Dear 53, Most of us can relate, as you have seen from many of the postings. If you have the space and the "butter and egg money" is not in jeopardy, then the only problem might be your own discomfort; you are not hurting or defrauding anyone. But if there is a money or space limitation, or if this is causing you unendurable anxiety, then at some point you will just have to reach down (or up, or wherever you "reach") and come up with some home-grown self-discipline.

This condition is similar to what I see with my fountain pen friends who jokingly "complain" about having 40, 50, 200 fountain pens. And we are talking fancy-schmancy, here, like $150 each and more!

When I think of my own acquisition beyond what I really need, I eventually reach a core feeling of not having enough of what I truly *need* IN LIFE. That is, more playing time, rather than more guitars; more writing time and people who would appreciate letters, rather than more pens; and of course, more good times, rather than increased anxiety about life's issues and the bigger (ominous!) directions of humanity at large.

Rationally speaking, of course, more guitars, pens, whatever will not change any of that for me. And any "relief" I get from a buying a new thing is fleeting. But that doesn't mean that I don't still get stuff, or that I condemn you in any way for doing so, either.

I hope this gives you some insight, or helps you in some way.

Sincerely, Saul