Starting out

[Cake]

My brother is finally getting out on his own this weekend, but no body gets out alone, and I am my brother's keeper. So, in an effort to make him ready, to be alone, I hope to buy him some essentials that I didn't think about until I needed them when I first started living alone. On the list of things to buy is: toiler paper, cleaners, paper towels, broom, mop, and plunger. Anything you guys can add to the list would be fantastic. Thanks!

[Annchan]

One thing I did when I moved to another city (so in other words, didn't bring anything I can re-acquire at the destination) was hit the dollar store. You will just walk through and see things that he needs.

I know this item is a little more expensive but what about a vacuum? is he moving somewhere totally alone or will he be having room mates or at a school. that would help.

Some other things he might need are cutlery, dishes, can opener, pots and pans (One frying pan, one large pot and one small one is all he needs unless he is a chef). these things you can get cheap at second hand stores.

I'll think of more

[Annchan]

what about those scrubbies for washing dishes and some dish soap?

[Annchan]

a picture of you shaking your finger at him, framed.
Picture would be from his pov... you get it? keep him in line!

[InsaneFool]

Febreze or some other equivalent odor remover.

[Annchan]

what about fabric softener sheets? change for the machine. laundry detergent?


I think Annchan has a lot of awesome ideas! she should post moer

[InsaneFool]

Ideas awesome enough to justify 3rd person self-reference? InsaneFool thinks not.

[Annchan]

It does justify 4 posts though.

[Cake]

Good thinking, Ann. I'll hit up the dollar store. And I'm pretty sure I can get him a cheap vacuum for $35. I'm also goign to give him my love seat, and toaster oven. I neglected to buy a microwave when I first moved out on my own, and discovered life without being able to heat things is miserable. The toaster oven (my momma gave it to me when she learnt of the microwave situation) got me through 3 months of not having a microwave. You never know what you're missing until you don't have it.

[masamune]

hot food is pretty good stuff.
i think you've covered most bases here. you don't want to go overboard or he'll never learn the lessons we all had to.
perhaps get him some noodles for those desperate times.
oh, maybe some basic medicines/bandages. definitely something you don't think about until you're bleeding over the sink.
just don't get him a dog ...

[InsaneFool]

Going to a place like Costco or Sam's Club you can get a huge box of Mr. Noodles for like $30...I got mine like 4 years ago and still have them sitting around...mostly because I don't like Mr. Noodle anymore.

[Annchan]

When I moved out my dad got me a toaster oven too. they really are awesome for bachelor living. I haven't used a microwave in my own home in about 3 years, they wern't common in Japan and so living a year without one got me used to it too (no toaster oven here either, I just use the real oven now)

[2stepz]

The things I always forget when I move:

Shower curtains (and rings)
Plunger/toilet bowl cleaner
Spray bleach
Towels (my preferred graduation gift for the college bound)
Trashcans
3M wall hook things
Duster-wand things (for those of us with allergies)
Soaps: (Hand, Dish, Laundry, shower, etc)
Lightbulbs
Step ladder to get to the dang smoke detectors
Extra batteries for said detectors
Cheap plastic cups (great for breakfast cereal on the go)

[korri]

ok, the thing i always need, some kinda first aid kit... you know bandaids and stuff, also throw in painkillers, antacids, and allergy meds... it helps A LOT

[Annchan]

Oh yeah... shower curtain... duhh! I totally forgot that one

[CyberTractor]

Shampoo and soap/body wash always helps. I forgot to buy that, and went about a week without my own stuff (had to borrow other people's).

That sucked.


Toothpaste.
Rice cooker (lots of things you can make in there, like bread).
Plates, cups, silverware.
Plastic storage things for foods.
Clothespins (or an equivalent thing) for bags of chips or cereal.
Clothes hangers.
Spatula.
Trashbags/can.

[Dutch guy]

If he likes cooking somewhat (even a little) a good set of knives is also really handy. (The knifes in the flat I live in are all so dull you could bludgeon someone to death with the blade without a single cut) Basically just a good Chefs knife, a meat knife (Not a meatcleaver, those are useless) and a small handy knife for skinning your apples and potatoes and stuff.

[tamaness]

Things I always forget to get:

Trash bags
toilet paper
razor blades
laundry detergent
medication for allergies, bug bites, indigestion, headaches, etc...
Dust rags

I don't know about the rest of you, but i'm always in need of more bookshelves.

[huddlehouseninja]

Aluminum foil. Trust me. You don't think about it till you need it.

[InsaneFool]

Slow Cooker/Crock Pot?

[Annchan]

what do you need foil for? really.
I find you need it for some recipes but it is fairly useless.
Unless you are making a bong/pipe out of something unusual and want a makeshift screen. like out of an apple or something.

[Sable]

what do you need foil for? really.
I find you need it for some recipes but it is fairly useless.
Unless you are making a bong/pipe out of something unusual and want a makeshift screen. like out of an apple or something.

I use tinfoil for making roasted garlic. You peel the garlic, toss a handful of cloves into a square of tinfoil, drizzle a bit of olive oil over the cloves, twist the whole thing up into a little packet and roast for about 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

It's also invaluable for making juicy ham and turkey.

[InsaneFool]

Unless you are making a bong/pipe out of something unusual and want a makeshift screen. like out of an apple or something.

Empty pop-bottles are my preference.

[huddlehouseninja]

what do you need foil for? really.
I find you need it for some recipes but it is fairly useless.
Unless you are making a bong/pipe out of something unusual and want a makeshift screen. like out of an apple or something.

My point here is that you never know.. Recipes, bongs, covering up leftovers, guarding your thoughts from alien invaders. It's essential.

Aluminum foil. It's cheap. It's useful. It's shiny.

(paid for by the National Aluminum Foil Fans of America.)

[InsaneFool]

I'm Lyndon LaRouche, and I approve this message.