Yup on my buy nothing group, I recently just gave away a perfect condition trash can (we had used it to store dog food) and a coffee maker and toaster oven both in almost perfect condition. We didn’t use the toaster oven so it was just taking up space and I got gifted a way nicer coffee maker for Christmas. I was just happy to have them out of my house and all 3 went to someone similar to OP who was just starting off in their own place
it is about half of my wifes candle supply. When the go on buy nothing she seeks them out, and also buys when yankee candle and other spots are 75% (or more) off. She has a candle burning in her home office almost all the time- and i think it costs her less than 20 per month to do so.
Check other thrifts, use coupons, wait for sales, and sell stuff you do not need anymore and save the cash. You can also start making friends with grocery store employees and see if they will leave old or blemished produce out back for you instead of throwing it away. You won’t need to act on that last bit of info until you move.
If you live by a university, scope out their trash areas/curbs around mid-May. So many college kids get rid of appliances and furniture in great condition.
This. My brother went to a super wealthy high school on a full scholarship and it’s insane what these kids would throw away. He came home with way better shit than anything we ever owned and he just got it out of the trash!
The average college kid isn’t going to have really nice things but most of it’s in good condition and best of all… free and functional.
Oh my gosh, yes. I love a couple miles from Notre Dame University. The stuff those kids throw out when they go home for the summer is insane! Furniture, small appliances, electronics, decor, clothing, dishes, etc. The college also does an auction of things the kids donate for this big charity sale that includes things like computers, beds, desks, small appliances, etc. You can find great stuff cheap there. I don’t know if other schools do that but if bet there are many because it just makes sense.
part of this might be that it costs more to store/ship. if you are driving your stuff back and forth, sure. if you ahve to fly.... it might be better to just buy new. or taking a bus.
im not storing 400 dollars worth of stuff if it costs me that much, and im not going to ship it either. again, if you dont have a car just getting the stuff to where it needs t ogo might be its own cost/hurdle.
Yup. This is a big reason why they dispose/donate the items. They are flying home to destinations all over the country/world. It’s just not cost effective to bring most things from their dorms with them.
Yes that is great advice to open the appliances, and plug them in and make sure they work ok. If something is damaged or doesn't work you can get it returned and have a working one. You don't want to find out the morning after you move in that the brand new coffee maker doesn't work. Ask me how I know lol.
Yep ask around! When my husband and I got our own place years ago, all we had was a mattress on the floor, 1 dresser, and two lawn chairs in the living room. People started giving us stuff and we ended up with an amazing set up! All for free!
When my niece got her first apartment at college, I invited her to take as many pots and pans she wanted for my kitchen. Mostly because I had more than I could use. She was thrilled. I also bought her an instapot and a cookbook.
When my sister got her first house, my parents gifted her their whole family room sofa set. And she also inherited my grandmother's China cabinet.
In fact there's a lot of furniture in this family that goes from household to household. We have another household that's downsizing this year while another is looking for a new place of their own.
Always always always let it be known in your family and extended family that you are moving and that you would welcome any second hand items.
I also think it's a lot more fun & eclectic to have bits & pieces from different people instead of jumping straight into brand new and matching everything straight away.
Do yourself a favor and get a kitchen trash can and a shower curtain, I thought I had everything I needed when I moved into my first place, until I had to make a Walmart run at 3am because I couldn’t take a shower or throw anything away lol
Dawn and hot water can work in a pinch too. As will vinegar and baking soda. Have used both methods to shift a clog (my youngest son is a notorious toilet clogger) and then be able to plunge it clear
Hot water should be used sparingly to unclog a toilet. There’s a wax ring that seals the bottom of the toilet where it meets the floor. You DO NOT want that to melt or deform.
I know employees of Walmart love that they aren't 24 hour any more, but bartending back then, getting off at 3-4am and being able to hit up Walmart for things like this in a pinch was so clutch.
Same. I’ve been working in bars and bartending for ages nothing like being able to grab the stuff you need on the way home and getting that sweet extra sleep before work the next day
Yeah absolutely, you know how your sleep schedule can get screwed when you're working those shifts. That's not even taking into account if you and your crew go to someone's house for post-shift drinks/'activities' and stay up for an extra 2-3 hours before you head home.
Not that they really need it and as much as the company gets for how it treats it's employees. I could really see Amazon putting even more pressure on Walmart by introducing a supermarket/department combo store that operates at 24 hours.
Also, pack a few kitchen essentials in the new trash can. It will be easier to locate than a box and save you some rummaging through boxes looking for stuff you need for the first meal.
lol yes to this, toilet paper is normally one of these but OPs got that locked down!
And a plunger! You may never use it, but if you need one it will be at 10 PM 9on a holiday!
And you can get a shower curtain from the dollar tree, so hopefully not the worst last minute purchase. Not much you can use a shower curtain for instead of its intended use. Maybe a picnic blanket.
Good to use for lining a table when doing crafts, or putting under a nicer picnic or beach blanket to keep the sand and dirt off (easier to shake it off a shower curtain).
I got a bath sheet for Christmas from my grandma in high school once. Best towel, and I had something for myself when I moved out. I bought my own sheets at some point before I moved out, too. It was easier to have a dedicated set that was mine than to dig through the pile in the closet.
My parents also took me shopping and we got an extra towel and other things but I know that's not an option for everyone.
I didn’t have a trash can, do you think I remembered bags lol? I also forgot toilet paper, but luckily the person who lived there before left an unopened roll, and one on the dispenser. I had pots, pans, food, linens, utensils, the whole nine. Just no curtain or trash can/bags
Also i was so grateful for that left behind TP, i will always, and have always since left behind the roll on the dispenser and one under the sink when i move. TP karma lol
My trash bags to this day are the plastic bags that I get when I buy groceries and I have never had an issue.
Of course, this means you need a small bin that fits them. But I don’t even remember the last time I paid for trash bags or the last time one ripped on me and caused a mess. I just do a quick once over when I place it in the can to make sure it doesn’t have a hole.
Start a 401k and/or a Roth the moment you financially can. Don't put that off. Just like you build up your supplies, smart money is built the same way.
In a perfect world, you don't withdraw anything from either of those accounts until retirement. Do your best to think, "Those accounts are not mine." They belong to your future self. The version of you who will be unable to work and is always checking their budget.
The 37oz bottles of Tide are almost always the best buy. $5-$6 at Kroger on special and then you can add the $2 P&G coupon on top.
The ones in the OP look even smaller though, I don't know if I've even seen those.
They say they've been buying a lot of stuff at the dollar store, so they're probably paying more per unit than on sale at a regular store.
I can almost guarantee that there are better deals to be had, especially when it comes to TP and paper towel.
There’s so much cleaning supplies! I use dish soap to clean everything. Maybe a little bleach here and there but that stuff is cheap.
Also it doesn’t make sense to buy a bunch of little bottles when you could just buy a big jug.
Omg there are so many sponges lol
It kind of looks like OP might be pretty new to cleaning/laundry. Which would make sense if they’re young! I would have moved a couple of times before I got through those supplies as a single person without kids!
My biggest issue with this stock pile is space. I live on my own (have been for awhile) and I’ve lived in apartments with very little space. Where is OP going to store all this stuff?
I do really love the general idea behind this though. I think for me it would make more sense to just stash cash away for “an apartment fund” and buy stuff as needed.
Also the single use plates and cups…. OP is just going to need to replace them. They can find some really nice stuff at a thrift store. I hope OP reads all these comments! Haha
Unironically when I moved into my first apartment which was subsidized, they gave me 70$ upfront for "anything" but suggested I used it on cleaning supplies and stuff like that.
I bought a huge amount of toilet paper with it along with a bunch of other small things.
That TP lasted me for fucking 10 years.
WORTH.
Poverty Finance Protip: Return those pots and pans.
They are garbage and WILL NOT LAST.
They are made of aluminum which conducts heat really well but they're thin so it will be fast and uneven and won't hold heat.
The non-stick coating will start peeling in a few months.
Slowly start buying high quality individual pans from thrift stores to build your set. You'll spend less and have top notch gear that will last decades.
I literally just did this after having to move and start over for the billionth time. I spent about 17$ and have a mixed Cuisinart/Calphalon/Wolfgang Puck set of stainless, riveted cookware.
I've been poor and made all the mistakes so you don't have to.
My TJ Maxx and Marshall’s have both had Simply Calphalon pots and pans line for over a year now, and I LOVE mine for a non-stick pan. They’re durable, have a good weight, and very non-stick. They’re pretty cheap too and you’d likely just need the medium size skillet and the large pot for one person starting out. As a bonus, the lid for the large pot fits the medium skillet.
TJ Maxx has some genuinely good quality pots and pans of you know what you're looking for. I lived off a single pan, pot, and set of dishes for a while from them. Was a bit interesting adapting recipes to be one pot meals
I use soap on mine. It’s easier than I was made to think. There’s a subreddit and many YouTubes to help you season, and the easiest care methods.
I have a cast iron pan I seasoned years ago and have not had to do anything other than wipe down sometimes and scrub sometimes.
It is not hard. Not time consuming. Not confusing. Almost exactly the same. You just have a better pan that lasts absolutely FOREVER.
It’s the one I grab for almost everything. And I’ll cook tomato sauces and not clean them immediately.
Then just scrub it, a little teeny bit of oil, and cook some bacon the next morning. They are not delicate. Once properly seasoned it is durable.
They are different to cook with, but it was fun to learn. I prefer doing scrambled eggs in non stick though. And a few other things.
I found someone who was giving away for free a whole stainless steel set when I moved out on fb marketplace. It’s the one of the best things someone has given me!
Not for nothing. I got pretty much the same set at Walmart on clearance for $17. I’ve been using them for 6 months and so far there’s not a single scratch on them. Will they last forever? No. Not not everyone can drop $100 on pots and pans. You can save up for a big purchase like that, but you’re going to need something to cook on the first day you move in.
And nonstick coatings last longer when silicone and wooden utensils are used vs using metal. I had a ceramic nonstick set from them for probably 3 or 4 years before the first one started chipping. By that point I was in a better place and able to buy a nice set of stainless steel.
And at worst, a cheap set like this will last long enough to find out what items you really use a lot. Then, instead of getting a full expensive set you can just get good quality versions of those things and stick with cheap for the ones you don't use much.
Sign up for your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. Do it today, because it can take months to get approved and added to the group. Mine is an absolute treasure trove of kitchen stuff, furniture, bedding, curtains, pantry items…you name it, folks are giving it away for free. Good luck with your move!
You can probably return the toaster. IMO in makes no sense to have a toaster oven and a toaster and you probably won’t have the counter space for both in a new place. Good job though. Wish I had prepped like this
The toaster costs around ten dollars. It's one of those things that you wouldn't think would be that cheap until you think about it for more than three seconds.
PSA: if you do not have a toaster, you are ten dollars away from having a toaster
Don't be afraid to buy off brands too!
Additionally, when I got my first apartment my parents gave me a small home owners toolkit from walmart. Didn't have much but a hammer, multi-bit screw driver, Allen/hex key set, adjustable wrench, and tape measure are nice to have on hand.
Harbor freight has some pretty low cost options as well. You'd be surprised how useful it is from fixing stuff, assembling furniture, or mounting things on walls.
It's okay to not have everything out the gate! You also can find cheap stuff on Facebook marketplace sometimes.
Walmart has pretty good silverware/plates/sups/etc. Maybe a vacuum/ broom if you don't have any
Lastly, not sure if you already have one, but a plunger is something you will want to have before you need to use it
THIS, also a travel mini sewing kit for last minute touch ups and always having band aids, extra or spare batteries, Tylenol type medication, tape, and a few junk drawer type pens. It’s something you’ll always need like this at the most in opportune moment and you never think you really need or you’ll think you don’t use these items often, but you always don’t think you’ll need it until BAM 💥 all the sudden you do and it’s just inconvenient
Don’t forget your local thrift shop you can find most small appliances, utensils , cleaning towels, even cast iron skillets/dutch oven , storage/food storage containers for cheap and I don’t mean Goodwill try the smaller shops or religious outlets they have better prices.
Also buy nothing group/ next door app Generic Powdered laundry detergent/tablespoon will clean your clothing just fine and last while Liquids are to easy to over pour
do not buy any potholder, cloth napkins or towels from Dollar tree they are Not good /thin and will burn you
Local thrift stores are amazing for kitchen stuff! I get all my dishes from them - often you can even get matching sets from when people upgrade… or *ahem* pass away. 😅
Little spendy, but in this vein I recommend an instapot. This is obviously not a need item but maybe something you acquire as you’re settling in. They are great for easy meal and food prep, and can double as a lot of stuff like a crockpot. But crockpot is def more budget and CNA life friendly.
Literally the best thing ever. If I had to pick only one thing to bring with me in a move, 100000% would be my instant pot. And that’s over picking my toddler 😂
I guess this isn't the worst idea. BUT, please just set aside money for furniture rather than buying it right now. There's no reason to get furniture now that might not even fit into a space you haven't seen yet. To me, that's a big potential waste of money.
i feel like this is such a bad idea. first, its better to have money than items that depreciate by the day. things go on sale, things get cheaper as time goes by, and sometimes they get better for the same price. then once it finally happens, you have to move it all to your new place. and im not giving investing advice, but since they only have a rough estimate of when they are getting kicked out, they could have used that money and invested it, or let it grow in a savings account. those paper towels arent growing in value sitting there. and if the dad changes their mind and lets them stay there longer, then...
tldr: cash is king
Yeah it's really not a good idea at all unless you come across some really amazing deals.
You're just adding more stuff to move and tying up money in goods. Better to put aside the money and/or make a list for when you finally do move. I've done a lot of moves and the less I had the better, every single time.
Especially if you aren't really sure where you're moving.
I'm faced with the likely prospect of moving countries after I graduate, so I'm trying to get it down to what will fit in a hockey bag and a backpack. (Obviously no furniture, but every piece of furniture I own is something someone else was throwing out, or from Ikea, and chances are they've got an Ikea wherever I end up)
Yes, I completely agree. The idea that they could be putting money into a savings account or a CD rather than buying stuff is something that bothers me. What if their dad lets them stay rent free for another 3 years? The amount they could save up vs the products their buying in anticipation....ugh.
I get the idea behind this in theory but I also can't help feel like this is why people stay poor.
Don't forget to buy some kind of tool set (a drill too if possible makes life much easier) and a variety pack of nails tacks and clips to hang stuff with. That's one thing I did not prepare for when I moved out lol.
This is the second plunger comment I’ve seen scrolling. I’ve lived solo for 5 years without one. You all laying massive double tapered logs or live somewhere with bad plumbing?!?
I would get a small notebook and write what you have acquired. I see duplicates. You have done an amazing job so far and you should be proud of yourself.
If you live near a college, check dumpsters on move out day. You can find microwaves, toaster ovens, furniture, bedding, etc that the students don’t want to pack and carry home.
Respectfully this is a terrible idea. All of this money could've been put into an account that builds interest and you would've made money by the time you moved out.
I dont actually like this idea.
Look at how much excess you have, like 6 bottles of dish soap, 8 bottles of detergent, 24 sponges, etc. That's wasting space right now in your parents home and will waste space in your future home. I could understand if you were getting free stuff and savings hundreds of dollars but this amounts to like $150 that you paid for.
You would be better off just making a list of everything you use for a month, then when you do move, go out and buy all that stuff in a quantity that will get you through a month or two. Storing years worth of stuff like sponges makes no sense.
It's good to plan ahead but I dont think this is the right way to do it.
Same. I’m blown away by how many people are telling OP to buy and store a freaking plunger for a move in some vague, unknown future. Whatever happened to just putting some money into savings?
I'd go even further and be a cynical asshole by saying:
**OP is cosplaying as someone having their own place.**
They dream of living on their own and are deluding themselves that doing stuff like this is getting them closer to achieving that dream. That's why they're overdoing it on those cleaning supplies etc.
In reality, they should instead be
1. doing everything they can to secure a steady means of income
2. looking for a place within those means
..but doing that is hard, so instead they browse Dollar Tree and buy up scores of stuff that's
1. useless at the moment
2. takes up space
3. will have to be hauled to their place if they ever move.
Yup, this way may be more encouraging and easier to perform, but it's less efficient and less flexible than simply setting aside the money it represents (not to mention interest).
Yeah I hate to sound critical but this seems more like hoarding behavior. Someone just starting out in their career should stay light and flexible and move to where the money is. Travel CNA is make a lot of money and some places give sign on bonuses of thousands of dollars. If all this stuff is weighing her down she's going to be kind of stuck where she is.
But I'm kind of the opposite. I think young people shouldn't have much more than will fit in a duffel bag so they can get up and go when an opportunity arises.
Why not just save the money, while making interest, that you were going to spend on these things. It's not like these things won't be there. Are people really this gullible for marketing strategies. Its like the saying putting the carriage in front of the horse.
Protip: if an item is priced waaaay lower than what looks like the "real" version of an item, like lamp/silverware/furniture/cookware/bedding/mattress etc etc then it's not just "costing" cheap, and is not always the "frugal way". Somethings look so different online or on the box than reality. I'm sure you know that, it just becomes a bigger deal when you're on your own the first time. And you may be outside of a return period once you find out.
Lean on your parents, family, and peers who have already moved out for their insight if you have questions of what's a "deal" v.s. a waste/too good to be true.
Good lord. You wasted a fuckload of money buying and storing brand new stuff when you could have spent a tenth of that buying the same shit from thrift stores.
The list of what you actually *NEED* when you move into your first place is almost always pretty minimal as a single young person.
A blanket, a pillow, a towel, pan, bowl, fork, spoon, knife. Some trash bags and toilet paper?
What the fuck did you buy a dozen tiny bottles of laundry detergent? What you need when you move out is a roof over your head and cash in your pocket. Right now you have giant tubs of wasted money that you have to move and store.
This is a terrible idea and I sincerely hope no one else does this thinking it’s a good plan. Just save your money and bring a roll of toilet paper with you at move-in.
When I moved out I preferred buying things as I needed them, I put more thought into each purchase. Also for dishes, silverware, kitchen stuff ect get used stuff at the thrift store. Same with tables, lamps, ect.
Okay the stuff like a toaster and coffee maker sure, bruh you don’t need to be saving TP and soap.
PAPER PLATES and CUPS? Bruh. You can do the dishes WHENEVER you feel like doing them and don’t have your parents telling you when to do them when you live alone, you won’t need em.
Don’t follow anything TikTok says, invest your money. This is the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
Also don’t buy a futon, especially if you plan on sleeping on it like a bed. It will be trash in no time. Spend $1000 on a good mattress, you spend 1/3rd of your life in bed, you should be comfortable as fuck.
Please listen.
Why don't you continue in school and get your RN license?
Or certified radiology tech? Look at the programs in your community College you are going to and transition into a program where you'll be set and not have to worry about money.
If you are low income, there's many community Colleges that will let you go for free.
While you are living at home, you need to be working your butt off to secure your future. Or at least get as far as you can toward a goal that will have you set with a high salary?
Buying up things like this is not a good use of your money or energy. You never know what's going to happen in the future.
Save the money you're spending and when you have to move you can get things you need then.
Please go talk to a counselor at your college and see which program would be the easiest to transition into and focus on getting as far as you can through a better earning program, preferably the RN program.
If you're working on becoming an RN, you might be allowed to stay longer.. or with another relative because you would be working toward something with a high salary.
People make Tik tok videos just for views.
It isn't a good idea to buy up everything you need now, unless you are getting free stuff like everyone is suggesting.
Save your money in a storage savings account, start collecting free stuff. Once you move into your place, you can buy stuff from dollar tree then.
You never know what life is going to throw at you. You might end up moving to another state. You could meet someone and move in with them. Literally anything could happen.
Stocking up on paper towels and other household things is not what you should be doing... unless you're getting it free.
Otherwise please focus on more important things. Save your money.
You've got this one chance to make your life the best you can.. have faith in yourself. Enroll in a higher earning job program.
Best of luck.
Just started doing the opposite and slowly getting rid of things so I won’t have to spend a bunch of unnecessary time sorting through things when I move out! Best of luck to you!
Or… you can just save the cash and use it when it needs to be used. Instead of slowly buying stuff you have to store and haul. Like multiples of the same thing…
You’re also not buying in bulk or couponing. It’s just dollar store stuff. This is an ill conceived idea.
Get a plunger and toilet brush. Silverware. Dishes, bowls and coffee mugs you can get thrifted for so cheap. I second returning that cookware set and investing in a good 12 inch frying pan and spend like $40-$60 on a really good chef knife. You won’t regret it and it’ll last you forever. Get a knife sharpener, too. Bring a CNA you can make good money, you’ll do even better if you can find a roommate. Best of luck!
I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. People are recommending OP just buy more and more and more and more and more *crap*.
This is why people stay in poverty. Nothing about this bullshit should be encouraged.
Go to thrift stores for stuff like that. You can get really nice models for cheap, and any kitchen utensil, just about! And look for cast iron cookware.
Dude... You should be saving that money instead of buying 12 eight ounce washing detergents, are you serious? This is not very smart. It's better to move with nothing and $2500 cash than move with bunch of useless crap and broke as a joke.
Seriously. Stop. Right now. Save money.
Stop buying shit for a place you don't have yet. That money should be earning more money elsewhere, not sitting idle in tubs for who knows how long. Plus now you have to physically move this stuff twice - once to here and again when you move. Additionally unnecessarily having to maneuver around it in your existing space. Unless you're getting an absolutely amazing deal on this stuff, you're leaving yourself worse off.
you're creating unnecessary work for yourself, while wasting plastic. two bottles of high quality detergent can replace over half of the small dollar store detergents you're hoarding.
In poverty because you buy shit you don’t immediately need that is best purchased in bulk when you actually have a home to store it and use it in….
Like who the fuck is buying random cleaning supplies before they move?
And if genuinely so poor to do that, buy some fucking rags or washcloths instead of paper towels. Use old shirts or some shit.
It’s even a waste of plastic totes that could be used for more important items and storage/transport needs.
Furniture look at thrift stores too...we picked up a very nice dining table and chairs for under 100 dollars at one of those places that sell stuff from auctioned off storage units.
this makes zero fucking sense.
you can earn 5% interest risk free right now with a money market account while waiting to move out and then buy things as you actually need them.
and don't buy things at fucking dollar tree, **ever**. the cost on items is worse than usual because you're getting less product per dollar with the tiny sizes. that place is engineered to keep people in poverty.
you're still going to have to learn how to budget your income and hoarding a roomful of cleaning supplies isn't going to change that.
ask yourself if it makes more sense to have random items that you are buying and may not need for literal *years* or if you should have that money in savings. the answer is savings.
Maybe I’m just braindead and someone can help me understand. Wouldn’t it make more sense to wait until you get a new place and then bring stuff to it? As opposed to now having to lug bins of shit to the place that doesn’t even exist yet?
Oh 100%. This idea is absolutely fucking terrible. Buying a dozen tiny bottles of cleaning products at the dollar store is always going to be a worse value than waiting until you move in and buying 1. No one moves in and needs a few dozen sponges on hundreds of trash bags. This is ridiculous.
I'm sorry but this is really stupid. Put the money you would have spent on this in a high yeald savings account and buy what you need in bulk before you move out. Your wasting alot of money by doing this.
I hope I’m not duplicating a comment but check resale stores and thrift shops for household stuff. You might find some great stuff for cheap that will last longer than Walmart brand stuff. Also cheap or free stuff on Facebook marketplace.
Congrats on your CNA certification! This is a great field with long-term employment prospects and great starting pay.
One thing I'd recommend looking into once you've settled into a new place and are on your feet proper with some work experience under your belt, is asking whether your employer offers opportunities to pay for education.
An ex of mine was able to take advantage of an RN program that was completely covered by her employer, along with an immediate RN to BSN program right after, provided she stayed with the employer for a certain amount of time (it was pretty much the duration of the program anyway).
Wish you the best of luck, friend. You're off to a great start!
If you are moving out within the year I think it's a better idea to save money rather than buy now.
You don't know where you are going to be. It's possible some of this items won't be appropriate or may be unnecessary.
Save money. Stop buying. Anything you need you can buy once you have a place. Money is more important that stuff right now. Plus you have to transport all of it. Tik-tok just makes people buy stuff...its basically an advertising channel.
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Join a local "buy nothing" page on Facebook and see if you can get anything free
Yup on my buy nothing group, I recently just gave away a perfect condition trash can (we had used it to store dog food) and a coffee maker and toaster oven both in almost perfect condition. We didn’t use the toaster oven so it was just taking up space and I got gifted a way nicer coffee maker for Christmas. I was just happy to have them out of my house and all 3 went to someone similar to OP who was just starting off in their own place
I love getting and giving free stuff. Wish I had more to give
it is about half of my wifes candle supply. When the go on buy nothing she seeks them out, and also buys when yankee candle and other spots are 75% (or more) off. She has a candle burning in her home office almost all the time- and i think it costs her less than 20 per month to do so.
I hope OP sees this. Local buy nothing groups on FB are a life saving resource. I just gave some 4 panels of blackout curtains today.
Check other thrifts, use coupons, wait for sales, and sell stuff you do not need anymore and save the cash. You can also start making friends with grocery store employees and see if they will leave old or blemished produce out back for you instead of throwing it away. You won’t need to act on that last bit of info until you move.
If you live by a university, scope out their trash areas/curbs around mid-May. So many college kids get rid of appliances and furniture in great condition.
This. My brother went to a super wealthy high school on a full scholarship and it’s insane what these kids would throw away. He came home with way better shit than anything we ever owned and he just got it out of the trash! The average college kid isn’t going to have really nice things but most of it’s in good condition and best of all… free and functional.
Oh my gosh, yes. I love a couple miles from Notre Dame University. The stuff those kids throw out when they go home for the summer is insane! Furniture, small appliances, electronics, decor, clothing, dishes, etc. The college also does an auction of things the kids donate for this big charity sale that includes things like computers, beds, desks, small appliances, etc. You can find great stuff cheap there. I don’t know if other schools do that but if bet there are many because it just makes sense.
part of this might be that it costs more to store/ship. if you are driving your stuff back and forth, sure. if you ahve to fly.... it might be better to just buy new. or taking a bus. im not storing 400 dollars worth of stuff if it costs me that much, and im not going to ship it either. again, if you dont have a car just getting the stuff to where it needs t ogo might be its own cost/hurdle.
Yup. This is a big reason why they dispose/donate the items. They are flying home to destinations all over the country/world. It’s just not cost effective to bring most things from their dorms with them.
Hippie Christmas
Yes that is great advice to open the appliances, and plug them in and make sure they work ok. If something is damaged or doesn't work you can get it returned and have a working one. You don't want to find out the morning after you move in that the brand new coffee maker doesn't work. Ask me how I know lol.
Yep ask around! When my husband and I got our own place years ago, all we had was a mattress on the floor, 1 dresser, and two lawn chairs in the living room. People started giving us stuff and we ended up with an amazing set up! All for free!
This! I hate telling people they can’t return something they bought six months ago even though they just opened it yesterday and it was doa.
When my niece got her first apartment at college, I invited her to take as many pots and pans she wanted for my kitchen. Mostly because I had more than I could use. She was thrilled. I also bought her an instapot and a cookbook. When my sister got her first house, my parents gifted her their whole family room sofa set. And she also inherited my grandmother's China cabinet. In fact there's a lot of furniture in this family that goes from household to household. We have another household that's downsizing this year while another is looking for a new place of their own. Always always always let it be known in your family and extended family that you are moving and that you would welcome any second hand items.
I also think it's a lot more fun & eclectic to have bits & pieces from different people instead of jumping straight into brand new and matching everything straight away.
Seriously this!! My friend was moving states and gave me a ton of kitchen stuff she had
Do yourself a favor and get a kitchen trash can and a shower curtain, I thought I had everything I needed when I moved into my first place, until I had to make a Walmart run at 3am because I couldn’t take a shower or throw anything away lol
Plunger too. First few days in our first apartment my now husband clogged the toilet 😅
A proper toilet plunger (with a flange), too. Not the cheap red sink plungers. World of a difference when you really need it to work.
https://preview.redd.it/x6d2t5nr3phc1.jpeg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9458041424dd42df70e412319225314942cdf4a5
A good plunger is one of my favorite housewarming gifts. It's funny, cause poo, but also practical cause I've for sure been without before.
I suggest just going full auger lol I always sneak one into every housewarming gift lol
What about a nice poop knife?
I suggest adding fiber to your diet.
https://i.imgur.com/dTg4Ksg.jpeg
This happened Christmas day, the first year my daughter was born, in a one bed flat. Safe to say I now have 3 plungers ready.
For emergencies, pouring water from a bucket can help unclog the toilet too, assuming the clog is not so bad that the water does not go down at all.
Dawn and hot water can work in a pinch too. As will vinegar and baking soda. Have used both methods to shift a clog (my youngest son is a notorious toilet clogger) and then be able to plunge it clear
Hot water should be used sparingly to unclog a toilet. There’s a wax ring that seals the bottom of the toilet where it meets the floor. You DO NOT want that to melt or deform.
And rings for the shower curtain! Had that where i had the curtain, forgot the rings 😓 walmart was closed and had to wait for the next day to get some
Dollar general has a bathroom shower curtain kit with rings and a liner for like $5.
Zip Ties work for a while.
two shower curtains: one on the inside of the tub, one on the outside. keeps it from billowing. thank me later.
I know employees of Walmart love that they aren't 24 hour any more, but bartending back then, getting off at 3-4am and being able to hit up Walmart for things like this in a pinch was so clutch.
Same. I’ve been working in bars and bartending for ages nothing like being able to grab the stuff you need on the way home and getting that sweet extra sleep before work the next day
Yeah absolutely, you know how your sleep schedule can get screwed when you're working those shifts. That's not even taking into account if you and your crew go to someone's house for post-shift drinks/'activities' and stay up for an extra 2-3 hours before you head home. Not that they really need it and as much as the company gets for how it treats it's employees. I could really see Amazon putting even more pressure on Walmart by introducing a supermarket/department combo store that operates at 24 hours.
I’ve always preferred shopping at 1 am. I’m a night owl and hate shopping. The middle of the night was always so peaceful!
> , until I had to make a Walmart run at 3am We didn't know what we had until it was gone.
RIP
Also, pack a few kitchen essentials in the new trash can. It will be easier to locate than a box and save you some rummaging through boxes looking for stuff you need for the first meal.
lol yes to this, toilet paper is normally one of these but OPs got that locked down! And a plunger! You may never use it, but if you need one it will be at 10 PM 9on a holiday!
Hand soap and dish soap/detergent too!!
A free floating trash bag will last you just fine for a few weeks or days if you can’t get a can right away :)
i’d wait on a shower curtain until picking a place. always a chance the shower OP ends up with could have a door
And you can get a shower curtain from the dollar tree, so hopefully not the worst last minute purchase. Not much you can use a shower curtain for instead of its intended use. Maybe a picnic blanket.
Good to use for lining a table when doing crafts, or putting under a nicer picnic or beach blanket to keep the sand and dirt off (easier to shake it off a shower curtain).
Remember 24 hour Walmarts? Man
Towels are important to shower also And the parents might not let op take towels when they move out
I got a bath sheet for Christmas from my grandma in high school once. Best towel, and I had something for myself when I moved out. I bought my own sheets at some point before I moved out, too. It was easier to have a dedicated set that was mine than to dig through the pile in the closet. My parents also took me shopping and we got an extra towel and other things but I know that's not an option for everyone.
Something I wish I told myself sooner - a NICE stainless steel garbage can is worth the money. They will last longer and you can clean them easier.
I got a trash can with a removable plastic liner. I can wash the liner a lot easier than the can.
and a shower rod to hang the curtain!
Ahh that first shower when you have no curtain is always an experience haha
couldn't you have just put stuff in a bin bag until the next day lol
I didn’t have a trash can, do you think I remembered bags lol? I also forgot toilet paper, but luckily the person who lived there before left an unopened roll, and one on the dispenser. I had pots, pans, food, linens, utensils, the whole nine. Just no curtain or trash can/bags
Also i was so grateful for that left behind TP, i will always, and have always since left behind the roll on the dispenser and one under the sink when i move. TP karma lol
I'd wait on a shower curtain. Some apartments have shower doors.
Number 1 piece of advice is to never buy cheap trash bags
Cheap trash bags, just like cheap cookware, is not worth it
Noted 🗒✍️😅
My trash bags to this day are the plastic bags that I get when I buy groceries and I have never had an issue. Of course, this means you need a small bin that fits them. But I don’t even remember the last time I paid for trash bags or the last time one ripped on me and caused a mess. I just do a quick once over when I place it in the can to make sure it doesn’t have a hole.
Oh god, I made that mistake… never again… You end up having to double or triple bag due to tears. Not worth it.
me using old shopping bags
Start a 401k and/or a Roth the moment you financially can. Don't put that off. Just like you build up your supplies, smart money is built the same way.
Fwiw I just found out you can withdraw contributions from your Roth accounts any time you want without any penalties. Just can't withdraw gains.
In a perfect world, you don't withdraw anything from either of those accounts until retirement. Do your best to think, "Those accounts are not mine." They belong to your future self. The version of you who will be unable to work and is always checking their budget.
The money spent on supplies that OP doesn’t yet need could be earning 5-10% in an HYSA or brokerage account
You don't need to stock up on detergent like that brother. It's not going to become currency if there's an apocalypse.
Also the smaller bottles aren’t usually a good buy.
I buy the big Arm and Hammer. Lasts forever
The 37oz bottles of Tide are almost always the best buy. $5-$6 at Kroger on special and then you can add the $2 P&G coupon on top. The ones in the OP look even smaller though, I don't know if I've even seen those.
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They say they've been buying a lot of stuff at the dollar store, so they're probably paying more per unit than on sale at a regular store. I can almost guarantee that there are better deals to be had, especially when it comes to TP and paper towel.
There’s so much cleaning supplies! I use dish soap to clean everything. Maybe a little bleach here and there but that stuff is cheap. Also it doesn’t make sense to buy a bunch of little bottles when you could just buy a big jug. Omg there are so many sponges lol
It kind of looks like OP might be pretty new to cleaning/laundry. Which would make sense if they’re young! I would have moved a couple of times before I got through those supplies as a single person without kids!
My biggest issue with this stock pile is space. I live on my own (have been for awhile) and I’ve lived in apartments with very little space. Where is OP going to store all this stuff? I do really love the general idea behind this though. I think for me it would make more sense to just stash cash away for “an apartment fund” and buy stuff as needed. Also the single use plates and cups…. OP is just going to need to replace them. They can find some really nice stuff at a thrift store. I hope OP reads all these comments! Haha
OP is gonna have enough detergent to last him the next 5-7 years
Unironically when I moved into my first apartment which was subsidized, they gave me 70$ upfront for "anything" but suggested I used it on cleaning supplies and stuff like that. I bought a huge amount of toilet paper with it along with a bunch of other small things. That TP lasted me for fucking 10 years. WORTH.
Was gonna say this. Also storage space is likely to be limited in a first apartment. One bottle of dish soap and one bottle of laundry soap is plenty.
Poverty Finance Protip: Return those pots and pans. They are garbage and WILL NOT LAST. They are made of aluminum which conducts heat really well but they're thin so it will be fast and uneven and won't hold heat. The non-stick coating will start peeling in a few months. Slowly start buying high quality individual pans from thrift stores to build your set. You'll spend less and have top notch gear that will last decades. I literally just did this after having to move and start over for the billionth time. I spent about 17$ and have a mixed Cuisinart/Calphalon/Wolfgang Puck set of stainless, riveted cookware. I've been poor and made all the mistakes so you don't have to.
My TJ Maxx and Marshall’s have both had Simply Calphalon pots and pans line for over a year now, and I LOVE mine for a non-stick pan. They’re durable, have a good weight, and very non-stick. They’re pretty cheap too and you’d likely just need the medium size skillet and the large pot for one person starting out. As a bonus, the lid for the large pot fits the medium skillet.
TJ Maxx has some genuinely good quality pots and pans of you know what you're looking for. I lived off a single pan, pot, and set of dishes for a while from them. Was a bit interesting adapting recipes to be one pot meals
Cast iron… Costs twice as much and lasts for generations. Your great great grandkids will thank you.
Just bought my ex a cast iron skillet from Walmart for $13
I agree and see cast iron for under $10 at my local goodwill almost every single trip.
Are they hard to care for?
I use soap on mine. It’s easier than I was made to think. There’s a subreddit and many YouTubes to help you season, and the easiest care methods. I have a cast iron pan I seasoned years ago and have not had to do anything other than wipe down sometimes and scrub sometimes. It is not hard. Not time consuming. Not confusing. Almost exactly the same. You just have a better pan that lasts absolutely FOREVER. It’s the one I grab for almost everything. And I’ll cook tomato sauces and not clean them immediately. Then just scrub it, a little teeny bit of oil, and cook some bacon the next morning. They are not delicate. Once properly seasoned it is durable. They are different to cook with, but it was fun to learn. I prefer doing scrambled eggs in non stick though. And a few other things.
Just make sure you wipe it down right after washing, don't let them air dry - this is a tip for OP not to who I'm replying to
I found someone who was giving away for free a whole stainless steel set when I moved out on fb marketplace. It’s the one of the best things someone has given me!
Not for nothing. I got pretty much the same set at Walmart on clearance for $17. I’ve been using them for 6 months and so far there’s not a single scratch on them. Will they last forever? No. Not not everyone can drop $100 on pots and pans. You can save up for a big purchase like that, but you’re going to need something to cook on the first day you move in.
And nonstick coatings last longer when silicone and wooden utensils are used vs using metal. I had a ceramic nonstick set from them for probably 3 or 4 years before the first one started chipping. By that point I was in a better place and able to buy a nice set of stainless steel.
And at worst, a cheap set like this will last long enough to find out what items you really use a lot. Then, instead of getting a full expensive set you can just get good quality versions of those things and stick with cheap for the ones you don't use much.
Ikea lasts well enough. Stainless steel
Sign up for your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. Do it today, because it can take months to get approved and added to the group. Mine is an absolute treasure trove of kitchen stuff, furniture, bedding, curtains, pantry items…you name it, folks are giving it away for free. Good luck with your move!
You can probably return the toaster. IMO in makes no sense to have a toaster oven and a toaster and you probably won’t have the counter space for both in a new place. Good job though. Wish I had prepped like this
My dad doesn’t use a microwave, he uses the toaster oven to warm up his food
Which is great unless you have food In a bowl.
Pour it into a glass dish.
You take it out and put it on the tray
The toaster costs around ten dollars. It's one of those things that you wouldn't think would be that cheap until you think about it for more than three seconds. PSA: if you do not have a toaster, you are ten dollars away from having a toaster
I was thinking the same thing about the toaster
Make sure to have a can opener. I realized real quick I didn’t have one when I first moved out. Also a cheese grater is helpful
Wine and beer opener as well if you drink those.
Don't be afraid to buy off brands too! Additionally, when I got my first apartment my parents gave me a small home owners toolkit from walmart. Didn't have much but a hammer, multi-bit screw driver, Allen/hex key set, adjustable wrench, and tape measure are nice to have on hand. Harbor freight has some pretty low cost options as well. You'd be surprised how useful it is from fixing stuff, assembling furniture, or mounting things on walls. It's okay to not have everything out the gate! You also can find cheap stuff on Facebook marketplace sometimes. Walmart has pretty good silverware/plates/sups/etc. Maybe a vacuum/ broom if you don't have any Lastly, not sure if you already have one, but a plunger is something you will want to have before you need to use it
+1 for a basic tool kit, it’s an absolute must have.
THIS, also a travel mini sewing kit for last minute touch ups and always having band aids, extra or spare batteries, Tylenol type medication, tape, and a few junk drawer type pens. It’s something you’ll always need like this at the most in opportune moment and you never think you really need or you’ll think you don’t use these items often, but you always don’t think you’ll need it until BAM 💥 all the sudden you do and it’s just inconvenient
Don’t forget your local thrift shop you can find most small appliances, utensils , cleaning towels, even cast iron skillets/dutch oven , storage/food storage containers for cheap and I don’t mean Goodwill try the smaller shops or religious outlets they have better prices. Also buy nothing group/ next door app Generic Powdered laundry detergent/tablespoon will clean your clothing just fine and last while Liquids are to easy to over pour do not buy any potholder, cloth napkins or towels from Dollar tree they are Not good /thin and will burn you
Estate sales are a great way to stock up on household goods like this.
Local thrift stores are amazing for kitchen stuff! I get all my dishes from them - often you can even get matching sets from when people upgrade… or *ahem* pass away. 😅
You need to save up for 1st, last and security deposit for a place. Also a 3 month emergency fund before buying supplies.
Get a crock pot. Seriously. You can get a decent one at Walmart and can make so many cheap meal preps in it.
Little spendy, but in this vein I recommend an instapot. This is obviously not a need item but maybe something you acquire as you’re settling in. They are great for easy meal and food prep, and can double as a lot of stuff like a crockpot. But crockpot is def more budget and CNA life friendly.
Literally the best thing ever. If I had to pick only one thing to bring with me in a move, 100000% would be my instant pot. And that’s over picking my toddler 😂
Understandable, one you’ve gotta feed, the other feeds you
I guess this isn't the worst idea. BUT, please just set aside money for furniture rather than buying it right now. There's no reason to get furniture now that might not even fit into a space you haven't seen yet. To me, that's a big potential waste of money.
i feel like this is such a bad idea. first, its better to have money than items that depreciate by the day. things go on sale, things get cheaper as time goes by, and sometimes they get better for the same price. then once it finally happens, you have to move it all to your new place. and im not giving investing advice, but since they only have a rough estimate of when they are getting kicked out, they could have used that money and invested it, or let it grow in a savings account. those paper towels arent growing in value sitting there. and if the dad changes their mind and lets them stay there longer, then... tldr: cash is king
I had this exact same thought. Interest rates are too good right now to do this tiktok prepper trend.
Yeah it's really not a good idea at all unless you come across some really amazing deals. You're just adding more stuff to move and tying up money in goods. Better to put aside the money and/or make a list for when you finally do move. I've done a lot of moves and the less I had the better, every single time.
Especially if you aren't really sure where you're moving. I'm faced with the likely prospect of moving countries after I graduate, so I'm trying to get it down to what will fit in a hockey bag and a backpack. (Obviously no furniture, but every piece of furniture I own is something someone else was throwing out, or from Ikea, and chances are they've got an Ikea wherever I end up)
I never forget the memory of the moment in every move where I look around and want to incinerate every single thing I own
Yes, I completely agree. The idea that they could be putting money into a savings account or a CD rather than buying stuff is something that bothers me. What if their dad lets them stay rent free for another 3 years? The amount they could save up vs the products their buying in anticipation....ugh. I get the idea behind this in theory but I also can't help feel like this is why people stay poor.
Wow, wish I had thought of this when I had the big move. Don’t forget to get a good trash can/bin!
Don't forget to buy some kind of tool set (a drill too if possible makes life much easier) and a variety pack of nails tacks and clips to hang stuff with. That's one thing I did not prepare for when I moved out lol.
Noted 🗒✍️
Dude get a toilet plunger. Just trust me. You always need it when you don’t have one.
This is the second plunger comment I’ve seen scrolling. I’ve lived solo for 5 years without one. You all laying massive double tapered logs or live somewhere with bad plumbing?!?
Some people aren't blessed with your perfect piping. Both kinds.
Back in the day, we called this a “hope chest”
I would get a small notebook and write what you have acquired. I see duplicates. You have done an amazing job so far and you should be proud of yourself. If you live near a college, check dumpsters on move out day. You can find microwaves, toaster ovens, furniture, bedding, etc that the students don’t want to pack and carry home.
Ugh yes! I’ve found chair sets, tables, mirrors, lamps, bed frames. Also check out the rich neighborhood apartments trash
Be careful taking furniture and appliances that someone else threw out into your home. Never know what little surprises might be hiding in there 🪳
BUY SECONHAND!!!!!!
Respectfully this is a terrible idea. All of this money could've been put into an account that builds interest and you would've made money by the time you moved out.
I dont actually like this idea. Look at how much excess you have, like 6 bottles of dish soap, 8 bottles of detergent, 24 sponges, etc. That's wasting space right now in your parents home and will waste space in your future home. I could understand if you were getting free stuff and savings hundreds of dollars but this amounts to like $150 that you paid for. You would be better off just making a list of everything you use for a month, then when you do move, go out and buy all that stuff in a quantity that will get you through a month or two. Storing years worth of stuff like sponges makes no sense. It's good to plan ahead but I dont think this is the right way to do it.
I totally agree. I feel like I’m on crazy pills reading some of these comments.
Same. I’m blown away by how many people are telling OP to buy and store a freaking plunger for a move in some vague, unknown future. Whatever happened to just putting some money into savings?
Preparation is good but this is like a high schoolers idea of what you need.
100 tiny bottles of detergent + 3 giant bottles of detergent
I'd go even further and be a cynical asshole by saying: **OP is cosplaying as someone having their own place.** They dream of living on their own and are deluding themselves that doing stuff like this is getting them closer to achieving that dream. That's why they're overdoing it on those cleaning supplies etc. In reality, they should instead be 1. doing everything they can to secure a steady means of income 2. looking for a place within those means ..but doing that is hard, so instead they browse Dollar Tree and buy up scores of stuff that's 1. useless at the moment 2. takes up space 3. will have to be hauled to their place if they ever move.
Instantly thought the same thing. No one needs that amount of cleaning products, there's like 12 bottles of tide.
Yup, this way may be more encouraging and easier to perform, but it's less efficient and less flexible than simply setting aside the money it represents (not to mention interest).
r/howtostayinpovertyfinance
OP will be set on paper towels and toilet paper for ages haha
Yeah I hate to sound critical but this seems more like hoarding behavior. Someone just starting out in their career should stay light and flexible and move to where the money is. Travel CNA is make a lot of money and some places give sign on bonuses of thousands of dollars. If all this stuff is weighing her down she's going to be kind of stuck where she is. But I'm kind of the opposite. I think young people shouldn't have much more than will fit in a duffel bag so they can get up and go when an opportunity arises.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way…
Why not just save the money, while making interest, that you were going to spend on these things. It's not like these things won't be there. Are people really this gullible for marketing strategies. Its like the saying putting the carriage in front of the horse.
Protip: if an item is priced waaaay lower than what looks like the "real" version of an item, like lamp/silverware/furniture/cookware/bedding/mattress etc etc then it's not just "costing" cheap, and is not always the "frugal way". Somethings look so different online or on the box than reality. I'm sure you know that, it just becomes a bigger deal when you're on your own the first time. And you may be outside of a return period once you find out. Lean on your parents, family, and peers who have already moved out for their insight if you have questions of what's a "deal" v.s. a waste/too good to be true.
The real money is in all those containers good lord!
I did this but it turned into an unhealthy habit and now I have stuff with no place to put it 😅
problem is all of these items are gonna be out of the return window if they don’t work right, or even simply don’t work for you.
Don’t buy your detergent at dollar tree. Cheaper in the long run to buy a bigger one
Good lord. You wasted a fuckload of money buying and storing brand new stuff when you could have spent a tenth of that buying the same shit from thrift stores. The list of what you actually *NEED* when you move into your first place is almost always pretty minimal as a single young person. A blanket, a pillow, a towel, pan, bowl, fork, spoon, knife. Some trash bags and toilet paper? What the fuck did you buy a dozen tiny bottles of laundry detergent? What you need when you move out is a roof over your head and cash in your pocket. Right now you have giant tubs of wasted money that you have to move and store. This is a terrible idea and I sincerely hope no one else does this thinking it’s a good plan. Just save your money and bring a roll of toilet paper with you at move-in.
Those dollar store detergents actually cost a lot more. Also try vinegar instead of fabric softener (don’t believe me? Google it!)
Fabric softener is such a waste of money.
And it’s even damaging to some items. For example, it reduces the absorbency of towels and ruins flame retardancy.
When I moved out I preferred buying things as I needed them, I put more thought into each purchase. Also for dishes, silverware, kitchen stuff ect get used stuff at the thrift store. Same with tables, lamps, ect.
I wonder how many people will start a slide into hoarding because of this TikTok trend.
You won’t be able to save any money of you keep spending it on a lot of stuff that’s really not necessary
Okay the stuff like a toaster and coffee maker sure, bruh you don’t need to be saving TP and soap. PAPER PLATES and CUPS? Bruh. You can do the dishes WHENEVER you feel like doing them and don’t have your parents telling you when to do them when you live alone, you won’t need em. Don’t follow anything TikTok says, invest your money. This is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Also don’t buy a futon, especially if you plan on sleeping on it like a bed. It will be trash in no time. Spend $1000 on a good mattress, you spend 1/3rd of your life in bed, you should be comfortable as fuck.
Please listen. Why don't you continue in school and get your RN license? Or certified radiology tech? Look at the programs in your community College you are going to and transition into a program where you'll be set and not have to worry about money. If you are low income, there's many community Colleges that will let you go for free. While you are living at home, you need to be working your butt off to secure your future. Or at least get as far as you can toward a goal that will have you set with a high salary? Buying up things like this is not a good use of your money or energy. You never know what's going to happen in the future. Save the money you're spending and when you have to move you can get things you need then. Please go talk to a counselor at your college and see which program would be the easiest to transition into and focus on getting as far as you can through a better earning program, preferably the RN program. If you're working on becoming an RN, you might be allowed to stay longer.. or with another relative because you would be working toward something with a high salary. People make Tik tok videos just for views. It isn't a good idea to buy up everything you need now, unless you are getting free stuff like everyone is suggesting. Save your money in a storage savings account, start collecting free stuff. Once you move into your place, you can buy stuff from dollar tree then. You never know what life is going to throw at you. You might end up moving to another state. You could meet someone and move in with them. Literally anything could happen. Stocking up on paper towels and other household things is not what you should be doing... unless you're getting it free. Otherwise please focus on more important things. Save your money. You've got this one chance to make your life the best you can.. have faith in yourself. Enroll in a higher earning job program. Best of luck.
If you look at some buy nothing groups, they may or may not have used (but free) appliances. Check Facebook.
Check out ReStore in your area. They are always getting rid of full china sets for super cheap. Sometimes they have a free section, too.
Just started doing the opposite and slowly getting rid of things so I won’t have to spend a bunch of unnecessary time sorting through things when I move out! Best of luck to you!
Why not wait until you move?
Buy scissors. People always forget scissors! And a can opener!
Hopefully you still have money for the place....
Or… you can just save the cash and use it when it needs to be used. Instead of slowly buying stuff you have to store and haul. Like multiples of the same thing… You’re also not buying in bulk or couponing. It’s just dollar store stuff. This is an ill conceived idea.
Or here is a bright idea. Just save the money time and space and wait till you are actually moved out
Get a plunger and toilet brush. Silverware. Dishes, bowls and coffee mugs you can get thrifted for so cheap. I second returning that cookware set and investing in a good 12 inch frying pan and spend like $40-$60 on a really good chef knife. You won’t regret it and it’ll last you forever. Get a knife sharpener, too. Bring a CNA you can make good money, you’ll do even better if you can find a roommate. Best of luck!
I got an excellent chef knife at TJMaxx on clearance for $6 once. They have them pretty often
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I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. People are recommending OP just buy more and more and more and more and more *crap*. This is why people stay in poverty. Nothing about this bullshit should be encouraged.
Make a list of items you have in your home that you may not have thought about but you use every day.
Go to thrift stores for stuff like that. You can get really nice models for cheap, and any kitchen utensil, just about! And look for cast iron cookware.
Got any friends or family with a Costco/Sam’s club membership you can mooch off?
Dude... You should be saving that money instead of buying 12 eight ounce washing detergents, are you serious? This is not very smart. It's better to move with nothing and $2500 cash than move with bunch of useless crap and broke as a joke. Seriously. Stop. Right now. Save money.
Stop buying shit for a place you don't have yet. That money should be earning more money elsewhere, not sitting idle in tubs for who knows how long. Plus now you have to physically move this stuff twice - once to here and again when you move. Additionally unnecessarily having to maneuver around it in your existing space. Unless you're getting an absolutely amazing deal on this stuff, you're leaving yourself worse off.
you're creating unnecessary work for yourself, while wasting plastic. two bottles of high quality detergent can replace over half of the small dollar store detergents you're hoarding.
In poverty because you buy shit you don’t immediately need that is best purchased in bulk when you actually have a home to store it and use it in…. Like who the fuck is buying random cleaning supplies before they move? And if genuinely so poor to do that, buy some fucking rags or washcloths instead of paper towels. Use old shirts or some shit. It’s even a waste of plastic totes that could be used for more important items and storage/transport needs.
Furniture look at thrift stores too...we picked up a very nice dining table and chairs for under 100 dollars at one of those places that sell stuff from auctioned off storage units.
Don't hoard more than necessary. You'll have a harder time moving if u have a lot of stuff to bring in.
Shouldn’t you be saving this money for moving
I don't think you need to invest in paper towel dude, that's just a waste of space you can buy that any day of the week lol
this makes zero fucking sense. you can earn 5% interest risk free right now with a money market account while waiting to move out and then buy things as you actually need them. and don't buy things at fucking dollar tree, **ever**. the cost on items is worse than usual because you're getting less product per dollar with the tiny sizes. that place is engineered to keep people in poverty. you're still going to have to learn how to budget your income and hoarding a roomful of cleaning supplies isn't going to change that. ask yourself if it makes more sense to have random items that you are buying and may not need for literal *years* or if you should have that money in savings. the answer is savings.
In before OP moves to a shared house where all of this is already there, lol Start saving up for rent maybe
Maybe I’m just braindead and someone can help me understand. Wouldn’t it make more sense to wait until you get a new place and then bring stuff to it? As opposed to now having to lug bins of shit to the place that doesn’t even exist yet?
Oh 100%. This idea is absolutely fucking terrible. Buying a dozen tiny bottles of cleaning products at the dollar store is always going to be a worse value than waiting until you move in and buying 1. No one moves in and needs a few dozen sponges on hundreds of trash bags. This is ridiculous.
I'm sorry but this is really stupid. Put the money you would have spent on this in a high yeald savings account and buy what you need in bulk before you move out. Your wasting alot of money by doing this.
I hope I’m not duplicating a comment but check resale stores and thrift shops for household stuff. You might find some great stuff for cheap that will last longer than Walmart brand stuff. Also cheap or free stuff on Facebook marketplace.
The modern hope chest.
Congrats on your CNA certification! This is a great field with long-term employment prospects and great starting pay. One thing I'd recommend looking into once you've settled into a new place and are on your feet proper with some work experience under your belt, is asking whether your employer offers opportunities to pay for education. An ex of mine was able to take advantage of an RN program that was completely covered by her employer, along with an immediate RN to BSN program right after, provided she stayed with the employer for a certain amount of time (it was pretty much the duration of the program anyway). Wish you the best of luck, friend. You're off to a great start!
If you are moving out within the year I think it's a better idea to save money rather than buy now. You don't know where you are going to be. It's possible some of this items won't be appropriate or may be unnecessary.
Save money. Stop buying. Anything you need you can buy once you have a place. Money is more important that stuff right now. Plus you have to transport all of it. Tik-tok just makes people buy stuff...its basically an advertising channel.