I own nine wristwatches, eight of which are currently working. The ninth probably just needs a battery, although it might have simply died of boredom waiting its turn. I bring this up because there is a school of thought that believes I only really need one of them.

It's not an anti-watch campaign, it's a movement that thinks our lives are too cluttered. In fact, the theory is, all we need in our lives are 100 things. Which hundred? That's up to you.

The concept is the brainchild of an online entrepreneur from San Diego, Dave Bruno. Interviewed in Time magazine, he said he reached the conclusion that his family simply had too much stuff. The result was a program he calls the "100 Thing Challenge." He won't even add the "s" to thing — unnecessary, apparently.

He makes it a point to state that the 100 Thing Challenge isn't about clutter, it's a response to rampant consumerism. Personally, I think there's a cause-and-effect relationship there. Bruno keeps a blog (http://guynameddave.com) so we can all follow the progress of his personal quest. To be honest, speaking of quests, the whole effort seems better-suited for Don Quixote than for most of us.

Don't get me wrong; anyone who has ever seen my garage knows I could use less clutter in my life. But could I reduce my belongings to just 100 things? No way. I'm not sure I could even get down to 100 categories. Still, I could probably make some progress.

Take my watches, for instance. Actually, don't. Could I get by with one or two instead of nine? Of course, but I don't want to. I like every one of them for different reasons, some of them sentimental, and they are only a distraction in my life at the start and end of daylight saving time and when the batteries wear out.

To be fair, Bruno says he counts a few things in groups, specifically socks and underwear. It's hard to argue with that decision. Going through life with a single pair of underwear seems just a little creepy, not a blow against consumerism. My wife would add at least two groups to Bruno's list: shoes and jewelry.

I'm not sure what possessed her, but one day not too long ago, my wife pulled all of her shoes out of the closet. There were 53 pairs. She says she wears them all or intends to. And, I'm pretty sure my wife has jewelry to complement whatever outfits she has that require 53 pairs of shoes. The bottom line being, she isn't going to be getting rid of either shoes or jewelry.

I suspect the 100 Thing Challenge isn't really for me, either.

Truthfully, there are plenty of things I own that could be thrown out, given away, donated or sold on eBay, but I don't want to do any of those things.

I like my stuff and, to the extent that I'm not required to dust any of it, I like having my personal clutter around me.

Sure, my closet would be easier to navigate if, like Bruno, I could pare my wardrobe down to one suit, five dress shirts and one pair of dress pants, but I can't help but think my life would somehow be a little poorer.

So I'll fall on the side of rampant consumerism and start shopping for my next 100 things. If I have to cut down on something, I choose credit cards.

— Contact Star columnist Bill Nash at bnash805@aol.com.