I've been thinking through what items I might want to take back to the UK with me, and for 99% of them it comes down to size to weight ratio...
There are certain things are just priceless that I MUST take - like my laptop, desktop, essential car items, important documents, but for everything else, what makes the cut depends on how much they would cost me to replace back in the UK compared to how much space they take up.
I've done this very roughly, setting 1 MUG as 1 UNIT of space which I could replace easily enough (from Poundland) for £1, and then I've based my approximate measurements on that.
For example, a box file is about 8 units of measurement, while a desktop is slightly larger at 12.
While a medium storage tub comes out at about 40 units in size.
It's not a perfect assessment, just a rough one to help me organise what I have to prioritise...
The lap top comes in at number one - which is pretty much where it is anyway, in terms of items I pack (not counting keys and phone) and I've included ONE box file in there as 'priceless' which would contain essential docs.
I guess with the Tubs it's flexible in terms of what value I put in them as to whether they are worth taking - when I pack them up I suppose I'll do a micro version of this analysis to determine what's in and what's out.
The Wheelbarrow comes in last place - of course you can use it's bucket and store things around it, but it's so damned bulky in a car I couldn't reduce the size that much.
Surprises included how worth it the battery is, and now not worth it the TV is - modern TVs can be got for cheap, but even slimline TVs are bulky for what they are!
Sorting Items by Size: FINAL THOUGHTS...
It's been an interesting one this - but very helpful in making me less attached to some items - like those solar panels, they were a 'must come item', but now they are a 'maybe come item'.
Of course anything that doesn't make the grade I will either gift or sell but I guess I may as well maximise the VALUE in my car as well as the utility of the items - which also has to be factored in - some things my just be SO USEFUL as soon as I get back I can't live without them - although I can't really think of anything other than the lap top ATM which fits this category!!!
That makes sense if you want to minimise the cost of getting stuff back here. My problem is slightly different in that I have loads of storage in the loft and shed, so I rarely get rid of anything :) I have made some effort to dump some stuff I never use, but then I have to think how much I'd regret not having it. That has happened with a few bits of music gear.
If you've got the space you may as well keep it all, but it is freeing to have a clear out!
Any plans to return to Portugal for the winter?
I'm leaning towards moving back to the UK sooner rather than later!
I'm always surprised by how little I'm happy to live with, whenever it's come down to just taking a hold-all. It's not that I've got rid of the other stuff, that's sitting somewhere else ... it's just that I've never missed it when it came to it.
Nice way of evaluating what to bring and what to leave, although I would never have considered the wheelbarrow!
If I had a van, may as well bring it with!
I hadn't considered the van option!
I'm currently planning to move to another country and am having to think about this issue as well. It's shocking how expensive it is to ship items and has me questioning whether I REALLY need certain things! I think I'm in the same boat as you that the laptop is essential and just about everything else can be sold off locally and then re-bought in the new location.
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I think just one van load is the way to go!
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