What are /r/minimalist's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

A basic disaster kit doesn't take up too much space. A large rubbermaid bin or similar is enough. Grew up in earthquake country and saw firsthand the utility of having a kit when our neighbors didn't, so I always have one. In terms of minimalism, since you pack everything in a container and stash it, it won't create much clutter.

If you really want to save space, there are plenty of light/compact pieces of gear and supplies that are meant for backpacking and so forth. For instance my emergency kit contains space blankets and ration bars.

Also, a cellphone is a terrible flashlight replacement (which I assume was your point). The battery life on a flashlight is orders of magnitude better, plus you're not running down your cellphone power which you might need for other things. Assume that in a major disaster, electricity might be down, which means no recharging your phone (unless you put solar charger or similar in your emergency kit).

It's a little different, but you could try Syncthing. It syncs between devices when they're both connected to the Internet, or the same local network. Unlike cloud services, your data is only stored on the devices you choose. You don't need another username and password or anything like that.

Great post! I find digital minimalism to be more important in my life than physical minimalism due to the fact that I interact much more in the digital world than I do with the physical world. I have a few recommendations for incorporating digital minimalism more thoroughly into your life.

(1) Time Well Spent offers many tips for creating a better relationship with your phone and computer.

(2) Moment is a wonderful iPhone application that helps me make sure I'm taking time to enjoy human relationships off of my phone more than relationships online.

(3) Learn to Optimize your Inbox and move towards "Zero Inbox" - It's great to see all my emails gone from my inbox and has created a greater sense of calmness in my life. Prevent information over-stimulation!

Before Launcher looks to be an Android version with basically the same aesthetic.

I have no idea on what it's like tho. Testing now. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beforesoft.launcher

It's cold as hell and I use cardboard boxes. I get water through the cracks during heavy rains so I cant really have carpet.

Here's the chair.

Amazon!

COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle with 5 Variable Presets, Pour Over Coffee Kettle & Tea Kettle, 100% Stainless Steel Inner Lid & Bottom, 1200 Watt Quick Heating, 0.8L, Matte Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T1CH2HH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uVNCEbK0X5E39

I have a tiny apt in SF, and laundry is expensive. So I brought one of these and saved money and time. Easy and small enough to hide in my closet.

Totally worth it!

Panda Small Compact Portable Washing Machine 7.9lbs Capacity with Spin Dryer

There are also third-party launchers like Nova Launcher that will allow you to hide apps and fully customize your homescreen and app drawers.

Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism changed my life just as much as The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up did. GT really helped me with the leap to minimalism after already having done the KonMari method.

I love to trim my kids clothes when they get "pills" on them and when I saw this I was curious. Well safe to say I LOVE this! I can clean up t shirts and sweaters in a minute where it used to take 10. That means more newer looking clothes for the fam! Wish I could coukd give 10 stars! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097LHS2MR

I used only a binder clip for a couple years, ignoring the superficial damage collecting on my cards and ID. But when they stopped swiping/chipping, I got a card holder (this one if you're curious) and binder clip the opening closed.

Started to gather some sources here if you need more titles / inspiration: https://www.notion.so/tpc/Objet-the-library-61a574b72bb24cd39bccddfb70dd316d

If you read something you really like: feel free to add it in there too.

And since you've watched the minimalists documentary, I'd avoid their books and go on to read some from other people.

I personally enjoyed a lot Essentialism from Greg McKeown.

Office365 might be the solution.
Libreoffice could be install through crostini in theory. They also recommend Collabora office on their website: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/android-and-ios/

I buy these. I’m 6’1” and the L generally fits me well.

District Made DM130 Mens Perfect Tri Crew Tee https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ASZ2B30/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QCFP3H3AE9J9PT135VED?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Get a password manager. There are Free (open source) ones out there like KeePassXC.

• Better data security for all your accounts
• Don't have to remember a bunch of passwords, saving mental space

I use brain.fm for focusing, and I aggregate all my news with Feedly so that I only have to visit one site.

Hey, I was searching for custom ROM recommendations, found your thread and it reminded me of myself. Whenever I have lots to do for uni I try to optimise my setup and get distracted form my actual goal.

I am using a Pixelbook now with ChromeOS. You can flash almost any PC or old Mac with it using "CloudReady for Home". It is essentially Just the chrome browser with added Linux support. If you feel you messed something up it is very easy to do a "power wash" and get back to stock configuration. It also syncs with your Google account you would have to be in that ecosystem but since you have a Pixel phone I assume that you are using Google services.

Since I switched some years ago, I did not regret it, but if you need some software that is not already available for Linux, it might be difficult as a working Machine.

Google announced support for windows apps in ChromeOS Enterprise with Parallels but there's no timeline when it will be available for private customers.

Hope I could help you a little. Take care.

I’m currently living in a tiny studio apartment with my husband and we bought this queen tri-fold mattress. We went for a 6” but a 4” would probably be quite comfortable. We just fold of up each morning and put it in the closet. Honestly, it’s as good as a regular mattress. I’ve been sleeping great! https://www.amazon.com/JINGWEI-Mattress-Tri-fold-Washable-Foldable/dp/B08ZSDYQP7?th=1&psc=1

I have a big box folder that I put everything in. I try to keep it arranged by "financial", "mortgage", "health", "pension", etc with dividers. Looks a bit like one of these.

Here , Also goes well w an inner pocket for the disc!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MNYG18D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I suggest you use something like the storage containers hardware stores use for screws/nails/bolts.

Then you can put that in a cupboard so it's organized and out of sight.

The OnePlus 8 5G, you can make any android look like this though using a launcher. I use the Nova Launcher

I have a Nutri Ninja and love it! It's great for smoothies and comes with a 18 oz and 24 oz cup. I use mine constantly! It wouldn't be the best choice if you are making family sized smoothies, but is great for one to two people. It does a wonderful job blending. It doesn't leave frozen chunks like my old did. I did a lot of research before buying and definitely recommend. Cost is $79 which is pretty good. link

Try amazon smile to donate to a charity of your choice automatically at no cost to you!
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N7Y3H73?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
^^^I'm ^^^a ^^^bot ^^^and ^^^this ^^^action ^^^was ^^^performed ^^^automatically.

I drive a motorcycle as a hobbie. You need around 5 items. Bike, helmet, jacket, gloves. For owning 5 things the joy it brings it's worth it.

You can use an app like this to keep track of everything you own. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkreset

I'm really conscious about the total amount of belongings. I own150 things in total. Might seem like a lot but this includes everything from socks to the car and motorcycle.

My minimalist setup at work. Bag, monitor, keyboard, mouse, computer, mug, travel mug, notebook, box for random things.

Notebook: https://amazon.com/dp/B00ITXB8UQ Box: https://amazon.com/dp/B07WQK4VPT

Contents of box: pens, Post-It notes, headphones, a few snacks, a fork.

I used to get my haircut every 6-8 weeks at about $20 per cut. I also would burn through mid-range disposable razors shaving my face. Needing to save money, I bought a nice Philips beard trimmer on Amazon for $20. It came with a few guards and blade tips I use the 1mm on my face and 3mm to buzz my head. The 5mm comes in handy for eyebrow trimming.

link to the trimmer.

Try out and get used to using a menstrual cup, instead of disposable pads and tampons. I have this one in my bag all the time, in case my period comes early.

I just want you to know that I've been reading his book for the past two hours and I can't put it down. Thank you for bringing him up! I find his book just as inspiring as The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and I'm seriously struck by his discussion on letting go of "someday" items. The bulk of what I have is "someday" stuff, even though I haven't fully committed to any of the scenarios those items would be used for.

So I have two systems that I use to get rid of stuff. 1. I a modified version of Marie Kondo method. (not sure if I am saying it right. but this is her book:The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing ) I do this method once a year. Look at all the items that I have and see if I like it or if it bring me joy. Then look at it and see if there is a high utility for the item if I don't like it. ( for example I don't like my computer, But it has a high utility so I keep till the utility diminishes significantly.

1. Is the 6 to 12-month rule. I take all the items that I have remaining place them in a way that I can indicate that I have used the item. For example for clothes I put the hangers backward on the rack. If I have not used it in 6 to 9 months I move to a giveaway pile. And by 12 months I have not pulled anything from the giveaway pile, I then donate it.

This 30 day challenge is a much more slower process compared to just spending 1 weekend to cull through all my belongings. So it helps to get me thinking about things that I really use on a daily basis and avoid accumulating stuff. For instance, I ended up returning shampoo and batteries because I had no use for it immediately. That was money that I could have spent else-where.

Hope that answers your question.

This has been a thing for a long time... I bought a Modern Carry wallet a few years ago that's the same concept. (https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Holder-Sleeve-Modern-Carry/dp/B01MTLVSTK) I know there are "side-loading" ones like that have been floating around for a while too.

Something like this or this?

Of all things, the book "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips" (available here https://www.amazon.com/dp/0762763841), is what inspired me to start down the path of minimalism. It showed me what was truly important to have in that particular hobby, and general tricks on how to look at things and see what's important and why. Once I pared down, I experienced the happiness that comes with having little, yet still what I needed. That snowballed into paring down all my possessions.

Random, but if you like backpacking, could be a good catalyst :-)