I do like to have the best editions of a film, but I'll only ever buy films that I like (especially in regards Blu-ray). If I do blind buy something I dislike, I'll always trade or sell it on. Having a 'set' is something that has never bothered me.
I'd also recommend keeping hold of your collection if at all possible, ant; yes at the end of the day they're only material possessions, but regret can be a bitch.
Also ant, you must be one of a very few number of us on here, whose girlfriend is actually stopping you from, and not encouraging you to get rid of your films!