OS - grown up children leaving home

Becles

There's been press articles about how people are getting deeper and deeper into debt through over spending. I've been thinking about when you set up a new home. These days it appears the norm for people to go out and buy brand new everything, usually with the help of credit, which is where problems can start.

When I was a teenager, my great-Nana was diagnosed with breast cancer and eventually moved in with my Gran (her daughter) as she needed full time care. I was involved in helping clear out her house. My Nana was very keen for me to start a "bottom drawer" so I was given cutlery and kitchen utensils, crockery, blankets and table cloths to put away. These were all in use when I bought my first house. Some have since been replaced when I could afford it, others are still in use today!

I just wondered if there are any OS'ers on here who are starting "bottom drawers" for their teenagers? Is still a tradition, or has it died out?

ancasta_2

When i moved into my first house my grandma and mam helped me get a "bottom drawer" together. It helped, things like cleaning products, tinned foods, linen, light bulbs, everday things you take for granted.

Over the last 3 year i have replaced some of it, some i kept. We were given a freezer (after 6 months of being in our house) as a christmas present and when we moved into a unfurnished flat, we were given an old sofa bed of my mams, a washer and fridge as my 21st presents (great eh?) and a kitchen table as another christmas present for our MIL. Until we had the sofa we sat on bean bags we had borrowed for a couple of days, before we got the table we made do with a very old rickety thing from my grandmas greenhouse. It wasnt luxury but it was ours.

We resisted the urge to go out and get everything on tick. Admitedly we did get our sofa on credit but it was 2yr interest free and its almost all paid off now so it wasnt too bad a choice.

I think starting the bottom drawer was a brilliant idea, and when my friend moved into her house i went round with a gift hamper of light bulbs, first aid kit, bin liners, cleaning products, bathroom things like look brush as she had absolutley nothing to start with.

catznine

I started a bottom draw of sorts for when my children went to uni, in fact the rest of the family contributed stuff like cereal bowls, mugs, cutlery etc and I popped it all in a box in the loft ready to be raided by them when needed. I also topped the box up after finding great charity shop bargains.

It seems to be ok to have second hand while at uni, in fact my son doesn't mind now but dd now prefers new. But as she is fairly broke and has only just started her new job she might have to reconsider this :rolleyes:

lilmisskitkat

I started a bottom drawer about 18 months before i left home. I was on the council list so i wanted to be prepared for whenever a house came available for me but then the house next door to my parents came up for rent and i decided to go for that instead - its a godsend being so close to my mam, especially when i'm ill and need help.

I used to put a bit aside every week. When i had saved enough i bought something more expensive like my pan set, ironing board, bedding, dinner service etc. Then each week i bought a little something like ladle/masher/spatula/wooden spoons/cutlery etc until i had fully kitted out my kitchen. Everything was stored in my Grans back bedroom. I then got a loan from the DSS for furniture and my parents were very generous in buying me a brand new fridge freezer, washer and microwave Family chipped in with other things like kettle, toaster, sandwich maker, towels etc. I'm gradually replacing things as i go along, like matching towels to replace all the odd ones i was given. People were very kind and helpful with things, i got given a kitchen table and 4 chairs by the woman who delivers my mam's Next parcels lol and i got a suite cheap from a neighbour.

After buying the furniture i was skint and i found charity shops a god send for little odds and ends like photoframes and candle holders etc.

Before i moved in i did a big shop of things like toiletries and cleaning products etc, then one for tinned foods and storecupboard ingredients.
My house is lovely now

Kate xxx

Hermia

I've started my own bottom drawer for when I move out, but no one seems inclined to contribute to it! It doesn't seem to occur to any of my relatives to give their old stuff to me or my cousins even though we'd be grateful. I don't want anyone giving me furniture though because I want to move to a different part of the country. At the moment I could probably fit my stuff in the car, but if I had furniture I'd have to pay for a delivery van.

scuzz

I started a bottom draw for me ages ago - and I'm still at home:rolleyes:

I've got mugs, kitchen stuff, a rug, blankets, a tv, dvd player, video

So I'm doing ok

Penny-Pincher!!

My dd is nearly 11 but will probably start setting stuff to one side once she hits 16 as she wants to go to uni and do a zooology degree :eek: Would be practical stuff pots, cutlery, cups, plates, masher etc etc.

PP
xx

moggins

My DD1 already uses the contents of her bottom drawer even though she hasn't left home yet

In her room she has her own fridge (Budweiser chiller) kettle, sandwich toaster, mugs, plates, cutlery, vacuum cleaner, popcorn maker etc. This year her grandparents have bought her a mini oven and she already owns her own TV, video, DVD and PS2. Plus the obligatory stereo system. We bought her a double bed which she will take with her and she has invested in 4 loads of bedding. There's not really a great deal she will have to buy apart from furniture

LearningToSave.

my dd's are only nearly 3 and 7 months so its a teeny,weeny bit early yet but i fully intend to start doing them a 'bottom drawer',i think its a fantastic idea.

aliasojo

Humph! If I'm starting a bottom drawer for anyone, it will be for me! I would cheerfully like to leave home right now. :rolleyes:

Good idea though, I tend to have a 'top loft' instead of a 'bottom drawer' as I collect and hoard for Scotland. A lot of space is required.

exlibris

Hermia wrote:

I've started my own bottom drawer for when I move out, but no one seems inclined to contribute to it! It doesn't seem to occur to any of my relatives to give their old stuff to me or my cousins even though we'd be grateful. I don't want anyone giving me furniture though because I want to move to a different part of the country. At the moment I could probably fit my stuff in the car, but if I had furniture I'd have to pay for a delivery van.

Have you tried asking the relatives?

They may think that you will feel that they are trying to pass over their old tat to you!