What to buy when living alone for the 1st time...

madachab

Hi

I am (unfortunately) in the process of splitting up with my partner of almost 15 years. I will be living alone for the first time and I will be living in unfurnished rental accommodation for at least the first 12 months. Not wanting to leave her in the lurch, I will only be taking my clothes and the laptop I am using to write this!

During the time I lived with my partner, we acquired various items as and when we needed/wanted them. However, looking around the various rooms in the house today, I have noticed so many things that I have got used to but won't be able to afford in the short/mid term.

I realise I need to prioritise and only buy the 'essentials' as I see them, but every time I compile a list and price it up, I seem to need more 'essentials' than I can afford. Is there some kind of 'idiot's guide' to what a new home should be equipped with?

I would appreciate your opinions on what are considered to be essential items, be it small gadgets or white goods or furniture. I have already decided that the kettle is is fairly close to the top of the list!!

By the way, when I was searching for a washing machine, I noticed that Tesco Direct offer a facility to Tesco credit card holders (I have one) that allows for purchasing now and not paying for 6, 12 or 18 months, depending on the product, with no interest added for that period. Does that offer qualify for 'Debt isn't bad...only BAD debt is bad'??

Many thanks in advance.

M

D4WNO

You might find that your new rented accomodatiohn comes with white goods as mine does (fridge/freezer/washing machine etc) so that wouls save yo a fortune.

Both Argos and Ikea do "starter packs", designed for students or people like myself moving out from home for the first time, they're fab.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15570&catalogId=10103&storeId=7&productId=32494&langId=-20&chosenPartNumber=60065946

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15591&catalogId=10103&storeId=7&productId=76908&langId=-20&chosenPartNumber=80099484

Argos do quite a few
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?perPage=10&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&currPage=1&searchTerms=STARTER&searchScope=458&searchType=&viewType=seeAll&maxResults=8&fltrCatIds_0=50160&catId_0=50353&catName_0=Sports+and+leisure&catHits_0=14&catId_1=49998&catName_1=DIY%2C+garden+and+car&catHits_1=13&catId_2=49651&catName_2=Toys+and+baby&catHits_2=10&catId_3=50160&catName_3=Kitchen+and+laundry&catHits_3=8&catId_4=49550&catName_4=Sound+and+vision&catHits_4=3&catId_5=49949&catName_5=Gifts&catHits_5=3&catId_6=49764&catName_6=Furniture+and+furnishings&catHits_6=2&catId_7=50626&catName_7=Video+games&catHits_7=2&catId_8=50489&catName_8=Photography&catHits_8=1&catId_9=50518&catName_9=Jewellery+and+Watches&catHits_9=1&sortBy_1=32768&x=10&y=14

Other things you may need are a toaster etc, I found when I got my own place it was mainly kitchen stuff I was buying

rizla01

Hey Madachab,

My split was after 24 years. I hope you handle it better than me. Very distressing and I STILL hate my own company (But then so do others:)).

TV quite important or at least a radio. Makes you feel less alone - voice in the background Etc.

Toaster. Makes bread palatable. Good for quick snacks.
Microwave - makes instant packet meals almost appealing.

Why not try the Freecycle forum for Wash Mashine, Hoover, Etc and if you put a general 'Please help. Empty flat ANYTHING that you don't need', post you may find what you consider to be a luxury being offered to you for nowt.

Anyway M8, Best of:)

OOh. Just remembered.
Get loads of bleach. Saves a lot of scrubbing. Bleach everything that you arent going to eat/drink out of. Worktops, sink, toilet, floors, doors. Etc

virgin_moneysaver

corkscrew - that should do it!

you may also need :

washing machine
iron & ironing board
kettle & toaster
microwave
tv

maybe a 2nd corkscrew incase the 1st one breaks

commiserations on your split

Dilly

Freecycle will certainly help out provided you have a car to collect the said items
You will also need
Sheets
pillowcases
duvey plus covers/ blankets
towels
plates, mugs, knives, forks, spoons
Tea towels
stardrops, stardrops and more stardrops. Especially when you first move in
Dustpan & brush
Washing up bowl and bucket - yes I know you're a bloke. You still have to do this
Saucepan and frying pan or just a wok with lid - if you are going to cook
Most of these can be purchased at TJ Hughes, Wilkinsons, street markets, even car boot sales. Depends how long you need them to last

misgrace

You cant go wrong with going to Tesco or sainsburys for your kettle, toaster, iron etc, they are so cheap to buy, plus they are still having price reductions on some of these items, its worth having a look.
Have a look in your local paper, people are always selling stuff, like fridges, washing machines, then when you get settled in and have a bit extra money, you can them replace them for new.

DKLS

Good luck on your post split:

I would suggest a big bed, big telly and a subscription to a dating site, I came out of a 12 yr relationship, with low confidence etc, Nothing like a 6 month membership to a dating site to add some cheer to your soul and a spring in your step.

madachab

Thanks all.

I don't know what my friends are trying to tell me, but I now have 3 brand spanking new corkscrews/bottle openers!!

Never heard of the free stuff board - very useful thanks.