In reply to cmcgregor:
I set a lot of stuff beside the road with a Free sign. It's too much trouble to sell and too useful to throw away.
In reply to cmcgregor:
I set a lot of stuff beside the road with a Free sign. It's too much trouble to sell and too useful to throw away.
The0retical wrote: I moved everything I owned from Ohio to California in a 10x12 trailer. When I moved from California to Pennsylvania I required a 26' box truck 3/4 of the way full. I added a wife, two children, and a dog in that time. I still feel like we have too much stuff and I'm in the process of clearing it out. I've got a rule that if it sits for more than 3 months and costs less than 5 dollars it gets pitched. That usually clears out the bowls of random crap pretty quick. Sadly the detached garage is the most organized part of my household because I hate it when I need to fix something and can't find a tool.
Mine was almost the exact opposite. When I moved to California, I shipped a 4x6x8 for box of stuff. After 4 moves, when I came back to PA everything I owned fit in 2 24x12x12 inch cardboard boxes,aka, what fits in a miata.
It was extremely enlightening seeing all the things I thought I needed versus what I actually needed. Now though, I've got a house full of my old E36 M3, my parents old E36 M3, and now my kids E36 M3.
I try to fill up a ten yard dumpster every spring to clean up the house. Aside from tools, if I haven't used it in a year, it goes. Wasting to much time and money replacing things I have but can't find, or trying to make junk work so it isn't wasted.
I always viewed minimalism as everything you have has a value to you and has a place where it belongs.
Clothes are pretty difficult. We're told that wearing the same thing every day is something a communist would do, but in reality clothes are pretty superfluous.
I've been doing my best to wear my clothes to threads and not replace them. If I do, I'm doing a better job of finding stuff I know will fit later down the road, like "large tall" sweaters, polos, dress shirts. I've got lots of rad shirts that just shrank too much exposing my back when seated, or were too big in the first place. When you shop at Thrift stores its easy to buy stuff that doesn't fit right, but it's also easy to donate it back at least.
Trying to convince my wife the benefits of this is near impossible.
Shoes are another great example. It's hard to find a pair of shoes that works with shorts, dress pants, kahkis, and jeans. I've slowly gotten rid of hiking boots (sneakers are fine) and moved away from dress clothing that requires black shoes (brown shoes can be worn with blue or grey suits or kahkis and a polo).
pheller wrote:SVreX wrote: If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.What happens if you get sick? Like cancer level sick?
You know nobody gets out alive, right? Fast or slow we are all going to go.
The Miata I bought in 1990 sported the plate NOHOME cause literally everything I owned fit in the trunk. So, yeah, I can roll that way.
All I need is this ashtray
When downsizing, find your local charity that takes the stuff you want to part with.
Two things get accomplished- there's a good bet someone will use it again, and you get a tax break.
We love shopping at our local recycling centers- that includes the PTA store and Salvation Army as well as the actual recycling center. I know we recycle perfectly good items, so it goes to figure that others do, as well. (BTW, SA has really stepped up in their organizing stuff)
If the use is going to be minimal, might as well get used stuff.
Spose my clothing could be called minimalist. I prefer my navy Red Kap work coveralls over jeans any time, even on days off at the grocery store, doctor, dentist or nursing home etc I tell 'em I 'just got off work'.
E36 M3, more pockets to carry everything and plenny ballroom. They have drawn comments tho cause I always look like a plumber.
Truth is, it's like wearing pajamas all day.
It's an interesting concept. I think, however, being a minimalist is probably a lot like being a ninja. If you say you are one, you probably aren't. Speaking for myself, I moved from a 700 sqft apartment to a 400sqft because I felt like 700 was just too much space for me.
pheller wrote: Clothes are pretty difficult. We're told that wearing the same thing every day is something a communist would do, but in reality clothes are pretty superfluous. I've been doing my best to wear my clothes to threads and not replace them. If I do, I'm doing a better job of finding stuff I know will fit later down the road, like "large tall" sweaters, polos, dress shirts. I've got lots of rad shirts that just shrank too much exposing my back when seated, or were too big in the first place. When you shop at Thrift stores its easy to buy stuff that doesn't fit right, but it's also easy to donate it back at least. Trying to convince my wife the benefits of this is near impossible. Shoes are another great example. It's hard to find a pair of shoes that works with shorts, dress pants, kahkis, and jeans. I've slowly gotten rid of hiking boots (sneakers are fine) and moved away from dress clothing that requires black shoes (brown shoes can be worn with blue or grey suits or kahkis and a polo).
This has been pretty easy for me actually.
All my work shirts (dress shirts) are blue or white. 5 pairs of slacks (1 summer only, 1 winter only). 5 patterned dress shirts for non-work dress functions. 2 flannels/work shirts. 3 jeans, 10 random t shirts, under shirts. 5 golf shirts, 4 pairs of shorts.
Seems like a lot listed out, but when you split it between a small closet and a normal sized dresser it's not.
Shoes, if I didn't care about them, would be easy too--black and brown dress shoes, work boots, gym shoes, sandals, golf shoes, and boat shoes. For a lot of folks some of these can be combined.
But I do care about my shoes so I have many.
SVreX wrote: If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.
I'd go total minimalism, but keep working and retire in like 5 years. Then ride off into the sunset (slowly) on my mountain bike and not worry about E36 M3 for the next 40 or 50 years of my life.
SVreX wrote: If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.
QFT x 1 billion. I would without a doubt be a minimalist/Vagabond. My sister recently told me that is how she pictured me living my life and is shocked I've chosen the family path.
In reply to Nick (Bo) Comstock:
Well, I have also chosen the family path. And though I have no regrets, there are days when I wonder if I am being true to myself.
Im kind of in between, not really a minimalist because i cant seem to get rid of old bike parts and other similiar things but i dont need stuff to be happy. i cant see any reason to go into extra debt to make myself feel better. Ive tryed explaining this too my wife who thinks presents should make everyone happy. All the stuff in the world wont make you happy if you have to work 60+ hours a week to pay for it. my house is enough debt for me.
This thread reminds me I need to find some more E36 M3 to throw away with the trash tonight.
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