Lists of Bare Necessities for Clothing & Household

Just Like Camping

• Imagine you are going for a week-long camping trip. Besides the tent, you will need several changes of clothes, undergarments, clean water, a small set of pots and pans, plates, utensils, a flashlight, stove, lantern, toilet articles and food. Clothing can be taken to be laundered at the end of each week, so determine how many shirts, pants, socks and sweaters would be suitable. Now, imagine it's winter. Add the basics like a hat, coat and gloves and extra blankets or the down sleeping bag that's suitable for below-freezing temperatures. You don't need a lot of chemical household cleansers when one bottle of biodegradable soap will do for everything. You may also need a few medical supplies like a first aid kit and prescriptions. Adjust your household scheme to match that of the camping scenario to cut back to bare necessities.

Self-Sufficiency

• Your location plays a big part in your decision-making. You will need a far different set of basics if you live on a self-sustaining homestead on five acres of land than you would living in a highrise condominium in Manhattan. Shelter aside, your clothing needs ought to include just enough required for the type of work you do for a week -- overalls, flannel jackets and mud boots, or three-piece suits with expensive shoes. Owning four complete sets of china may be overkill when you really only need two plates, two forks and spoons. Three layers of drapes could be reduced to one set of blinds, and rather than eight bottles of shampoo, one will suffice.

Singles or Families

• If you are single, your clothing and household needs will be much less than that of a 10-member family. A single person can live with two pairs of shoes, five sets or less of clothing, one set of outerwear for warmth, a drinking mug, one pot, one pan, a hairbrush, food, water and a bed. The larger family will need multiples of these, with smaller children going through changes of clothing more often. A couple can determine their needs by applying the camping list and doubling it for starters. Additions like entertainment, insurance, medical and legal requirements should also be considered.

Budgets

• Most people cut back to bare necessities when they are either saving for the future or when a bread-winner has lost work. Other major determinants of finances have to do with the general economy of a person's country, state and city, the number of people providing income streams, elders who might need additional support and so on. Some financial advisers suggest having three months of living expenses saved up in case of emergency, but not everyone can live beyond the hand-to-mouth existence of weekly income. Consider your own income sources and narrow down to true needs. Make a budget for weekly food, personal care and shelter; then go through the closets to trim down to a set of pots and pans, a bottle of vinegar for cleaning and a couple pairs of shoes and clothing for a week's wear per person. Remember that basic needs come in other forms too, such as time, attention, educational, faith and love. Make sure you don't cut back on these while thinning the rest.