Question: When you're...

[From The Ashes]

...setting up a new house/apartment what do you consider to be the things you absolutely need? I'll be moving out on my own after the new year and I need everything! So I'm making a list so that I can get a few things at a time.

So what's on your list?

[rug]

1. Brand new pillow.

[From The Ashes]

5. Good idea!

:hi: rug!

[KitchenWitch]

2. First off, a comfortable bed and bed linens

A skillet
A sauce pan
A stock pot/dutch oven
A hand mixer
wooden spoons
rubber spatulas
"pancake turner"
A set of measuring cups and spoons
mixing bowls
Cookie sheet
Roasting pan
Dishes silverware glasses

a comfortable place to sit
a radio/cd player
lamps
kitchen table and chairs

Candles

vacuum cleaner
bucket
sponges and rags for cleaning
trash cans

Two sets of bathroom towels.

[From The Ashes]

6. Luckily...

I can get a lot of that at the dollar store...otherwise this will cost a mint!

[Gormy Cuss]

11. You also don't need to get it all at once.

You need a place to sleep and one set of linens. An air mattress will do.
A towel.
A cup.
A saucepan.
A plate and setting of silverware.
A can/bottle opener.
Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.)

Then each week buy some things!

When I had my first apartment I slept on a borrowed cot for two months before getting a hand-me-down mattress from a friend. I used cardboard boxes as a dresser for a while too. Each week I would scour thrift shops and yard sales for other stuff. Most of my kitchen stuff came from thrift stores and some upholstered furniture too. Yard sales were good for lamps, side tables, kitchen chairs, and dining table and of course kitchen stuff. The only times that I bought new were 1)when I had a personal ick factor about using someone else's castoff or 2) when I realized that I really didn't want to wait until something suitable showed up used.

BTW, did I mention that I am genetically predisposed to thriftiness?

:+

[From The Ashes]

14. All great ideas!

...I've got about 3 months. I want to buy a few things at a time. Luckily there's a couple of thrift stores and a dollar store within a couple of miles of me. And a garage to stow it all.

Nothing wrong with being thrifty. :) :hi::hug:

[Connonym]

42. I know locally the Goodwill store has tons of dishes and stuff

If you're not fussy about patterns you can find a great deal on things like utensils, dishes and pans. Good luck with your move, I hope it's under happy circumstances.

ETA: Wait a sec, you have a new user name? I recognize your picture but not your name. I'm confused!

[From The Ashes]

43. New life, new name.

used to be TOhioLiberal.

[Connonym]

46. oh!

I'm sorry, I'm hopelessly dense on picking up on things like that. I'm glad you didn't leave us behind when you started from scratch :hug:

[From The Ashes]

50. I'd never do that...

...I have too many friends here to do that. :hi: friend...

[KitchenWitch]

18. Do you have Anna's Linens near you?

You can really cheap out there.

Another thing...those Bed Bath and Beyond coupons are great. 20% off one item for the bigger ticket stuff.

Also, peruse the Craigslist listings in your area. I have gotten everything from a piano to a couch and coffee table to my file cabinet and office chair. All off of Craigslist or Freecycle and the most I have paid for anything is $20.

[From The Ashes]

20. more good ideas!

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

21. If you want, I can save the 20% off coupons for you and mail them to you.

[From The Ashes]

23. Please do...

I'll pm you my address. Do the coupons expire?

[KitchenWitch]

25. They do expire

But I will save them and mail them to you. Sometimes they do not check the expiration dates very closely.

:hug:

[Mike03]

3. Dumb Question

Why can't you bring what you own? Or is this a situation (like I faced) where you have to get rid of a lot of stuff?

Or are you setting up an entire new home from scratch?

[From The Ashes]

7. Not a dumb question...

I moved from Ohio to Texas with what I could fit into two suitcases. I am starting over fresh.

[Orsino]

12. In that case...

...you need a local paper to tell you where and when the yard sales are.

Best wishes! :party:

[From The Ashes]

19. Thanks

and I live in a climate that facilitates year round yard sales! :woohoo:

[Mike03]

15. Oh Wow

That is a bit traumatic, to have to get rid of a lot of stuff. I had to do that, so I empathize totally.

Hmmmmm.

My list would probably look something like this, although I suspect it might be a bit obvious.

1. A survival kit, so that in the event you have to survive on your own for a short period of time you can. This will solve the secondary problem of what is CRUCIAL for you to have. It may contain a couple changes of clothes, food, tools, computer backups, radio, cash/gold, your irreplacable documents like birth certificate, bank account numbers, bank statements, insurance policies, etc...

Also, precious photographs, a list of important phone numbers, emails, addresses.

2. Comfort items: Bed, towels, essential cosmetic items, prescribed or supplemental medications, basic health items like aspirin, gauze, etc...

3. Health items to keep your immune system strong during a difficult period, like vitamins, supplements, whatever you like in terms of staying strong. Also, exercise equipment if you like to exercise. That helps mood, stability and energy.

3.2. Ugly necessities: Insurance for your house and car.

4. Some reassuring, comforting items that you just enjoy for the sake of enjoying them: An animal companion, a musical instrument, good boom box, high speed internet, whatever your hobbies or passions are. A stack of great books you always wanted to get to. Something just to help you stave off the anxiety and restlessness of a move, which is a traumatic experience for most people.

5. Compassion for yourself. And patience.

[From The Ashes]

22. excellent advice Mike...

thanks. :hug:

[mzteris]

4. clock radio

coffee pot
pot holders
glasses
basic spices

shower curtain
bathroom rug




ooooooooooo - how exciting! Getting all the stuff YOU want!

[From The Ashes]

8. I have the clock radio already!

:woohoo: It is exciting!

[lost-in-nj]

9. A corkscrew and bottle opener

oh yeah

a microwave........
you can cook anything in them.....



lost

:hi: :hi:

[From The Ashes]

10. Good idea!

I'm writing all this stuff down!

:hi: lost! :hug:

[Haole Girl]

13. You'll need some towels...

Hey... to bad we can't have a big house warming party for you...

I have an idea... I'm sending you a PM right now...

ok?

:hi:

[From The Ashes]

16. Okay...

good idea about the towels. A good galactic traveler always knows where his towel is! :)

[City of Mills]

17. I'm doing the same thing in November

Starting out fresh, so I'll try to keep a list as I go along.

[From The Ashes]

24. you should be writing this stuff down...

...all good ideas, good advice.

[City of Mills]

27. I have this thread bookmarked

There are some great ideas here. I've been browsing craigslist for awhile to get a feel for what's out there and that seems to be a great resource. Got the bed, got the linens, got some cookware - next i have to get some dishware and some utensils.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

26. toilet paper

[From The Ashes]

28. You have a very practical mind...

...or a warped sense of humor. Which is it? :rofl:

[begin_within]

29. Cats

[From The Ashes]

30. I love me some kitties...

...I probably will get an animal of some sort.

[Haole Girl]

31. So true!

:-)

[Sugar Smack]

32. Your best books

A cheese grater
A favorite plant or flower
A cat

Good luck on ya! :pals:

[From The Ashes]

34. Left most of my books in Ohio...

I brought: the Harry Potter series, Don't think of an Elephant, and KO's The Worst Person in the World. I've got my priorities! :rofl:

[Mike03]

37. Books

What is that word for a person who is obsessed with books? That's me, and that's why it cost me so much to move from Los Angeles to Arizona.

Books, books, books.

My "emergency kit" contains more books than actual things that will help me in an emergency.

[Sugar Smack]

38. Ah, same here. I got so pissed at moving so much

I put them in a color spectrum this time.:D

[From The Ashes]

40. I believe the word is

Bibliophile. I know this because I too am one. It killed me to leave most of my books behind. :cry:

[Mike03]

44. Yes

Bibliophile! Thank you!

That was driving me nuts not being able to think of the word.

During my situation, I had one week to move (so I could adopt a dog) and I had to get rid of more than 200 books, which I donated to a library. But even though that was several years ago, I still get sad sometimes thinking about particular books I gave away. More than that, though, I got rid of some paintings I had painted. That really is the only major thing I regret getting rid of. Way more than the books, I regret throwing out the paintings.

[From The Ashes]

48. You're an artist?

that's awesome.

[Mike03]

52. Well, I'm not sure what I am to be honest

I was trained to be a writer, and I still write, but when I was going through this very difficult period I started painting, and even though I'm not much of a painter, I loved these paintings. Also, they were the only thing I ever created that my father expressed enthusiasm about. He really liked them, and for that reason they meant more to me. I was basically pouring all my emotion into painting during that time and for some strange reason it turned out really well. That is one of the positive side effects of anxiety and desolation, apparently. :-)

I had no choice but to discard them because they were so big, and I only had one week to move.

[Sugar Smack]

47. They're like children, aren't they?

I'd never throw one away. I'd want it to go to a good home. :hug:

[From The Ashes]

49. Not thrown away...

...my son and his girlfriend are keeping them safe for me. When I get some time off, I'm going back to get some stuff. Mostly knickknacks and my books.

[Dangerously Amused]

33. When my kids went off to college...

...(the kids I coached through high school) I gave them all the same graduation gift: A popcorn popper and popcorn, a colander and a package of mac-n-cheese, a hotpot and their first few few packages of Ramen noodles, and a can opener. Told them it would come in handy as they could look forward to eating a lot of cheap food as undergrads. Years later the ones I ran into would laugh and tell me that even though at the time it seemed like an oddball gift compared to the others they received, it turned out to be the most practical. And they were really touched by the thought put into it.

So, for someone just starting out or for someone starting all over again, those are my suggestions for the very most basics.


I am glad to see you staying strong and staying well. Hang in there!


:hug:

[From The Ashes]

35. It's a bit daunting...

looking at this list. I have a lot of stuff to get! But at least I'm looking to the future!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

36. A bed to sleep in and a phone to make reservations. n/t

[Maine-ah]

39. toilet paper, towels, and soap

always set up your bedroom & bathroom first. You can always order out for food.

[From The Ashes]

41. absolutely!

cooking is overrated! :hi: Maine-ah!

[SPKrazy]

45. can opener!

microwave
toaster
towels
utensils
pots and pans
skillet
sheets
blankets although in texas :shrug:

these are a list of things that hit me quickly.

[From The Ashes]

51. Oh hell yes!

...I expect to have a list as long as my arm and still be putting things on it, the day I move.

[Mike03]

53. This is a pretty cool thread

I hope it stays kicked for a bit. Worth printing out for some of the ideas on here.

[From The Ashes]

54. It certainly...

got more responses than I thought it would. Lots of good ideas!

[conscious evolution]

55. Rolling papers

You won't miss not having the other stuff.

[From The Ashes]

56. I don't smoke it...

...but thanks anyway.

[conscious evolution]

59. A cat and a can opener then.

[Ptah]

57. A library card.

Still enjoying the Texas weather?

:hi:

:hug:

[From The Ashes]

58. It's lovely here...

...you should visit some time. Still in the 80's. I've already got the library card. ;)

[Colorado Progressive]

60. Good set of stainless pots and pans. Not expensive,

just not paper thin. A good cookbook so you don't have to eat out all the time!

[From The Ashes]

61. good ideas...

...although I do know how to cook.

[ruiner4u]

62. 2 screwdrivers.. straight and phillips..

[From The Ashes]

64. In case something breaks...

although I'm not exactly mechanically inclined...

[Wapsie B]

63. TP

:P

[From The Ashes]

65. you're a...

Thanks, friend.

[Broken_Hero]

66. ..........

Trash cans, towels, plunger, cleaning supplies, tools aka hammer and screwdriver set(at the very least)...if you have your own house, you probably need a lawn mower for the summer months, and a weedwacker, and of course snow shovels and salt for the winter time....also, bug bomb...I'd bug bomb the house/apartment first, before moving anything in, oh and get mice traps/decon, fly swatters, oil lamp, flash light, battery powered radio.....

If you are lacking furniture and what not, its pretty obvious what you need, couch, chairs, tables, washer/dryer, things of that nature....

I just got done furnishing another home down in Oklahoma, and you'd be surprised how much it costs, just to get the basics for a home....

[From The Ashes]

68. It'll just be an apartment...

so hopefully it won't be as much...bug bombing is a very good idea, thanks.

[Adsos Letter]

67. a comfortable couch

[From The Ashes]

69. gotta have somewhere...

to rest my tired self after 8 hours of being yelled at on the phone. :thumbsup:

[Adsos Letter]

70. Yes...to relax and enjoy the knowledge that you are a person of great worth...

[From The Ashes]

71. Thanks...

:blush: