Starting over ?? what would you have to have

cuca

I just wanted to say that making a huge big change in your life can be very challenging - emotionally and financially, things may seem very daunting now but I am sure worthwhile in the end. I have found that help comes from the most unexpected places - keep strong.....
x

spendaholic

I walked out of my marital home with just the clothes on my back and the cat under my arm - I didn't have children so it would have been loads easier for me to do it.

However, big things I got straight away ... the property already had a cooker with hob, a fire and radiators, carpets and curtains, so I bought a microwave, a kettle and a bed. Next batch of purchases included a fridge (didn't have space for a freezer or fridge freezer, but made space later), a VAX (for vacuuming and for cleaning the carpets), and a washer/condensing dryer (which my dad helped me pay for).

The supermarkets all do basic start up ranges of saucepans, crockery, cutlery, and so on, and that was a big help to me. And, of course, I also had to get bedding and towels along the way.

I don't know what your money situation is, obviously, but I'd snaffled away an escape fund from which I had to pay for the above purchases, plus a month's rent in advance and a deposit. Once people knew what had happened, though, they were happy to help with things like an ironing board, an iron, a telly, bits and bobs of furniture.

After the beds and the kitchen white goods, my next major purchase was a pair of settees. Kitchen goods I collected at weekly shopping trips as I realised I could do with them, rather than blowing all my money in one go.

If you're going into rented accommodation, I think they're obliged to provide basic essentials and things like the decor and any soft furnishings included in the contract (curtains, carpets, blinds, etc) need to be clean and serviceable, but there are furnished lets too where the furniture has to be up to a certain standard.

See what comes with the property you go to before buying anything major. Some include white goods as well, so saving you the initial outlay, whether brand new, second hand or free cycle.

floss2

Don't forget that the supermarkets will soon be targetting the off-to-uni student market - cheap & cheerful household equipment, bedding & towels.

mrsgreentoad

if you can get to a carboot do so you will get most things there you might have to go a few times tho my hole house is a carboot house

blackcrow

Hiya,

First of all... best wishes and try to see it as a challenge rather than a chore. I have had to start over from scratch twice in my life, both due to circumstances way beyond my control (once on my own and once with a 4 yr old son) so I honestly know how daunting and overwhelming it can be!

I am assuming that you will have all the kiddy stuff (clothes, toys, beds and bedding) so that is not a worry. Any personal stuff you have (i dont know, but in my case photos, etc) should be safely boxed up in waterproof bags and taped boxes and labelled so you know what it is and that it is safe and can move it and forget about unpacking it till 6 months down the line when you have time and inclination. your clothes can be packed into suitcases (and bin bags if necessary).

Essentials I found I had to have:

fridge/ freezer, washing-machine, kettle, basic crockery and cutlery and saucepan/ frying pan set, weighing scales, 2 7" or 8" sandwich cake tins, 2 baking sheets, cooking knives, mixing bowl and spoon, cheese grater, plastic measuring jug, metal fish slice-type instrument for cooking. Nothing has to be brilliant quality as you can replace items as they break with better (they will slowly go one at a time) and the big items can sometimes be got on freecyle for nothing.

Also, curtains, tea-towels, towels (2 per person, one to use and one in the wash), duvet and pillows for you, duvet/ pillow covers for you (2 sets, one to put on, one in the wash).

Things that are NOT essential (and I lived without for quite a while, I swear!) a bed for you (mattress is essential however, but mattress on the floor can be made to look japenese style and does wonders for your back!), TV, PC (you can always ask a friend to use theirs, or use free in library if you book ahead), DVD etc, dishwasher, tumble-dryer (air dry is cheaper anyway and much better for the environment), sofa (floor cushions and bean bags instead) and dining table and chairs (eating on the floor picnic style is more fun anyway!)

I really hope this helps, sincere apologies if it comes over as being a bit bossy, it really is not meant in that way - just honest advice from someone who has been through it already

blackcrow x

lauren_1

A double or king bed (you can all fit in here it needs be)

a microwave

a frying pan, 2 x saucepan, casserole dish, 2x baking tray

a fridge

a tv

sofa (for you to sleep on)

2 x clothes airers (if you dont have a washing machine straight away put clothes in bath and wash, (use baby bath to transfer wet clothes down stairs)

toys and clothes for children

if you are renting some houses may come with a cooker.

you can get most of this off freecycle if you can get it yourself, if you are without a car this may prove difficult but many 2nd hand shops may provide delivery. my local pdsa and rspca both sell furniture and white goods.

Penelope_Penguin

stillbrok3n wrote: »

Hi.
I am in a difficult situation right now and may soon be in the position to have to start a household from scratch with my 2 children (almost 5yrs and 2yrs).
I've posted here because I am more of an old style girl so it seemes to fit.
So if you were starting over with nothing what would you have to have - room specific
I'd need EVERYTHING.

Good luck with your move. You've had quite a few replies from Old Stylers, so I'll move this to In My Home, where you may get more replies. Do come back and let us know how ou get on.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

andrew-b

I would seriously consider renting somewhere fully furnished as this would solve many problems for you...if only to help you find the time to get on your feet again. When i moved out from my parents i rented somewhere that came with most of what i needed right down to glasses, knives and forks, clothes pegs, ornaments and pictures and 3 flying ducks on the wall! Furniture, kitchen appliances (washer, cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer) curtains and so on were all there. All i needed really was bedding, towels, clothes, washing stuff and a bog roll and a portable tv (though not totally essential!). I moved in with less than a car load...moved out with probably 3 or 4 car loads!

Don't think though that you have to have everything organised and ready for the day you move into your new place - it's never going to happen no matter how prepared you are you'll forget something! Fortunately many supermarkets open 24 hours and stock pretty much everything you could possibly need these days!

If you can't rent somewhere furnished then i would scour local second hand and charity shops as well as the ads in the local free newspaper. Not used it myself but join your local freecycle group. I would think organisations like SureStart will also be able to offer advice and support.

It's surprising though how few possessions you actually really need to live. Also worth remembering there is always someone less fortunate somewhere else in the world with far less than what you may have!

roger196

Have you thought of house clearance of a deceased estate, any friends/ relies who are downsizing or even with children going off to university. People who are about to move and need to de-clutter their house.
Ask friends etc whether they have any furniture they wish to get rid of. Many have surplus toasters, microwaves. If you are bold enough knock on a few doors and ask. People can only say no.

Good luck.