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 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.

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.

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...

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.

you sound like my twin

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.

I couldn't care less about stuff, I buy the best value item that fulfils it's function and only replace things when the need it. I do value experiences, time with family and friends and holidays though so still don't save huge amounts, you can't take any of it with you.

I love clothes, jewellery and other accessories but couldn't care less about phones or other 'stuff'. Having said that, I'm not brand conscious or into designer stuff. Maybe I would be if I afford it though!

I’m not really into stuff; I find it quickly gets overwhelming and I don’t like living in a cluttered house. Sadly with two DC and a clutter bug DH, I have to live with a lot of stuff around me, and it often feels cramped at home. I like selling and decluttering instead!

I do like browsing and window shopping, but when it comes to actually bringing stuff home, I tend not to.

Not into stuff, or cars. Over the years, have ploughed all my spare cash into my home, which I love above any holiday, or 'thing'. I need very little to be content-as long as my pets are happy that's all I care about these days. If I ever spend on 'me' it's usually a good quality coat or wellies or walking boots as I only ever need outdoorsy type clothes. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than fart on setting up new technology.

Depends on what "stuff" you're talking about. Cars, clothes, shoes, bags, latest tech: not really interested, we get the basics secondhand. Books absolutely, but I am trying to rely more on the library. Household - some very pricey items like handknotted rugs, but they have to last a long time. What we don't do is change things on account of fashion, so we can still save and not have clutter. I hate housework.

Definitely not into stuff despite being quite a high earner.

Car is 2018 Astra, TV was my gran’s (she died in 2017), phone is a refurbished iPhone 8, iPad is 2015 I think. Most of my clothes are TU cuz I do food shop in sainsburys.

Most money goes on the dogs and 3 month old baby. I also like to eat out or get coffee out a lot.

If nobody is buying much stuff, who is buying it all

Love books, clothes, house and garden stuff. I am definitely not yet at the point where my house is finished (or even completely furnished) so if there’s going to be a levelling-off point I haven’t reached it.
Cars, tech, designer bags/shoes, labels, gadgets, streaming services - nope. Couldn’t care less.
Food, holidays and experiences are not stuff. They’re the opposite.

I like stuff that makes my life easier. Robot lawn mower for example.

Me! I'm buying it all. I wish I wasn't 😥

This thread has been a bit of a wake-up call to be honest, and I'm going to try to figure out how to stop. It's definitely a psychological issue.

Practical...e.g. I want a phone that works well, has a decent camera etc. Shoes I can walk in. A car that is nice to drive, comfortable and reliable (a luxury I know).

I'm a wanna be minimalist at home...6 years overdue a massive declutter.

Yes, this! For people who love stuff, I'm intrigued to know how often you're buying stuff and how much you're spending.

For me, monthly:

• probably about 4 books per month as am a big reader
• 2 or 3 skincare/haircare/make up but usually just replacing what has run out rather than trying new stuff
• maybe 1 or 2 items of fashion - clothing or shoes, which actually feel like quite a lot when I write it down
• usually some kind of household 'thing' but most often this is a joint purchase as needed as we slowly do up the house

Big ticket items - furniture or art for the house, just as needed a few times per year

Tech - when it breaks

Car - when it breaks 😂

This is probably a good place to say that it occurred to me that I should probably try to stop being influenced by influencers. I seem to have a problem browsing, buying and then returning M&S clothing. There’s nothing wrong with what I already own. I’ve heard of runners high but is there such a thing as shoppers high?

I am a big reader but I get all my books from the library. Is that an option?

I'm into stuff if it's functional and makes my life easier. I'm not into stuff just because it's the newest tech or in thing and I'm not into stuff just because "ooh it looks pretty". I absolutely hate shopping and can't really comprehend why anyone would do it as a leisure activity let alone the concept of "retail therapy". Spending money doesn't make me feel good! I buy as little as I can get away with. Moving house a few times also cured me of any desire to own more physical possessions than is strictly necessary.

Building up a collection of books once looked like it'd be the exception to the above but then I got a Kindle.

I don't feel like I buy lots of stuff, but my money definitely goes somewhere. Plants, probably.
I love clothes, but I tend to buy cheap. However, I tend to change my look a lot, so just when I decide I don't need to buy any more clothes, I suddenly think:"I think a pair of x would look amazing with y" and then I can't think of anything else.

Car is 9 years old and needs to live another 5-10 years until I can save up for a new one.
2nd hand phone.
Doing the house up, so there's always something to buy or someone to pay.
Library for books.
No bands near me that I fancy seeing at the minute, but that's more expensive than it used to be. Especially if there are 2 of you going.
No savings of any note.

We buy a lot of stuff for the garden, a trip to a garden centre usually means at least £200 down, I suppose that is stuff.

I'm not into stuff at all. I think it's probably the reason I'm not a present person.

I do value nice food though so I like to spend on nice chocolates or restaurants. I also value holidays so that's where our savings tend to go.

Some stuff I like but other things don’t bother me. I have a fairly new car which I do change every few years, clothes I tend to look for bargains on vinted etc but I’ve got things in my wardrobe that I’ve had for years. I’m not bothered about labels or designer stuff. I like a nice home but I wouldn’t spend a fortune on things - again always after a bargain!
my phone I upgrade every few years but usually because I give my old phones to my teens when I change mine. Other tech doesn’t really bother me. I don’t have a laptop etc.
I think as I’ve got older I tend not to impulse buy as much and will consider purchase more carefully. If anything I overthink purchase too much and often talk myself out of buying something!!