Could you please tell me how much stuff I actually need ?

[willowisp]

So, me, DH, 2 x DD's.

I would like to know a 'normal' amount for each of the following;

1. bras, pants, vests & pairs of socks for each member

2. how many bedding sets & sheets

3. a) how many towels b) how many tea towels

4. how many work shirts/school uniform sets for each person. (I think I have school socks under control )

5. how many day to day tops for me (sahm always cold) & bottoms

6. how many pairs of pj's

7. how many cups (coffee /tea)

Anything else I might need to know in order to run an efficient household

This is a really good question - I'll be watching and waiting! We seem to have either too much of one thing or not enough of another, so it would be good for us to tackle this!

How often you wash has an impact on how many items of clothing you have but...
1 - 3 bras min, no vests, layer t shirts instead, about ten pairs pants and socks each.
2- 2 sets each bed, keep a couples spare if wetting/ sticky kids if you don't have a drier.
3- 2/3 towels each, 4/5 tea towels
4-5/6- depends on the individual and how scruffy they are, what work they do etc. I'd try for 3 sets min
7- 2x number of regular hot drink drinkers

I can't give up my vests ! I already layer

I've got the washing on every couple of days, but I think kids need to stop chucking everything in wash after 1 wear.

4/5/6 - smartish casual rather than scruffy. DH & I wear clean vests (it's cold in his office !) each day & shirt. I've got the DD's wearing their school cardi everyday & then washing at the end of the week.

I can't move for stuff...last night was ironing holey tea towels & thinking I can't throw them..I might need them (fear of being totally broke I guess)

With clothing I think it depends on how good your drying facilities are, and allowing for holidays away and illness. With underwear I'd rather have enough for 2 weeks as I wouldn't want to run out. When I had a dc at school I had enough uniform for a week, usually 5/6 shirts, 2 prs trousers, 2 jumpers, 1/2 blazers. My ds had 2 blazers for his first year of high school but after that I bought one when he grew and the old one was an emergency spare. If you keep getting short of something then you might want more, but if you've always got lots spare then you don't need so many.

Towels and bedding - enough for a set in use and a set in the wash and spares for illness, accidents and guests.

Mugs - we seem to own about 8 in a household of 2, but it's quite random, down to how many break and who gives me one as a present/freebie. I'd rather wash some than have more.

I sometimes cut down if the stuff doesn't fit the drawers, rather than looking for more storage.

what is that link ? i photo of a back pack comes up...?

Woops! Can't get used to copy and paste on ipad!

180degreehealth.com/2013/06/eat-for-heat-paperback

that's interesting thanks - I've just had a look on amazon & tried to see inside the book as I'm curious to types of food he recommends, can you tell me. Its $10 to buy for kindle & I'm a bit strapped for cash at the mo.

(thinks...new vest or new book...)

I've not read that book of his, I've read Diet Recovery 2 and lots of his blog. Enough calories to support metabolism, lots of sugar, salt, starch and sat fat, not too much water, plenty of sleep.

I tend to run on the 7 day week, for socks, undies etc so basically 7 of everything.
School uniform tends to be one to wear, one in wash and one spare in case of emergencies. As ripped seams, chemicals and paint prove to be major problems.
I also have three changes of bedding for each bed and 10 towels.
I have 12 tea towels, mainly because they always end up on the floor.
I have 8 place settings with mugs and cups.

Liking the 3 bed linen sets as I like choice

I've far too many school summer dresses, too many long sleeve tips for me. Too many pairs of knickers for me, too many odd, too small/outgrown or shrunk socks. Too many just-in-case-of-emergency towels.

I have magazines from 1998...at least 5 surplus pairs of curtains. I've stock piled

throw the magazines away! come on over to the minimalist thread - lots of great tips there. It is called "m"...

Thanks - I'll take a peak - minimalist frightens the life out if me, but nothing ventured

If it helps your dh can probably get away with 1 bra

we're nice, I promise! also I am a ...transitioning...minimalist. As in, a hoarder, with a minimalist inside her trying to get out

I have ... 5 bras, about 25 pairs of knickers (too many, need to cull these!) and about 15 pairs of tights (I work in a professional sphere so have 5 opaque, 5 black sheer and 5 nude tights for 1 full week if necessary).
Have far, far too many socks and need to cull these too.

In general I have recently realised that despite having wardrobes/drawers stuffed with things, I wear the same small selection over and over.

oh and three sports bras.

1. bras, pants, vests & pairs of socks for each member
   5 bras for you. pants/vests/socks 8-10 (ie a week plus a few spare)

2. how many bedding sets & sheets
   2 sets per bed. Perhaps spares for dcs' beds.

3. a) how many towels b) how many tea towels
   2 bath towels pp. Half a dozen tea towels? (maybe less)

4. how many work shirts/school uniform sets for each person. (I think I have school socks under control )
   6-7 work shirts for dh.
   3 full sets of uniform for the dcs.

5. how many day to day tops for me (sahm always cold) & bottoms
   Hmm not sure. Prob about 10 tops?

6. how many pairs of pj's
   3 sets each for the dcs. Perhaps more for grownups.

7. how many cups (coffee /tea)
   8-10?

Bedlinen....2 sets per bed...I love bedlinen...

They are good numbers for me to aim for, I think I've spent the last 10 years buying/accumulating/stockpiling...it's very VERY hard for me not to think about what I'll need in the future.

Apparently I need could do with seeing a therapist to deal with what has created this state within me. Getting rid of the stuff is great (although I'm struggling), not buying is great...but the desire/need/obsession will always be there.

ArtemisatBrauron is there a link to M club please ? I can't find it

oh..ignore me...just found it