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View Full Version : Moving out on my own (Take 2!).



Ultralight
3-7-16, 11:48am
Next month at some point I will be moving out on my own (again).

I did the same thing in late April/early May of last year. The situation was so bad with the new room mates (I won't go into detail, but I will if you want to sad-LOL and/or be grossed out) that I moved out two months later, and back in with my sis and BIL.

This time I will spare no expense, and just live by myself in as tiny an apartment as I can find. There are some near my work in the 300 sq. ft. range.

I am planning to move with just one car load (tight squeeze but doable). Stuff will be strapped to my car roof, to the hatch, and piled up inside.

The issue for me is this:

Once I am on my own, I will no longer have access to communally used items -- like most of the kitchenware.

I also won't have a garage. This makes owning my canoe real tricky, even my bicycle could be an issue.


I am open to any and all (even the snarky type!) ideas on how to not go on some spending spree trying to outfit my new place. And when I say outfit, I mean -- with the very basics, multiple-use items, etc. Last year I ending up spending money on stuff to outfit the new living situation only to have that stuff prove wasteful in the long term. Buying stuff gives me anxiety! haha


Thoughts?

Geila
3-7-16, 12:11pm
Why does everything have to fit in one carload? The work involved in the strapping, the squeezing, the piling seems more hassle than simply making the necessary trips to move the stuff comfortably.

As for the buying - thrift shops are usually filled with stuff, lots of it new (I know because I've donated a lot of stuff myself, including some new appliances). I also recommend sending out a short email to friends and family letting them know some of the stuff you're looking for in case anyone has things they want to get rid of. I've been really amazed at the responses I've gotten when I've done that and I know that I've gotten rid of stuff that I would have loved to give to someone who actually needed or wanted it.

Can you store your canoe and bike in the house as decor? I've seen that in mags and it looks cool. If not, maybe ask your sis if they are willing to store it for you - for a monthly fee or some other exchange that makes it attractive to them and a good deal for both parties?

Ultralight
3-7-16, 12:19pm
Why does everything have to fit in one carload? The work involved in the strapping, the squeezing, the piling seems more hassle than simply making the necessary trips to move the stuff comfortably.

The stuff that needs strapped on the roof and hatch will have to be strapped there anyway -- canoe and bike. Also: I only own 156 things. So it'll be more like playing Tetris than piling, I suppose. But if it proves a lot easier to just do two cars, I might do that.


Can you store your canoe and bike in the house as decor? I've seen that in mags and it looks cool.

The bike seems most likely for this option. But it could be very cool with a canoe too. It is 12 feet long...


If not, maybe ask your sis if they are willing to store it for you - for a monthly fee or some other exchange that makes it attractive to them and a good deal for both parties?

Their garage is hoarded. I know she wants it gone. :(

iris lilies
3-7-16, 12:26pm
Harlan is important, the rest of not so much.

UL you can move with 2 car trips and still have bragging rights.

Wait, surely you will still have items from you kitchen of last year? You need a sauce pan, a frying pan, a good knife. What kitchen stuff do you have now?

Ultralight
3-7-16, 12:33pm
Harlan is important, the rest of not so much.

UL you can move with 2 car trips and still have bragging rights.

Wait, surely you will still have items from you kitchen of last year? You need a sauce pan, a frying pan, a good knife. What kitchen stuff do you have now?

I have:

A few Pyrex bowls, varied sizes.
I medium cast iron frying pan
Small mortar and pestle for spices
One fork, spoon, and butter knife.
Can opener
Mug
One steel pot
Strainer


I think that might be it! haha

iris lilies
3-7-16, 12:51pm
I guess the "steel pot" acts as your saucepan? If you had a saucepan with lid, you could forgo a strainer since most anything can be drained using lid technique. But snce you have it, keep it.

Really, you need a good sharp knife. maybe you have a pocket knife you use in the kitchen (?) I would think a fisherman would have a sharp knife in his tool kit.

Shouldnt you have a plate or two?

I would add one oven-safe pan, that can be a small and simple 9 x 9 metal pan.

Some people might recommend one small cooking appliance like a crockpot or a rice cooker (can cook more than rice) but I think that if you've got a stove with functioning cooktop and oven, anything else is superfluous.

I do wonder about food containers for make ahead meals and storage for leftovers.

You must not ever bke, be ause that requires a whole suite of implements. Thats ok! If you are on a weight loss journey, its best to stay away from baking, sweets anyway.

Float On
3-7-16, 1:08pm
Make a list of what you think you want and start looking for them at thrift shops and as said above, "let friends know what you are looking for". Twice in my married life we have outfitted someone's entire home with extras we had in storage from marriage gifts. It was a real blessing to be able to help out two young couples who had lost everything to a fire. You may find you whittle your list down as you go.

Does the lake have rental storage for canoes? My hometown park lake has rental storage right by the dock. They can fit 12 canoes. To me that would be easier than having to lug the canoe off your balcony/patio to the car every time. Heck...does the lake rent john boats? Maybe it's time to just rent when you want to float out on the lake or just move to pier or lakeside fishing. Maybe it's time to look at kayaks? Lightweight and 9 ft. I carry mine around no problem.

Ultralight
3-7-16, 1:26pm
I guess the "steel pot" acts as your saucepan? If you had a saucepan with lid, you could forgo a strainer since most anything can be drained using lid technique. But snce you have it, keep it.

Really, you need a good sharp knife. maybe you have a pocket knife you use in the kitchen (?) I would think a fisherman would have a sharp knife in his tool kit.

Shouldnt you have a plate or two?

I would add one oven-safe pan, that can be a small and simple 9 x 9 metal pan.

Some people might recommend one small cooking appliance like a crockpot or a rice cooker (can cook more than rice) but I think that if you've got a stove with functioning cooktop and oven, anything else is superfluous.

I do wonder about food containers for make ahead meals and storage for leftovers.

You must not ever bke, be ause that requires a whole suite of implements. Thats ok! If you are on a weight loss journey, its best to stay away from baking, sweets anyway.

I use the strainer to wash my rice before I cook it.

I am thinking of buying a chef's knife. My friend in the Columbus Minimalists says it can be used for almost anything. I sharpen my own knives, so I'd want one built to last. I have a filet knife and a small pocketknife. But they are not that helpful for general kitchen use. My sis and BIL have a set, which I have used regularly.

I do need a couple plates. Good point.

A small crock pot is on the list. I used my sis and BIL's a lot.

I don't bake, but then again, I don't eat sweets either. I prefer savory, fatty, and spicy foods. haha

I use my pyrex bowls for make-ahead meals.

Ultralight
3-7-16, 1:29pm
Heck...does the lake rent john boats? Maybe it's time to just rent when you want to float out on the lake or just move to pier or lakeside fishing. Maybe it's time to look at kayaks? Lightweight and 9 ft. I carry mine around no problem.

Good question about rentals...

The kayak option is on the table, as is the inflatable kayak option.

catherine
3-7-16, 2:28pm
Have you read Peter Lawrence? If not, read his book to see what he has in his apartment to see "how low you can go." I'm sure you're just about there! Believe me, you don't need more inspiration for getting rid of stuff, but if you are worried about impulse spending to outfit your place, read The Happy Minimalist to reinforce your minimalist habits.

Re the kayak, how about an ad on Craigslist to see if any one would want to rent out space in their garage for a small monthly fee?

Ultralight
3-7-16, 2:39pm
Peter Lawrence is a cool dude!



I tell you what, I am glad to be getting my own place for these two reasons:

1. No more clutter.
2. No more TV!

Gardenarian
3-7-16, 5:46pm
My sit-on kayak stands on it's end for storage - very handy. But now that I'm in an area with lots of lakes, I must say I'd prefer a canoe. Too bad you're not nearby; we could trade!

I'd see how you get on with what you have. If you find yourself really missing something, like a large pot or a toaster, you can put it on your list.

pony mom
3-7-16, 9:27pm
At one time Ikea had a plate that was shaped like a shallow bowl, so it could be used for wet and dry foods. I'm sure there are other similar ones out there.

Will your dog have enough space?

shadowmoss
3-8-16, 1:29am
I suggest an Instant Pot as a single appliance, it is a pressure cooker, rice cooker, sauté pan, slow cooker, etc. Don't even need a stove as it is electric. I like the rice made in it better than the rice cooker as I can use time to make it not so dry while the rice cooker cooks it until all the liquid is cooked out. New twist on 'one-pot cooking'.

Ultralight
3-8-16, 10:16am
I suggest an Instant Pot as a single appliance, it is a pressure cooker, rice cooker, sauté pan, slow cooker, etc. Don't even need a stove as it is electric. I like the rice made in it better than the rice cooker as I can use time to make it not so dry while the rice cooker cooks it until all the liquid is cooked out. New twist on 'one-pot cooking'.

Googled it. Looks a bit complex with all the buttons and such, but quite an invention!

SiouzQ.
3-8-16, 3:44pm
I scored some of those Ikea bowl/plates at the thrift store a couple of months ago. They are now my go-to crockery; I rarely use a regular plate anymore!

ToomuchStuff
3-8-16, 5:06pm
I don't see the bicycle as being hard to store. Between inexpensive ($35 I have seen some for), bars that hold them off the floor, or a two dollar hook, if you could make a hole in the wall (lease dependent). The boat I see as a bigger issue, between getting it up to the apartment and making sure it was dry, so the carpet wasn't all stained by it drying (or make the apartment musty). But some apartments have some sort of storage area (basement/garage type), so that might not be an issue.
Cookware, well, that is what housewarming and asking friends for hand me downs/used stuff they don't want, is for. Heck, for a kitchen knife, why not look at Youtube, and look at Chinese style cleavers. They are inexpensive and they are the only knife used in some homes over there (so Youtube has how to's). Buy individual/lose dish/plate pieces at a thrift store. Check Freecycle and CL.

Selah
3-9-16, 4:10pm
UltraLight, do you have a friend in the area with a garage, in which you could store your canoe? You could install some canoe-hanging thingies (very technical term here) so it wouldn't take up any of their floor space.

Ultralight
3-9-16, 4:19pm
UltraLight, do you have a friend in the area with a garage, in which you could store your canoe? You could install some canoe-hanging thingies (very technical term here) so it wouldn't take up any of their floor space.

I am brainstorming on this idea.

What I would really like is some kind of canoe-share system. I use the canoe mostly from about March 25th-June 7th, give or take a week either way.

After that, I use it much, much less frequently. So someone else could use it more during the other warm months of the year (June 8th - Oct. 31st).

Tenngal
3-12-16, 11:27pm
Are you on Facebook? It is amazing how fast I was able to find used appliances and household goods for my daughter when I asked. Got a kitchen table for $20 and a used washer and dryer at a good price.