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Ainan
Heavy Crude
Joined: Feb 18, 2008
Posts: 206
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 Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:49 am Post subject: Important Possessions in the Future |
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Good evening POilers.
For some time i have been trying to de-clutter my life. I'm sure many of you like me own far too much 'stuff', junk that you rarely use. Why do i need several cups when i have only used 1 for a whole year now? Why do i need a Nintendo DS when i haven't played it in 3 months? In fact I'm sure i use 10% of my possessions 90% of the time.
Why de-clutter? All the junk you own is a distraction from what you need to and want to do. You waste money maintaining everything you own, you pay to store it and more importantly if you sell it now in times of plenty you can build up a good nest egg.
Why am i posting this now? Well it looks like i will be flying country to country for a few years yet before i get to settle down.  Thus all my possessions will have to fit in a bag and weigh less than 20KG, excluding anything in my carry on bag.
Since i am very young i am hoping i can tap into your worldly wisdom with regards to PeakOil and other global problems at the moment. What possessions should a person have? Especially in an unpredictable world such as this. The less stuff we own, the less we need to protect and the more mobile we are.
A list of Items someone in my situation should own:
* A good laptop: Information, work and Entertainment all rolled into one.
* Work shoes and suit.
* Casual clothes: Smart Casual
* Multi tool: Tin opener/Screwdriver/Knife/Can Opener/etc
* Photographs/Important Documents
I don't believe the world will end tomorrow, but life will get harder and traveling light, owning good quality items and not being a 'consumer' will make my life easier. 
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April 2008 Global Population: 6.8 billion
April 2010 Global Population: 7 billion
April 2012 Global Population: 7.2 billion |
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GeoJAP
Heavy Crude
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Joined: Feb 14, 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| Ainan wrote: | | Why do i need a Nintendo DS when i haven't played it in 3 months? In fact I'm sure i use 10% of my possessions 90% of the time. |
So you can just start chucking all those objects at hunger-zombies when you run out of ammo. 
Seriously, this is what I would keep with me if I left my house behind.
1. The most well-made, light, most comfortable boots you could find. I like Merrel.
2. Several pair of wool socks
3. Multi-tool, like you said. Preferably made in Germany.
4. A towel. 2'x4' preferably.
5. Water purification system, something that will be usable for over a year.
6. Iodine
7. Cotton bandage roll
8. Very small compass
9. Several pencils and small notepad
10. Some salt
11. A 3-pound "flashlight" tent
12. Some light, durable, cotton clothes. Amount/type depends on climate.
13. Water canister (like Nalgene)
14. Sun hat
15. Medium-sized reusable bottle of all-purpose soap
16. About 15' of light cord/rope which won't fray/rot
17. Well-made leather belt (from a leather goods maker, not the cheap ones from department stores)
I think those are the essentials to keep in every backpack if you are traveling. |
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BigTex
Moderator
Joined: Aug 03, 2006
Posts: 4070
Location: Graceland
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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Things I have found useful, in no particular order (nor including the things you already listed):
- a good set of compact headphones
- compact binoculars
- a reliable watch
- a small liquid filled compass
- a good quality LED flashlight (consider a small headlamp)
- good sunglasses
- a small lighter or book of matches
- a small sewing kit
- an N-95 respirator
- a short extension cord w/international adaptors
- an adaptor to turn a light fixture into a plug
- rechargeable batteries and charger (AA and AAA)
- windproof windbreaker
- windproof stocking-type cap
- windproof gloves
- some kind of hat
- ziplock bags in several sizes
- around the neck wallet
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Cashmere
Light Sweet Crude
Joined: Mar 27, 2008
Posts: 1484
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| Quote: | | Well it looks like i will be flying country to country for a few years |
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Massive Human Dieoff must occur as a result of Peak Oil. Many more than half will die. It will occur everywhere, including where you live. If you fail to recognize this, then your odds of living move toward the "going to die" group. |
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BicycleCommuter
Tar Sands
Joined: Feb 17, 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Boulder, Colorado
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| Don't forget a bicycle and replacement parts; Human powered transportation! |
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Ainan
Heavy Crude
Joined: Feb 18, 2008
Posts: 206
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| BicycleCommuter wrote: | | Don't forget a bicycle and replacement parts; Human powered transportation! |
I can't quite take a bicycle on a plane. Many of the things people have mentioned such as water purification tablets and a compass are ideal for going hiking and bugging out. However i will be working in the IT industry. What I'm really looking for are quality items everyone should own, like as already mentioned, a good leather belt, well made boots you can easily walk in.
Small things i can buy in each country as and when i need them, disposing of them when i leave. Not very eco friendly but thats the way of the world. 
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April 2008 Global Population: 6.8 billion
April 2010 Global Population: 7 billion
April 2012 Global Population: 7.2 billion |
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GeoJAP
Heavy Crude
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Joined: Feb 14, 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| Ainan wrote: | | Many of the things people have mentioned such as water purification tablets and a compass are ideal for going hiking and bugging out. |
Some '1st World' countries do not have great drinking water systems and it's advisable not to drink the tap water. You can always buy bottled water, but that costs more money than purifying it. If you travel even a little bit extensively, you will probably find a place with bad water.
A small compass (knowing which direction is North) is useful even in unfamiliar cities if you get turned around but have a map of the area in your head.
I think you will find everything I listed useful if you are living out of a backpack for an extended period. Except for the tent, which is not necessary if you will always be indoors. I really like BigTex's recommendation for a small sewing kit.
edit: It is very easy to take a bike on a plane. It helps if you research it to get one which breaks down easily and get the box recommended by the airline. |
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Ainan
Heavy Crude
Joined: Feb 18, 2008
Posts: 206
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| GeoJAP wrote: | | Ainan wrote: | | Many of the things people have mentioned such as water purification tablets and a compass are ideal for going hiking and bugging out. |
Many '1st World' countries do not have great drinking water systems and it's advisable not to drink the tap water. You can always buy bottled water, but that costs more money than purifying it. If you travel even a little bit extensively, you will probably find a place with bad water.
A small compass (knowing which direction is North) is useful even in unfamiliar cities if you get turned around but have a map of the area in your head.
I think you will find everything I listed useful if you are living out of a backpack for an extended period. Except for the tent, which is not necessary if you will always be indoors. I really like BigTex's recommendation for a small sewing kit.
edit: It is very easy to take a bike on a plane. It helps if you research it to get one which breaks down easily and get the box recommended by the airline. |
Fair enough geoJap, although a bicycle can be had for €40 or so in most European cities, I plan to buy one where ever i go. Prehaps you are right about the compass though, particularly if i had a map of the City in question. I will look out for a decent watch with compass built in.
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April 2008 Global Population: 6.8 billion
April 2010 Global Population: 7 billion
April 2012 Global Population: 7.2 billion |
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GeoJAP
Heavy Crude
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Joined: Feb 14, 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| 40 Euro? Wow, that's cheap. Stay safe in your travels. |
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bobaloo
Heavy Crude
Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 468
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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Ainan, my youngest daughter has lived that lifestyle, and one thing you need to be prepared for is the fact that your pack will be stolen, probably more than once.
Don't buy really great stuff, you're just going to lose it. Buy cheap but serviceable things that you can afford to replace, you have to consider them disposalbe.
I know the urge is to outfit yourself with the uber-cool toys, but it only takes a few seconds of distraction, illness or forgetfulness and it's all gone. |
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GeoJAP
Heavy Crude
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Joined: Feb 14, 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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And if you're just going to Europe, the list should probably be revised to read:
1. Money
2. Money
3. Money
4. Money .... |
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Ainan
Heavy Crude
Joined: Feb 18, 2008
Posts: 206
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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A few things to note, I'm not going backpacking, I'm going to work for an IT company and I'm European myself. Although its a fair enough point not to buy the 'most' expensive items.
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April 2008 Global Population: 6.8 billion
April 2010 Global Population: 7 billion
April 2012 Global Population: 7.2 billion |
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Pops
Moderator
Joined: Apr 03, 2004
Posts: 6375
Location: My Grandkids' Farm
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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I know most hate me to do this but I'll link to an earlier thread from the Index that may give you some ideas:
http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic10006.html
Take what you want from there or take nothing.
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Iaato
Intermediate Crude
Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 887
Location: As close as I can get to the beginning of the pipe.
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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For you, Ainan, maybe a foldable bike would make more sense. Check them out. Dahon makes some nice ones for less than $300. You just fold it up, put it in a bag, and check it like luggage. You can put panniers on them, too.
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"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." --Patrick Henry |
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jedinvest
Heavy Crude
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Joined: Mar 09, 2007
Posts: 218
Location: No. Calif.
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Important Possessions in the Future |
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| BicycleCommuter wrote: | | Don't forget a bicycle and replacement parts; Human powered transportation! |
Newer bicycles weigh as little as 17 lbs. I wonder if one can sufficiently disassemble and then reassemble them with one of those little bicycle multitools and then be able to fit the bicycle in a case (should be hardplastic, though maybe it can be canvass or nylon and the airline can box it -- for a fee, of course).
That would be so cool, arriving in a foreign city with just a backpack and a bicycle bag, assembling the bicycle in 30 minutes and then just riding away!
Of course, the nice bicycle would undoubtably be stolen within just a few days in most heavily populated cities.
Buying a beat-up old bicycle upon arriving for $40.00 of course is probably the best -- or belonging to one of those bicycle-loan-services (and maybe just bring along one's own bicycle lock). |
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