The Money Mustache Community
Around the Internet => Antimustachian Wall of Shame and Comedy => Topic started by: dragoncar on March 05, 2017, 08:59:23 PM
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I know it sounds terrible, but I get a giddy sense of completion every time I finish off a pack of toilet paper, garbage bags, soap, or any other staple that I consider a necessary evil of modern society (usually purchased from costco). Like yeah, I know we "don't really need toilet paper," but for some reason these consumer goods measure the passage of time in my life. Likewise, for some reason I feel a nonsensical sense of accomplishment when I pay my mortgage, phone bill, or complete another year at work. Every time I celebrate an anniversary at my job, I should actually be sad that another year of my life has passed without living it to its fullest. Instead, I get a type-A personality, gamified, sense that I've achieved some kind of merit badge for having simply lasted 5 years or whatever.
Now, this doesn't mean I purposely try to use more coffee filters in order to finish off my 400-filter pack. But does anyone else get this feeling, or is it just me?
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Very interesting viewpoint.
I think I get some of that feeling. Sort of internal justification that I did in fact 'need' that item.
Finishing a bottle of glue is a recent one for me. I guess I did have some projects over the years.
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YES!!!! Lol, so much me too :)
Feels like passage, completion, closure...and also time/opportunity for a fresh start! It's why I don't like stockpiling. Finish off an item, feel so grateful for it in my life, enjoy 1-30 days without it (not toilet paper) and, with excitement, make a fresh purchase. Aaaaaahhhhh... Each one of those phases such a delight!
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For us it's finishing off a rarely-used consumable like spices. My mother had a bottle of vanilla that we used for baking. Apparently it was purchased while my father was in the Navy (early 70s) and we finished it sometime while I was in high school in the 90s. In my household now we have a few items in the kitchen that don't quite have that longevity, but finally using them does mark months or a couple years. This year we cracked open a set of sheets we received for our 2002 wedding. I know there are folks here who say owning a printer is a waste of money unless you're using it consistently and earning some money through it, but I keep one around. Late 2016 we replaced the ink which is becoming around an every 3 years event.
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While my household does not celebrate the "Changing of the Roll" holiday, I can relate to this feeling in one area - filling the tank on my motorcycle. Everytime I pop that gas cap I'm reminded that I just spent another 120 miles and a few hours of my life doing something that brings me great joy.
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Well a certain degree of consumption should be satisfying without regret. When I eat my chicken and vegetables I certainly don't feel guilty about it, nor do I wring my hands over turning on a lamp or using a stamp so I can write a check to pay one of my two remaining paper bills.
I do get a certain weird satisfaction using something up completely if it validates my planning/consumption expectations though.
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I'm having a difficult time coming up with an example of feeling good about using up a staple item. Restocking my household gives me good feelings though. I actually feel a bit euphoric when I drop off that 45-roll package of toilet paper from Sam's Club into the closet or when I replace the big jug of dishwashing liquid under the kitchen sink.
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I do too!
We even have a song.
"finished stuff, finished stuff, we just finished stuff yeah yeah yeah !" ( to the tune of Body talk by ONJ)
lol
we do.
I also like topping up little bottles from big bottles. eg- little spice jars on the rack topped up from a bulk packet. Camping soap topping up from a big one, etc etc.
Fun.
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I just finished off a pillowcase,I used it enough that it became threadbare and had a hole where my head rests. I felt strangely satisfied to use it up, it took several thousands of uses to wear out. I find pillowcases outlast sheets by a substantial margin, when they come in sets I end up with extra cases, in the dark I don't really care if my sheets match my pillows. I also used up Plastic Drinking glasses that developed cracks after 15 years, that was pretty entertaining to see them finally fail.
On the flip side I also love items that are very old in regular use. My coffee mug that's 15 years old and still going after gluing the handle back on brings me extra pleasure. I'm hoping it lasts 20 more years' how many thousands of coffees will I have enjoyed from it?
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I'm having a difficult time coming up with an example of feeling good about using up a staple item. Restocking my household gives me good feelings though. I actually feel a bit euphoric when I drop off that 45-roll package of toilet paper from Sam's Club into the closet or when I replace the big jug of dishwashing liquid under the kitchen sink.
very similar feelings IMO, maybe I'm merging them in my mind
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I do find it very satisfying when I finish off the last of a giant garlic shaker from Costco, or that 60lb block of lamb hearts for the dogs, or that bottle of shampoo (even a normal-sized container of shampoo lasts me a hilariously long time due to being a 25 year old dude with a receding/ed hairline).
It must just be the tail end up the "stocking up" thought and making you feel justified in doing it in the first place. The opposite feeling would be throwing away the last 1/3 of that giant bag of spinach you forgot about. :(
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The opposite feeling would be throwing away the last 1/3 of that giant bag of spinach you forgot about. :(
I definitely have some things on a "I can't buy that because I never use it all" list. Like those mini squash from Costco. I'll buy them if I'm 100% sure I'll use them immediately, but they tend to go bad within 1-2 days.
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But it is exceedingly strange to take the last garbage bag out of the little cardboard box, and then throw the empty cardboard box into the garbage bag.
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Lol, OurTown!! (Mine actually goes into the recycling bag, but I get your drift... a very absurd/ironic/funny thing!)
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But it is exceedingly strange to take the last garbage bag out of the little cardboard box, and then throw the empty cardboard box into the garbage bag.
My community recycles. I get positive feelings from adding that box to the pile of cardboard!
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I know it sounds terrible, but I get a giddy sense of completion every time I finish off a pack of toilet paper, garbage bags, soap, or any other staple that I consider a necessary evil of modern society (usually purchased from costco). Like yeah, I know we "don't really need toilet paper," but for some reason these consumer goods measure the passage of time in my life. Likewise, for some reason I feel a nonsensical sense of accomplishment when I pay my mortgage, phone bill, or complete another year at work. Every time I celebrate an anniversary at my job, I should actually be sad that another year of my life has passed without living it to its fullest. Instead, I get a type-A personality, gamified, sense that I've achieved some kind of merit badge for having simply lasted 5 years or whatever.
Now, this doesn't mean I purposely try to use more coffee filters in order to finish off my 400-filter pack. But does anyone else get this feeling, or is it just me?
I disagree with you on the bill paying. I think it makes a lot of sense to feel accomplished after paying bills. For me, it reminds me that I am being financially responsible (kind of important to me), that I am fortunate enough to so on my own. And I like the f--- you credit card company, you get no interest from me while you pay me to use the card thought I think when I pay my bill in full. ;)
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omg I thought I was the only one... HA! I love paying bills and entering expenses into YNAB for our budget. I feel so accomplished.
I really love finishing off leftovers in the fridge. Even (or, especially) if it's a begrudging, "I don't really want this leftover broccoli but darn it I paid for this" type finish.
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I love the feeling of throwing empty bags away or breaking down boxes.
Everything I buy has a purpose, and when the bag or box is thrown away, I know the purpose is now being realized.
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My DW likes shredding paperwork, for example credit card offers, printouts of account statements, etc. Her dad liked ripping things in half when he was done and throwing them away, in both cases, I think, it is a sense of "I'm DONE with this, I don't have to mess with it again."
Unfortunately, she also tends to hoard things, because any time you start using something you MUST make sure it is replaced immediately to be absolutely, completely sure you don't run out. Including things like a bottle of steak sauce, which we take 2-3 years to use up, sigh. . . :)
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Life is like a game of Tetris. There is no finish to the game. The way to "win" it is to simply outlast those around you. Whether you measure the increments in seconds or in rolls of toilet paper doesn't matter. You are still pooping where others are not. And that matters.
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My DW likes shredding paperwork, for example credit card offers, printouts of account statements, etc. Her dad liked ripping things in half when he was done and throwing them away, in both cases, I think, it is a sense of "I'm DONE with this, I don't have to mess with it again."
Unfortunately, she also tends to hoard things, because any time you start using something you MUST make sure it is replaced immediately to be absolutely, completely sure you don't run out. Including things like a bottle of steak sauce, which we take 2-3 years to use up, sigh. . . :)
My wife is quite nostalgic. She used to keep boxes of paperwork containing her accomplishments in high school and college. With the Army moving us every couple years, staying "light" was very useful. Every move I was able to convince her to part with a little more of her "stuff" until we recovered whole shelves of space. It's also a joy whenever I clear out sections of paperwork and bills and sit in front of the shredder for an hour.
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I know it sounds terrible, but I get a giddy sense of completion every time I finish off a pack of toilet paper, garbage bags, soap, or any other staple that I consider a necessary evil of modern society (usually purchased from costco). \
No, I really don't. I just think: How did *they go through it already???
*They = DH and 2 kids. I swear they use it to dry off from a shower.
I really love finishing off leftovers in the fridge. Even (or, especially) if it's a begrudging, "I don't really want this leftover broccoli but darn it I paid for this" type finish.
We like eating all leftovers too. The saying in our house is we are "stretching our food dollar"
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Oh yes! Shredding is the very best part! I have one filing crate of journals, notes, book ideas, etc, I hope I release one day. In the meantime, this feels like a delightfully managed amount remaining and I quickly shred almost everything new that comes in.
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Oh, yesyesyes! My mom trained me to use up everything! Financially we don't need to any more, but I still get this little happy sense from using something up down to the last little bit and tossing it.
Except the toilet paper. I don't know how, with 4 people in this house, the roll somehow magically runs out *exactly* when I need to go to the bathroom. I am so. fucking. tired. of changing that damn roll.
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Kind of relevant: I love most the period when I am transitioning from one composition book to the next, new composition book. There is a few days/week span where I have both with me and I wonder if this will be the day I finish the one and bleed into the next. I’m always excited to end a book and start another with the same ideas and thoughts transitioning through.
Then there's the joy of dating the spine and putting it on the library shelf. Another book of thoughts entered into the annuals of Time. It makes me so happy.
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I hate using stuff up. especially in my craft supplies I have hoarding tendencies.
It is very hard for me to convince myself that it makes no sense to HAVE it and not use it, because I tend to think "but what if I run out and need it?"
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I hate using stuff up. especially in my craft supplies I have hoarding tendencies.
It is very hard for me to convince myself that it makes no sense to HAVE it and not use it, because I tend to think "but what if I run out and need it?"
Well, yeah, I hoard too. If it is something that was unique or are to find (like a gift of fancy jam), I have been known to hoard for so long that it goes bad.
I cannot make sense of the dichotomy between the joy of using up generic/replaceable stuff and the complete inability to even open special treats.
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I like to watch fire burn.
Does that count?
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I feel like I'm reading about some strange alien culture right now.
I understand using 100% of something, rather than wasting it. I don't understand being happy about running out of staple items. When I run out I think, "crap, now I need more of this, and I HATE shopping!"
Now I do like paying my mortgage. Debt going down = net worth going up. That's financial though.
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I get joy out of using up something that I would typically lose before it ran out:
* pens
* lighters (from the smoker days...)
* sunglasses (never worn a pair out!)
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I like to watch fire burn.
Does that count?
I love pulmonary tuberculosis.
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I like to watch fire burn.
Does that count?
I love pulmonary tuberculosis.
Receiving or inflicting?
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I like to watch fire burn.
Does that count?
I love pulmonary tuberculosis.
Receiving or inflicting?
Just consumption in general
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Oh, yesyesyes! My mom trained me to use up everything! Financially we don't need to any more, but I still get this little happy sense from using something up down to the last little bit and tossing it.
Except the toilet paper. I don't know how, with 4 people in this house, the roll somehow magically runs out *exactly* when I need to go to the bathroom. I am so. fucking. tired. of changing that damn roll.
I got one of those toilet paper towers that holds like 3 rolls (well, 4 with one balanced on top), and just top it off every time I clean the bathroom, so I'm never caught sans TP. More mustachian solution: keep 3-4 rolls on the handle of the plunger next to the toilet.
When things take forever to use up, I do take pleasure in finishing off the last bit. Usually involves CostCo sizes of things. Most recently, a box of dryer sheets that I swear lasted 5 years, and a big ass bottle of dish soap. I was excited about giving up on dryer sheets, but DH wanted more, so they were replaced, reducing some of my glee of finishing previous box. Now it will be another four years...
I also like it when finishing something means I can consolidate and reduce clutter (e.g. get down to one bottle of shampoo instead of two partially used).
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I hate using stuff up. especially in my craft supplies I have hoarding tendencies.
It is very hard for me to convince myself that it makes no sense to HAVE it and not use it, because I tend to think "but what if I run out and need it?"
Well, yeah, I hoard too. If it is something that was unique or are to find (like a gift of fancy jam), I have been known to hoard for so long that it goes bad.
I cannot make sense of the dichotomy between the joy of using up generic/replaceable stuff and the complete inability to even open special treats.
I can relate. Some years, Girl Scout cookie sale time rolls around and I still have Girl Scout cookies from the year before.
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Do making good use of a tool (that isn't consumed by its usage) count? Prob not.
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Lately, yes. We got into a period where we were heavy into stockpiling and couponing. As a result, we crammed the pantry and supply cabinets full to overflowing. Well, turns out that for us, that wasn't a lifestyle that saved us money. And the stress of dealing with it wasn't fun. And when coupons got so devalued and so many stores stopped taking them/giving good deals around here, it definitely wasn't worth it. So now we're working through all that stuff and every time we use something and little space appears in the cabinet, I get excited.
We're also working on using other things like craft supplies, working through unread books/movies (and donating the ones we don't want to keep), and generally using up the excess in all areas of our lives that every time something gets finished and donated (if we decide we don't want to keep it), I'm thrilled.
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I get a great deal of satisfaction from making a meal where I use up various things and chucking the bottles and cans and bags into the recycle bin. Cleaner cabinets, tasty meal!
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I enjoy seeing skin stuff used up. Stuff like body lotion, facial moisturizer for example. In my distant past, I used to have lots of partially used bottles of stuff like this kicking around and shoved to the back of the bathroom cupboard. So when I see something used up, i know I did not waste money on it.
Of course, I am not thrilled when I need to go and buy a new one. Usually use gift cards for the more spendy stuff anyway.
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I enjoy seeing skin stuff used up. Stuff like body lotion, facial moisturizer for example. In my distant past, I used to have lots of partially used bottles of stuff like this kicking around and shoved to the back of the bathroom cupboard. So when I see something used up, i know I did not waste money on it.
Of course, I am not thrilled when I need to go and buy a new one. Usually use gift cards for the more spendy stuff anyway.
Gah, my GF's sister was like this when we lived with her, but with shampoo. She'd use about 20% of one, get bored and buy a new one that smelled slightly different. Upside: never had to buy any shampoo when we lived with her. Downside: shampoo bottles all over the bathroom, everywhere.
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While my household does not celebrate the "Changing of the Roll" holiday, I can relate to this feeling in one area - filling the tank on my motorcycle. Everytime I pop that gas cap I'm reminded that I just spent another 120 miles and a few hours of my life doing something that brings me great joy.
Yeah, I love this as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen nearly often enough.
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Reminds me of somebody I read about who would write a resolution in their q-tip box that they would try to meet by the time they finished it.
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I must thank you: today it occurred to me to get rid of some of the mini-spools of thread I've accumulated. There's not enough on any of them to make an entire sewing project, but the spools and leftover bits are taking up space.
So I'm working on a scrap quilt, and it doesn't matter what color thread I use while piecing the bits and pieces together. I've therefore been blowing through the mini-spools and leftover ends. Thanks to you, I've had the minor thrill of finishing off several small spools and bobbins. It's been quite cathartic and has freed up space in my thread box.
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I passionately love it when clothes get worn out. It feels like a huge accomplishment to have worn something out so completely that it's not worth mending any more. It feels like I'm living my life right.
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I passionately love it when clothes get worn out. It feels like a huge accomplishment to have worn something out so completely that it's not worth mending any more. It feels like I'm living my life right.
I'm like this too. I'm wearing right now a pair of jeans that are 99% of the way to "worn out" (which really just means they'll look ratty enough to not wear to work and get demoted to lawn work or oil change jeans). I guess that's what happens when they've been my "everyday" (most days) jeans for multiple years, and my half-time jeans for a few years before that (before my last pair wore out).
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Reminds me of somebody I read about who would write a resolution in their q-tip box that they would try to meet by the time they finished it.
Last summer we accidentally bought a second large pack of q-tips. I think it came out to 1500 total. It'll be a quite a day when we finally run out.
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Reminds me of somebody I read about who would write a resolution in their q-tip box that they would try to meet by the time they finished it.
Last summer we accidentally bought a second large pack of q-tips. I think it came out to 1500 total. It'll be a quite a day when we finally run out.
I just bought my second round of the giant q-tip package from Costco. I think it's the first one since my husband and I moved in together 10 years ago.
Any time I get to the end of my paper supplies, I'm somewhat baffled. We buy paper towels about every 2 years and toilet paper every 6 months up to maybe a year. It makes that stuff feel unlimited and throws me off when I have to buy it again.
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Well of course those are all great feelings. They are the opposite of waste. Eating down my freezer and pantry instead of heading to the store are subsets of these feelings. The joy of making meals for an entire week out of pantry/freezer food and never going to the store...subbing ingredients like a boss, getting creative with leftovers...this is all Mustachianism at its finest, no? Or what we used to call thrift/frugality, right? Waste not, want not?
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Reminds me of somebody I read about who would write a resolution in their q-tip box that they would try to meet by the time they finished it.
I love this idea, and am totally going to steal it.
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Yes, love to use the last of something (especially if I made it last a lot longer than I thought it would - like I'm at the tail end of a bottle of shampoo that I thought would run out this week but now I'm thinking it'll be next week and maybe even the week after when I add some water and get the VERY end).
But I also love the abundant feeling of opening that new/heavy/full bottle of shampoo and starting over again. It makes me feel so rich. Same with eating the last of the food in the fridge and seeing it nearly empty and spacious, going shopping, and then opening the fridge to see it all full of fresh food, ready to make yummy things.
Both of those extremes are satisfying. It's the middle of the road that is tough for me to get excited about. Half a roll of toilet paper, half a fridge of food, half a bar of soap.
Oh and I don't actually want to NOT have more in reserve. Using the last of a tube of toothpaste without having another one in the drawer would stress me out. (Worse with tp, obviously.)
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I'm a bit different from some here, in that I love reaching the end so much, and so cannot bear the experience of plenty, that I intentionally buy the smaller packs (qtips, shampoo, some foods, etc). I need things to go away, need to have a break, need to start fresh. Story of my life, lol.
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+1 to almost all of these. Wearing clothes out, finishing off cosmetics, eating the leftovers, using up what's in the fridge/freezer (affectionately called "garbage supper"!). I am all about using things up and having the appropriate backup stock:)
And I LOVE paying bills (well, they mostly auto pay) and tracking expenses. Tracking and planning and tracking and planning...
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I get a tiny joyful thrill out of using up something that's been hanging around a long time, especially when I know I will never again having it taking up houseroom (i.e. gifted items). As I move toward retirement, I just want to own less "stuff". Cleaning out my closets and donating/gifting/pitching out stuff is satisfying too; I just need to do it more often.
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Yesterday I accidentally ran out of dish soap. Used bathroom hand soap pump (in which I'd previously diluted the dish soap), then moved on to laundry soap. All is well. At first I was mortified to be without my lovely scented bubbles (closest thing I get to my dream bath), but then I started really enjoying coming up with other ideas until we shop again :)
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One of my classmates in school seriously tried to get 100% on all his college assignments. We were all like "The effort to grade ratio is messed up after the 90% mark, you know this?" and he was like "But I want to get All The Achievements".
It's not just you.
(No, this guy wasn't going on to more post-secondary)
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One of my classmates in school seriously tried to get 100% on all his college assignments. We were all like "The effort to grade ratio is messed up after the 90% mark, you know this?" and he was like "But I want to get All The Achievements".
It's not just you.
(No, this guy wasn't going on to more post-secondary)
Suffering from the Level-Up delusion spread by games like Candy Crush.
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All these posts are so totally relatable. And here I thought I was the only weirdo. Anytime I finished off something in the kitchen like a bag of shredded cheese for example, I'd proudly announce it to my husband and tell him what a great job we were doing using it up and not letting it go to waste. (He was much less enthused.)
Now that we are currently staying with family while we have renovations going on at our house, we try to keep our stuff confined to the bedroom we are staying in. It quickly became clear to me just how little I actually needed to get ready for the day and have really whittled the bottles and products down to just what I actually use. It's so satisfying throwing away a finished product for all the reasons already mentioned. My plan is to try keep the numbers down on the necessities once we get settled at the house, too.
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Life is like a game of Tetris. There is no finish to the game. The way to "win" it is to simply outlast those around you. Whether you measure the increments in seconds or in rolls of toilet paper doesn't matter. You are still pooping where others are not. And that matters.
In summary, are you saying 'Fecal Matters'?
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I must thank you: today it occurred to me to get rid of some of the mini-spools of thread I've accumulated. There's not enough on any of them to make an entire sewing project, but the spools and leftover bits are taking up space.
So I'm working on a scrap quilt, and it doesn't matter what color thread I use while piecing the bits and pieces together. I've therefore been blowing through the mini-spools and leftover ends. Thanks to you, I've had the minor thrill of finishing off several small spools and bobbins. It's been quite cathartic and has freed up space in my thread box.
Me too! I made an entire project from tiny scraps of fabric, using old mismatched ends of thread spools, then sold the wall hanging at a charity event! Donated $50, made $50, all using up old stuff.
This week I pieced together 4 tablecloths for my kid's preschool using up fabric I didn't like or need any more. Felt so great!
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I must thank you: today it occurred to me to get rid of some of the mini-spools of thread I've accumulated. There's not enough on any of them to make an entire sewing project, but the spools and leftover bits are taking up space.
So I'm working on a scrap quilt, and it doesn't matter what color thread I use while piecing the bits and pieces together. I've therefore been blowing through the mini-spools and leftover ends. Thanks to you, I've had the minor thrill of finishing off several small spools and bobbins. It's been quite cathartic and has freed up space in my thread box.
Me too! I made an entire project from tiny scraps of fabric, using old mismatched ends of thread spools, then sold the wall hanging at a charity event! Donated $50, made $50, all using up old stuff.
This week I pieced together 4 tablecloths for my kid's preschool using up fabric I didn't like or need any more. Felt so great!
I've used up several bobbins of various coloured threads recently, and then had the satisfaction of buying 500m each of black and white thread and knowing that they are the ONLY ones in the drawer. It'll be a red letter day when they get used up.
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I will be thrilled when I use up the last of the costco toilet paper. The package is 2.5 years old. I think I've got another few months to go. I'm still undecided as to whether I'll ever buy that much toilet paper at one time ever again.
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I will be thrilled when I use up the last of the costco toilet paper. The package is 2.5 years old. I think I've got another few months to go. I'm still undecided as to whether I'll ever buy that much toilet paper at one time ever again.
MPP: I use a lot more toilet paper now that I don't poop at work
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Buy a bidet. Your TP will be antique before it gets used up.
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I was excited that I was about to finally use up our supply of garbage bags after years (we only use one a week). I bought a new box at Costco. But then I went rummaging through the garage for something else and found an entire other box we had stored. Stupid me, stupid Costco (I could return it but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle)
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This thread has lured me from the weeds where I have lurked for many months!
I love using up all the things in the fridge - sometimes I'll put our plates on the table and say "this was a six container meal!" My DH doesn't understand it - he says "but now you have to get more."
However, the thing that I really love and that gives me great satisfaction is....garbage day! Where we live, collection is every two weeks. I have an orderly storage of returnables, paper recycling, plastic, glass and metals, and landfill. There is also a green bin for compost. I like to have every bit of garbage in the house out the door on garbage day and the green bin filled (I am often out doing last minute trimming in the yard as the garbage truck arrives!). We try to minimize the garbage going to the landfill - our best record was 1/2 a grocery bag for two weeks for our family of three.
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ha, I am same same, Brenda in NS! I get so excited about getting stuff gone from the fridge, and also about recycling/compost/garbage pick up. I realized I was too excited about the latter when I almost planned my next trip so I wouldn't miss it by a day. Er...
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I know it sounds terrible, but I get a giddy sense of completion every time I finish off a pack of toilet paper, garbage bags, soap, or any other staple that I consider a necessary evil of modern society (usually purchased from costco). Like yeah, I know we "don't really need toilet paper," but for some reason these consumer goods measure the passage of time in my life. Likewise, for some reason I feel a nonsensical sense of accomplishment when I pay my mortgage, phone bill, or complete another year at work. Every time I celebrate an anniversary at my job, I should actually be sad that another year of my life has passed without living it to its fullest. Instead, I get a type-A personality, gamified, sense that I've achieved some kind of merit badge for having simply lasted 5 years or whatever.
Now, this doesn't mean I purposely try to use more coffee filters in order to finish off my 400-filter pack. But does anyone else get this feeling, or is it just me?
There are dozens of us!
I feel incredibly satisfied when I finish off products, especially if it is something that won't be replaced.
I adore those little jobs that some people detest. The admin at my work has certain responsibilities to do with mail which she puts off and puts off. But it's such a a basic task and you do it and then you get that sense of satisfaction... why would you put it off???
I'd never viewed as gamifying life but you're right. I create these micro levels for myself so I feel like I've achieved something. (Note: am functional human being with reasonably successful career, etc, but there are those achievements and then there is the joy that comes from finishing off a 5kg box of washing powder.)
My MiL is like this with garbage day. Repeatedly tells me how much she loves getting rid of it all. I'm a bit immune to that because I live in an apartment building, garbage is collected twice or three times a week, and I don't have to take the bins out.
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It's kind of funny but yes, I love "finishing" things, especially things that are never actually used up in most households. It's a satisfying feeling to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste or write on the last page of a notebook.
Again, I'm aware that it is silly.
And yes, I chuckle when I discard the wrapping of a roll of garbage packs into the first of the lot. It IS kind of ironic after all.
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I feel like I'm reading about some strange alien culture right now.
I understand using 100% of something, rather than wasting it. I don't understand being happy about running out of staple items. When I run out I think, "crap, now I need more of this, and I HATE shopping!"
I hate shopping too. I think it is one of the reasons I've been successful at saving. I hear women (and even some guys) talking about "retail therapy" and the like, and I'm left scratching my head.
Shopping as a fun activity? I don't get it. Its a chore, like taking out the trash.
Though with the internet and places like Amazon, it's becoming even easier to shop. I wonder if this will cause people to make even more unnecessary purchases?
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Wait, you guys don't love taking out the trash???
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I like to watch fire burn.
Does that count?
I love pulmonary tuberculosis.
Receiving or inflicting?
Just consumption in general
I don't know how I missed this thread, but oh, dragon car, you slay me! I literally laughed out loud. Then I coughed. And coughed. And coughed. And now I can't breathe and there's blood in my handkerchief. I'm gasping for the faintest wisp of breath to fill my wheezy lungs...Oh, help meeee!
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I love shopping! I love hunting and finding a good deal on something I will use.
And then I became a professional shopper for an engineering firm. All the deal seeking and spending millions of dollars every day.
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At some point between getting married 9 years ago and now, I began to hate the dishes that I registered for. (I know I know)
Of course, I'm too stingy to give them away and buy something else, so I feel great satisfaction every time a dish or a bowl breaks. I've already broken all the mugs.
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I will be thrilled when I use up the last of the costco toilet paper. The package is 2.5 years old. I think I've got another few months to go. I'm still undecided as to whether I'll ever buy that much toilet paper at one time ever again.
I don't think we will ever run out!
A quick look found 14 packages with over 500 rolls of TP.
Oh, that doesn't include what is stored in the cabinets under
the sinks. And I didn't check in the closets.
Don't get me started on the paper towels!
My wife stocks up when she finds a deal.
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When I got married 2 years ago, we had the wedding at my parents cottage. As a "deal finder" my mother decided to stock up on TP any time it was on sale "for the wedding". In the end we figured out we could have given everyone (~100 people) 4 rolls of TP for a Wedding Favour. (Almost did, both our families would have appreciated the humour in this). Needless to say, we did not use ~400 rolls of TP for the wedding, and mom and dad now have an endless supply of TP.
They send me regular updates of how the TP Stash is doing....good to know my wedding will always remind them (and me) of TP.
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I consumed a $0.99 chocolate frozen yogurt from Sam's yesterday.
I didn't like spending $1.06, but I enjoyed consuming the frozen yogurt.
That's the best deal around, not your usual $3.50 to $6.00 for some manner of glorified malted.
I saw Sonic has a Medium Concrete for $5.61! Just about need a mortgage.
Rather than complain I should probably see if Sonic is on the stock exchange.
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Money is meant for three things:
1. Spending
2. Saving
3. Giving
There is nothing wrong with spending money on "things" that are meant to be enjoyed. It's what makes life enjoyable! The problem is that people get into trouble because they don't strike a balance across the three uses. They over-index on spending and blow off the giving and saving part.
This imbalance causes people to have real, visceral, emotional reactions to their money habits. When you don't plan out your spending habits through a budget you begin to worry about affording the utility bill at the end of the month. You start biting your nails, counting down the days until the next paycheck.
I gotta tell you, budgeting is the best sleeping pill I have ever found. I don't even deal with the stress of spending too much on certain things because I have already spent the money on paper first.
Use a budget and keep the three uses of money in a healthy balance, and I promise you will stop worrying about whether or not you are consuming too much.
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I want to empty my fridge out and have been working on that. Trying to make meals out of what I already have in the fridge.
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So strange (in a really cool way) to see others discussing something you thought was your own little, ahem....quirk.
I also enjoy using up the last little bit of something, but only if I have the next one readily available. It wouldn't be at all the same if I had to run out to the store to replace it.
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Yesterday I scraped the last of the old-fashioned seed mustard out of the jar and ate it on a sandwich. I made sure to get every single one of the little grains, because I enjoy popping them between my teeth.
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Consuming? No. Stockpiling though? Hell yes! It really bothers me every time something is used up and I don't have a replacement on hand. It fills me with a weird joy to go into our pantry and see like eight containers of peanut butter, or to have spare chain, cassette, tires, tubes, etc. for my bike in the garage.
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Ah, more crazy people like me! I don't love consuming per se - but the act of finishing something up, to discard the empty packaging, the collection of garbage ... I love it. I especially love it when I'm given something by someone, that they were going to toss away for no reason, and then using it and using it up. My mum used to collect paper napkins with nice prints and never used them. She gave me her collection years ago and we only use them occasionally. Every time I can discard yet another empty pack I'm so happy. Same goes for spools of sewing thread and yards of fabric people find in the attic and donate to me. It's a very satisfying feeling.
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The only time I would be happy about finishing something up is because I bought something I thought I would like, but I ended up not liking it that much (or possibly even disliking), so I'm glad it's finally gone without me having to throw it away. If it's something I like, I'm not happy to see it gone and have to buy more. That sounds illogical to be happy about consuming the last of something you like.
I also don't like paying bills as the OP referred to, so I have automated most of that.
The only thing I can relate to in the OP is the sense of accomplishment of another year on the job, but there are some real advantages to that, like vacation, retirement stash, retirement vesting, pay increases, and other advantages that seniority in a position can bring.
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I hate finishing the last of something because it means I have to go and get more. Especially when it's toilet paper.
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Confession: I have never finished a tube of chapstick in my life. I look forward to the day that I may accomplish that goal.
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Confession: I have never finished a tube of chapstick in my life. I look forward to the day that I may accomplish that goal.
Chapstick is the symbol of eternal life. No one has ever finished a tube before losing it.
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Yesterday I finished up another set of cotton crocheted placemats and am pleased to report that the leftover yarn was just one tiny piece about 5 inches long. The placemats are destined for a wedding shower, and this time (for a change) there will be no leftover yarn cluttering up my craft storage area.
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ran down a stick of deodorant today. I'm not sure I can mask 100% of the odor today, but hopefully my co-workers will notice the trajectory tomorrow.