Job Discussion Forums

Antaraaaa · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 120 Location: Dublin, Ireland

What a great topic!

I have a ton of stuff back home in Toronto (and some at my ex's in the USA) but I am going home soon to get rid of it all. I am hooked...I love travelling, love teaching, love the feeling of having no "things" weighing me down. I am going to store my precious books and few other keepsakes with my family/friends, but I am giving the rest away.

As to the issue of "accumulation of things while on the move"-its tough as hell not to. I can't believe how much I have already!!! Sickening really.I am going to do another mass give away before I move on....

I wanna fly free!!!

Ant.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

My usual difficulty is lugging my bags around when I'm travelling but also heading somewhere to work. I want to have things like books, laptop, lot's of clothes, etc for where I settle in but don't want to lug these things from place to place as well. It really is trying to find a balance for the particular situation.
Ki.

crstarlette · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 7 Location: Iowa

My concern is how expensive it would be to get rid of everything in one place, and then have to buy it all again in another, just to get rid of all of that when you move again and then once again buy everything. I'm thinking mostly along the lines of furniture, dishes, fridge, stove, washer, dryer... things you need just to function on a daily basis, at least if you are like me and are married with kids. I know a laundramat would take care of the washer and dryer, but I wouldn't want to always eat out, and I we all want a couch to sit on and a bed to sleep on. Minimally.

Dan_R · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 Location: North Carolina, USA

Crstar,

Depending on where you go, if Im not mistaken, I believe that with some of the Asian countries (e.g. Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan), the schools hiring you generally provide accomodation with those basic furnishings. Of course, as a newbie Im basing this not on experience but what I have read here in the cafe.

Im a single guy so for me it may be hardest to part with my beloved motorcycle.

I have an interview scheduled with Aeon (Japan) in December. Plus Im looking into other Asian countries. I'm also considering getting my TEFL first, and if I go that route I may get certified in South America.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Volodiya · Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 3:22 am Post subject: What did you do with your stuff

Since most jobs will not come with an offer of a shipping allowance, anything that is beyond your weight allowance on the airline for checked luggage will have to be paid for as excess luggage, or cargo. Both are expensive. (Last time I was faced with this it was $100 USD for each extra item of checked luggage, and about $6/Kg for cargo.)

So, one consideration in deciding what to bring is how heavy each item is in relation to its replacement cost.

If it's replacement cost exceeds the cost to bring it and it's something you're really going to need in the new location, then it looks like a good bet to bring it.

By the way, it's easier to clear checked luggage through customs than it is to clear cargo- something to think about when deciding what and how to pack.

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

Aramas · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:37 am Post subject:

I've been progressively ditching everything I own over the last few months, and I have to say it's been a liberating experience!

All I plan on keeping is clothes, walking/camping gear, and iBook/printer. And perhaps my stereo (bookshelf speakers and 20w amp, plays mp3's from iBook). The whole lot will fit in a pack and a sports-bag-thingie.

The biggest problem is books. I've ditched all of my old textbooks and uni notes, but there are around a hundred reference books that I plan to digitise and sell before I go - a daunting task.

I'll leave a box of odds an ends at my sister's place. I have items of jewelry that belonged to my mother, grandparents and great-grandparents, so I really can't ditch them. I'll also keep a few rare books, but no more than half a dozen.

My motorcycle, guitar, amp, tools, CD's, DVD's, furniture, kitchen stuff etc. are all sheduled for the big sell-off.

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

Ebay.

Who knows you might get a couple extra dollars to spend....

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

Ebay.

Who knows you might get a couple extra dollars to spend....

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

We packed all our stuff in the loft 8 years ago intending to be back after 2. Now, every time we go back, we have to spend a couple of days chucking it all out and sorting it. It is a hassle we regret leaving ourselves. It's going to take a few more days i.e. about three more years at the rate we go home Wink

to get all of it binned.

So, my advice on this front would be to give away what is worthwhile to people you know would be blessed by it and to bin the rest. You really will never miss it.

Oh, one exception. I have an old trunk like the kind Harry Potter would take to boarding school. In this trunk is everything of sentimental value that my wife and I possess. It lives in the spare room at my in-laws. Because it is all in one place, we don't have to think about who has what and it is convenient to store. Another idea for you...

leby26 · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 68

I know that I can part with most all of my things when I finally take the plunge .... except for my books! I have shelves upon shelves of books in my room that I don't want to part with - I could get them sent to me one by one overseas, but then I would just have to keep doing that with every move - which would be ridiculous. Hmmm, I wonder if my parents would consider storing a library? Confused

Iam · Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 43

Hmm, I'm currently in the process of selling my flat, with a view to doing a Celta & some other vocational training, then toddling off abroad for a fair bit & settling in Spain (live in UK atm).

I have an aweful lot of stuff, & am also pondering what to do with it. Current thinking is selling most of my books (wall to wall), fridge, cooker, furniture, & my collected junk, & putting my most valuable/prized possessions in storage.

I may need to get in house clearers - people who essentially take all your stuff away & pay you a small amount for it, I'm told the amount they pay is not a lot off what you might get selling items privately, which of course will take a lot more effort & time. Given that tthere will be a deadline (the completion date of my flat sale) selling privately may be impossible. Has anyone any experience of house clearing companies?

My best stuff (36" WS TV etc) I think I'll put in storage, just in case plans change or the flat sale falls through (avert).

Reducing the accumulated possessions of 40 years to the contents of a suitcase or two is quite daunting, atm Smile

Iam.