The new NBC program, The Marriage Ref, takes a peek at the differences between spouses.  Here’s the premise… There’s a long standing argument between man and wife....

Image via Wikipeda

It’s presented to comedian Tom Papa (host & referee) and a panel of three celebrities.  The celebs weigh in and tell Tom if they’re for the husband or the wife.  Tom then “makes the call” and declares a winner.  Fight’s over and everybody’s happy…at least, that’s what the audience sees.  Did I mention that Jerry Seinfeld is a producer?

On a recent episode, the wife was none too pleased with her husband, the “toiletries taker.” He likes to take the little bottles of shampoo and lotions whenever they go to hotels.  Here’s how he describes it:

“I know I’m doing the right thing, I’m saving,” he explains. “Everybody needs this stuff. I get a rush, I can’t explain it.  Our kids will need it. Our family will need it.”

His wife, on the other hand, begs to differ (though she admits to taking hotel shower caps).  Not only does he collect them, but he stores them very neatly by category in the bathroom.

Does this sound familiar? Do you stockpile hotel toiletries or the GWP’s (gifts with purchase) from department stores?  Tell us why, or is the obvious answer because they’re free?  Where do you keep them, and most importantly, will you use them ALL?

If you’re curious about what Sam Cohen did with his toiletries treasure after the show, check out the video below. Btw, were any of you surprised that it was the husband that was the toiletries taker?  I was…

Your collections ARE likely to be a hoarding or collecting disorder if any of the following are true.

1. You aren’t able to use some of the spaces or furniture in your home for their intended purposes.  For example: if your floors have become storage, and you can’t easily walk on them or you can’t use your kitchen to cook because all the “collections” are in the way.
2. You aren’t able to keep your collections clean and in good condition.
3. You aren’t able to store and/or display your collections in such a way that no harm comes to them.
4. The “collections” are often in your way and keep you from doing things you really want to do.
5. You can’t stop collecting, and feel like you “have” to – even if the collecting is putting you in debt, or keeping you from having other things in life that you want – like being able to have friends visit your home.
6. You want to let go of stuff, but can’t.  When you try, you get overwhelmed and go distract or soothe yourself in some other way.
7. You are embarrassed to call in repair or other service people into your home.
8. The collections are starting to control your life and your life is revolving around them.
9. You find yourself feeling overwhelmed instead of overjoyed when you really look at your collections.
10. You aren’t proud to show your collections to others.

Your collections are likely NOT a problem if:

•  Your life is functioning well and you are paying your bills and taxes on time.
•  You could get an appraiser to verify that your collections are worth something.
•  You keep your collections well organized and in good condition.
•  You know what you have and how much of it you have
•  Your collections give you real “joy” and don’t distress you.

Get More Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Just because it’s old, that doesn’t mean it’s valuable and saleable.  They made junk in 1857, too.” ~Julie Hall, “The Estate Lady,” speaking at the 2009 The Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Professional Organizers (MARCPO)

Get More Information