Throw It Away or Give It Away?

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand: Episode Summary – "Throw It Away or Give It Away?"

Release Date: January 13, 2025

In this engaging episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, the co-hosts delve into the practical and often sentimental dilemma many face: deciding whether to throw away or give away old household items. Titled "Throw It Away or Give It Away?", the episode navigates through personal anecdotes, lifestyle choices, and the nuances of decluttering with humor and relatable insights.

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1. Introduction: The Dilemma of Letting Go

The episode kicks off with Michael posing a common household question: "Do I throw it away or do I give it away?" [00:00]. This simple query sets the stage for a broader discussion on managing possessions, particularly focusing on items like old towels and clothing.

2. Technology and Personal Health Tracking

Before delving into the main topic, the hosts briefly touch upon the integration of technology in daily life. Joe introduces the concept of smart rings—expensive gadgets that monitor various health metrics.

Joe:

"There’s this $400 ring you wear on your finger, and it can measure all your heart, health, sleep habits, blah, blah, blah, stuff." [00:07]

Katie shares her experience with such a device, expressing frustration over the abundance of health data without actionable insights.

Katie:

"I checked it probably regularly for maybe a month and a half, two months, and I was like, all right, that's just... I don't know what to do with this information." [00:35]

This segment highlights the sometimes overwhelming nature of self-tracking technologies and the challenge of translating data into meaningful life changes.

3. Personal Anecdotes: Dreams and Seeking Help

The conversation takes a personal turn as Joe shares an intriguing dream that reflects his subconscious struggles.

Joe:

"I had a dream the other night that I was lifting weights at the gym. I was by myself in there, and I dropped the bar on my neck and I was trying to crawl to my car to drive myself to the ER." [01:52]

He connects this dream to his ongoing challenges with seeking help and managing responsibilities, revealing a deeper layer of his personal life.

Joe:

"I was crawling to my car with my crushed throat so I could drive myself to the ER rather than calling 911 or something. I think that's what the dream meant, right?" [02:37]

This anecdote underscores the importance of addressing mental health and the barriers individuals face in seeking assistance.

4. The Main Topic: Towels – To Toss or Donate?

The heart of the episode revolves around Michael's predicament with old towels. His wife urges him to declutter their closet by discarding old towels, prompting a lively debate among the hosts.

Michael:

"My wife has looked in the closet and says I need to throw away all my old clothes." [02:56]

He seeks advice on whether to throw away or donate the towels, considering their condition and utility.

a. Assessing the Condition and Utility of Towels

Jack and Joe offer their perspectives on when it's appropriate to discard household items. They emphasize functionality over aesthetics.

Jack:

"No, when we're ashamed of them, that's when you get rid of. There's nothing wrong when you're embarrassed for people to look at them." [03:29]

Katie:

"I wasn't getting enough hours and I wasn't spending enough time in REM sleep." [01:10] (Note: This seems out of context; possibly a transcription error)

The discussion pivots to practical usage, with Joe and Jack sharing their minimal use and repurposing of towels.

Joe:

"I just keep the same towels and keep re-washing them." [03:45]

b. Donating vs. Discarding

The conversation explores the merits of donating used towels versus throwing them away. They debate the appropriateness of charities like Goodwill accepting used towels.

Jack:

"You know, I would say bring them to said charity or a charity of your choice, and if they want them, they'll take them." [07:24]

Michael:

"She says, 'no, we've been using them.' And I say, 'well, just wash them.'" [05:14]

Katie suggests donating to specific organizations like the SPCA, though Joe humorously points out that animals like dogs typically don’t use towels.

Katie:

"I was sorry to, like, the SPCA or something for the animals." [06:33]

Joe:

"Dogs don't use towels. I've watched dogs over and over. They just shake." [06:37]

c. Repurposing and Practical Alternatives

The hosts brainstorm alternative uses for old towels to extend their lifespan and utility.

Joe:

"That's a good idea. Or use it just for, like, cleaning my car, washing my car, drying. Something like that." [07:31]

Katie:

"Whenever my parents go through a towel or whatever, my dad cuts it in half and uses them for the gym." [07:24]

Jack adds a practical tip for keeping towels accessible for such repurposing.

Jack:

"Pro tip: towels in the garage. You got to be prepped. You got to be ready." [07:45]

5. Conclusion: Michael’s Stand on His Towels

Despite the various viewpoints and suggestions, Michael remains steadfast in his decision to keep his old towels.

Michael:

"I'm not throwing away those towels. That's the bottom line. I'm not gonna throw these away." [07:49]

Joe humorously remarks on Michael’s unwavering stance, while Katie encourages him to extend their use.

Katie:

"Get a couple more years out of them, Michael." [07:59]

The hosts wrap up the discussion with light-hearted banter, ensuring the conversation remains both informative and entertaining.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael:

  "Do I throw it away or do I give it away? It's one more thing." [00:00]

• Joe:

  "I was crawling to my car with my crushed throat so I could drive myself to the ER rather than calling 911 or something." [02:37]

• Jack:

  "No, when we're ashamed of them, that's when you get rid of. There's nothing wrong when you're embarrassed for people to look at them." [03:29]

• Joe:

  "Dogs don't use towels. I've watched dogs over and over. They just shake." [06:37]

• Michael:

  "I'm not throwing away those towels. That's the bottom line. I'm not gonna throw these away." [07:49]

• Katie:

  "Get a couple more years out of them, Michael." [07:59]

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Final Thoughts

"Throw It Away or Give It Away?" offers a relatable exploration into the decisions we make about our possessions. Through candid conversations and personal stories, Armstrong & Getty shed light on the balancing act between minimalism, practicality, and sentimental attachment. Whether it's high-tech gadgets or everyday household items, the episode encourages listeners to thoughtfully assess their own relationships with their belongings.

Transcript

[Michael]

Do I throw it away or do I give it away? It's one more thing.

[Katie]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Michael]

One more thing.

[Joe]

Oh, a rare Michelangelo host. One more thing. Before we get to his topic, during the radio show, we brought up that the. The smart rings that you can get. I guess there's a couple of different brands. There's like this $400 ring you wear on your finger, and it can measure all your heart, health, sleep habits, blah, blah, blah, stuff. And you have an app with your phone and everything like that. And you said you had one for a while, Katie?

[Katie]

Yeah, and I checked it probably regularly for maybe a month and a half, two months, and I was like, all right, that's just. I don't know what to do with this information.

[Joe]

That's a pretty decent point. And I would imagine unless you make drastic changes in your life, a lot of it's going to be the same for a very long time, maybe the rest of your life. Yeah, but. So you got indications that you weren't sleeping much or enough or.

[Katie]

Yeah, I. I wasn't getting enough hours and I wasn't spending enough time in REM sleep. And I've. Again, I don't know how to change that.

[Jack]

Was it like sleep apnea or something like that? Because I worry about that occasionally, but.

[Katie]

It wasn't sleep apnea. My heart rate stayed the same, my breathing was normal. It was just. I. I bounce out of deep sleep really quickly.

[Joe]

Well, that's a good point. The hours, obviously, we could all change the number of hours we spend in bed. You can't change the number of hours that you're in rem. I mean, I don't know how I would.

[Jack]

No, unless you have something specific going on.

[Katie]

And I have this weird complex where it's like. I felt like it was telling me I was doing a bad job. So I was like, I'm done listening to you.

[Joe]

That's funny. That's what Tim Sandifer says. He doesn't want his watch yelling at him for not standing up enough and stuff.

[Jack]

Yeah, no kidding. Shut up.

[Joe]

I had a dream the other night that I was lifting weights at the gym. I was by myself in there, and I dropped the bar on my neck and I was trying to crawl to my car to drive myself to the er. And it was one of those dreams that seemed like it lasted all night long. It could have been five minutes.

[Jack]

Yeah.

[Joe]

I was like, what does that mean? And it clearly was. It's funny, I just had the conversation with the therapist about how I don't ask for help. I need help with various things. I'm getting snowed under, trying to take care of the kids by myself, blah, blah, blah. Why don't I hire more help? And that's clearly what the dream was. I was crawling to my car with my crushed throat so I could drive myself to the ER rather than calling 911 or something. I think that's what the dream meant, right?

[Jack]

It sure sounds like it.

[Joe]

Course, dreams don't have to mean anything. Joe and I used to have dream analysts on all the time. And they were mostly charlatans.

[Jack]

Ridiculous. Yeah, laughable. So we laughed. So, you know, it wasn't that bad.

[Joe]

Taking advantage of sad or old people. What's your story, Michael?

[Michael]

My wife has looked in the closet and says I need to throw away all my old clothes.

[Joe]

Basically because of fashion or size.

[Michael]

I don't wear them and it's just taking up space. But yeah, do. I guess the question I have is, for example, we have some old towels. She wants to change out the towels, but I've told her, hey, just wash them. We can give them away to Goodwill or something like that. She wants me to throw them away. And how often do you change out towels, for example? I mean, do you guys change them out? Yeah, I mean, do you change them out every six months?

[Jack]

No, when we're ashamed of them, that's when you. You get rid of. There's nothing wrong when you're embarrassed for people to look at them.

[Joe]

I realize my lifestyle is not like most people's, but I don't know that I ever have in my life other than like they just get lost or something.

[Michael]

But yeah, I'm like you, Jack. I just keep the same towels and keep rewashing them.

[Joe]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've never. I've never.

[Jack]

30 years.

[Joe]

I've never kept the towel long enough to wear it out. I don't think can it.

[Jack]

How do you lose them like a bath towel? What happens to them?

[Joe]

I don't know. I don't have the same towels. I don't have. Well, I don't have the same towels I had when I was 25. But I never.

[Jack]

That's what I'm asking.

[Joe]

That's what I'm wondering too. I've never actively gotten rid of them. You know what I do a lot, and this is not good is I'm. I've moved a lot in my life. I'm bad at unpacking. I'm doing this right now at my house. I haven't unpacked since my last move. Like, I bought some new. A new screwdriver last night at the store because I don't know where my screwdriver is from the move, so I probably do that. I got boxes of old towels. I've never opened the boxes, so I had to get new towels. That's probably what I do. But no, I have never thought. Does your wife do this because she wants a different look, Like a different color? Or is it because she thinks they're worn out?

[Michael]

She thinks they're worn out.

[Jack]

Well, then get new towels.

[Michael]

Yeah, but I'm trying to save money and.

[Joe]

So what's a worn out tile? What is a worn out towel?

[Jack]

It looks kind of thread bare and just blah. Doesn't look nice anymore.

[Katie]

Unraveling.

[Joe]

Okay.

[Michael]

I don't. I just figure if it washes my body and I'm happy with it, I wash them and that's it.

[Joe]

You wash yourself with your towel?

[Michael]

Well, you know, you dry yourself with the towel, but there you go. As far as saving money, though, I just, I just, I don't want her to keep buying new stuff. And it's just.

[Joe]

Well, this sounds like a thing between you and your wife, but.

[Jack]

Wow. Yeah, I'm not getting involved.

[Joe]

No, I have opinions, but I just. Doesn't seem like a good idea to weigh in. Although I buy high quality towels so they would last practically forever. I'm. I'm one of the few things I've always been willing to splurge on. I love the feel of a good, high quality towel. Huh? Yeah.

[Michael]

She wants me to throw them away, not give them away. She says, you can't give those to Goodwill. And I said, why not? They're perfectly fine. And she says, no, no, we've been using them. And I say, well, just wash them.

[Jack]

You know, I would say bring them to said charity or a charity of your choice, and if they want them, they'll take them. If they don't, they will heave them.

[Joe]

Go ahead, Katie. I've got comments, but no, I'm just.

[Katie]

I mean, how bad of shape are they in, Michael?

[Joe]

Can you read the newspaper through them?

[Michael]

No, no, they're in good shape.

[Katie]

So.

[Joe]

And I, I, I do not want to weigh in this on this at all. I'm only asking.

[Jack]

The lady wants new towels. All right, Katie.

[Joe]

I'm only asking.

[Jack]

Lady or towels.

[Joe]

I'm only asking for information purposes. So she doesn't want to give them away because she doesn't think it's cool to give somebody a used towel?

[Michael]

Correct.

[Joe]

Okay, well, okay. By definition, I mean, Goodwill Stuff tends to go to people that are pretty down and out usually. And I think they'd rather have a used towel than no towel, but you.

[Jack]

Can always donate them.

[Katie]

I was sorry to, like, the SPCA or something for the animals.

[Joe]

Dogs don't use towels. I've watched dogs over and over. They just shake.

[Jack]

I wish they would. Boy, does Baxter like. If we walk him in the rain, boy, does he like to get toweled off. So it's a win win. He's not resistant to it because it feels really.

[Joe]

It's a race between getting the towel on the dog and them shaking, and if you're standing in the doorway or something like that, and they shake, and you got hair and splatter everywhere.

[Jack]

Oh, yeah. Pro tip towels in the garage. You got to be prepped. You got to be ready. Where were we? Oh, yeah. Let the free market function. Mrs. Michelangelo, if somebody wants to buy the towels, let them. That is a coming together of a need and a fulfillment of that need.

[Joe]

I'm a guy who buys used shoes off of ebay and stuff like that, so, I mean, I think a shoe is way grosser than a towel. You can wash a towel.

[Katie]

Yeah. Whenever my parents go through a towel or whatever, my dad cuts it in half and uses them for the gym.

[Joe]

That's a good idea. Or use it just for, like, cleaning my car, washing my car, drying. Something like that. Yeah, that is. I've done that with towels before. That's true. I have done that. They move from drying my body to the. Drying my motorcycle.

[Katie]

Yeah, sure.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Jack]

To the garage. Yeah. There you go. Win, win. Michael out to the garage, huh?

[Michael]

Hey, well, thanks, guys. So I'm not throwing them away. That's. That's the bottom line. I'm not gonna throw these away.

[Joe]

You're willing to die on that hill?

[Michael]

Yes. Yes, I am.

[Katie]

Get a couple more years out of them, Michael.

[Jack]

Tonight on thc, Towel hoarders. Tlc.

[Michael]

Whatever it is now, it's fun.

[Jack]

THC is pot. That's right. Never mind. Well, take two.

[Joe]

TLC is fine. We don't want this to move to a Judge Judy situation where you got Michael and his wife yelling at each other. She wants to throw away the towels. They're disgusting. She says no.

[Michael]

But as far as clothes go, do you. When you give away clothes, do you worry about fashion at all?

[Joe]

No. Giving them away.

[Michael]

Yeah, you know, donate them to, like, goodwill or any.

[Katie]

Like, somebody's gonna go shopping and go, wow, what? Dick donated this?

[Jack]

Right? Right. This shirt sucks. I'm gonna figure out who donated this. Go mock them in their home for nothing. That's what I say, you know?

[Michael]

All right, well, thanks for your help, guys. I'm not throwing away those towels.

[Joe]

I understand.

[Michael]

Well, I guess that's it.