Why do people buy crap?

PJ_Soul

RKCNDY said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?

Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.

There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.

PJ_Soul

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

HughFreakingDillon

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

PJ_Soul

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.

HughFreakingDillon

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.

I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

PJ_Soul

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.

I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

No, the salaries about about the same. That is the problem. If everyone's salaries were comparable to the much higher cost of living there wouldn't be a problem! .... But it really is a great place to live. Not ready to leave for financial security... yet.

HughFreakingDillon

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.

I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

No, the salaries about about the same. That is the problem. If everyone's salaries were comparable to the much higher cost of living there wouldn't be a problem! .... But it really is a great place to live. Not ready to leave for financial security... yet.

then I don't get how anyone in my salary range could survive there. my wife often says she couldn't handle the rain, but I say it's easier to handle that than the subhuman temperatures we deal with here.

PJ_Soul

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.

yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.

I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

No, the salaries about about the same. That is the problem. If everyone's salaries were comparable to the much higher cost of living there wouldn't be a problem! .... But it really is a great place to live. Not ready to leave for financial security... yet.

then I don't get how anyone in my salary range could survive there. my wife often says she couldn't handle the rain, but I say it's easier to handle that than the subhuman temperatures we deal with here.

Well, people do survive by living way out in the burbs... They are being forced farther and farther out, so many, many people in Metro Vancouver who work in or closer to Vancouver proper are spending 4 hours commuting every day - it's becoming a real problem. Obviously it's terrible for the traffic too, and they are starting to toll all the bridges now to try and stem that, but there aren't any good alternatives to driving that far out, so people have to pay the tolls, which they can't afford. Not a good situation at all! And me? Well I live in a one bedroom apartment that was very cheaply and poorly built in the 70s, lol.
But yeah, it is just so beautiful here that I can't imagine downgrading in that sense. Beautiful city, beautiful geography. The winter weather is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Yes it rains a fair bit for half of the year, but there are plenty of rain-free days too, and yes, rain and mild temps are better than subzero temps by a long shot IMO! Anyway, you get used to the rain. But yeah, no spare cash for buying crap, that's for sure!

chadwick

HesCalledDyer said:

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

^^^
This is all good advice.
I regularly de-clutter, sometimes six months is too long.
Any dollar store stuff I buy only last a few days anyway so I am good there.
I enjoy throwing garbage out of the house.

HFD - To your earlier comment about not being able to watch the Hoarders show. It is very hard to watch because you can't believe that it is real. Once you watch one episode you will forever be scanning your home for shit to throw out, ha.

My sister and I have often thought about calling up A&E and getting our dad on that show. He's not nearly as bad as the folks I've seen on there, but he's definitely a hoarder. It's bad enough that I really don't like going to his house. And goodness, if I ever do get a girlfriend, I'm surely not taking her there.

hescalleddyer, can you share an example?

ldent42

PJ_Soul said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.

the part youre missing is that "refusal to clean" is part of hoarding. It's not just about amassing crap, or attachment to items. It's an inability to remove anything from one's life/surroundings. That includes taking out the trash. What comes from that is that it becomes impossible to reach the cobwebs to clean them because of all the stuff piled up. And there are no clear surfaces to wipe down because every single surface is covered with stuff.

HesCalledDyer

chadwick said:

HesCalledDyer said:

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

^^^
This is all good advice.
I regularly de-clutter, sometimes six months is too long.
Any dollar store stuff I buy only last a few days anyway so I am good there.
I enjoy throwing garbage out of the house.

HFD - To your earlier comment about not being able to watch the Hoarders show. It is very hard to watch because you can't believe that it is real. Once you watch one episode you will forever be scanning your home for shit to throw out, ha.

My sister and I have often thought about calling up A&E and getting our dad on that show. He's not nearly as bad as the folks I've seen on there, but he's definitely a hoarder. It's bad enough that I really don't like going to his house. And goodness, if I ever do get a girlfriend, I'm surely not taking her there.

hescalleddyer, can you share an example?

Of? My dad's hoarding? Nah.

RKCNDY

ldent42 said:

PJ_Soul said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.

the part youre missing is that "refusal to clean" is part of hoarding. It's not just about amassing crap, or attachment to items. It's an inability to remove anything from one's life/surroundings. That includes taking out the trash. What comes from that is that it becomes impossible to reach the cobwebs to clean them because of all the stuff piled up. And there are no clear surfaces to wipe down because every single surface is covered with stuff.

I think some people are just oblivious to cleaning/garbage. Like my boss will eat a frozen meal and just leave the tray laying around the office, for weeks on end, or leave empty water bottles EVERYWHERE...uh, there are 3 wastebaskets and 2 recycle bins in a 350 sq ft office.

PJ_Soul

RKCNDY said:

ldent42 said:

PJ_Soul said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.

the part youre missing is that "refusal to clean" is part of hoarding. It's not just about amassing crap, or attachment to items. It's an inability to remove anything from one's life/surroundings. That includes taking out the trash. What comes from that is that it becomes impossible to reach the cobwebs to clean them because of all the stuff piled up. And there are no clear surfaces to wipe down because every single surface is covered with stuff.

I think some people are just oblivious to cleaning/garbage. Like my boss will eat a frozen meal and just leave the tray laying around the office, for weeks on end, or leave empty water bottles EVERYWHERE...uh, there are 3 wastebaskets and 2 recycle bins in a 350 sq ft office.

Yeah, it's not like every gross slob has a psychological disorder. I don't see why a hoarder might not be a hoarder AND a lazy pig.

PJfanwillneverleave1

PJ_Soul said:

RKCNDY said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?

Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.

There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.

It could just be because they don't talk balk.

PJ_Soul

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

RKCNDY said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?

Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.

There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.

It could just be because they don't talk balk.

Yes, I'm sure they have all kinds of fucked up and/or depressing reasons to live this way.

SD48277

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

RKCNDY said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

ldent42 said:

I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?

Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.

There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.

It could just be because they don't talk balk.

What is balk?

RKCNDY

yes/no?

PJfanwillneverleave1

RKCNDY said:

yes/no?

Dam.
I meant to say back.

hedonist

RKCNDY said:

yes/no?

Yes.

And Alice's the Rooster is in my head now! Different vein though.

I've wondered if we lived in a house vs a less-than-700 sf condo, how much more we might accumulate...moreso in the way of knick-knacks vs purchasing shit-quality stuff. I think we're doing it right for now. Periodic purge and enjoy what we have.

PJfanwillneverleave1

Out with the old in with the new.
Why would you want to a wear a pair of shoes or have a couch/appliance/ etc for 50yrs.
Ya gotta purge and buy new often.
Keeps it fresh.
Quite sure a 50-60 yr old isn't furnished with the same "stuff" they had 20-30yrs ago.
On the other hand it is pretty cool to visit grandma and grampas house.