What you are seeing here is the legacy of the Veteran's demographic.  This generation grew up with very little variety or choices of consumable goods and were limited to what was available within walking distance of their home.  They hang onto things because they just never know when the opportunity to get another one will come along!

Also at operation within this demographic is the belief that if they throw something away they they are at risk of being a bad person because they are wasting something.  They lived through the world wars that taught them to serve and do their duty before serving themselves so is it any wonder that they have poor skills at determining what is best or good for their own life?

Unfortunately this pattern that is persistent in the veteran's demographic also meant that they did not teach their children how to purge their possessions which accounts for the large amount of clutter in the homes of today's baby boomer's!

www.organization-makes-sense.com

I know I have collected too much stuff, 19 years of stuff, in a 2 bedroom apartment. My daughter wants me to get rid of about half, or more, of my things, and it's causing arguments. I didn't have alot growing up, as opposed to me spoiling her growing up. I feel like I'll never get these things again, and I feel wealthier buying them even though I probably can't afford them. I don.t know what to do! I have given up about 12 shopping carts full of things to poorer people, and I still have too much, It looks like I didn't give anything away.

If this is different from the way his parents used to behave, I would consult with a professional regarding this parents aging. Sometimes compulsive hoarding is a sign of the onset of dementia or alzheimers.

compulsive hoarding can also be a sign of depression. when my brother pasted away i had no idea what i was walking into. 25 years of stuff covering every inch of his condo. i laughed i was so stunned what the probate lawyer told me i needed to inventory every item in the house. he had no concept of what i was trying to explain the conditions were. it took me 5 dumpsters to empty the place. i just took pictures, it was the best i could do. i don't know how the hoa did not have him served because this caused a danger to anyone in that building. it was a wake up call for me to, i went home and gave away 50% of stuff i had i never used.

Yes, people who were poor, lived through the depression or WWII  or who are depressed,also had a problem with hoarding.  If someone has depression it might not be the hoarding that is the result but the cause. The people feel over loaded with the problem they have made.  I filled 7 1/2 30yard dumpsters 11 years ago when my parents moved and still have more to get rid. I too now throw away, give away anything I do not use.

I sure can relate.  My parents wonlt allow family or anyone over to their home anymore since the house is filled with stuff.  Even their two car garage.  They have a three bedroom home filled with stuff and can't use the bedrooms.  They have a path to each room, etc.  My mom has two or three sisters the same way.  Pretty silly and sad!!!  

My in-laws have placed me into this situation.  Growing up, my parents taught me to be conservative- which meant not buying many items in general so there wasn't a chance to hoard!  My in-laws, however, believe everything can be kept and more can still be bought.  My husband, his parents and I live in a tiny 2-bedroom condo and there isn’t' an inch of open space.  Recently the TV and microwave broke.  Now both broken items are on the floor in the living room even though two new appliances have replaced them!!! I have even found mouthwash bottles that are over 10-years old!!!!  What i plan to do is send my in-laws on a "vacation" and while they are gone, CLEAN the place =)

Hoarding runs in my mother's side of the family.  She was angry for weeks when my father got rid of my old bedroom set and crib - I was already 22 years old and moved out.  My mother was hoping my sister and I will use the children's furniture again for our own future kids.  I was not planning to have kids for another decade.  My grandmother also kept old plastic bags, eventhough they are already worn and ripped.  Both women also love shopping at TJ Maxx and Homegoods for kitchy stuff for the house.  I hate those stores.

Fortunately, my sister and I hate having a lot of "stuff".  We like quality and function over quantity.  We have a general rule, if it hasn't been used in 6 months, throw it out, donate or craiglist that sucker.

We're slowly cleaning out my parents' home and it is overwhelming.  Every drawer, every closet is filled with stuff.   We're the default family members since no-one else wants anything to do with this.  Thank God for some wonderful neighbors who have stepped in to help us.  I so agree with MLD's rule aboave -- if it hasn't been used in 6 months out it goes.   Why hold on to so much stuff that you are no longer using, no longer enjoying and that is just going to get tossed by someone else down the road?