Wendy, founder of Frugal Japan, reports on her move from Japan to the US.
I learned a lot over my last three months in Japan, and fully intended on making a very in-depth report on how to dispose of one’s items and move frugally. Unfortunately, my move ended up being not very frugal, despite my best efforts. I did find out two very important things, however. One is very specific: used air conditioner/heaters (aircon) are essentially worthless! You cannot sell them, you cannot give them away without causing the recipient great cost and trouble, and even recycling them is expensive (Y50,000 for me to uninstall and recycle three used air conditioners). Your best bet: leave them with the apartment, if the landlord will let you! OR take them with you to your new home.
The second thing is much more general, and rather clichéd: You can’t take it with you. Your stuff, I mean. Really. Not anywhere. With rising gas and commodity prices, shipping goods is more expensive than ever. For most things, buying it in your home destination would be cheaper. Unless it is of sentimental value, I suggest finding a good home for it. We brutally weeded out our possessions for three months and were still shocked at how much stuff was left in the end. Do yourself a favor: don’t collect the stuff to begin with. Buy sparingly and smart, and routinely inventory your possessions. If you haven’t used it in 18 months, chances are you probably won’t again. The night before we left Japan, I sat surrounded by five suitcases holding (literally) all my worldly possessions not in a small container crossing the ocean. And you know, it was very freeing. Watching the American economy slide into a recession and the inevitable layoffs beginning (I have great timing when I move!), I am struck by the fact the we really never do know *what* will happen to us in the future. Instead of surrounding yourself with stuff, collect experiences, friends, and love—it’s much more portable!
© 2008 Wendy J. Imura.