Hi, Janice. I tend to weed out stuff too much, and don't have that thing I used to have when I finally need it. So, probably for both of us a happy medium would be a good thing to work toward. 😎
Apparently I am not alone. A friend called (so nothing in writing!) and confessed she's had warranties expire before installing the item. That's annoying. But I shall aspire to be more like you.
Having to buy a product I already own because I NEED it immediately makes me crazy. I've done this before when I was much younger so there is that. Anyway I am working at this process.
On the boat we would be away from civilization for months on end. You had to make do with what was aboard. I suspect that became fully ingrained over the years. We would come to the world for supplies, yet even then we would often substitute one thing for another. Later, or when we were flush with cash, we would go back and make things better. Life on a budget, eh?!?
It was and is a very good life. I am indeed fortunate. Thanks for your comment. Your friend in the south, J.
It is cultural. If you travel you will generally not find this 'too much stuff' behavior in most other countries. Hence, you are normal for America. I am the same way. Not proud of it. But there it is. Eh?
We in the United States are so very fortunate. It is astonishing to me how very different the world has become. For instance, on the boat we HAD to have spares as the ability to order a product online and receive same in a couple of days simply did not exist.
The world has changed and now that is not necessary. I however having been raised to have aboard needed items have kept that up. I do ponder if it is fiscally better to buy today at today's prices versus waiting until needed, when the price no doubt increases.
I "win" when the prices go up. I do not however if the item is never needed. Or, like those steps I mentioned in the article, when the item won't fit and cannot be returned -- AND I've spent perfectly good money on them. Argh. I'm not quite certain what is the right direction.
That said, I am going through my items and cherry picking out the very best. The rest I am passing along. You are correct though Cap'n. This plentitude is definitely an American thing. I certainly exemplify this, much to my chagrin.
Thank you Cap'n AARRGGHH for your insight. It is appreciated. J.
If you get rid of the extra items think of the money you will save by not having the need to raise the water line. I admit to raising the waterline on Grace at least once in the last 7 years.
Hello Janet and Keith. You are so correct re raising the waterline. Oh my gosh, that seems to be a standard operating policy for folks who live aboard. I still have your goodies here under my Kettlewell's. It will get in the mail ... in 2024. (I don't want to make any rash promises)
Are you familiar with Kettlewell? He and his wife made two chartbooks. I am using the Gulf coast one at preset. That one I bought off an ebay seller in the United Kingdom. I also have the Atlantic coast edition. https://amzn.to/3phY8bO. The form factor is what I like best. They are flip books, and standard size versus the oversized ChartKits by Mapquest. The Bad side is that these chartbooks are just the ICW versus the offshoots the bigger kits have. Anyway, I like it.
I do use OpenCPN on my tablet (Cap'n Gary got me my first tablet years ago) and it is wonderful. Tablets really are the coolest things ever. Anyway, I have OpenCPN on the tablet, plus on my 11" Dynabook (formerly known as Toshiba) netbook. I actually prefer the network when not underway. When cruising I use the tablet.
The boating world changes rapidly it seems. It is so nice to hear from you both. Thank you for your comment, and friendship. J.