Minimizing your possessions
Discussion
It's still several months off, but I'm starting to think about what I'm going to be taking with me when I start renting a place with my fiancee. I seem to have shedloads of stuff, enough to fill a one bed place easily on my own. I'm not talking about furniture (though I have a load of that), I'm talking about Hi-Fi, records, PC, clothes, books, bike, gadgets and god-knows what else random bits and pieces. I'll be taking virtually none of the furniture, I think, but what about the rest? Do people have a 'Life Laundry' moment when moving in with their partners? I'm guessing Ebay for the old bits and pieces that might be worth something, charity for the rest, unless I get really desparate for cash and succumb to a car boot :vomit: I like to think I can do 'minimalist' and my room is fairly bare - all the stuff is hidden away!
Have you done similar and was it a major task? I'm not a hoarder (well, not on the scale my parents are), but I just don't know how I'm going to pare things down. I'll be able to chuck a fair amount in my parents' loft, but I want to keep that to a minimum - it's stuffed as it is. Maybe Ted can put a 'Garage Sale' section in the classifieds? :D
Have you done similar and was it a major task? I'm not a hoarder (well, not on the scale my parents are), but I just don't know how I'm going to pare things down. I'll be able to chuck a fair amount in my parents' loft, but I want to keep that to a minimum - it's stuffed as it is. Maybe Ted can put a 'Garage Sale' section in the classifieds? :D
I've just moved out of my parents house (straight after uni) and in with my girlfriend. My old room is still totally full of my crap, and I've taken everything I need to the new house.
There's probably 2 or 3 carloads worth of stuff once boxed up, but it's all crap. Stuff like my old miniature wargame figures, scalextric, meccano and lego technic - all those sorts of things that I can't bear to throw away, yet can't see any point in filling up a new house with boxes that I'll never use.
So, up in the parents loft they will go
There's probably 2 or 3 carloads worth of stuff once boxed up, but it's all crap. Stuff like my old miniature wargame figures, scalextric, meccano and lego technic - all those sorts of things that I can't bear to throw away, yet can't see any point in filling up a new house with boxes that I'll never use.
So, up in the parents loft they will go
I have a 6 month rule for clothes and shoes. I only keep books that I know I'll read again, any others get thrown/given away or sold. If I really want them again I can buy them from Amazon for a few pounds.
I'm disciplined not to be a horder*, I've moved so many times it just makes life easier not to have lots of stuff.
BTW, when Mr C_G moved in with me, he had far more stuff than I did - particularly good kitchen gadgets.
* CD's and vinyl are the only exception, but they're tucked away in storage boxes
>> Edited by Chim Girl on Friday 19th August 00:02
I'm disciplined not to be a horder*, I've moved so many times it just makes life easier not to have lots of stuff.
BTW, when Mr C_G moved in with me, he had far more stuff than I did - particularly good kitchen gadgets.
* CD's and vinyl are the only exception, but they're tucked away in storage boxes
>> Edited by Chim Girl on Friday 19th August 00:02
I moved out my parent's house longer time ago, but only took what I thought was necessary with me. I learned how nice it is not to have any responsibility for ´things´.
Now it all comes back - I'm clearing the rest of the stuff I left. 20 years Bodo to sort out. Some things go on ebay (engine crane anyone?) the majority directly into the bin. I'm looking forward to be free enough to move anywhere I want within days
Now it all comes back - I'm clearing the rest of the stuff I left. 20 years Bodo to sort out. Some things go on ebay (engine crane anyone?) the majority directly into the bin. I'm looking forward to be free enough to move anywhere I want within days
In my experience, buy all the gadgets and toys you possibly can before you move in with her 'cos whilst she might not control your bank account after you live together, she will play that guilt trick like only women can.
I speak from experience being the man who went out for a pint of milk and came back with a 32" LCD telly
When we moved in together, I did get rid of a fair amount of old clothes, and a couple of bulky items like my record decks had to go. Some stuff such as my hi-fi I actually took back to my parents where it is stored until we have a big enough place.
I speak from experience being the man who went out for a pint of milk and came back with a 32" LCD telly
When we moved in together, I did get rid of a fair amount of old clothes, and a couple of bulky items like my record decks had to go. Some stuff such as my hi-fi I actually took back to my parents where it is stored until we have a big enough place.
Hmm, when we moved in together, we bought a 3 bedroom house, so didn't have to get rid of stuff... Handy things, Lofts....
But, now and again we have a clearout, all those clothes we never wear go into a clothes bank. We do the odd car boot sale (great fun BTW), and sometimes we just hire a skip for a week......
But, now and again we have a clearout, all those clothes we never wear go into a clothes bank. We do the odd car boot sale (great fun BTW), and sometimes we just hire a skip for a week......
rooster said:
easy, if you haven't used an item in 12 months send it to the charity shop. Its actually very liberating letting go of "stuff"
Box it all up with a date and put it in a loft. When you use something, rebox it with the current date. Anything with a date over a year, throw away.
how would you find the space for THAT many wardrobes? 
I chuck out stuff all the time. I keep moving house as well, which helps. I'm ruthless.
If it's not worn / used then it's thrown out.
I have one big box of personal stuff (years of love letters, photos, family treasures etc) and that's it.
And that stays in my mum's loft.
Minimalism is the way forward - most definitely.
If it's not worn / used then it's thrown out.
I have one big box of personal stuff (years of love letters, photos, family treasures etc) and that's it.
And that stays in my mum's loft.
Minimalism is the way forward - most definitely.
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