Now look back at the time it took you to find that one thing each time. Multiply that by the times you have done it. How much has that small handful of hardware cost you? It's a stunning price, isn't it?
I've almost weaned myself from that by buying extras when I buy hardware. The cost of 10-20 individual nuts is usually higher than buying a whole box of 100 (which I'll eventually use) at the fastener store, and sometimes at the hardware store, so I'll buy the box. That covers all the repeat scenarios for the most common hardware.
I left all my jars of hardware in my old garage when I moved north. Not being able to completely wean myself from jars, I found that the last guy to own this new house left dozens of little 3" plastic cubes of mixed hardware and a hexagonal candy store cannister of the same. Joys!
Yeah, I doubt we'll ever get away from the hoarding of hardware. It's a guy thing. But I still like the new boxes of hardware, especially since I found the dirt cheap prices for American hardware at the fastener store. New beats jar any day, in my book.
-- While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness. -- Gilda Radner