The ‘Just in Case’ Gene: A Family Guide to Creative Hoarding

Is your home full of ‘just in case’ items like empty jars that might someday come in handy? Here’s how to balance frugality and clutter.

If you’ve ever had a secret stash of empty jars ‘just in case,’ or you’ve rescued something from a neighbour’s bin, thinking ‘I could make something with this,‘ then you’re not alone.

The other day I sent DH out to the bin with a bag of rubbish and he returned with a broken roller blind that one of the neighbours had thrown out.

‘I thought you might be able to make something with this,‘ he explained.

Several thoughts flashed through my mind:

How can I reuse this blind?

Where am I going to put this blind?

Hmmm, my penchant for keeping junk is rubbing off on DH.

This blind looked brand new. Apart from the broken retraction mechanism, it was in perfect condition. Such a shame for it to end up in landfill, right? This is how hoarding starts.

A Family Portrait in Found Objects

That blind joined our ever-growing collection of potentially useful items.

These days, it’s not just me bringing home ‘treasures.’

When the kids were younger, they spotted a dollhouse out on the street, and while they were dragging it in, a retired couple pulled up and tried to take it off them while I was scrambling to put pants on and provide backup.

That dollhouse? Currently being used for stationery storage.

Our home has become a museum of rescued items:

• The desk chair I triumphantly dragged off the side of the road at 9 pm – great quality, perfect condition, DS uses it at his desk.
• The shelves DH rescued from work are also in perfect condition.
• A huge ceramic pot that now houses a Banksia
• And let’s not forget the panoramic Ken Duncan print. Not sure what I was going to do with it, but no good Ken Duncan print should be left behind in the rain.

My dad was born in the 1930s. And just like his dad, he wasn’t quite a hoarder, but definitely a ‘just in case’ kinda guy. You never know when that 78-year-old fence nail, piece of rag, and old light switch might come in handy.

So I guess that the ‘just in case’ gene runs in the family.

The Frugal Dilemma

Despite buying less ‘stuff’ than your average household, and despite constant decluttering efforts, we struggle with clutter. Just a little bit. (Okay, sometimes a lot.)

It’s the ‘just in case’ items that get us:

• The bubble wrap – for future parcels
• The egg cartons – for kids’ craft
• The jars – for storage, though we somehow never have enough!
• The used gift wrap, and old clothing…

Reuse, repurpose, recycle: it’s part of the frugal way of life.

But at what point does repurposing become hoarding? When does our frugal mindset start hindering our attempts at simple living?

The answer to that question will be different for each of us.

Here are four ways I’ve found to help strike a balance between hoarding things ‘just in case’ you need them and keeping the clutter at bay.

1. Set limits

Two or three egg cartons for craft projects? Brilliant. Twenty or thirty? That’s crossing well and truly into hoarding territory (unless you’re running a preschool from home or have chooks).

You can use space and containers to limit your collecting. Once your gift wrap box is full, it’s time to stop collecting and start using what you have.

2. Have a place for everything and everything in its place

A designated craft supplies box filled with recycled items? Perfect. A landslide of empty cartons every time you open the toilet door? Not so much.

Everything needs its place – and needs to stay in that place.

Look, I have kids. That’s easier said than done. But that’s the utopian balance to aim for – at least that’s my aspirational goal.

3. Have an end use in mind

I’ll admit to breaking this rule (Exhibit A: the roller blind). Sometimes things we’ve kept for no reason do come in handy… eventually.

But then other things, like the timber tops of our old dining chairs, that eventually died one by one – they’ve been stacked in our garage for years now – no project in sight.

But here’s the truth: vague notions of ‘this might come in handy someday‘ usually mean it won’t. Be specific about potential uses, or let it go.

4. Use it or lose it

So, you’ve got a very good reason for holding onto whatever junk it is you’re hoarding. It’s just the thing for that project you’ve been moodling over.

And eighteen months later, it’s still sitting there, waiting for you to start, and you can’t quite remember what it was you had in mind.

(That would be the three pairs of torn jeans at the bottom of my cupboard.)

At some point, some honest questions need to be asked:

• Will I really make this?
• Is storing it worth the space it’s taking?
• Could someone else use it now?

Stuff sitting in cupboards for years is wasted. Set it free and allow it to fulfil its usefulness.

When It’s Time to Let Go

Research (like here and here) shows that clutter can increase stress hormones and decrease our ability to focus.

But before sending things to landfill, consider:

• Local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook – perfect for craft supplies, jars, and building materials
• School art programs sometimes welcome clean recyclables for projects
• Community gardens – many welcome plastic containers for seedlings
• Men’s Sheds – they can often use spare building materials and hardware
• Local op shops – but check their acceptance guidelines first
• The tip shop

[Note: Check Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website to find local recycling options for tricky items]

The Heart Wants What It Wants

Let’s be honest – it’s not just about being practical. Sometimes we get emotionally attached to things because they represent possibilities, memories, or the person we aspire to be.

(Future Me will definitely make peg bags from my old jeans!).

Here’s what helps when the emotional attachment is strong:

• Take a photo before letting go – you’ll still have the memory without the physical clutter. I’ve done this with the kids’ art projects over the years.
• Share items with someone who needs them now – knowing they’ll be used can ease the letting-go process.
• Remember that keeping too much actually prevents us from using anything effectively

Making Peace with the Gene

Are we hoarders? Maybe just a little.

But sometimes, old things really do come in handy. They are the raw materials of endless creativity.

That roller blind?

We turned it into a sliding baby gate for the kitchen, using the fabric part attached to a frame made from scrap wood. The remaining plastic will make an excellent drop cloth under the high chair or art table.

Sure, our ‘just in case’ habit clutters the house. But it also sparks creativity, resourcefulness, and some pretty good stories. Plus, it’s teaching our kids to see potential where others see trash. DD is already an expert op-shopper.

So, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve kept ‘just in case’ that you actually used?

Or what’s still sitting in your cupboard waiting for its moment to shine? Share your story in the comments!