Essential gear for the minimalist lifestyle: 13 items worth considering

This blog post will show you where you can find and buy essential gear for the minimalist lifestyle. Actually, none of these items are essential, but they might prove worth having in your daily life, on your travels, or in an unexpected circumstance.

You probably already own some of these items. Others you might find useful.

It might seem ironic that a minimalist lifestyle website has a product page, but there’s a reason for it. As a minimalist who owns relatively few items compared to most people, it’s critical that those items are durable, efficient, and useful, so you can get the most out of them. In a way, having good gear brings a certain freedom in your life–freedom from worry and freedom from uncertainty–in that you don’t have to worry about the gear breaking down on you when you need it.

How you can get discounts and support this site when you buy here
For the last week, I’ve applied at the best rated affiliate sites for discount products online. This takes hours of searching, applying, filling out online forms, in order to find the best products at the lowest prices, with affiliate programs that have high ratings, both from consumers and affiliates themselves.

An affiliate account enables me to receive a commission whenever a purchase is made, and it enables the purchaser to receive a substantial savings on their purchase, mainly due to the fact that the purchaser is ordering directly from the manufacturer, or a distributor warehouse, so the costs are lower than a big box store, with their overhead of a large number of employees and associated costs.

Once you make a purchase, I receive a commission. Even if you don’t make a purchase today, bookmark this page so that you can come back when you are ready to buy something. When you buy here, you can get great discounts and you’ll be helping to offset the costs of this website ($13.95 a month – hosting, $15 a year – domain name, plus time involved – hours every week).

How this gear was selected
I’ve carefully selected the gear that I either use or plan to use, along with the best places to get it at a discount, so you can save money for your next travel adventure. For the most part, this gear consists of tools, products that you will use for your lifestyle and keep for a long time. If you have suggestions, please leave a comment or e-mail me at: bicycledays@yahoo.com

Essential gear for the minimalist lifestyle:

1. discount electronics

2. cases, skins – electronics

3. accessories – electronics

4. ink, toner cartridges

5. cell phone

Tracfone is a pay-as-you-go phone. The cost? $15 or $20 for the phone, then $20 or $30 for a few hours. The minutes last 90 days. Once you pay for them, you’re usually given bonus minutes. Once the 90 days are over, the minutes are gone. Tracfone is ideal for traveling, in case of emergencies, or for convenience. I’ll be using Tracfone once I drive North in a few days.

Click the link below to find out more about Tracfone.

Click the links below for discount cell phones.

6. chargers

Discount chargers for your electronics, 45% off, free shipping.

7. camping gear

If a sleeping bag is a 2-person sleeping bag, it sleeps one person comfortably. If the sleeping bag is a 3-4 person sleeping bag, it sleeps two people comfortably. Keep this in mind when making your purchase. After you click the link, you can search around Amazon for different bags, including used ones.

Stainless steel cookware ideal for camping. High end.

Stainless steel cookware ideal for camping. Low end. I’ve used this kind of cookware and it works well. For about $20 you can get durable cookware that is far superior, plus healthier to use, than aluminum cookware.

8. shoes

Puma

Shop at TOMSshoes.com!

PlanetShoes.com

9. sunglasses (polarized)

10. travel bags

PacSafe Bags – With braided steel cable in the straps and side panels, slash-proof steel mesh panels and tamper-proof zippers, they’re the very best way to protect your belongings as you travel the world.

11. GPS navigation systems, Garmin

More than one person has recommended I get a GPS and I’m considering making the purchase. Here’s a link for a reliable provider where you can get discount prices.

12. spycams, surveillance gear

Mini Wireless Color Spy Cameras only $59.99!

13. teas and chocolate

I’ve ordered from Adagio before and they are terrific. The prices are fair, the tea is tasty, and the products are quality. I have not ordered from the chocolate link, yet. Although tea contains caffeine, it has relaxing properties. Tea contains polyphenols and anti-oxidants, especially black tea and green tea. For sweetener, use really raw honey. Using no sweetener will help bring out the flavors of the tea. If you’re a coffee drinker, try drinking tea instead, for a more relaxing experience.

I just was accepted into the affiliate program for Equal Exchange, which offers fair trade, organic tea, coffee, and chocolate at reasonable prices. Click below to support them. They look really cool.

Summary
The 13 item list above will prove helpful in downsizing your collection of possessions to a few useful items that are durable and reliable. Some of the items may come with guarantees and free return shipping, so that may be worth looking into as well when you before you make your purchase.

Although these 13 items are not completely essential, they might make your life easier, whether you own a GPS system for easier navigation, or an mp3 player for a convenient mood motivator when you’re jogging, going for a walk, or even working at that job where communication is not required.

Perhaps something on this list will help you downsize what you currently own, like selling or giving away that old, bulky stereo system and purchasing an iPod, or even getting rid of your map collection and buying a Garmin GPS. Whatever you do, I hope this list has given you some ideas.

Thanks for reading. If you have anything you think I should add to this list, send an e-mail to: bicycledays@yahoo.com.