A man can never not have enough tools, the more the better and two of every thing is pure bliss !

Bed. A awesome bed is an investment mate. 10 years of kick ass sleep and no bad back. You spend about 1/3 of your life in it. Get the best bed you can afford.

I’m starting to find the big problem isn’t buying things (all but stopped that) but people giving gifts. I don’t want to sound like an arsehole but I got really annoyed when my wife and I were given gifts for our wedding. Not only had we made it clear that we preferred a monetary gift if a gift was to be given at all (wouldn’t have minded if someone forgot or couldn’t afford it, their company was more important to us), my wife was also about to graduate from university and her first job was very likely going to be away from the city where we were living so every item was viewed by me as yet another “thing” that needed to be packed and moved. And of course cash would have been far more useful to meet relocation expenses. Furthermore, my wife and I had been living away from home for many years and weren’t wanting of anything needed to set up a home. Many gifts were “re-gifted” to my sister who had just moved into a home of her own. Now we have a son, yet again the gifts are flooding in. I look at my son’s room and think “shit that’s a lot of stuff” and dread the day we need to move. The other annoying thing is that with so many things being given to him, my wife and I can no longer buy him something he might actually appreciate without being concerned about adding to the clutter. I don’t mind gifts that are custom made or made by the giver and I appreciate that gift giving has good intentions behind it but many times I’d prefer no gift at all, just a smile and the company of loved ones is enough in what are tough times for many.

Totally agree, especially about the fitbit watch, to me unless you're a professional sports person or a personal trainer why would you need such a device? I see kids wearing them, why?some people just have too much money and don't know what to spend it on. Try listening to a parent justify why they spent $200 on a fitbit for their 8yr old and not want to shout out "bullshit" My wife's best friend sent me a msg asking if I wanted to contribute to getting my wife one of these useless devices and I said "to be honest, no" i told her I thought they were a waste of money of course she ended up guilt tripping me into throwing in for it. Half the time it sits on the dresser because she forgot to charge it. If anyone tells me how many steps they did today I just stare at them with a "so what" look on my face. As for the too much cutlery etc I've tried to create a situation like camping, when you go camping you take one knife, fork, spoon cup, plate etc for each person, you make it as easy as possible. So at home I tried to do the same and I pack away the excess "stuff" so we don't have 16 glasses in the sink but only 5 people use glasses, so we each have one of everything and if you need a clean cup you find your cup and wash it instead of grabbing another one but my wife can't handle it. So I refuse to do any dishes but my own, she doesn't like that. :)

Yes, we do have two vacuum cleaners. I agree, it's crazy! After moving houses I'm becoming painfully aware that we have too much stuff and it's overwhelming me. I think 'minimalism' is just a trendy flavour of the month word. It's not about the word. It's your deeper self questioning the meaning of it all.

Been feeling like that too recently have unloaded some possessions hard to depart with some items as well .

That’s exactly how I feel. I’m moving for the second time in 2 years so I’ve got rid of nearly everything I own to avoid the ball ache of moving it all. But more importantly, I’ve began to embrace the minimalism thing more and more. It’s something I wished I’d done ages ago now.

"10 differen't baking trays" LOL so true. More material possessions definitely carry more burden on your subconscious mind, attachment to material possessions weakens the soul.

So true

One of my kids gave me a Myers gift card once. I could of clocked him for that. I know it's the thought that counts right? But, it took me 2 years to find stuff at Myers to buy before the gift card expired. I should have felt overjoyed, instead I was frustrated and annoyed. The things I bought I didn't really need to be honest, although I enjoy using them. I didn't want my son's hard earned money going to waste either. He learned his lesson too, mum hates Myers ;-)