Over a three year period beginning in 1999, I was financially wiped out between a divorce and three subsequent tech industry layoffs. The only thing I managed to hang on to was my house and music equipment. So I lived quite simply for a couple of years in a mostly empty house. Then I remarried... Now I walk around the house just looking for stuff to get rid of. We donate truckloads of stuff every year and I just can't seem to get the level of crap down. Where does it all come from? Our house is decent sized at around 2500sf but I swear it just keeps getting fuller the more I give away.
Like Ken, I admire folks who live simply and without tons of stuff.
Someday I'll get there again.