Cleaning up clutter

I've recently been trying to trim down on the amount of stuff that I own for a few reasons. I've been shedding primarily CDs, DVDs, books, games, and comics, though that has also expanded to random knick-knacks, toys, kitchen supplies, furniture, electronics, and just about anything else that I feel like I don't really need. I've sold things at the local Record Exchange, half.com, and Craigslist, donated to Goodwill, or recycled them at a great Pittsburgh recycling center called Construction Junction.

The first reason for this purging of stuff is spatial; my boyfriend Kristopher and I are moving in together in August so we're going to need to consolidate and purge a lot of our redundant furniture and kitchen supplies. Having fewer things in my apartment also makes for a cleaner-feeling and less cluttered place.

The second reason is financial. I'm not in dire straits financially, but I've been attempting to be better with money now that I'm not in school anymore. I'm not getting rid of things to make a substantial amount of income, but getting a little bit of extra cash gives me a nice buffer.

The final reason is psychological. Over the years, I've been accidentally collecting more and more things, and every time I move, I end up being amazed at the amount of clutter that I've accumulated. It'll be easier and less wasteful if every time I move I just have fewer things to actually move or throw away or recycle.

Another point tied to this purging of stuff is just not acquiring new stuff as well. I have resolved not to buy any new games until I play through all of the games that I currently own and haven't touched. Once I finish all of the games that I currently have, I'll restart my Gamefly account for playing other new games.

There's a much larger topic in how our current society has transformed us into a horde of consumers, but I'll leave that rant to people who are more qualified than me; the main goal that I've set for myself is making sure that I don't fall back into the habit of buying and collecting new things that I really don't need.