Minimalist survey
Re: Minimalist survey
My wife and I could move cross country with a few hours notice if we had access to a truck with a large bed (live a Silverado or an F-150.) We would be leaving behind our couch, but everything else would go. We don't have any other large furniture outside of our coffee table and our twin bed. Only a few dishes, not many clothes, not many towels/blankets/sheets, no large personal library. My largest personal possession is my guitar. Everything else could be packed in a few boxes on short notice.
So to answer, our combined household possessions would fit in a van. If it were just me, a car trunk would likely be enough.
To add to the equation, I believe we could calmly and cohesively get boxes, pack, and clean our place before leaving in a 12 hour window.
So to answer, our combined household possessions would fit in a van. If it were just me, a car trunk would likely be enough.
To add to the equation, I believe we could calmly and cohesively get boxes, pack, and clean our place before leaving in a 12 hour window.
Re: Minimalist survey
Me: 3.3 including my business equipment
Stuff owned by other members of my household: 7.5
Less than ten years ago I had a fully loaded 2700 square foot house/basement/attics and a barn full of 10,000 books. Now the possessions I personally own could fit into the trunk and back seat of my car. Just last week I bequeathed all of my remaining Xmas decorations except for my ugly Santa candy dish to my DD22.
OTOH, if it was currently gardening season, I would likely be tied to the land by the roots of my Pink Elephant Heirloom Tomatoes etc. and would not be able to leave at all. So....
Stuff owned by other members of my household: 7.5
Less than ten years ago I had a fully loaded 2700 square foot house/basement/attics and a barn full of 10,000 books. Now the possessions I personally own could fit into the trunk and back seat of my car. Just last week I bequeathed all of my remaining Xmas decorations except for my ugly Santa candy dish to my DD22.
OTOH, if it was currently gardening season, I would likely be tied to the land by the roots of my Pink Elephant Heirloom Tomatoes etc. and would not be able to leave at all. So....
Re: Minimalist survey
Furniture, TV. stereo, 3 kids, wife etc. Our house is not exactly full of stuff and might be considered minimalist however there is still a tonne of stuff.
How much could I leave - all of it in the right situation. Would I just pack up and go without a really good reason - no.
How much could I leave - all of it in the right situation. Would I just pack up and go without a really good reason - no.
Re: Minimalist survey
During the process of my last move I managed to get down from a 6 to a 5. The main thing keeping me at 5 instead of 4 is my king-size mattress (although I keep it on the floor, so there's no associated furniture). I could get down to a 4 with 1 day to pack --maybe even a 3, but that'd be stretching it. I'm currently at a cross-roads in deciding my goals: do I want to be a nomadic 3, or get a small place to call home and be more of a 5/6 with some hobby equipment (tools/shop/shed/etc.).
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Re: Minimalist survey
I'd be 7-8. I do think if i packed it all neatly it could fit into the biggest room in my house. I'm in the process of organising my junk. (sort into to boxes with similar stuff and piling around the edges of rooms - e.g. 4th bedroom and garage). I'm going through a box every so often and ebaying/freecycling/donating to charity and that takes time. It fits in my house and some stuff is occasionally useful so getting rid and being a minimalist for the sake of minimalism doesn't suit me.
I guess my main problem is I had a load of junk bough prior to the "lightbulb" moment of FI/ERE. My junk still has some value. My time is valuable so therefore I have to allocate my time effectively to extracting the most value from my junk in cash or social capital. I've gone through some life stages in the past 10 years since being a teenager so as I adapt and add more layers to my metaphysical onion that is me I can free myself of more junk and buy less but higher quality items "buy for life". and eventually "downsize"
I think if I won the lottery tomorrow (it's a rollover in the uk tomorrow) I could easily leave the house at level 1 but for two reasons that wouldn't happen
I guess my main problem is I had a load of junk bough prior to the "lightbulb" moment of FI/ERE. My junk still has some value. My time is valuable so therefore I have to allocate my time effectively to extracting the most value from my junk in cash or social capital. I've gone through some life stages in the past 10 years since being a teenager so as I adapt and add more layers to my metaphysical onion that is me I can free myself of more junk and buy less but higher quality items "buy for life". and eventually "downsize"
I think if I won the lottery tomorrow (it's a rollover in the uk tomorrow) I could easily leave the house at level 1 but for two reasons that wouldn't happen
Re: Minimalist survey
This is a fun survey.
4-5 is my happy spot.
5 right now but 4 if need be.
4-5 is my happy spot.
5 right now but 4 if need be.
Re: Minimalist survey
I always moved with 3 and a bed on the car roof.
But for some reason, I seem to attract furnitures, and I'll need a truck to bring them all to salvation army.
My goal is to live from a carry-on backpack, because it can be worn on a bike, and even if you have to carry your bike for any reason, it's not to heavy.
But for some reason, I seem to attract furnitures, and I'll need a truck to bring them all to salvation army.
My goal is to live from a carry-on backpack, because it can be worn on a bike, and even if you have to carry your bike for any reason, it's not to heavy.
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Re: Minimalist survey
Too many books! If we *had to* we could certainly live out of our minivan. In fact, we're hoping to get some camping experience this summer with the kids. Neither my wife or I grew up camping, so that will get interesting!
My ideal situation would be a house similar to our current one (700 sqft, or 140 per person) but with actual land on it to farm/garden. Plus a workshop big enough for some large tools (welder, table saw, miter saw, etc).
My ideal situation would be a house similar to our current one (700 sqft, or 140 per person) but with actual land on it to farm/garden. Plus a workshop big enough for some large tools (welder, table saw, miter saw, etc).
Re: Minimalist survey
Well I've been living out of the back of my truck for a few months and regularly do.
At my home I have a lot of things that are mostly associated with my home, like a generator, saws, boat, etc.
At my home I have a lot of things that are mostly associated with my home, like a generator, saws, boat, etc.
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Re: Minimalist survey
We moved recently and fit everything BARELY into the bed and cab of 1 pickup truck. We did not have room for a single 5 gallon bucket left over. Furniture (like bed and desk) was sold and rebought at our destination.
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Re: Minimalist survey
I'm between 3 and 4. Everything fit into my sedan during my last move
Re: Minimalist survey
2 suitcase for a one day buyout. Since I've started the ere thinking I have found I can really go with the same stuff and clothes regularly
7 for a real move of everything. I lightened up a lot on closests and cabinets of stuff I used once but I still have rooms of furniture that was bought before ere and nearly 3 bookcases of books. I know Jacob advocates selling them but I like being able to fill up a shelf every year and seeding a tangible accomplishment
7 for a real move of everything. I lightened up a lot on closests and cabinets of stuff I used once but I still have rooms of furniture that was bought before ere and nearly 3 bookcases of books. I know Jacob advocates selling them but I like being able to fill up a shelf every year and seeding a tangible accomplishment
Re: Minimalist survey
We're a 4.
We've noticed our tendency to become like a hermit crab and grow to the size of our shell. For that reason we like to limit the size of our dwelling so that we cannot accumulate too much.
Yesterday we wandered into this guy's exhibition and it reminded us of the importance of striving for #3.
http://www.sergiogarval.com/nau2.html
The exhibition was based on Shelley's ode to minimalism, Ozymandias...
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
We've noticed our tendency to become like a hermit crab and grow to the size of our shell. For that reason we like to limit the size of our dwelling so that we cannot accumulate too much.
Yesterday we wandered into this guy's exhibition and it reminded us of the importance of striving for #3.
http://www.sergiogarval.com/nau2.html
The exhibition was based on Shelley's ode to minimalism, Ozymandias...
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
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Re: Minimalist survey
Currently: 4
But several times in my life I've made a (semi-premanent) move with just a suitcase, and I'm confident that if I needed to move again I would dump my 3 peices of ikea furniture on the curb and do it again.
But several times in my life I've made a (semi-premanent) move with just a suitcase, and I'm confident that if I needed to move again I would dump my 3 peices of ikea furniture on the curb and do it again.
Re: Minimalist survey
I moved here in a 16-foot truck and I've gotten rid of some stuff, so I'll have to say still a 5.
Re: Minimalist survey
Bringing furniture along needn't be a problem for #3
http://www.viralnova.com/room-in-a-box/
http://www.viralnova.com/room-in-a-box/
Re: Minimalist survey
OH YES, 4 for sure. After down sizing from a five bed room house to a 37' motorhome this Spring. And I might add proud of it. I didn't need all that stuff and never will again. Minimalistic is my modo and way-of-life.
Re: Minimalist survey
7, if I had to move everything within my apartment.
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Re: Minimalist survey
4, It happens every few months.
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Re: Minimalist survey
4, several years ago I would need a Uhaul