (MacBook, Apple Watch, iPhone). That’s my only stuff other than the odd book purchase so I’m pretty minimal and don’t drive and rarely buy clothes and stuff for my home.

Having moved 7 times in 8 years, I have very few physical books. Most of my books are now electronic so I don't consider them stuff, no. Also, I was thinking about high status items like tech, cars, clothes, jewellery etc. as this is generally what people consider "stuff that matters".

I suppose, the largest volume of stuff in my house is art supplies. Also, not something that people would consider status items.

I like gardening and not very expensive vintage and antique things, but can't afford the fancy stuff. I replace my every day modern items that have broken or are tatty, as vintage things are nicely made and usually higher quality.

Something else that occurred to me is that for some "stuff", it depends on where you are in your life. I don't need to spend much on things for the home at the moment because we've been settled in here for years and have already bought or were given enough "stuff" to make it comfortable and nicely furnished and decorated. Within the past 10 years we upgraded the floors, for instance, and if we wanted to bring in any new furniture, we'd have to get rid of something we already have. Our sofas are getting older and will need replacing probably in the next 5 years, and I occasionally toy with the idea of switching out my current work desk for a standing desk, but most things we have should last the rest of our lives, unless we just want a change.

Even if I had millions to spend on a whim, I don't think I'd ever be someone who wanted to redecorate and change the furniture every five years. I get used to things and even grow attached to them. I wouldn't want the hassle, either! 😅

Honestly, the thought of accumulating 'stuff' makes me feel suffocated.

I've been decluttering recently and it feels the same as when I lose weight - I feel lighter, there's a spring in my step.

'Stuff' weighs me down. I am not a collector of things, I don't want to show off with purchases, I'm mostly interested in experiences. So that's where I spend my money.

ETA I don't think spending money on making your home comfortable and attractive is in the same league as buying stuff for the sake of it, unless it's to show off on Instagram or something.

I like to have nice things that look and feel solid and well-made and do their job properly rather than being frustrating to use. I like them to be aesthetically pleasing. Those things are very important to me. I couldn’t care less about labels, or having the latest tech specifications. Those things used to be important to me, but not any more. And I don’t like having so much stuff that it doesn’t tidy away properly.

I like stuff that works / decent quality but I don't like paying high prices so tend towards the cheaper version. In theory, I try to buy the best thing at the cheapest price, lots of shopping around / cashback sites / coupon codes etc. DH is very much "you get what you pay for/ buy cheap, buy twice" whereas I'm like "get it cheap and it might last as long as an expensive one".

I am not interested in designer clothing / shoes / handbags / skincare as I'm happy to wear Primark / Matalan clothing and supermarket skincare.

Electronics, I do tend to get something decent in the hope that it doesn't become obsolete as fast but then keep them for years and phones are passed on to DC afterwards so are well used. However, I'd not get the latest Whatever just because it is the latest.

I like holidays but often find them stressful and at they are far too expensive at the moment so we are doing long weekend UK breaks.

Cars, not that bothered about at all. We usually spend ~£5k and keep them for a couple of years. I do have a shiny new electric company car which is amazing with all the bells and whistles but if it was taken away, I'd go back to an old car no problems.

Furniture, I rate IKEA quality. I also like solid wood and tend to buy from FB Marketplace rather than the faux bonded stuff in most furniture shops.

Financial security is more important than stuff to us now.

I like clothes and make up, and upgrades to my hobby equipment. Beyond that not really bothered. Would love a really good car but that'll never happen!

I'm really not into "stuff" at all. I'm very minimalistic. Just don't see the point in spending money on non essentials.

We've two cars, one was bought new in 2008, so 14 years old, and the other is 9 years old, bought new in 2015. No plans to change either as they both work and we look after them, so they look good. Previously, we had a car that hit 190,000 miles before it gave up. Never bought a car that had any life left in it.

We still live in the house we bought when we got married nearly 30 years ago. I've only ever lived in two houses! Can't be bothered to spend the time, money and energy moving!

Still wearing clothes I bought 20+ years ago. We buy quality (not designer, but "better" High street department stores etc). They're perfectly functional, still look good, still fit, etc. Obviously, buy new things for special events like weddings, but only buy when the old stuff is faded or threadbare or damaged for work, home, pubs, etc.

House is very minimalistic. Very little in the way of ornaments, internal design, etc. We sell all our books, DVDs, etc., on Ebay or give to charity shops, rather than letting them pile up on shelving etc. Same with our child's toys when he was young - we sold them as soon as he grew out of his pram, clothes, toys, etc., so as not to clutter the house.

We definitely prefer quality over quantity. Buy nice stuff and make it last, i.e. iphones etc - we buy and keep/pass down for a few years and then sell on ebay! Likewise laptops, etc. Electronic devices remain useable for 5+ years easily so why change just because something new comes out??

My flat is full of books. I absolutely hate nic nacs and spend very little money on clothes. No makeup. But books - always.

Not really into stuff but love buying bits for the dogs. Also a weakness for waterproof coats and good walking shoes and boots and wellies. And things for the garden, nice shrubs, pots etc. But car is 8, mobile is nearly 5, television is around 15! The last thing I bought for the house was a £30 air fryer from Amazon Warehouse. Can't remember the last piece of clothing I bought.

Never really been big on stuff. And I'm trying to divest myself still further at the moment. I don't own many common items/appliances.

I don't place importance on any of it.

Live by the maxim: Enjoy the nice things the world has to offer but don't lose yourself in them.

I like having a an ipad to read my kindle on and airpod pros to listen to podcasts but past that I don’t have many wants tbh. I found as my income has increased the less I want, probably the sense of security and comfort for me. I have flashes of wanting stuff and then it disappears very quickly. I’m not that fussed by holidays either. I would be pretty upset if I couldn’t buy books though.

I am exactly the same! Apart from my pile of unread books, which is my weakness

I love stuff and if I didn't have a kid I would live in a box and spend all my money on clothes

I've had lots of stuff and it's overrated. The kids now use my cash to buy stuff.

People who like it too much are normally quite shallow.

This is a lovely thread; really enlightening.

One thing that I've noticed after a few years of buying stuff is how much effort it requires...selecting something that suits, reading the manual (I'm looking at you smart thermostats!), maintaining it, disposing of it responsibly.

I own very few things that give me enough pleasure to pay back all that effort. So I'm buying less and less stuff as I get older.

I'm probably a bit in the middle - I don't like clutter and not into tech or gadgets. But I am into journals, stationery and scrapbooking and have a bit too much of this 'stuff'. My 17yo DS is very minimalist and doesn't have a lot of stuff but does have quite a bit of tech. My 12yo DD is massively into 'stuff,' of all sorts and loves Shien, Temu & Ali Express. I have to make her reign it in or her room would be stuffed!