I grew up in a house with lots of stuff and share Derek&#x27;s aversion to clutter. My solution is to aim for quality over quantity.<p>I think there&#x27;s still a case for keeping a good set of tools around. For us software engineers, most tools are virtual with the exception of our computers and &#x2F; or writing utensils. I don&#x27;t view it as any different from someone mechanically inclined keeping their physical tools around. Same deal with hiking or camping gear.<p>I still find it hard to dispose of books. Not so much because I want to keep the physical book but because the book is a physical manifestation of an idea I respect and want to keep a physical record of it in my life. (I even own both physical and electronic versions of some of my favorites to re-read when traveling.)