I'd been buying and hoarding everything since I can remember. Most stuff was purchased new when originally released. And then buying more stuff for it all that I had wished for but couldn't afford at the time.
But a couple of years ago I looked at it all and thought I really am never going to use most of it ever again, so have slowly been downsizing my retro collection, and some newer stuff. It is a strange feeling partying with some items I'd owned for 20+ years, but once gone it was a great feeling, and I knew it had gone to someone whom would use it, rather than just hoarding it in a box.
A good example is my Amiga A4000. I'd owned her since 1996, buying her 2 years old from a uni friend. Originally using her as my main computer for university animation and graphics. Then as my main Amiga. I'd upgraded it over time with 3.9 roms, maxed out the ram, CD Writer, 040 cpu etc. But I finally sold her earlier this year. It was a sad moment, but the friend who purchased her has just finished having her fully refurbished with new caps and some motherboard repairs. And I know she will be used and enjoyed.
For other systems... older 8 bit and some 16 bit systems I've gone completely emulation only, and for most other consoles I've slowly been getting an Everdrive for each to reduce the need to have loads of shelf space full of games.
I still have some way to go. 100s of bird Amiga games to sort through. Thousands of retro magazines. And a huge Star Wars collection that I'm currently considering downsizing.
I definitely think my days of hoarding for the sake of it are gone. It's so much nicer having less cluttered rooms.
I'm also not spending money monthly on retro things. Just the occasional item.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD