Going as minimal as possible: How much does "I'll buy one if I need it" factor in?

[LERCA]

I thought I was a minimalist since my 20’s but then I see people literally with only the basics and I still have two large plastic crates with stuff like old photos and letters from my travels or from some people who are now gone and I can’t part with everything. I’ve read this question on here so many times and there’s no answer. It’s too personal. And I agree there’s a lot of grief in giving up things even when you don’t have much. I don’t see anything wrong with doing it slowly. Nobody can really tell you what you’ll need. Like the chainsaw mention. I will never own or use a chainsaw. Can’t even lift it. LOL

 

[winterwanderer]

I used to carry around a ton of tools and other DIY supplies in my rig. After they all got stolen in Mexico, I realized how few of them I actually used. And with companies like AutoZone offering free tool rentals, there's no need to clutter my rig with piles of "just in case" supplies.

On the other hand, the empty grocery shelves of a few months back have taught me good and well to always keep at least a few extra days' stock of food on hand. Simultaneously getting stranded for three days in the California Sierra after a road-blocking mudslide only reinforced that lesson. Getting stuck in the boonies without a tow strap or jumper cables is an inconvenience; getting stuck with nothing to eat but an expired jar of peanut butter is far more serious.