Did you ever have a glory box? A box filled with household items collected over the years to help when moving out of home. Items gifted by well-meaning aunties and practical Nana’s stashed full of dinner sets, towels and crystal glasses collected on sale. Yeah, me neither. I wanted one, envied my mates who had one and dreamed about what I might include in mine for when I ran away from moved out of home. Instead I winged it and when I did leave home at the age of seventeen I had a papasan chair and not much else. Priorities in check! These days I have a grown up lounge but secretly long for a papasan chair.
I had to collect items that I never knew I needed like a hot water bottle, ceramic balls for baking pastry and those net covers for platters to keep the flies off when entertaining.
My point is what the heck do we even need when moving out of home???
Well the number one son moved out of home and to Melbourne last year, when he moved interstate he did it on his own…all of it. Thankfully he was moving in with mates who were established so didn’t really need to think of too much. He did however have more than a papasan chair! Raised him right!
When moving out of home gets real.
Fast forward six months, a move back into home with us for a few weeks and this week moved out of home… again. He and a mate are starting from scratch, so I figured I would get my ‘Mum’ on and give him a hand. Oh sure, he groaned and eye-rolled hard when he saw my baskets of goods but the next morning he gave me a big hug because he hadn’t even thought of any of the items I picked up from him.
Look, I didn’t go all out, just a quick trip to Kmart and Coles for some essentials. I didn’t spend a lot of cash, didn’t even buy the fancy brands. I thought about it, even reached for my favourite (and more expensive) brands but reminded myself of a couple of things.
- He’s a boy, he doesn’t care
- Let him work out what cleaners and tissues are shit and allow him to decide if he wants to spend his earned dollars on upgrading to a higher quality product. Pretty sure he will revert back to point one.
The exercise was more about purchasing some essentials that he may not realise are essential, and when they are used up and gone he will know to replace them. I know, I’m an ace and caring Mum!
So exactly what did I purchase? I filled one washing basket For clean washing) and one large laundry basket (for dirty clothes) with these items, handy for transporting to the new joint PLUS useful.
Here’s what I picked up at Kmart, so cheap but does the job.
.bucket
.pegs
.round peg hanger
.dustpan and brush, no broom, I figure he can sweep floor with dustpan brush for a while, which might mean forever.
.scrubbing brush
.chux cloths
.storage trays
.dish drainer
.sink caddy
.pack of teatowels
.quality storage containers (for pantry or fridge)
.cheap containers for leftovers
.silicone utensils (on sale at spotlight)
This whole lot came to around seventy dollars including baskets.
Then it was off to Coles for a few things…
.Toilet paper, I figure this pack might last him two days (he will soon learn how much he ‘really’ uses), on sale too!
.dishwashing liquid, no the new place does not have a dishwasher.
.febreeze because boys stink
.alfoil, cling wrap and baking paper
.sandwich bags
.liquid soap hand-wash for bathroom and kitchen sinks
.body soap wash so he doesn’t use the hand-wash for the kitchen and bathroom sinks in the shower
.double adapter
.tissues
.paper towel for spills
.sponges
.garbage bags
.air freshener…because boys stink
.bench cleaner spray and shower cleaner spray
.cotton and needles for mending
.bandaids
a grand total of $66.40
I will disclose that I also took a trip to IKEA yesterday and added a little to the list…
.A couple of sharp knives for the kitchen
.chopping boards
.paper napkins
.towels/hand-towel/floor mat/face washer
.small bin for bathroom
.front door mat
.a glass bottle for water to pop into the fridge
.those plastic clip thingys for sealing off half eaten bags of food.
What about the bigger stuff when moving out of home?
The boys went out on the weekend to SAVERS and picked up a lounge for the grand total of seven dollars!!! It’s a bit icky, but they are boys and plan to collect a few cheap arse lounges and move the crappier ones to the shed or backyard. They also purchased crockery, cutlery and a few other useful pieces like a beer stein bigger than his head!
Kids moving out means we can get rid of some shit pieces we no longer use and save a few dollars on a skip bin. We have a TV unit, a wardrobe, mattress, shelving unit, lamps, dining chairs and assorted other bits and pieces to give them, no boomerang on these items though as we want them gone…forever!
Don’t forget stores like IKEA, Fantastic Furniture, Kmart and AMART, some of these places do ridiculously cheap bundle packages on new household items. For white goods and small electrical items look first at outlet stores, Harvey Norman has a good one…then hit up Kmart and The Good Guys.
What does he need now?
Well firstly he needs to listen to his Mumma and get the utilities connected, he still hasn’t done the gas and they moved yesterday so it’s cold showers for now. Then he is on the hunt for a second hand fridge, dining table and washing machine, I have told him sometimes it pays to purchase new and to buy a ‘new washer’ as they really aren’t that expensive and he can save dollars when the water bill comes in. Pretty sure he will be back to wash clothes at our place for a while.
I’m not really sure what else he needs and do you know what…I don’t really care. I say that with love, because he will be twenty three in a few weeks and in my books this is all part of the experience. He is learning, living it and he will be fine. In fact, because I raised him I know he will be more than fine. He will go on to purchase some fancier items when funds permit, inclination strikes or a girlfriend comes on the scene.
Mumming never ends
He will look back on his seven dollar lounge with fond memories (and a sense of pride) the same way I remember my papasan chair. In time he will appreciate new or more expensive things more because he didn’t start off with everything shiny and brand new. He will have a sense of accomplishment, which we all know makes us feel proud and value life and all it brings just that little bit more.
For a minute I did want to give him an IKEA voucher or a wad of cash to make this next step of his life easier, but then I realised that not only would he NOT want that but I would be robbing him of a righteous experience, a path we all need to walk to feel greater appreciation.
And that right there is a great Mumming moment and lesson.
I wonder if I will get an invite for dinner or scones on a Sunday afternoon? One thing I do know is both our boys can cook so while I may avoid the seven dollar lounge I will eat the food they offer me 🙂
What did your place look like when you first moved out of home? Got any tips for kids or parents navigating this next step in life?
Til next time,
Jen x
When I was married we built our first home. Our dining room table was a outdoor setting plastic our lounge was a hand me down from the inlaw and so was the carpet they pulled up there’s and we put it down on our floors. You know what it didn’t worry me it was my home and that’s where the heart is… Fast forward 22 years and we are in our new home 2 years now and I have nicer furniture, new bedroom suite. It doesn’t happen over night but it does happen!!!!
Mikayla’s move out gift was literally what you’ve photographed 😂 A pretty green dustpan and broom, matching pegs, tea towels, batteries, super glue etc, etc, etc!!!! I love Kmart ! Great mumming all round 😍
It’s so good to have gratitude for what we have when starting out Jane and it really makes us value and appreciate the new stuff x
My 23 year old son moved out last week too Jen, with his girlfriend. So I’m pretty sure she has it all under control as she’s a very smart organized girl. So what did we buy them that I knew they didn’t have? Wine glasses. Because this mumma doesn’t plan on drinking her wine from a water glass or a mug when she visits! Now we just have to wait for an invite over there. I’m trying to be patient as they want to have it looking nice. Might think about buying champagne glasses too 🙂
Don’t forget the wine, she might be on a budget 🙂
When I first moved out, our dining table & chairs where actually an outdoor setting from Bunnings. Then, when funds permitted, we bought a proper dining setting, and when moved the outdoor setting outdoors. Da Dahhh !! We had our outdoors sorted just like that.
Our couch was salvaged from our neighbours hard rubbish collection and a borrowed fridge. I did splurge on a new washing machine though. Iron & ironing board were among my first purchases too. It’s true, I look back on those days so fondly. I was so proud of our home. Still am. Best of lunch to your boy Jen, and to you, enjoy the extra space 😉
Our first dining chairs were outdoor directors chairs from Target with pop on covers, had them for years too.
How nice to do such a thoughtful thing and you know deep down he would have really appreciated your input
P.s nice to see you got the QUILTON loo rolls when only the best will do Ha Ha
Loved that the loo rolls were half price too:-)
We started off with mostly hand me downs and after 29 years of marriage we are still only just getting rid of some of those items. Our kids moving out has been a great excuse to get rid of some extra stuff and often if I’m shopping and see a really great deal on something I know they might use, I’ll pick it up – stuff like teatowels or grocery specials I know they could use (usually cleaning products). I did the same as you when my daughter first moved out, and the only thing we did differently was to help her do a grocery shop of same basics – flour, salt, sugar, pasta, oil. We have always had second hand furniture – firstly out of necessity, then some pieces because I love them, so thankfully she doesn’t mind it either. She gets quite excited when it’s Council people in her neighbourhood dump furniture they don’t want onto the nature strip. She has rehomed a lounge (looks great so no idea what was wrong with it) a filing cabinet and table and chairs. Her friends think she’s weird but I say why not?
Deep down everyone loves a good hard rubbish haul 🙂
My so.n moved out of home and moved not next suburb but to Karratha from Perth for work. Bought his kitchen stuff for Christmas towels, bath mats etc and all coloured coordinated of cause. Can’t visit regularly 18 hours away or a plane trip but at least I know his house will be coordinated that gives me some solice. 😞
Oh that’s a long way from home, hope you get to visit.
All second hand except white goods, paid them off. The gorgeous water bed. Well until it sprung a leak
There’s something so satisfying about making that final payment too 🙂
My washing machine just died and instead of buying a new one, I bought one off the guy on port road at Hindmarsh. $350 or so with delivery. So far so good, has a 3 month warranty too. Got it there after a friend recommended them… food for thought.
Great buy, well done
I have done this 4 times however the 1st time I did it for my Dad, I had to set him up with absolutely everything. My mum had died 23 years before, cancer. Dad got sick and had to move close to me. Home was a mess so I threw everything out and started again. Two years later my boys moved out and I did it again, Kmart had most of what they needed including sheets, towels etc. I impressed on my boys to always include loo paper whenever they shopped. 6 years ago my youngest, our daughter moved out and I did it all again. It’s the small things that they don’t think about until they need something that I do well
Ike pizza cutters etc as mine like to make their own.
My boys treated me to a baked dinner for Mother’s day after they moved and it was delicious, glad I taught them to cook.
Great job Mumma, you did well x
My first few spaces out of home were a higgeldy piggeldy mix of relatives’ cast-offs, hard rubbish scores, op shop bargains, cast offs from offices I worked in that had re-fits and the occasional gift (eg laundry basket, futon). Two bowls, 4 mismatched mugs, that kind of thing. This was well before the rise of affordable cute decor and homewares, my salary and Instagram and Pinterest! To this day, Miss L has a bookshelf from the Wirrabara Primary School library and two low shelving units courtesy of my old workplace in her room but we slowly move towards upgrading our pieces.
It’s all the sweeter when we upgrade, we all gotta start somewhere x