Salvaging philosophy

[mklotz]

I can certainly empathize with your quandary. Consider an approach along these lines...

Define three classes of materials and sort things into these classes...

1. Definitely of future utility - most raw materials, extra parts for home/shop appliances, etc.
2. Limited future utility - one of a pair, possible sources of small amounts of raw material, etc.
3. Scraps and remnants

Class 1 is always saved. Class 2 is stored sequentially into boxes labeled with the date the box was put into use. Boxes older than two years are emptied into the trash. Class 3 boxes are emptied every year.

Determining class at time of storage will be the hard part, of course, but as time passes you'll develop a feel for what is required to keep the total volume of "stuff" manageable.

Adjust my one and two year specs to your taste and memory. Any class 2 stuff I have in storage is long forgotten after two years so there's no real problem discarding it.