The last several weeks I have spent countless hours searching on line for the items we might need in our boat. We are not talking the necessities like communications and safety items. We are talking the small items of every day use like dishes, pots and pans, utensils. Galley items.
I have taken the last several years and slowly gotten rid of all the unnecessary items we had cluttering up our lives. As the kids grew up we encourage them to hand over their unused toys, clothes, and other items that no longer provided them with joy. I’ve put in so much effort and energy into not buying every new shiny thing, I like new and shiny, that the idea of buying new shiny things is actually over whelming.
Space is tight and valuable. I don’t want to fill it with unnecessary items. I don’t want to be packed in so tight that we cant open drawers or close them. But I also don’t want to go and realize we haven’t got a can opener!
During the online search I found a ton of information on what items are needed. What materials are best. What you should and shouldn’t do. But at the end of the day I would run across this same idea. “It’s your home. Make it such”.
After the frustration of looking at all these fancy items. Most of which I haven’t used, ever. That makes it even more difficult to spend money on them as the price range can swing from one end to the other for the same item. I decided to go take a look around at the local home goods stores. There I could at least look, touch, throw the items around a little. While no ones looking of course. Don’t worry I didn’t break anything.
I have to admit…I started getting caught up in the thought that every little item was useful. Especially if it said stainless steal and it was mini. Everything was so pretty and new. I started loading my tiny cart with some of these novelties. After about 3 – 4 items it occurred to me what was happening. Some one tell me how useful is a miniature can opener? Really?
I put it all back and took a different look. Why was this so difficult. The mission here was to find items we needed to make a meal. Get an idea of the quality of said items. Purchase said items and fill the boat. All the while being frugal with money. Also, this is your home. Buy only what YOU need and what YOU will use.
So the 15 dollar mini stainless steal can opener went back and was replaced with the regular stainless steal can opener like the one I had at home. Five bucks. Ok, this is better. Now on to knives. I read the pros and cons to ceramic, steal, and others. Some love them and some hate them. Everyone has their favorite. Wait a minute Jes, What is your favorite? Yep that one knife no one else uses at home. Why couldn’t I just take that one? Mr Coffee, how can I leave you behind? Hope your not a power hog.
It is over whelming for me to spend money? I have become a money hoarder! I believe I will re think this list of ours. Do an inventory of what I have at home that doesn’t need to be left behind and fill in the blanks.
Still open to ideas if you would like to leave a comment. It’s not just the spending money that’s overwhelming. It’s the unknown. What will I really be cooking? What would I really miss if I didn’t have it? I know that I’ll need more than a spatula, can opener, and bottle opener. But I’m sure I wont need a pack of 12 stir sticks.
Chill your ass down and breath
Jes