Finding the balance between being well prepared/organised and owning less/minimalism

[Guaife]

I’m not a minimalist by any means but I have been trying to create space and have less excess in our home.

One of the things I have done is to try to use up cleaning products/toiletries etc before buying more. However I’m now down to just one conditioner (for example) in use and one spare and I’ve started feeling a bit panicky about it. Mostly it’s just that I like knowing that any member of my household can tell me they’ve run out of something and I can hand them a replacement and still have another in stock. I feel a bit like I’ve failed in my organisation if we run out of anything

But then also I have these thoughts like what if brexit/Russia/covid/other means there are supply issues? What if the cost of things goes up and we’re struggling for money and can’t afford to buy these things? I’d regret not having a decent backstock then. These thoughts have taken me by surprise as I’ve previously been a bit laissez faire about such things.

So I suppose my question to minimalist types out there is if I just ignore these thoughts will I get used to having less spare stuff? Or is there a way of marrying the two? One in use and one spare was what I was aiming for but now that I’m there on a few things it feels a bit close to the line!

I totally identify with this. My plan is to start buying the Faith in Nature 5 litre bottles of hand wash / shampoo etc for green / minimalist reasons. Will decant into old bottles / maybe buy some nice glass pump bottles. It also might even be cheaper! Would that suit you?

Oh thank goodness! I almost didn’t post it as after I’d typed it I thought it seemed a bit crazy! Yes that’s a good idea, I already use refills for washing up liquid and a couple of other things so could look at extending that into other products.

I totally get where you are coming from. And I think pp has hit on a great compromise as regards toiletries/household supplies. Assuming you can afford to buy in bulk to begin with? I get stuck on back-up food supplies, including condiments and spices. Any thoughts?

I have this dilemma regularly. I was brought up in an organised well stocked home, I like to buy in bulk for value for money and I'm a minimalist.

I utilise good storage; loft, garage under beds, under stairs. Nothing is out.

I bulk buy dried foods and household goods and try not to overstock foods, sauces etc. I'll replenish these when they run out.

@Takeittotheboss

I totally get where you are coming from. And I think pp has hit on a great compromise as regards toiletries/household supplies. Assuming you can afford to buy in bulk to begin with? I get stuck on back-up food supplies, including condiments and spices. Any thoughts?

I have a top shelf in the cupboard for spares of things we use a lot of and run out of regularly so jam, marmite, ketchup…Spices we use a lot of I tend to buy the pouches and refill the jars then re buy once I’ve refilled for the last time. Ones we use less of I just buy once the jar gets low.

I have a box on the fridge with spare cereal/pasta/rice/tea in but this annoys me because it looks a mess.

@LaWench it’s a good idea to utilise storage elsewhere thanks. I could put the spare dry goods in the cupboard under the stairs or somewhere rather than being visible in the kitchen

In the first lockdown all I ran out of was eggs and salad.

I completely understand how you feel.

I get anxious if I'm down to about 3 bog rolls and need spares of instant coffee, toothpaste, toothbrushes,soap and shampoo.

I don't think I am likely to run out of anything else as I am a bit of a hoarder

Interesting- I'm not a minimalist (tbough I rather like the idea of it) but tbh it doesn't really occur to me to think about buying, for example, a new bottle of conditioner until I'm getting towards the end of the current one. I don't keep spares. I mean... what's the worst that could happen if you had to go a day or two without conditioner? I can't think of many things which are so totally indispensable that I'd need to always have a spare. Loo roll, I guess. That's about it! Even in lockdowns, all I did was buy 1 extra pack of loo roll. There was always plenty of food available. If there aren't any eggs, eat something that's not eggs!

This idea that you've failed as a mother/woman if you don't have every eventuality covered and don't provide exactly what all your family members might require at any moment is a ridiculous burden of wifework which would simply not occur to men to place on themselves.

I’m very minimalist but I was well stocked with consumables during the first lockdown.

IME the process of extreme decluttering of materialistic, general clutter and excess stuff creates a path to have a reassuring store of necessities if you feel that’s what you want.

In terms of gadgets and appliances and general kitchen nik naks I have very few items which means I have a couple of larder cupboards that I can keep well stocked. But I only keep it stocked with things I know we use every week, no more random packets and jars that just sit unused for months!

@Fairislefandango

Interesting- I'm not a minimalist (tbough I rather like the idea of it) but tbh it doesn't really occur to me to think about buying, for example, a new bottle of conditioner until I'm getting towards the end of the current one. I don't keep spares. I mean... what's the worst that could happen if you had to go a day or two without conditioner? I can't think of many things which are so totally indispensable that I'd need to always have a spare. Loo roll, I guess. That's about it! Even in lockdowns, all I did was buy 1 extra pack of loo roll. There was always plenty of food available. If there aren't any eggs, eat something that's not eggs!

This idea that you've failed as a mother/woman if you don't have every eventuality covered and don't provide exactly what all your family members might require at any moment is a ridiculous burden of wifework which would simply not occur to men to place on themselves.

Food for thought thank you. It’s probably partly so I don’t have to deal with the moaning if anyone runs out of anything but you’re right that it’s a burden that wouldn’t occur to anyone else in the family.

I think it’s more for if things aren’t available in the shops (like paracetamol when covid first hit) or for if prices skyrocket. I’ve been in a position of having to choose between bread and soap for example and it’s not a nice place to be.

Interesting you saying about eggs too, things like that do not bother me at all for some reason. We fairly often run out of apples/cheese/ham etc between shops and I just say tough we’ve used it all. But then I like to have a big stock of tins and dried foods so that if we can’t get to the shops or can’t afford to buy food or whatever we can still make some form of vaguely healthy meal.

@WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe

I’m very minimalist but I was well stocked with consumables during the first lockdown.

IME the process of extreme decluttering of materialistic, general clutter and excess stuff creates a path to have a reassuring store of necessities if you feel that’s what you want.

In terms of gadgets and appliances and general kitchen nik naks I have very few items which means I have a couple of larder cupboards that I can keep well stocked. But I only keep it stocked with things I know we use every week, no more random packets and jars that just sit unused for months!

This is a good point actually to keep a stock of only the things you use regularly anyway

I'm dealing with it by reminding myself I live in a city, I'm surrounded by shops. There will be a shop somewhere, selling something similar to what I want, even if not the exact same thing. And that will do until I can get my preferred brand of whatever it is. I have previously kept things well stocked only to find myself unexpectedly needing to move and then I have to pack it and cart it all with me. So I decided no more stocks. One plus a spare is enough. Life is for living not for constantly worrying about the future, that's my mantra now.

@WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe I agree.
Once you have got rid of the excess crap, you can focus on the things that add value.
For me, it's having a decent larder, and things like candles and lanterns.
I don't count consumables like food as something I feel I need to cut back on.

Oh wow someone else (lots of them!) who overthink life to the extent I do!!!

Snap - running out of something = failing as a mother.

I have an old bookcase in the garage with all my spare stock and an old freezer with the same. There's a large drawer in the kitchen with bulk buy spices too.

It makes meal planning so much easier as I KNOW I always have xxx in the cupboard so don't need to check each time and can cut down on time spent going to shops as we only go once every couple of weeks and aren't forever popping out on top up shops.

BUT managing it and storing it does get stressful and does make me question how much is too much!

As my family increased, I turned to bulk buying; when there were seven of us (five with adult appetites), I tried to stock up on pay day. Now, there are only four of us, but I always have sacks of flour (make bread every day), big bags of rice and pasta and tins of tomatoes, beans etc. Other things like loo rolls and cat food are delivered on a subscription.

I don't see the conflict with minimalism because it simplifying life. When we had lockdown, I had everything we needed, not because of panic buying, but because we always have stuff 'in stock'.

For me, minimalism is just buying a dozen solid shampoo bars used by everyone in the house and replacing when we are down to last two. It's not about just having one bottle, but about not having lots of different bottles of shampoo.

Our weekly shops are mostly fruit, veg and some dairy.

I am very short on space and I see the sense in theory. Live in a small flat with very little storage.

In practice, things like 3 for 2 on shampoo or toothpaste are much more economical than waiting till you run out.

I also have a good stock of bottled water as the water main had several issues when I moved here. As time goes on, I think it's still common sense.

Food - probably very overstocked but again, there seem very good reasons to do that.

So you can see what side I'm on!

I dealt with this by buying a load of kilner type jars in poundland and filling those with dry goods - so they take 3 jars of coffee but as they look neat and tidy on the shelf - all with matching chalk paint labels they look organised even if they have a lot of stuff in them.

I think life is easier when you have well stocked cupboards.

I always have a bottle of something (i.e. washing up liquid) on the go and one in the cupboard. When the one on the go runs out I buy the next one.

I stock up when things are on offer. I think this makes quite a difference to the pennies. So the other week I bought an 18 pack of toilet rolls but this week had a voucher for a pound off so bought another pack. 36 toilet rolls is a bit of overkill but we'll use them and a pound off is a pretty good deal (more chocolate for me!).

I get you op!

I usually try to make the most of offers in supermarkets and try to work out the price per unit / price per 100g so I know when to buy. I keep extra of the regular stuff but am guilty of forgetting to check what I have before going to the supermarket.

I like the idea of just refilling stuff as needed, but I am fussy about what I use and don't want to bulk buy something I will get bored of / not like.

My dream is a pantry where I can see everything.

Oh yes, this is exactly me! I can’t stand the thought of being caught unawares, but also hate clutter and unnecessary “background noise”.

I therefore make a point of using up (where I can) or disposing of (where I need to) extraneous things, as that really helps me clear my head and concentrate. But I have a long list of products and necessities that I use regularly, and I keep a good stock of all of them. Toiletries, cleaning stuff, dry and tinned goods, wine, any non-perishable things and then also stuff for the freezer.

I’m lucky in that I have a good cash flow, so can buy in bulk when things are on offer, and also a lot of storage, so I have space to build up stocks. I’m not a prepper but I rarely run out of things. At first lockdown I was supplying family with toilet roll, paracetamol and hand gel etc. I like to have two of everything on the shelf, particularly now supply lines are a bit dodgy, and to avoid extraneous delivery journeys.

But because it’s all stuff that I know is needed for daily life, the volume of it doesn’t stress me - plus it’s all hidden away so not in my face!

I'm a minimalist and a (very softcore) prepper.

I think it's helpful to think of it in terms of being intentional in your purchases and things that take up physical (and mental) space in your home.

I think having 1 in use and 1-2 to spare of regularly used items is a very sensible way to live, and not at all opposed to being minimalist. Here it’s about having what you actually use, not random bits that go bad

It reduces stress, takes advantage of special offers & critically reduces running to the shops for top ups - and so impulse spending

In the current environment, having everything your family needs for a few weeks seems really sensible. Because of supply issues, and possibly cyber attacks (I hope it doesn’t come to that) which would make shopping difficult.