Who really needs two Ferrari Lussos? I used to be a pack rack, accumulating all sorts of stuff, especially automobilia. At one point it got out of control. Between all the model cars, grill badges, cool automotive knick knacks, and lots of things, I had boxes and boxes tucked in the attic and every cabinet and closet around the house. After my father passed my sister and I had to clear out his many things and I had that ‘Cats in the Cradle’ moment. I needed a self inflicted intervention. Too many things.
Jerry Seinfeld did a funny comedy bit about having too many things.
The challenge of course is what to keep and what should go and what to do with it all. Sell. Donate. Share. None of it was going into the trash of course. How could I have been saving trash all these years? That’s what a hoarder does, right? A friend shared a YouTuber named Joshua Becker, who teaches us how to become a minimalist and, most importantly, why.
But what if I miss my stuff?
My wife, who I have always said, is smarter than me. She’s the opposite and doesn’t keep things to clutter her life. She sees material items as anchors that drag you down. Anchors have to be watched after and keep you in one place. She suggested I take a photo off all those things and create a digital file so if I ever do miss my stuff, I can visit the photos. And if I really wanted a stroll down memory lane, to write a note about the object, a memory about where it came from and why it was special. Brilliant!
That process made it fun.
So if you find yourself overwhelmed with too much stuff, lighten the load. Give some of Joshua’s videos a watch and think about why you have all that stuff. Guess what? If you go on an Ebay selling bing, you’ll have money to buy more stuff.
Those two green Ferrari Matchbox cars? They are from my childhood and part of a large collection. I’m not quite ready to let them go but when I am, my grandson will get to make his own memories with his two lussos. However I would love to understand the thinking at Matchbox as to why they put a trailer hitch on a Lusso?
Great article, Mark! I also seem to collect more stuff when I purchased a bigger property. Instead of collecting matchbox tractors- I now have ‘real’ tractors- one to use, and a couple for yard art! Keep up the great interviews!
That’s the danger of more space Kelly, more stuff. You’ve built an amazing property and your art just keeps getting better and better!
Mark! Spot on! I too am faced with “down sizing”. I too, like the idea of a digital file. with today’s technology, one can play it on the “big screen”.
Remember FRANKLIN MINT? I HAVE A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THOSE. Can’t quite let then go~~~~~~.
Bill Hegger
Oh yes, Franklin Mint. Addictive!
Mark, I agree. I sold off a lot of my petroliana and replaced it with some very cherished vintage/antique racing memorabilia. Now, instead of my eye being overwhelmed with what to look at. I can now view some exceptional pieces with a definite theme being present. Plus the focus now moves back to the cars which is where it should be. The cars are the main coarse, the memorabilia is the seasoning, too much of it will ruin and take away from the best entries. Keep up the good work Mark and thanks again for having me on. Let’s do it again sometime!
Greg
I hear you Greg. Trading one for something new to enjoy. I like it!
Nice article, Mark! I can completely relate to collecting Cobra stuff and having a hard time of even getting rid of my childhood collectibles. George Carlin did a funny skit on “Stuff” and I think about that skit when I need to part with things. Your grandson is truly going to enjoy those two green Ferrari Lussos Matchbox cars someday.
Thank you Paul. Carlin’s skit was spot-on and boy was he ahead of his time with his humor.
.. We’ve all accumulated some wonderful stuff over the years … please think about (perhaps investigate a bit) two outstanding possibilities for your stuff when you’re done playing with it: For books/papers/photos: the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York, and for hard goods: the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Daytona Beach. – Just saying,
Great advise Doug. I have a late friend who donated much of his collections to museums. Thank you.
Timely for me as I’m dangerously close to being a hoarder especially when it comes to books. Reminds me of George Carlin’s bit on “stuff”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac. Thanks for writing!
Same here in Sunny Australia. Die cast racing/ street Ferrari models. Auto posters. Enamel signs. Motoring books and magazines. Plus actual cars. Have got those Lusso in metallic red and green and they have always been an expensive version on collector market – hang onto those!
Good read!! Relevant topic for anyone in a consumer society.
I gave all my family heirlooms ro the Srare of Colorado Historic because I just didn’t want to be responsible for them.