What’s all this ‘stuff’ really worth?

Holy Crap!

We just got renters’ insurance, and had to estimate how much coverage we’d need to replace everything in our home in case something horrible and disastrous happened and we had to cash in on that insurance policy.

The odd bits and pieces that make this borrowed abode our home have all been collected over years of thrifting, Craigslisting, and – most recently – building with our own two hands.  Most of these goodies have been cheap, if not free, so we never realized it would cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace everything in one fell swoop.

But even an insurance payout of $50,000 wouldn’t replace what we’ve got.   Not only are many pieces vintage, but we’ve had some great adventures collecting them.   In our home, only four pieces of furniture were purchased new:  Ryan’s sofa, Ryan’s desk, our bed, and my sewing desk.

I know that some people would rather walk into a store and buy all new furniture, and be done in a day.  But for us, the search-and-rescue of vintage or just plain used pieces is part of the fun when it comes to furnishing our home.

Money could replace the 1920’s Voigtlander camera that Ryan bought me, but it won’t replace the memory of finding it on our first Valentine’s Day in Harper” Ferry, WV.

Money could buy me some sweet tables from Design Within Reach, but couldn’t replace the gorgeous end tables that were handmade for me as an unbelievable favor from my close friend and former boss.

And money sure as heck won’t replace the stories now harbored by the bedroom:  the curtains I sewed, the nightstands I just finished building, or the fabric-covered storage boxes I just made!

That being said, the estimating made me realize just how much “stuff” we have.  And memories or no memories,  it’s only “stuff” –  stuff that can disappear in the blink of an eye.   So instead of collecting tons of stuff, we will continue to only furnish our home with pieces we love.  And as the dining room sits empty, waiting for us to find the right table, we will also remember that a beautifully decorated home is not nearly as valuable as time spent with friends and loved ones.