Discussion (W3)

The "First World Problem" of Normal Goods

First, please watch this 10 minute video about Marie Kondo and "Tidying Up."

As I mentioned in the weekly notes that most goods have a positive responsiveness to increases in income, thus are normal goods.  In today's America, this has created a "first world problem" with people running out of space at home, renting storage units, and hiring organizing consultants.   And this despite the average size (in square feet) of the typical new house increasing by 1,000 square feet (from 1973 to 2016).  Also, compounding the problem is that many things are very easy to buy online, with little time and energy required for actual shopping.   Plus shopping at a warehouse outlet like Sam's, BJ's, or Costco means coming home with "industrial size" quantities of all sorts of things.  

So this week's question is:  What do you tend to have "too much" of?   Or what do you tend to buy that you have some difficulty storing?  

In your posting, briefly describe what you tend to have "too much" of and some of the reasons why.  Alternatively, if you rent a storage unit, then you might explain the sort of items that make their way there.  Or perhaps if you moved out from your parents' home, what sort of things might you still store there?  Obviously, you do not need to share anything that you find embarrassing, and if you have a hard time thinking of examples, then you can share examples of dealing with "too much" among your family and friends.

Please post by Friday, then respond to two or more classmates by Sunday, with some thoughts or suggestions about possible ways to dealing with the issue, perhaps inspired by the "Tidying Up" video.