Why do we need so much stuff?

[MG84]

I spent the day today cleaning up around the shop and it got me thinking: why do we seem to need so much more stuff to do our jobs today than in decades past? I think this applies to most any construction trades, but for me specifically it’s carpentry, fencing and excavating. For the most part the jobs are the same as they’ve always been, at least in my line of work, but the vast array of tools and equipment many of us contractors have is staggering compared to 20-30-40yrs ago.

For example, for many years all I had for ‘heavy’ equipment was a Case 1845c skid steer with a tooth bucket and a set of forks. I put thousands of hours on it building pads, doing flat work for concrete, small clearing jobs, grading yards, moving building materials, unloading trucks etc etc etc and never thought anything of it.

Back in the day a decent small excavating contractor would have a backhoe, dump truck and maybe a dozer if he was big time. Now you need a ctl with an army of attachments, mini ex also with an army of attachments, larger excavator, LGP dozer, pad foot compactor (might as well have a smooth drum as well), dump truck, service truck, fuel trailer, on and on, and thats just for the small one to two man operation.

Same goes for tools, used to be you look in the bed of a working mans pickup there’d be a 20” standard metal tool box with a small assortment of tools, a chain, a few hand tools, grease gun, a chainsaw and some old steel 5gal fuel cans. Now he has toolboxes mounted all over the truck full of god-knows-what, every cordless tool that Dewalt or Milwaukee ever made, and hand tools out the wazoo, transfer tanks full of fuel, oil, hyd fluid, generator, welder, air compressor, and thats just in his personal pickup, nevermind the service truck.

I’m not pointing fingers either, I’m as guilty as the next guy as I probably have way more ‘stuff’ than a one man show needs. I’m personally trying to fight it but it’s not easy. Why have things gone this way? Have we all just become lazy? Too much disposable income (or easy access to consumer debt?) Or have all the trades advanced that much that you actually NEED all this stuff to succeed? Curious what everyone else's take is on this.

 

[CM1995]

Because we can.

Life is short, why not?

 

[terex herder]

Its tax deductible, so we buy 2. And there is some truth to that. If we are profitable, after taxes we are only paying $.60 on the dollar for business expenses. As a small time show, I have bought several things because they make my life easier and more productive. Sometimes less productive, but the key is easier.

Plus, I have learned how much I am going to torture my kids and grands when they have to get rid of all my stuff. I know, because I've had the same with my parents stuff.

 

[Old Growth]

Well duh!! To make life easier, one must make life more complex!

 

[OzDozer]

It's simply because, in todays advertising-and-marketing-driven society, we measure ourselves in social pecking order against others, and how much they own, materially.

As the old joke goes - a wife says to her husband, "Dear, we can stop trying to keep up with the Jones' now!"

And the husband replies, "Why's that, Honey?"

Wife; "Because the Jones' have just gone to jail!"

 

[1693TA]

Part of my reasoning is inability to sell off what I no longer need. Still have several things that played a part in my professional life that no longer exist now being retired. Part of history I seemingly refuse to part with. Still have the Mack B-61, and Hobart Bros. engine drive welder I purchased in April, and May 1979 as instance. Haven't used either one in over 25 years for income generation yet I hang onto both; but I have room for the storage. Purchased my dozer citing this particular dozer as I operated when new from the staging yard where it was built, to the truck that loaded and transported it away to the dealer's lot.

Most of my junk there is a story behind; important only to me. Never any debt on anything and it don't eat. Just have to store, and at times, trip over it to get to something I do need.

Never have needed, or desired to keep up with anybody, or anything. If I wanted it, I was willing to work for it just as I was taught.

 

[Truck Shop]

Because we live to spend it's a hobby-it's a status symbol having lots of toys including
ones in a business. And for the biggest reason no one want's to touch a shovel that is
low class, plus the fact society is in love with gasoline, diesel, pistons & lithium.

 

[CM1995]

It's simply because, in todays advertising-and-marketing-driven society, we measure ourselves in social pecking order against others, and how much they own, materially.

Not for me. I enjoy tools, equipment, technology and gadgets.

Why should one work harder when there is a tool, machine or technology that will do the same with less effort?

 

[Keith Merrell]

Every tool has a purpose and specific job.

 

[MG84]

Yall are posting faster than I can type

 

[Truck Shop]

Because spending that effort takes the **** & vinegar out of people which in turn causes
less problems because idle hands are evil hands. Plus furthers hand eye coordination.

 

[OzDozer]

And I know a LOT of people who continue to buy many new things they hardly ever use, and don't really need.

 

[MG84]

What I struggle with is at what point are these things actually adding value to our lives. Is it better to have 2-3 pieces of more expensive, higher quality equipment that you can take better care of, or a whole fleet of things, all depreciating, without enough time or resources to properly maintain. Or so many tools, half of which rarely get used, that it’s hard to find what you need.

 

[Truck Shop]

And I know a LOT of people who continue to buy many new things they hardly ever use, and don't really need.

That's why in construction big jobs are building storage units for all the crap people bought at
Walmart and Costco.

 

[Truck Shop]

Well don't worry people are getting useless anyway--AI is already here.
*
Developing skills, talent no need to worry about that AI will run every thing. Less is more,
the evil of good is better/improved.
*
People look to everything being perfect, the perfect paint job, the perfect counter top, perfect view,
perfect wife, perfect kids. Problem is humans can't stand the fact they are not perfect.
*Below is my best and it's full of imperfections and that's good because it was done with nothing
more than two eyes, one brain, one hand and one very simple pen.
*

 

[MG84]

Also, tax deductions, if we are talking from a strictly financial point sometimes you aren’t getting as far ahead as if you’d just saved/invested your money and paid the taxes on it. If you are truly buying something you need, then yes the tax savings are definitely beneficial. Otherwise, you are spending 100% to save 40%, if that makes sense. Furthermore, it’s probably an item that is going to depreciate which is just adding insult to injury.

 

[treemuncher]

For me, heavy equipment is an addiction and a way of life. I don't need to own all that I do but I can, and so I do. I have a degree but I don't like sitting behind a desk, so I pursue that which is worthwile to me and keeps me sane. We are all on the same one way path....might as well enjoy what we can as long as we are here. It all comes down to a matter of choices for each of us. Everything is a choice - only you make your own path.

Freedom and self sufficiency are more important to me than money or an easy life. The items that I own keep me self sufficient and more efficient with my limited time in a day. Sure, I could do with less, and I do in my personal life, but why not use the write off and enjoy what we can? In the end, we don't get to take it with us. Might as well enjoy some of it now if we can afford it and it's not too late.

 

[crane operator]

I have more equipment, because it makes me more productive.

I’m faster with a cordless grease gun than with an old pistol grip.

I have a welder, torch, tire irons, and more chain falls than anything short of a powerhouse turnaround needs. Sure there’s a local tire man and welders, but they aren’t always available when I need them. I don’t have a good excuse for the chain falls.

 

[MG84]

I do love equipment as much as the next guy, trucks I have a love/hate relationship with but thats another story. But I really have to think long and hard before adding another piece of equipment to the fleet, especially if it’s not something I’m going to use everyday. Do I WANT the piece of equipment yes, would it be useful yes/probably. Do I want to store it, no. Fix it when it breaks, no. Have something else to maintain, no. And so the conundrum goes

 

[1693TA]

Always liked the LTL, and the LTH but never could afford, (or justify cost) acquiring one as they appreciated in the antique truck arena rapidly as I aged. Probably the only Mack with the "L" cab I did like although much more "roomy" than the smaller "B" series cab which I favor.

I learned to use a typewriter proficiently in middle school as had trouble writing then and still have difficulty reading my own hand written notes. Cursive bridged that gap for a spell but got increasingly sloppy. Penmanship grades reflected this too.

Never could draw, or sketch freehand but was proficient with a drafting table which helped me along life's journey. Don't know how to use cad/cam and really have no interest, or need, but am willing to learn and would like to build a small plasma table for hobby use.

Something else to add to the clutter I guess.