Backstory: I'm a new convert to Mustachianism. I have about $50,000 of debt, mostly student loans, but also some hair-on-fire credit card debt, an unsecured loan, and $2000 left on my car. I have a decent-paying job though not the $25 min Mr. MM espouses. Single, no kids or pets. I really want to put my hair out, so I'm doing the debt-snowball. My unsecured loan (17% interest!!) is almost paid off (over two years early). I think it would be awesome to make the last payment this month but it will take a bit of extra effort/ingenuity to do it. I'm trying to be mustachian and frugal AND since I live in an RV, I'm trying to get rid of a lot of things still. I just don't want debt OR junk anymore!
My mom is a borderline shopaholic/hoarder. She loves to buy random things throughout the year (usually at yardsales) because they're a "good price" and can be a present for "somebody." Every year at Christmas I get my share of these random things. Most of the time to me they are just clutter. I keep them around for a few months, try to use them, then put them away in some cupboard where I never use them again. They end up in a yard sale/trashed/given away by the end of the year anyway.
This year I already received my presents. I'm tempted instead of waiting for Christmas to just open them now. If it's something I like (i.e. useful and not just extra plastic clutter) I'll keep it, but if it's something useless, I'd rather get rid of it. I'm thinking of doing in NOW instead of waiting until after Christmas because I think with so many people out spending their money it would be easier to get rid of it by selling it BEFORE Christmas while people are buying vs. AFTER Christmas when everyone will be returning things/freaking out about January's finances.
But then I feel like a horrible selfish person for thinking this way, but when I think about keeping them instead of selling them, I just get a sinking feeling in my stomach as I wonder where to put it, how long to keep it to be considered "used enough" to discard it etc. It also bothers me to throw something out if someone else would conceivably buy it. Even if I only get $5, that's $5 closer to getting rid of my debt.
I think 99% of my friends would agree it's selfish, but then they're also the typical consumers.
I thought I'd put the question to the Mustachians to tell me if I'm being a Grinch/holiday spirit sucker for thinking this way. Help please?