I can relate. In 2002 I moved from a house I had been in for 11 years onto a boat with no storage. I offered items I perceived as valuable to friends and family and donated everything that did not get taken. Getting rid of all of my stuff was very liberating. I never realized how much time and money I spent organizing, cleaning and repairing my stuff. I no longer live on the boat, but have been somewhat successful in not collecting things. Now I buy what I need for a project and recycle or donate extra items when I finish. In an effort to keep my collection of crap small I tend to rent tools or toys rather than buy them. If I have not used something in 6 months I seriously consider donating or selling it. This is easier said than done and not always practical. I certainly have acquired a lot of crap over the last ten years. Still, there is a lot to be said for travelling light.

Hopefully this thread will motivate me to clean out my garage and finish the half a dozen projects I have going.

Never heard of freecycle, I will have to check that out.