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Writer's pictureElena Harris

65 Items You ACTUALLY Need

Updated: Apr 30

First of all, let's make a distinction. There are things which you need to survive (which is a pretty small list) and things you need to function in modern Western society (which is quite a bit longer). I will be listing the second. This however, will not be a perfect list. There will be things I leave out you actually do need for your personal lifestyle and things I leave in that you do not really need. But I hope seeing this list (and what is not on it) will help you realize that many things you are holding on to are just things you want, not things you really need. This is not to say you shouldn't have things you want (you absolutely should), but to remind you they are not real necessities.


Now, onto my list of what most people really need to live in modern Western society:

  1. SS card

  2. Birth Certificate

  3. Tax paperwork (could be kept digitally)

  4. 1 house/apartment (own or rent)

  5. the paperwork that goes with that

  6. Drivers license

  7. 1 car or bicycle (if you don't have sufficient public transport)

  8. Car/house keys

  9. 1 folder to hold all the important paperwork

  10. Debit Card

  11. Cash

  12. Cell Phone

  13. Cell Phone charger

  14. cell phone case (that has pocket for cash & cards)

  15. laptop

  16. laptop charger

  17. 1 purse, bag, or backpack to hold stuff you need to take to work/school

  18. A mattress (you don't need a box spring or a frame)

  19. 1 set of sheets

  20. 1 pillow

  21. 1 blanket that is warm enough for winter

  22. 1 set of PJ's (or not if you like to sleep without)

  23. 7 outfits for work (If you can do laundry once a week)

  24. 3-6 outfits for yardwork/exercise

  25. 1 winter coat

  26. 1 lighter jacket for spring/fall

  27. laundry soap

  28. laundry basket/bag

  29. 1 pair of shoes

  30. 1 water bottle (for hot and cold drinks)

  31. 1 pot (w/lid)

  32. 1 frying pan (w/lid)

  33. 1 oven pan (w/lid)

  34. 2-4 cooking utensils

  35. 1 fork

  36. 1 spoon

  37. 1 bowel

  38. 1 plate

  39. 2-8 food storage containers

  40. 1 small sharp knife (doubles as butter knife)

  41. 1 large sharp knife

  42. 1 cutting board

  43. 3-6 other cooking items (This depends on how you cook. I personally need a can opener, strainer, mixing bowl, & peeler.)

  44. Food (This is a huge category, but remember, only what you need to function. Anything for fun or that is unhealthy is not a necessity.)

  45. Important medications

  46. 1 Kitchen towel

  47. 2 kitchen wash clothes/rags

  48. dish soap

  49. 1 dish scrubber (whatever you prefer, although you could just use your hands)

  50. 1 dining room table & chairs

  51. seating in the living room (although technically blankets and pillows would do)

  52. toilet paper

  53. hand soap

  54. 1 hand towel

  55. 1 wash cloth

  56. shampoo (doubles as body soap)

  57. 1 bath towel

  58. 1 lotion/skin oil

  59. toothbrush

  60. toothpaste

  61. floss

  62. 1 all purpose cleaner

  63. 1 rag

  64. 1 desk

  65. 1-3 pens/pencils

  66. mental/work/school necessities (this could be books, art, notebooks, hobby supplies, religious items, tools, craft supplies, tech, etc. but remember, only what you need, not stuff you don't use on a daily/weekly basis)

Have any major issues with my list? Do you mostly agree with my list? Find something on here you don't need? Something not on here you absolutely need? Or what did this list make you realize you can let go of? Comment below!

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