Teapot finances

Before, I have preached the virtues of frugality. Today, I am going to spout the benefits of moderation, and how it can help you financially. Although anybody that has visited my cluttered dorm may notice that I may not be the best spokesperson for simple living, this is simply because I’m still working on practicing what I preach.

Don’t spend money or space on the things you do not need or use. Take, for example, teapots. I am the proud owner of three teapots. All three were gifts, and all serve a unique function. One is huge; another plays music, and the third creates enough tea just for me. Three teapots are all I need, and so it would be silly of me to buy more. True, if I acquired more as gifts there would be no direct financial burden on me, but even if I don’t pay for the teapots themselves, after a while their mere existence can become costly. Teapots take up space. They are difficult to transport. And so on. With teapots, as with anything else, it is best to stick with what you need. The pleasure obtained by owning a fourth teapot would not outweigh the bother of owning it. The same could be said of game consoles, hoodies, or potatoes. Once you hit the critical point of ownership, it’s all a downward slope from there.

So what are some ways to avoid excess stuff? Here’s a few simple things to do:

1. Get rid of things you have not used at all this year and don’t see using in the future. Donate them to Goodwill, or give them to a friend, or take them apart to see how they work before throwing them away.
2. Remember that you can always borrow your friend’s stuff. It’s because of friends I don’t own a rice maker, video games, or a second cookie sheet. If you don’t have any friends, work on acquiring some. They are generally good investments.
3. If you can’t part with the things you have, wait until it is time to move. When it’s a choice between packing and unpacking an item, or getting rid of it, it’s amazing what you realize you do not need.
4. Figure out the critical point of ownership for the things you have. More often then not, it is one. But often it is more; two internet cables, one to stay in your room and another for your back pack. Five forks, one to eat with and four to sit dirty in the sink. And so on.

Who knows. After you clear away some clutter, maybe you will find a buried homework assignment or something.