something from nothing

waste not, want not

moving into an empty apartment mid-july, i adopted a simple rule:

i will only buy what i need right now.

---

day #1 i got a mattress delivered from a Sikh man on facebook.

i was fortunate that the woman i am subletting from left a few things behind; a couple old chairs, a small desk and stool, a few kitchen supplies, and her lovely plants.

i had sheets, but no pillow. luckily, i had bought an overpriced blanket on the flight from Tel Aviv to Barcelona two weeks prior. i never purchase things on planes, but i was sick and shivering, and i held onto it, knowing it would come in handy.

---

day #2 i bought a knife, cutting board, and fresh flowers.

i boiled corn in the pot left on the stove and ate salad straight from the bag. i laid a spare pillowcase over a leftover moving box to create a makeshift coffee table, and paid for Amazon Prime so i could have a bath mat, string lights, and pillow delivered.

---

day #3 i hired movers to get my possessions out of their storage locker, and bought a dresser from facebook marketplace. i could have lived just like this for a long time.

that evening i made a salad for dinner, using my new knife and cutting board. the day after i purchased a vegetable peeler so next time i could shave my piave thinner.

---

other luxuries like lace curtains, a silk pillowcase, and water filter were obtained over the following weeks. each item was carefully considered. if it wasn’t going to meaningfully and immediately improve my quality of life, i didn’t need it. but when i did need it, i invested in something i would treasure.

a perfect example of this is that it took me two months to acquire a spoon. a few knives and forks were left behind by the original owner, along with a demitasse spoon. as it turns out, this is all you need for most culinary tasks! i had considered buying a standard soup spoon on several occasions, but each time it didn’t seem quite right. the dollar store ones were too poorly made, the thrift store ones too expensive, and the kitchen supply store sold too many all packaged together.

it wasn’t until mid-september that i went to eat some leftover ramen and realized that the demitasse wasn’t up for the task. it shovelled oatmeal and stirred sauces with ease, but finally it had met its match and a bigger instrument was in order.

a few days later i walked to the local antique store and, inspired by expert homemaker Rajiv Surendra, invested in my first piece of silverware. the thought of buying a single silver spoon tickled me to no end, and the clerk was very happy to oblige my request.

i walked out with a Northumbria Cello Soup Spoon, and it has been the crown jewel of my kitchen ever since.

i use it daily and its shine puts the rest of my cutlery to shame. i can’t wait until all my forks go missing and i’m forced to invest in another piece. but for now, one is plenty.

---

making the most of what’s available to you is the essence of thrift. appreciating what you already have is what allows you to save for a better future.

my parents raised me with two contrasting spending philosophies: my mother buys whatever is the best deal while my father buys whatever is the best quality. he saves every twist tie (see above) and reuses every yogurt container for a new adventure, while she has plenty but treasures little.

over the years i’ve learned to synthesize these two approaches into one my own: first establish need, then invest in items that you will love for a lifetime.

Wandering is a place I share personal musings, confessions, and muses. To support my work and receive access to exclusive posts, sign up for a paid subscription.