True Story About How a Wannabe Minimalist Bought a Duplicate
Please laugh with me on this one.
One of Henry’s kitchen activities is sitting on the floor and pulling things out of the low cupboards (and sometimes even putting them back in again). He enjoys pulling the set of pots out, taking the lids off, and then putting the lids back on the pots again.
He’s quite serious about his work.
Even though he’s not yet stringing big sentences together, when he finishes with his cupboard project he gives me a little grin and an “all done” and there is a swagger to his walk as he leaves the kitchen and moves onto other serious projects like driving locomotives from his “choo choo” set on the walls of our flat.
These kitchen cabinets are quite large and when we moved in I pushed the never or rarely used kitchen equipment to the back of them. If I am standing up and reaching down for a pan or bowl from one of these cupboards I can only see the items visible when the door is open. I would have to sit on the floor and peak into the cupboard to see everything that was pushed to the recesses of the cupboard.
On the weekend, as I was dicing sweet potatoes, Henry pulled out the contents of the bottom cabinet. Clever boy.
At his height, and being seated on the floor, he can pull everything out from the recesses of the cupboard.
This is when I found out I very recently bought a duplicate.
Do as I say, not as I do, obviously.
We have not one but two sparkling fine mesh metal strainers.
The first was purchased in person at Shoprite (the island grocery store). I was tired of straining stocks with my bigger strainer and not getting the micro-bits out. Makes for a grainy gravy, soup or sauce.
The second strainer was purchased weeks later online from Tesco.
How did this happen?
Easy, I was browsing through Tesco’s kitchen appliances, wondering if they carried a small food processor, and I saw the strainer. I need that, I thought, and added it to my online basket.
The original strainer was probably pushed to the back of the cupboard either by me or Henry.
I was literally laughing at myself as I saw the two strainers sitting next to each other.
Mistakes happen. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I purchase a duplicate or think I’ve lost something only to find it in a cupboard I never open.
How to Avoid Duplicates
- keep things visible. Store items in the open, at the front of cupboards and avoid relegating things to the recesses of a closet or basement.
- only shop off a list (or this will happen)
- keep a list of what you have. Good reminder for me: I need to update my clothing spreadsheet.
- laugh when you still end up with two fine mesh metal strainers. Anyone need one? Maybe I should do a giveaway…
Anyone else have a duplicate story? I was reminded of the time I helped a friend unclutter her front hall closet. We found not one but two pairs of shoe insoles, still brand new in the package. When we found the first pair she said, I’ve been looking for these. When we found the second pair she said, oops!
More posts on duplicates and multiples:
- Could you track everything you own?
- The Myth of Multiples
Fortunately nothing major, but I recently discovered a jumbo-sized bottle of baby shampoo (left over from my son’s baby shower over three years ago!) on his closet shelf. I’ve purchased several smaller bottles thinking we had run out. Occasionally my husband and I duplicate grocery purchases.
Just took a peak at your blog. Your across the way in Edinburgh right now. How neat!
Are those all clothes you have and wear? That’s impressive!
They are. Needs some updating though.
Duplicates happen with groceries.. But then you can just use them up eventually. Though I still try to avoid buying duplicates because I like to keep a small and neat “pantry” and don’t like to store two boxes of confectioner’s sugar or something else that gets used quite rarely. If it’s just a block of butter it doesn’t matter because it will be gone soon enough :()
I like a neat pantry too. Right now my weak spot it spices. I’m trying to use what I have before adding anything new in.
Oh I got you all beat – I was heading to Costco (a membership warehouse store) to get a big container of whole black peppercorns.
My husband jumped at the chance to along with me. Something he rarely does let alone volunteers to do. I should have known then that something was amiss with the universe.
So we go to Costco and we purchase my container of whole black peppercorns.
Oh yeah and a 60 inch flat-screen plasma tv.
Costco is the ultimate “just milk” and then walk out with a piece of furniture or a video camera. I used the shop there a lot when we lived in Vancouver. I would take our stroller and a baby carrier, fill the stroller basket and seat, and then pop Henry in the carrier for the walk home. I miss their cheap almond butter!!
For me, it’s duplicate clothes for the boys. I’ll be looking for a piece, but come across something else thinking, “Oh I was looking for that too!” Thankfully, everything has been returnable thus far! Otherwise, it’s duplicates in usable items like food or toiletries. Again, those can be used up, so I just keep them. Otherwise, I’m so stingy that I just don’t buy anything to have duplicates of…I rarely have the 1st one in the first place lol!
Toiletries: I get excited for toilet paper sales. Weird, I know, but it’s quite expensive. So when it goes on sale I buy a few packs even if we’ve already got some. Luckily I have the room to store it.
The “I left the house for milk.” picture reminds me of my husband, who popped our for milk once and brought home a microwave. 🙂
That’s a pretty big purchase leap. Funny, my husband has done something similar with electronics too. I get the, just going to the Mac store to see if they can fix _____. And then he returns with something new.
So nice there isn’t a Mac store on the Isle of Man.
Most of the time when we end up with multiples it is because they have been “gifted” to us. One time we decided that it would be nice to get a new TV. Ours was dying. We received not one but two, given to us by friends who had upgraded their TV’s. Funny thing is we don’t watch that much TV. Perhaps movies on Saturday night and the occasional show during the week. Most of our duplicates come not from us but well meaning friends or family who think we “need” something.
Two TVs?? Generous family and friends 🙂
You forgot to list in the recommendation having little unpacking hands 🙂 Before I really adopted a minimalist kitchen my son did a lot to help me by unpacking and dropping on the tile floor. He fixed a few pie plates and an extra casserole dish for good. No duplicates now 🙂
Little unpacking hands hasn’t broken anything yet. I’m not a fan of wall to wall carpet but I have to say it’s great for reducing plate and glass breakage (you know, from little unpacking hands throwing his meal + plate on the ground). 🙂
I have noticed that you have mentioned your Frye boot a few times. I was wondering what ones you bought. I have looked at their site a few times, but just can’t tell if I like a pair or not. I kind of have to see them on someone. Crazy, I know but that is just how my mind works. Would you say that you get your moneys worth out of them. They are expensive. I don’t usually buy the cheapest shoes, but that is far more than I would ever typically spend. They must be comfortable? For me it seems that most shoes/boots just aren’t comfortable. I mostly wear gym shoes/tennis shoes whatever you want to call them. I have failed to find a pair of dress shoes/casual shoes that are comfortable enough to wear them all day. I have a difficult time spending alot of money on shoes only to find that they are extremely uncomfortable and I don’t want to wear them anymore. Alot of words just to ask….do you think these are worth the money?
Got my moneys worth and still getting great use out of them. They do take some work to break in as they are leather boots with a very solid heel. But now, they’re like butter. I walk 60-90 mins a day around town doing errands and taking my son places. I’ve used these almost exclusively through the winter.
I would definitely try them on first or buy from an online store with a good return policy. They are an investment. I have the Engineer in the mid calf height.
I currently have two blenders. I have an inexpensive one and then my brother gave me a better one. I had been wanting to upgrade, but didn’t want to spend the money. Now that my brother gave me this new blender, I’m having a hard time letting go of the old one! Can you imagine having two blenders in an RV! It’s silly. I really need to get rid of the old blender.
If you were near me I’d be buying that second blender off of you 🙂