Giveaway Week — The Story of Stuff

by Katy on March 21, 2011 · 123 comments

Note — This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to “Sarah” who was randomly chosen to win this book!

I have decided to do an entire week of book giveaways here at The Non-Consumer Advocate, and I’m starting out with a hardback copy of The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard. Leonard gained her audience through her online videos, which started with The Story of Stuff and has continued on with The Story of Cap and Trade, The Story of Bottled Water as well as a number of others.

For those who may not be familiar with The Story of Stuff, the video (and book) explore the materials economy that produce all the stuff that we, as consumers buy and subsequently toss.

To enter to win this book, write something in the comments section about your stuff.

I will randomly pick a winner next Sunday, March 27 at 9:00 P.M., west coast time.

This week’s Giveaways will also feature:

  • The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin.
  • Homemade Living: Home Dairy with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Make Cheese, Yogurt, Butter & More.
  • Homemade Living: Keeping Bees with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Tend Hives, Harvest Honey & More.
  • The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up the Fabulous Life, by Natalie McNeal.
  • The New Normal: An Agenda for Responsible Living, by David Wann.

I will probably add a few more books as well, so keep checking back for your chance to win. Good luck!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

 

{ 117 comments… read them below or add one }

Beckie March 21, 2011 at 12:59 pm

I’ve cut back on alot of stuff. I don’t shop as much or buy as much plastic. I love to thrift and I get as much satisfaction from giving away or selling stuff as I do for getting stuff. That said, I’m always open to new ways of repurposing items and effective ways to get the most out of stuff. Cheers!

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Lizzie March 21, 2011 at 1:03 pm

I moved last year, and leading up to it I wasn’t too concerned, as I thought back to the last time I moved and remembered it not being a big deal. But, oh, that was eight years ago, and despite my attempts not to accumulate, I had significantly more crap than the last time I moved. I jettisoned a bunch of stuff, and am trying to both not acquire new stuff, while at the same time, getting myself to let go of even more that I just don’t need any more.

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Canadian Doomer March 21, 2011 at 1:05 pm

I completely recognize the irony in entering a non-consumerist blog’s giveaway contest … 😛

If ‘stuff’ refers to consumer stuff, I’m afraid I have little. No television, no electronics other than two simple laptops, no fancy clothes. I love Leonard’s videos and I’m sure I’d love her book, too. Ah, books … our idea of interior decorating is building enough bookcases. They are my “stuff”.

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Katy March 21, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Canadian Doomer,

This actually my copy of the book from when when it came out last year. The publisher sent two copies, one of which I already gave away. So . . . I’m actually passing along my own personal copy. 😉

Katy

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Canadian Doomer March 22, 2011 at 3:18 am

I was attempting to be silly, because by entering a giveaway contest, I’m trying to get more “stuff”. 🙂 I was certainly NOT intending it to be a jibe at you. We’re doing a giveaway, too, over at Canadian Doomer, for homesteading books. I’m afraid I’m not giving away my personal review copies because I squealed like a child at Christmas when they arrived. 😛

Stuff is the junk you keep, and junk is the stuff you get rid of.

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kayduh March 21, 2011 at 1:12 pm

Getting married soon and am a little afraid of the ‘stuff’ avalanche that is going to happen when my fiance moves in!

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PigPennies March 21, 2011 at 1:14 pm

I love that book cover!

The story of stuff in my life right now is one of downsizing and decluttering. I’ve gone through my closet and gotten rid of all the things I don’t wear, and now I’m going through the kitchen deciding if I really need four Pyrex dishes roughly the same size, or if one can just as easily do the job of all four.

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Stephanie March 21, 2011 at 1:33 pm

I am amazed at how much “stuff” accumulates. I try not to be disposable with my things– I just upgraded my 8 year old cell phone–and I buy used (I love the Goodwill, too!); but I find that all my cupboards are much less bare than they used to be. It must be time to haul it all out for others to discover in the thrift shop.

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Jennifer March 21, 2011 at 1:44 pm

I once read that every possession is a responsibility. I’ve moved across country 3 times now and it has definitely taught me what is and isn’t important to keep around me.

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jen March 21, 2011 at 1:49 pm

I would love to read this and then pass it along to some family members so we could work on improving our ‘stuff issues’ together. I’m trying to buy less and make more, and the more effort I put into it the more areas I see I could still work on.

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Megg March 21, 2011 at 1:59 pm

I moved 4 times in 2 years, and every time I got rid of more stuff. It was very freeing, and I am happy to say that I’ve cut way back in my “stuff” purchasing. I’ve also discovered much better ways of finding things I think I need. Craigslist, freecycle and my local thrift store are my friends! I’ve found that since I can get things I want way cheaper at a thrift store or on craigslist, I am much less willing to spend 90% more on the same (albiet brand new) items at a store!

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Sarah March 21, 2011 at 2:13 pm

My stuff. I have no problem keeping few clothes and little jewelry. I don’t care for kitchen gadgets or dishes or lots of cleaning supplies, and I particularly dislike knickknacks. What I have a very hard time keeping under control is fabric, sewing patterns, craft supplies, and books. My Goodwill habit isn’t helping. At least I’m able to sell off my excess on etsy.

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Beth March 21, 2011 at 2:22 pm

I am trying to be more selective about the things I own and more open to buying used. I recently replaced a dieing set of silverware with used stainless steel ones and now am comfortable buying quality used clothes too.

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Kayla K March 21, 2011 at 2:38 pm

My lack of stuff makes people think I deprive myself.
I believe that I have far too much stuff and am working on sharing it out.
There is, however, always room for one more book!

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K La March 21, 2011 at 2:41 pm

We’ve been trying to buy a house for the last six months, so we knew we were going to move. For those six months, I have been trying to clean out our house. Four months ago, I stumbled upon minimalism and LOVED it! Ever since then, I’ve sold/donated/thrown out 15 banana boxes full of STUFF. And more is coming! I found your blog, well, last week, actually, and LOVE the idea of being a non-consumer. It’s only been a week, but I haven’t been into a store that whole time! 🙂

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ayesha March 21, 2011 at 2:46 pm

We just got rid of our dishwasher! And we’re giving up buying granola bars – hooray for no more stuff!

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Weston March 21, 2011 at 2:54 pm

My stuff is suffocating me

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Marianne March 22, 2011 at 8:04 am

Maybe we need a new word — stuffocating?

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rivqa March 21, 2011 at 2:59 pm

Stuff is so overwhelming. We still have far too much, but we’re paring back, which is a great feeling.

I find it’s hard with kids too — people want to buy stuff for them. I’m currently trying to gently convince my 5-year-old daughter to ask for donations for a charity instead of birthday presents.

As for the competition, I’m in Australia so if you want to exclude me from the draw I’ll understand. 🙂

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Carol March 21, 2011 at 3:09 pm

The only “stuff” I buy these days are vegetable seeds for my garden and feed for my chickens we raise for eggs. Oh, and books like this one for my Environmental Science students. I love exposing them to books they’d probably not pick out on their own!

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Debbie R March 21, 2011 at 3:09 pm

I’ve seen the movie but I’d love to read the book. I’m a museum curator so managing stuff is what it’s all about for me.

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Kris March 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm

I’d love to pare down our stuff, but it’s hard with a hubby who likes to hold on to stuff!

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AnnW March 21, 2011 at 3:57 pm

My father was in the Air Force, so we moved every several years. Consequently we didn’t get to keep a lot of stuff. When we were sent overseas, we were issued furniture. Because of this, I have been trying to re-buy every thing my mother gave away. But now, stuff doesn’t mean that much anymore. I have enough for each room, and enough plates, glasses, and silverware for 25 to 30 people. What else do I need? I am a saver, though, and find it hard to give up ten or fifteen year old parkas that are still good. But, I am working on it. Ann

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Amy March 21, 2011 at 3:57 pm

My stuff used to define me. When I moved out of my mother’s completely over-cluttered (mostly with garbage – broken stuff, paperwork, etc.) house and went to college, I wanted my stuff to be new and nice and few/far between. I let my things define me because I’d never had anything truly nice and clean before, so it was sort of like a super reverse-hoarding disorder.

Then I got married, lost my job due to illness, and had to live at the poverty level for 3 years while struggling to make ends meet on one income. Our stuff stopped defining us and started becoming something we truly enjoyed – or we got rid of it. Not having much money to buy any physical things that weren’t necessities really made us thankful for the things we DID have, and I found that we used what we had with more care.

We have since grown financially, but I don’t think that as a family we will EVER forget where we started from, and I’m actually quite thankful for the time in our lives that broke our love of stuff and grew our love for each other.

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Erin March 21, 2011 at 4:11 pm

My husband and I have worked on cutting back a ton of STUFF over the past 2 years…which is such a great feeling. We are relocating this summer and it is going to be awesome to not have to move all the extra baggage with us. Would love to give the book a read…hopefully my name will get picked!

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Jenny March 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Stuff? I have too much. I’m trying to be more mindful about what I let in, but it’s time to weed through what’s here and let some of it go.

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Jennifer March 21, 2011 at 5:12 pm

Always feel happy when I get rid of stuff. But also enjoy getting stuff too. What a paradox.

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JP March 21, 2011 at 5:17 pm

I keep stuff I use for projects. I’ve been given family sewing supplies for “good stewardship” of their project materials. Working steadily and slowly to move them into use. It’s hard to get rid of that stuff – my own usable thrift stash.

Trying to focus more energy on getting rid of the paper stuff I have accumulated myself. School papers, the “accidental Warhol” boxes I have collected over time and in the last hours of moving or working out of town for multiple gigs. Interestingly enough, the more I move out of the latter, the easier it gets to be to get rid of other things, even parts of the sewing legacy gifts.

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judyyy March 21, 2011 at 5:56 pm

I have way too much stuff but I am chipping away at it.

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sandy March 21, 2011 at 6:28 pm

I have a tiny house and my husband and I argue about the amount of stuff we own. He thinks we have too much stuff and I defend my stuff with the arguement that we have such a small space to live in. Deep down, I like my stuff, even though I would love to live more spaciously. It’s terribly difficult for me to donate my things and I don’t know why I am so attached. I try not to acquire because I am then worried about how I will let it go someday. This is the only thing that helps me from becoming a horder!

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Marie-Josée March 22, 2011 at 5:24 am

Unless this issue is really creating a true problem in your relationship with your husband, I suggest you give yourself a break. You’re aware of the fact that you’re really attached things and that’s already the biggest step. If getting rid of your things is a source of anxiety for you, you clearly aren’t ready. I forced my children to give away an IKEA children’s table and chairs when they were small and I am still hearing about it today (they are 21 and 24)!

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Valerie March 21, 2011 at 6:28 pm

My husband and I moved to the US from Tanzania 3 years ago and the only possessions we brought with us fit into 4 suitcases. Since moving to the US, we’ve had our first child. We moved to a new apartment 3 weeks ago and I couldn’t believe how our 4 suitcases had grown, and we live pretty simply compared to most people I know. We took the moving opportunity to declutter and our house feel so much more peaceful with less stuff. In the past few months, I’ve also really gotten into upcycling, trying to find new uses for old things, especially old clothes and bedding, and to try to make things we need instead of buying them.

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Jenny March 21, 2011 at 6:49 pm

I’m buried under an avalanche of paper stuff. Booksbooksbooks and paperpaperpaper. My husband and I both work in academia and we both seemed to be followed by flurries of paper. I’m pretty diligent about a monthly recycling purge and trip to the used book store to get rid of books, but it keeps on coming. If only my eyes didn’t wear out quickly reading on a computer screen! We also have a three year old who is showered with presents from his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. As the only child in the family, we hesitate to squash their joy in getting him presents, but it’s a bit much.

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Gena March 21, 2011 at 6:54 pm

We’ve become accustomed to not bringing in more Stuff, but we seem to struggle with letting go of Stuff, whether by donating, recycling, dumping or selling. It’s a work in progress though and Annie Leonard’s video really catapulted me into becoming a non-consumer activist!

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Lucia March 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm

My husband and I have been married for 9 years and we have been slowly but surely weeding through our stuff to find what we like and need and it has been a long process. I feel like we are finally getting the house (and garage and storage building) under some control. For a while there, I felt like I was suffocating. But we are managing to meld our styles and get rid of things that don’t fit it. It has been very satisfying.

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Beth March 21, 2011 at 7:28 pm

I am drowning in stuff — even though I have been giving away household items, selling baby clothes as soon as my son outgrows them and posting items on Craigslist as often as I can. It is apparent to me that my stuff is controlling my life when I spend an entire weekend picking up and cleaning my house and there is still more to do. This book may set me free!

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Jackie March 21, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Pick me! I want more stuff!

Just kidding. We’re newlyweds in a newlywed sized apartment. It amazes me how much stuff we have, even though I know if we moved into a house the house would be bare. My husband is kind of a pack rat so it’s hard to take stuff to Goodwill.

Just FYI, I would pass the books along to a community down the street dedicated to simple living, so they won’t add to my clutter for long.

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Katherine March 21, 2011 at 7:52 pm

I would love to read that book, and then pass it on to someone else.

To deal with my “stuff”, for the month of January I got rid of 5 things per day. It was a nice jumpstart to the year, and a nice way to recover from Christmas (which meant tons of toys and clothes for my kids, courtesy of my in-laws). It was a very freeing month for me!

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Erin March 21, 2011 at 8:46 pm

I did n’t realize she had a book..silly iPad won’t let you watch flash either…hope to have a new book to read, quote and pass on

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Nicole March 21, 2011 at 9:26 pm

I grew up in a terminally cluttered house & I vowed I would never be like that in my own home. Even though I am mindful of what I purchase, I still find clutter to be an issue. I’ve been slowly purging things that have been collecting dust. My goal is to reclaim the space that the stuff has overtaken.

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Lynda March 21, 2011 at 9:35 pm

My stuff is mostly BOOKS! I love them…but the NEW ME is swearing to read and pass on. I have passed on over 50 cookbooks in January this year…and will pass on 21 gardening books in the Fall…to make room for more BOOKS! No, I’ve promised myself to read, glean and pass on with one year…it’s a promise I will keep.

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JayB March 21, 2011 at 10:41 pm

Regarding my stuff, and also my family’s stuff, I’d want to say that we’ve been decluttering and doing some spring cleaning but that hasn’t happened yet. By no means does that mean that we buy a lot of stuff, but we do have a lot of clutter laying around the house that can probably be better donated. We’ve learned that quality is better, and longer it lasts, the better, but it gets tricky when the whole master plan is to get you to buy’n’toss!

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Maureen March 22, 2011 at 2:44 am

My husband and I have too much stuff and he doesn’t understand having “too much stuff”. I’d like to educate him.

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Slowish Food March 22, 2011 at 3:02 am

We just had a minor basement flood yesterday (stupid burst pipe!), and cleaning out the basement made me realize that even though I’ve been consciously trying to fairly severe edit our stuff, we have a ways to go. About half of what we pulled from the basement is going straight to Goodwill.

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Carla March 22, 2011 at 4:12 am

My stuff? There’s too much. Even though I have tried to weed out some, there’s too much. And now we have two parents who want to get rid of all their respective “stuff” and want, guess who, to have it? Their kids! I don’t want their stuff to add to my stuff. Too much stuff.

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Lydia March 22, 2011 at 4:41 am

I just moved so I was able to purge some much stuff! My new place is so uncluttered now. I really think hard about bringing something new in because I don’t want to get back into old habits.

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Jennifer Lorenzetti March 22, 2011 at 4:42 am

Please enter me! Last year, I got rid of 9 bags of clothing suitable for Goodwill, and it felt good coming out of the closet and even better on the tax return this year!

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Mallory March 22, 2011 at 5:29 am

We moved about 6 months ago from an apartment to a house…I think it’s about time to go through our “stuff” to make sure it isn’t multiplying too quickly!

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Jennifer March 22, 2011 at 5:49 am

I’ve gotten rid of so much stuff in our house (either sold it at yard sales, or donated it to Goodwill) and not only is my house a lot cleaner, so it my mind. It’s amazing how much more peaceful I feel knowing that my house is not as cluttered. I love it!

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Robin B. March 22, 2011 at 6:43 am

I would love to read this book – the video is great!

Robin

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Juhli March 22, 2011 at 7:27 am

I am contemplating a non-consumer year for myself as we have a lot of stuff although we are minimalists compared to lots of people. It is amazing how easy it is to buy things that aren’t consumable. I do use the library, recycle, donate used goods, etc. but we own too much in a too big house as we are empty-nesters.

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Tracy March 22, 2011 at 7:58 am

There is such a fine line with stuff. How much is to much….how much is to little?? I need help to define that line.

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Sarah March 22, 2011 at 8:54 am

I don’t like to have a bunch of clutter in my house so whenever I feel like I have too stuff lying around I take it to Goodwill.

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Bonnie March 22, 2011 at 9:29 am

I brought so much stuff to the thriftstore last year and kept my receipts, that my tax lady asked me if there was anything left in my house! Ha-ha is the only thing I can say to her. My trips to the thrift store never end. As my kids grow and grow out of clothes and stuff, away it goes, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like a new/used book to read and then pass on. Thanks for the offer.

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Mel March 22, 2011 at 10:16 am

My stuff is shrinking! 🙂 I’m heading off on a trip to a needy hospital in Asia and taking lots of supplies (medical and otherwise) with me. Even though it is just in boxes waiting to be packed it still makes me sigh with relief to look around and see what (less) remains.

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LG March 22, 2011 at 10:34 am

My fiance and I moved in together and since then I’ve been purging slowly here and there. Every month or so, I decide there’s another pile of things we don’t need and we sell the stuff or just give it away. We’re slowly getting to a level of stuff that I’m comfortable having. Although I have a ton of clothes from when I was a shopaholic, which I need to start purging. Not much new is coming in, but there’s still a dresser and two closets full! That’s definitely my spring cleaning task!

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Dmarie March 22, 2011 at 10:51 am

how is it possible that I haul off piles of stuff to charities each month yet I’ve still got a houseful of stuff around here?!!

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Cyndi March 22, 2011 at 1:57 pm

In the past my stuff was breeding like rabbits, but I’ve intervened like any good mother.

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Jens March 22, 2011 at 2:19 pm

I’ve gotten rid of so much STUFF in the last year. It’s very empowering, but I still have a ways to go!

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Linda March 22, 2011 at 2:38 pm

I am trying to give away as much extra stuff as I can. We have entirely too much! And with our throw-away society, our landfills can’t take anymore. I give items away to my local Big Brother and Big Sister organization.

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Andrea S March 22, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Sign me up! My daughter and I enjoy watching the video. She could share the book at school!

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Tammy S March 22, 2011 at 5:18 pm

I have really depleted my stash of “stuff” and I am danged happy about it.
Several charities are benefitting from my spring cleaning/new lifestyle!

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Heidi March 22, 2011 at 5:51 pm

The stuff associated with kids is totally amazing to me- from preschool art to the plastic junk from birthday party “goodie” bags- it is so hard to manage sometimes!

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Emily March 22, 2011 at 6:24 pm

I’m trying to pare down my stuff. I spent all day Sunday going through clothes and books. I know I made good progress, but I still feel like I have too much.

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Heather S March 22, 2011 at 9:10 pm

My stuff? I have a little too much of it. But what I have I love!

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clickclackgorilla March 23, 2011 at 12:32 am

My mother just sent me an awesome pattern for turning old fleece clothing items that aren’t wearable as-is anymore, into the warmest, comfiest winter socks/slippers. Reuse reuse reuse!

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Kristia@Family Balance Sheet March 23, 2011 at 5:07 am

The toys in the house have taken over.

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Tricia March 23, 2011 at 6:58 am

I am always trying to purge stuff from my house. I randomly go through closets and drawers giving away, donating, freecycling and throwing stuff out. At times, it seems like the stuff is multiplying even though we bring less and less stuff into the house these days. Even when something we need is brought into the house, I always question it. The less stuff we have, the better!

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Sarah March 23, 2011 at 9:01 am

I struggle with STUFF, but am purging a lot lately and decluttering. Also, something has finally clicked in my mind so that I’m not just replacing what I’ve decluttered with something new, but I’m actually buying less junk, too. I would love to win this book to help me understand even more how our obsession with stuff is hurting our planet and our future generations!

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Tonya March 23, 2011 at 2:20 pm

I’m always looking for ways to pare down our stuff (much to the chagrin of my kids and hubby). 🙂

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Kate in NY March 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm

Just today, as I was cleaning my house, I had to look around and smile a bit. I live in a rambling old 1837 farmhouse. It has original wide-plank pine floors, beautiful greek revival moldings, old french doors . . . and hardly any furniture. There are virtually no knick-knacks (except for family photos and a zillion books). No wall-to-wall carpets, and just a few throw rugs to make it cozy. My kids’ rooms are a different story, of course – but the mess is mostly books and art projects and hand-me-down clothes strewn about. At some point I decided that the house was pretty enough to stand on its own – it almost begs for a “minimalist vibe” so it can show off its lines. I don’t feel a need to decorate or to add more “stuff.” I’m sure people come over and think – this house is so empty! But I love it the way it is!

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marissa March 23, 2011 at 6:08 pm

too much stuff – how about that!

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Practical Parsimony March 23, 2011 at 6:35 pm

My stuff is going out the door through donations (mostly magazines) or through selling to antique shops or going into consignment shops. Then, there is the paper stuff….sigh. I donated over 800 books and still have over 1000. I found a bucket (1.5 gallon) of my son’s plastic farm animals, zoo animals, fences, and cowboys/Indians–must mail to him for his son. Mailed daughter some of her stuff!

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Stephanie March 23, 2011 at 7:42 pm

I’ve got plenty of stuff, too!

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namastemama March 23, 2011 at 7:43 pm

giving away and selling so much stuff… my hubby thinks he’s next!

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melissa March 24, 2011 at 8:42 am

oh do i have way too much stuff. but i am working my way toward simplicity

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Pam G March 24, 2011 at 9:35 am

Please…please…please! I really need this!

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Catie March 24, 2011 at 9:42 am

Hmm.. something about my “stuff”… well, I’m constantly getting rid of it! Although, it doesn’t usually FEEL that way! (I’m not sure where it all comes from! 🙂

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Carol Wong March 24, 2011 at 10:15 am

My stuff is mainly books. I keep only few of them now. For the rest, I sell them at Half Price Books, donate to the library and mail some to my friends.

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Sandra March 24, 2011 at 1:23 pm

Ah, stuff. I have been systematically shedding stuff, but more keeps coming in our home! I think Peter Walsh said, “You can’t organize clutter.” He is so right.

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Catherine March 24, 2011 at 1:31 pm

I hate stuff! I just paid my kids a quarter for every toy they gave away. I don’t know whether it is good or not that they gave away 75 toys (but that there are SO many more).

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jeremy March 24, 2011 at 4:11 pm

my stuff is really still quite out of control but i have stopped adding to it. next step is to reduce what i have, and i have already started preparing to get rid of some games, movies and clothes…just need to follow through with it.

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Claire R. March 24, 2011 at 5:29 pm

I am thankful for the ability to own too much stuff. But I am also grateful for this blog for opening my eyes to how freeing and helpful to the world it can be to not accumulate any more things. I’m slowly changing my lifestyle to quit the accumulation of the needless, as well as taking care of the things I have, and making sure the things no one needs are disposed of properly.

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Andrea March 24, 2011 at 7:00 pm

I am working hard to decrease our stuff. (Although I find it hard to get rid of books!) For the past few years, we have spent a week or two over the summer at a small, no frills cottage. It is probably one tenth the size of our house, and it’s so freeing! It’s too small to get very messy, so I spend almost no time cleaning. There’s only enough dishes for one meal, so you always have to do them right away and they don’t pile up. There’s very few extra clothes or toys, one bathroom, two tiny bedrooms, no papers from work or school, everything’s on one tiny level… I don’t miss anything when we’re there, but I’m not hardcore enough to downsize my family of five to a two-bedroom cottage for longer than a week or two. Maybe someday…

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Lisa March 24, 2011 at 7:09 pm

I have too much stuff! I feel like there are piles of randomness in every corner of the house. I’m working on paring down and only keeping what I really need, but it’s a much slower process than I anticipated. And don’t even get me started on trying to get my kids to part with their stuff…

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Laura March 24, 2011 at 8:23 pm

I had a break from school and managed to organize my desk and the top of the dresser next to my bed, which made me feel much better because I’m not a very neat person, and I seem to collect clutter more easily than other people in my group of friends and family.
This weekend, I’m hoping to successfully tackle my closet and donate whatever I don’t keep to a local clothing bank.

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Wendy March 24, 2011 at 10:00 pm

I have a box of toiletries in my closet. I recently went through it to see what I have (some surprises there!), organize it, and pass on what I don’t need.

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Amber March 25, 2011 at 3:51 am

I am slowly going through each room and eliminating a lot of stuff that we really don’t need. I have donated a lot of clothes and toys to a local woman’ s shelter and love that I may be helping out someone.

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Ramona Stylos March 25, 2011 at 4:38 am

You’ve inspired me to start working on my “stuff” in the basement. I intend to put a big number on each box, then keep a written journal of the process of going through one box a day. I hope to thin it all out, drastically.

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Pollyanna March 25, 2011 at 6:00 am

I have TOO much stuff and the first step to recovery is to recognize the problem. I now seriously consider and reconsider potential purchases and ask myself if I really need the item, what would it replace in my home (something in means something out!). My husband and I want to downsize in a couple years and I know it will take me that long to deal with my behavior and my stuff!

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Bree March 25, 2011 at 6:18 am

I used to be part of the acquiring set. My ex-husband was of no help. He was a major keep-up-with-the-Jones’s type of person. Drove me nuts. Upon divorce, I happily divested myself of tons and tons of stuff. I wheedled a 3bed, 2livingroom, 2 garages house down to a 2 bed apartment with a small storage area. My next goal is to get rid of the storage area and any other unnecessaries in the closets in order to live in a studio apartment.

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Lori Burgess March 25, 2011 at 6:19 am

Hi,

I have TOO much “stuff!” 😉

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m March 25, 2011 at 6:45 am

i need to get rid of my stuff

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Bonnie Raffo March 25, 2011 at 8:57 am

For 2011 we have been embracing the one in one out motto. If we bring something into the house we donate/recycle something equivalent.

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Steady Plodder March 25, 2011 at 9:05 am

Sounds like a great book! We have way too much “stuff”. It seems like no matter how much we pair down, we still have more than is needed!

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Sylvia March 25, 2011 at 9:08 am

I am at heart a minimalist and yet I seem to go through phases of rampant acquisition. I’m a writer and an artist, and my weaknesses are anything having to do with paper and anything having to do with nature. So there are stacks of papers and books all over my tiny Brooklyn studio, and with spring coming I’m starting to accumulate (again) seed pods, rocks, sticks, interesting bits of rusty metal, and so on. I’d love to read The Story of Stuff.

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Ally March 25, 2011 at 11:26 am

I always collect too much arts and crafts supplies. I hate getting rid of most of it because it’s so cute and pretty, but I rarely have time to use any of it either.

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Beverly March 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Really working on de-cluttering.

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Mandy March 25, 2011 at 2:35 pm

I am slowly but surely getting rid of my excess “stuff”. Up until not too long ago, I needed “stuff” to make me happy, but then the realization came upon me that it was actually less “stuff” that made me truly happy and I’ve been going with that feeling. It’s a work in progress, but it feels great to purge and to lessen my consumerism.

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Stephanie C March 25, 2011 at 5:45 pm

My new year’s resolution, in one word, is “simplify”. Everyday I pick three things to throw out, donate or recycle. I get too busy and forget some days, but most days I’ve done this and I am no where near done yet!

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Morgan H March 25, 2011 at 6:28 pm

I’ve recently starting reading blogs about minimalism so I’ve decided to actively start working towards my goal of a minimalist lifestyle. I know it won’t happen overnight but I think that in one year I should be done to exactly what I want.

The biggest thing that I have with “stuff” is that I grew up in a rural area so I have this tendency to what to keep things and/or stock up on things because they weren’t always available where I lived. But now I live in the city so there’s no reason to buy mass amounts of dried food, haha.

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Judith March 25, 2011 at 7:27 pm

My kids are learning along with me to decide what items make our home comfy and which don’t and need to be given away or recycled. We have a closet for annual garage sale items too.

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Maggie March 25, 2011 at 7:41 pm

I’m working on decluttering my stuff. 2011 things will leave my home in 2011. I have the goal to own only what is useful, sentimental, and/or beautiful.

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Sue March 26, 2011 at 1:40 am

I have that won’t bring something new in to her house without getting rid of something. Her house and closests are always clutter free but tastefully neat!

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Carissa March 26, 2011 at 6:28 am

I have been making my way through a library copy of the Story of Stuff, and would so love to own a copy!
One of my ways to control all the “stuff” in my house is to not buy books unless they are some sort of a reference (cooking, gardening, craft, etc) or I know I will read them over and over. I think the Story of Stuff would fall into that category! 🙂

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Bonnie March 26, 2011 at 6:56 am

I’m walking a little lighter this week after a Stuff-reduction garage sale last Saturday. I want to be more conscious about accumulating, not just about how much the Stuff costs me. And I’d love to have this book for myself and my students. I already use several of Annie Leonard’s movies to spark discussion in my 6th grade science classes.

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Karen March 26, 2011 at 2:41 pm

This is so timely for me since I’ve been busy (during my Spring break) cleaning the basement! I am staring at a pile of STUFF that used to be important to us and is now waiting to be carted away so it can be important to someone else! Ahhhhhh! What a great feeling! I actually have empty shelves downstairs!

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Susan March 26, 2011 at 3:23 pm

One of the reasons I like camping so much is that I know exactly what stuff I have with me and where it is. It’s very reassuring to be surrounded by useful items that really make life easier and more comfortable. You don’t bother packing anything extraneous. I want to have the same feeling about my home.

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Jayne March 26, 2011 at 5:17 pm

I’ve spent the last year or so trying to get rid of stuff. I’m doing pretty good, but I still fight the urge to get more stuff. It’s an ongoing life lesson in simplicity!!

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Donna March 26, 2011 at 5:23 pm

Have seen the video but not read the book yet!

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Donna March 26, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Just too much stuff!

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Kimberly March 26, 2011 at 7:37 pm

I’m surrounded by stuff. It’s overwhelming to me. I’ve realized it really drags me down. Earlier this month I’ve begun the process of weeding everything out of our home that we neither use nor enjoy. It’s a liberating, yet exhausting, process.

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Barbara Marlow March 27, 2011 at 7:31 am

“Cluttered house, cluttered mind” that is me. I have way too much junk and stuff.

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Jessica M March 27, 2011 at 7:20 pm

I have committed to declutter a thing a day for 365 days. I started on July 21 and have already decluttered 281 things!

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kate March 27, 2011 at 7:30 pm

i live in a 1br apt with my husband and 2 sons. we love where we live–berkeley, ca–so we squeeze to make it work. our running joke is that we “live aboard ship”. a huge benefit has been the way it forces us to always give stuff the hairy eyeball! i am grateful for this path i have chosen since i come from a family of packrats and i’ve broken the chain. when i visit home now, i am utterly overwhelmed by the “stuff”. my goal is to keep this up when i move to a bigger place. have to work on the reduced consumption part!

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Laura March 28, 2011 at 1:17 am

I think we all need this book, and it’ll probably be one I buy if I don’t win, thanks for sharing!

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PigPennies March 31, 2011 at 6:57 am

I may not have won it here, but I did win it from the library! Love being able to place holds online 🙂

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