Independence Day 2: More Tips To Making The Move

Image by The Journey

We pick up where we left off regarding our cheat sheet to moving out of one's childhood home.

We've discussed choosing a home, food and how to move out. Now we discuss refining your newfound independent life.

4. Filling up your new home, a.k.a. "More Stuff. Most of the residences in Manila come without furnishings. You'll have to provide for everything (In Boracay, it's a different story. Will tell you about it in a later post). Some places may provide a bed and a mattress, others just a bed frame, others, nothing at all. So prepare to invest in the basics. If you resolve to not live on fastfood and carinderia food, here's a good checklist:

• Rice Cooker
• Gasulito or Multi-Cooker
• Heater
• Two tables: one for working from home, the other for the kitchen
• A makeshift, portable cabinet, like those from Orocan or the collapsible ones
• Water supply. Check if there are mineral water refilling stations nearby. It saves you more than when you buy mineral water tanks off the groceries. Check a refilling station's tests and ratings whenever you choose one. Also observe how they refill your water. Not all water refilling stations are safe and hygienic.
• Cups, mugs, plates, spoons and forks, a knife and a chopping board. Choose multipurpose vessels. If you could live with rice bowls instead of flat plates, better. Mugs are very important, especially for oatmeal aficionados, hot cocoa, milk, tea and coffee drinkers.
• Plastic chests. See those ubiquitous plastic chests to stuff things in? They are very versatile and useful. You can stack them and make them your makeshift tables, nightstands and places to put your knicknacks on.
• Laundry bag or basket. You could turn a regular bag into your laundry basket. That way, it'd be easy to deposit at the laundry shop you'll be having your laundry done. Plus, it saves space.

Note on the multicooker/gasulito suggestions: you can choose either one, depending on your priorities. Gasulito tanks are filled with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), so there's still a risk of mishaps resulting from the use of this appliance. On the other hand, a multicooker serves the same purpose, but would eat up more electricity.

We didn't include an oven toaster, a microwave or an osterizer in the list; these things are honestly not needs, and a newly-independent yuppie can definitely live without these. The most crucial are what we included in the list.

There are other things you may need over time, but if you don't own the place yet, live as if you're going to move 5 months down the line. Life changes may happen, work situations may change, disagreements with landlords may ensue, or you may want to move closer to work, closer to family, or to a better location. You have to choose things that are dual to multi-purpose and always live light. The less stuff you accumulate, the less you'd have to transport, sell or otherwise worry when you have to move.

Hope we've helped you with our basic checklist!