De-Clutter Your Liabilities

A Liability is anything that is a hindrance, or puts individuals at a disadvantage. To me it's anything that costs time and money to own and maintain.

What are some of the liabilities we own?

• Our House - that's the biggest one. It costs us money every day but our bodies need one to live in so I think we'll keep it. The trick is to have the smallest, most easily maintainable home you can. We don't live in a huge house but it is a lot bigger than most people have or need. It is a very comfortable luxury and we are definitely paying for it. Stranger tells me every other day that we need to sell it and move. NO!!!



• Our Kids - yep, we're keeping those too but we're hoping they grow up into assets.



• Our Vehicles - We own a 17 year old pickup truck and an eight year old mini-van. Not to mention the Green Liver (it cost $50) that Stranger keeps out of town for work and a Jeep Wagoneer with a plow (it cost $300). Everything is paid for and Stranger is pretty good at fixing the little things himself. Still they cost money to run and maintain. If we were city types or if Stranger wasn't going to work at all hours of the night we would definitely try to get by with fewer vehicles. You know several months ago when I was talking about wanting a new van? We went shopping for one and couldn't stomach the idea of spending the money so I guess we'll keep driving the old one, which is perfectly fine, a while longer.



• Our Computers - HUGE liabilities. We spend so much time and money on them that it's ridiculous. Of course I run my business off my computer so it could be considered an asset. When it makes me rich I'll let you know.



• All the little gadgets and gizmos we have - My MP3 player that I can now not live without causes big headaches just keeping the music organized, finding the right earphones, fixing it when it's not working, etc. I also love my Bosch mixer/food processor/blender. I use it several times a day and I don't know how I would live without it but I'm sure I could find a way. I have a friend that makes homemade bread and mixes it all by hand. Imagine! If I had to do that I would spend more time whining than making bread. My headset telephone that's been broken and taped back together because life would not go on if I couldn't organize while I'm talking on the phone is another one of my favorite gadgets.



• Need I mention my four sewing machines? - No, I'm not getting rid of any of them. If anything I would like to buy a few more. You know. For the four times a year that I actually sew.



• The Bob Stroller - It is a definite luxury that I love, love, love and was worth every penny. It's not costing us any time or money to maintain but it certainly doesn't make us money and we could have bought something much cheaper. But then how long would it have lasted and how functional would it have been? Those are always big questions when making a purchase.



• Our VHS video player just broke and we won't be buying another one. I'm wishing our DVD player would break too!



• As far as any big extras we don't have them. We don't own a boat or a mobile home or a four wheeler or anything fun and exciting. Mostly because I'm too lazy to want the hassle and Stranger is too cheap to pay for them.

I can only think of a few things I would like to buy at this point of my life that doesn't involve finishing our house. I want a slicer/shredder attachment for my Bosch but I guess I don't really, REALLY need one. I just really want one. And new couches for my living room would be nice. Our eleven year old stained and ripped couches are not looking too cute these days. We weren't very smart when we picked them out because they show every little spot. That's the end of my wish list. Until I think of something else.

I'm sure you notice every day how much time and money your things are costing you. Is it worth it? What could you get rid of that you don't really need and is not bringing your life greater joy?