Reddit mentions: The best utility carts

OK, so it has some startup costs due to it needing a rice cooker and crock pot plus Quinoa is expensive if you buy it in smaller amounts, but you're a bachelor so it's likely you've got a little extra money.

A rice cooker is going to be an important addition to your cooking tools because fuck using the stove and burning shit or having to stand over your cooking. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and it's pretty much automatic, you fill it up, plug it in, flip it to on...and blam that shit's cooking. When if flips itself to off, your rice or quinoa will be done.

A big ass crock pot will serve as the main cooking device for your meals. Again, screw the stove, you don't want to have to stand over the damn thing...pour stuff into this bitch flip it on and go to work on what you'd rather be doing. The bowl comes out and goes right into the dishwasher. I'd have starved to death without a slow cooker when I was a bachelor. As you're making meals for several days here...your mother's little 5 quart version isn't going to cut it, spend the 35 bucks and get this one. The reason you aren't buying a bigger one...they don't make one bigger that isn't 200 bucks.

Quinoa This stuff becomes your "rice" except that it's MUCH better for you than rice. If you're poor or don't care all that much about nutritional value, then by all means, buy rice. But seriously...25 pounds of dry quinoa will last you a long fucking time. Get a big tupperware container, pour the quinoa into it, and leave a 1 cup measuring cup in it. If you're looking to cut some costs but still get some of the nutritional value, mix it half and half in your tupperware so you don't have to mess with it when you're making the meals. The water to food mix is the same for both, 2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa (or NON instant rice).

Meat...buy whatever is on a good sale, never pay more than 3.99 per pound for beef (we aren't buying steaks, look for top or bottom round and buy what's on sale, after 12 hours in a crock pot you won't be able to tell a filet from rump roast), or 1.99 per pound for chicken, pork, or 80/20 ground beef (for the love of your colon don't go worse than 80/20.) Shop the sales, have your mother or sister or grandfather or thrifty co-worker look at the sales fliers and find coupons if you don't have time. Buy in bulk, but freeze in smaller quantities ~ 2 pounds each in generic 1 quart FREEZER bags, not the cheap sandwich ones or you get freezer burn. I buy the Walmart brand freezer bags in boxes of like 100 and they're fine.

My wife still laughs and says she can always tell when I find good sales because when I do, I revert to bachelor shopping style. Thursday I came home with 12 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts from Stop and Shop because they were on SUPER cheap sale as they were getting close (3 days) to expiration date, they were a buck a pound, I bought as much as I figured I could fit in my freezer.

Vegetables. This is where you're going to get a good chunk of your nutritional kick. When I was a bachelor I would go to the grocery store on Sunday morning and hit the "it won't last much longer" shelf in the produce aisle. I would buy pretty much whatever vegetables they had if I could chop them and toss them into the crock pot, and because I was going to start cooking it in like an hour, I didn't give a shit that it wasn't going to last another 5 days. I found that I was eating a ton of shit I had never heard of, but it was almost always delicious and amazingly more nutritious than eating from a box.

Vegetables that you should always keep on hand are onions, whole carrots, sweet potatoes, and turnips. They're all cheap regardless of sale, they last a long time if stored properly too. I would buy 10 pound bags of onions, 5 pound bags of carrots, for sweet potatoes and turnips I just made sure I always had like 5-10 pounds. To keep these lasting a long time, get a wire cart thing from Staples or Walmart for like 20 bucks, the wire mesh keeps them open to the air and dry, to help prevent rot. It's also on wheels so if the onions make a mess you can move it and just vacuum under it plus you can drag it over to the kitchen with you when you cook.

To make your meals, you start this the night before you want to eat.
Take out 2 beers, start drinking one, pour the other into the bottom of the crock pot.
Cube your meat (or if it's still frozen then fuck it toss it in whole,) chop your vegetables and add both to the crock pot at about a 1 to 1 portion ratio, if the meat is frozen pack the vegetables around it evenly, if you remembered to thaw the meat and cube it (which will improve your meal quality) then mix them in the crock pot. Season this any way you like. I buy spices cheap from Atlantic Spice Company as they're better quality and a lot less money than grocery store spices. I like the smoky meat flavor so I also add a capful of liquid smoke or toss it with Taco Seasoning once in a while, regardless this is up to you, but when in doubt, onion, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper. Once you've got like 2 pounds of meat and 2 pounds of vegetables packed into your crock pot, put it on low then walk away. I normally started mine at like 8-10pm.

About 30 minutes before you want dinner, toss 2 cups of quinoa into the rice cooker with 4 cups of water along with some salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder. Push the cooking thing down on your rice cooker and walk away. If you were cooking a frozen chunk of meat instead of cubed meat, take this time to shred the fuck out of it inside of the crock pot, no need to mess up any more plates or anything, use a fork and a big ass knife and get the meat evenly shredded to like a pulled pork consistency, then stir the vegetables into it.

When it pops up then take a ladle of the meat and vegetable mix over a scoop of your quinoa and enjoy a badass meal. You'll find that you can fill tupperware containers with the quinoa and the meat/vegetable mix and freeze them or toss them into the fridge for lunches/dinners throughout the week. I would often freeze half of mine and set the other half in the fridge for lunches, the frozen ones would get rotated out so I wasn't eating the same thing lunch and dinner 5 nights a week. If you freeze them, at least date them. I never bothered to label what it was other than that, but they keep like 6 months in the freezer and it's nice to have a mix of different meals.

Bless your heat kiddo! I'm 45 and didn't get my dx until two years ago. Always had issues but not nearly as bad as yours. Could you use a bag on wheels like for groceries and moving things around the house? I've a foldable plastic cart that looks like this and you could use it to sit on when you get winded perhaps? Mine doesn't have a lid but it sure would be handy.

Sex life is possible!! Granted it's not like when I was younger but is still possible to have those fun randy moments!! And, there are therapists out there that can help you find positions that won't hurt quite so bad.

My youngest has it worse than I and Lyrica + Cymbalta has helped her so much for the day to day pains if back, neck ... life?? You might have to start out with gabapentin as it is cheaper but not everyone responds to it.

The best advice I can give you is to Advocate for yourself. Make a binder with a timeline of all your dislocations, diagnosis, medications tried and which doctor prescribed them. This gives a physician an overview quickly and piques their interest I find. Take a friend with you to your appointments! I forget to tell my doc so much and my husband will often times have to remind to tell the doc. Also, does your healthcare system have patient advocates? They can be extremely helpful as a liaison between you and your medical team.

Gosh, sorry if I overwhelmed you by rambling. Feel to PM anytime. I'm nit able to work anymore due to the EDS&POTS and taking care if my kiddos so I'm online almost every day. <hugs!!>

Edited:broken link

Sad thing is, all of this is 100% more than possible with our technology but nobody's invested in making us that comfortable T_T

Real talk tho, the blog Not Done Living has great advice for us bedridden folks!

I've found that having a day bed or recliner plus night bed helps a ton, and keeping a [multi-layer cart](3-Tier Utility Rolling Cart with Large Storage and Metal Wheels for Office,Kitchen,Bedroom,Bathroom,Black 130839 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DD9B6WP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AyFnDbPCXE0QS) next to you to store all the things is very useful.

Make sure the cart is somewhat heavy-- I made the mistake of first getting a very cheap light one, but you can't hang anything from it. For the one I linked above, which I saved up and got eventually, I use a [cloth hanging pocket](Surblue Caddy Hanging Organizer Bedside Storage Bag for Bunk and Hospital Beds, Dorm Rooms Bed Rails(8 Pockets) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWN5CVF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sAFnDb7CD99XB) to hang my laptop and small things like pens (I just had to cut a small fabric divider in the inside) and some [hanging organizer trays](2Pack Dormitory Bedside Storage Baskets, YIFAN Mesh Origanizer Caddy for Books Phones Drinks Office Home Table Hanging Organizer Desktop Corner Shelves - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0714HTQ9H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hBFnDbFAR3P8P) for extra storage.

It actually helps a ton to have more stuff in arms reach, and keeps your lap and chair/bed less cluttered. For my bed, I have a cheap metal four poster thing, with bars connecting the posts. Not weight bearing, but good enough to hang a [few things](mDesign Metal Wire Cabinet/Wall Mount Hair Care & Styling Tool Organizer - Bathroom Storage Basket for Hair Dryer, Flat Iron, Curling Wand, Hair Straightener, Brushes - Holds Hot Tools - Bronze https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JCKXFF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HCFnDb36WJH90) from bungee cords.

Then just attached a medicine cabinet to the wall by my bed, though honestly they get full so fast. >< I need to get rid of all the old meds I don't use.

ERMAGERD. I'm moving to a place with much more room and storage space and I'm so excited. But I can't figure out exactly how I want to store it all.

My long-suffering partner has been promised that with our new space, I will improve my messy habits. I need to anyway and having a clean partner should really be more motivation/pressure but I am a little shit. Anyway- here's my preliminary thoughtsketch:

• Master bath has shower, lots of counterspace, and under-sink cabinet
  
  > Share bathroom with bf, he would LOVE for there to be nothing on the countertop besides a cleanser and hygiene essentials. I'd like to do that for him.
  
  > Will likely limit myself to basic hygiene (deodorant, oral care, cleanser)- basically if my bf doesn't have a version of his own, I won't have it there. I'm such a cluttery person and don't mind it as much, but it would be lovely for him to have a clean counter for the first time since we moved in together 3 years ago.
  
  
• Secondary bath has medicine cabinet, some countertop space, and plenty of under-sink cabinet space (also tub)
  
  > I plan to use this as my spa-space (bubble baths etc) so originally had thought put ALL THE SKINCARE in here but then bf pointed out it will function as a guest bathroom, which means it shouldn't necessarily be a free-for-all.
  
  > In addition I've never been so ambitious and neat but most people do say keeping non-cleanser skincare OUT of the bathroom can be good for longevity (less heat and moisture)
  
  > Then again the medicine cabinet appeals as it's hidden but seems easy to store things and more compelling than putting crap under the sink every time I take it out.
  
  
• Hobby room (2nd bedroom) is promised to me as "hobby space" and I feel like this will be the place I setup for photography/DIY/makeup application, so perhaps I should just have a skincare "station" in here.
  
  > Benefits would be large area- not a shared space
  
  > No moisture/heat issues here
  
  > Next to all my other beauty crap
  
  > Large closet means I can keep a bin for non-daily use products, backups, etc.
  
  > Could get one of these bad boys and wheel it to the bathroom if I want to do my routine in there for some reason.
  
  I'm that idiot who loves planning organization but isn't very good at maintaining it. So I don't want to go hog wild with buying organizational supplies and then be my usual self and leave crap in bags and boxes everywhere. Tips for moving house and setting up a new storage/display system? Especially if you keep majority of your skincare in a non-bathroom environment?

OH, I got this...

DM since 1978 here.

For maps and such you need this or something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Storage-Tube-Blueprints-Expandable/dp/B01DLYJF9I/ref=sr_1_48?keywords=shipping+tubes&qid=1555674263&s=gateway&sr=8-48

Mine is pretty-much water proof but I got mine via a friend who worked at a vinyl sign making shop (he gave me some of the - usually discarded/recycled - lovely rigid threaded end tubes in which they receive rolls of vinyl). For maps and the like, both transport and long term storage, you cannot beat this sort of storage. Alternately, paper mailing tubes can suffice to keep flat things rolled/flat, but nothing beats a waterproof tube.

... next, you need to bring the game, make it easy on yourself, get a few of those 'hanging folder friendly' milk-crate-style storage crates. They will hold our favorite hobby-sized books, and much more. . . a few hanging folders can help you organize your printed campaign materials too. With some good rubber-straps to anchor it on top of this

https://www.amazon.com/Two-Wheeled-Collapsible-Handcart-Rolling-lightweight/dp/B074T8WDJV/ref=sr_1_59_sspa?keywords=shipping+tubes&qid=1555674263&s=gateway&sr=8-59-spons&psc=1

which can be used to store all your minis and such. With this on hand you can bring the game anywhere.

I don't work for Instacart, but purchased a collapsible Versacart from Amazon over a year ago, and love it. It's a beast. Every now and then someone will stop me in a store to ask where I purchased the cart. I live in Minneapolis, so especially wanted a cart with big strong wheels that works well in the snow. https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Shopping-Cart-VersaCart-Water-Resistant/dp/B07JFTTBZG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=versacart&qid=1569296215&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I think it could cause some unnecessary discussions with the shopping people who might think you're stealing it, etc. Definitely your call on that one.

I either bring a metal folding shopping cart like this (which while it holds less, is more manageable and not hard to find a place for it when we get home) Or I just go with a backpack + giant bag.

I tend to like the other one because while it holds less, its a lot more helpful for my health to have to go shopping frequently (thus getting in more steps)

Just my two cents. Good luck, friend!

I was car-free, gloriously car-free, for the better part of 20 years.

First, I got a grocery cart. It's got four wheels and a long handle, like this one, except mine is better-built. Shop around.

Second, I made sure to live in an area where I could do most of my errands on foot. YMMV. I had an apartment where I could walk by the library on the way to one of the grocery stores and had a lot of services nearby. Banking (I moved my account to a convenient location), drug stores, cobbler, dry cleaner, bars, restaurants, all within walking distance. To me, it was worth paying a bit extra rent to forego a car - the budget just penciled out for me.

I had a bus pass provided at a discount by work and used it mercilessly.

Anything large I had delivered.

If I needed a car, I had a FlexCar (then ZipCar, then Car2Go) account I could use to access a car for a few hours. Still way less than owning.

Waiting for the bus was a PITA, but running for and making a connection was a rush. I've never felt so metropolitan!

You gotta have something to do whilst waiting for and riding transit. A good book, headphones (pro tip - even if they're not connected to anything), music, professional development, knitting, something.

Lastly, you need to carry a bag. I like a messenger bag, but you can wad up a shopping bag or something else, just so you don't have to carry stuff back home in your hands.

I'm so excited for you all as well! I've reached the weird final detail stages as I'm currently gluing a plate to a candle holder to make a tall "cake stand" for our pie topper dinosaurs to go on the dessert table. I need to make one final ribbon curtain as I weirdly spazzed and thought I had already made it (nope). Need to pack all the stuff that is currently taking up the dining table (this rolling cart thing is a godsend when moving items in bins). FH and I are going on an adventure day on Tuesday to get our marriage license, a massage, and try out a float tank. Have such an awesome time at your shindigs, everyone!

Invest in one of these. Trust me. The journey from outside the Commons to your personal room is a bit of a pain in the ass, and this will help A LOT with groceries, laundry, and general stuff. Bonus if you get it before you move in, it will help a lot to haul up all those odds and ends in one trip.

I would also suggest a bathrobe. Your bedroom does not go directly into your bathroom and this covers you much better than a towel does. In that same line of thinking, I second the suggestion about the shower curtain. A bathmat is a sound investment as well.

Bring some cleaning supplies, even if it's just basic stuff to clean the kitchen/bathroom. Also, laundry supplies and a laundry hamper as well.

Toilet paper and paper towels are a must (obviously). I would go ahead and get the large quantity and keep a roll or two of each stashed in your personal room. That way you will still have some if your room mates decide to drag their feet about buying more when it's their turn.

Also, bring some basic food items to tide you over until you buy groceries (unless you have a meal plan). Nothing is more depressing than waking up on your first morning in the dorms and realizing you have nothing for breakfast.

I don't know of it snows where you are in which case I can recommend a bigger wheeled one, but my husband likes this

Mount-It! Mesh Rolling Utility Cart, Folding and Collapsible Hand Crate on Wheels, 55 Lbs Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0763TCX1V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tuAVDbSFQWQEP

Not necessarily the same as a handtruck but close to it - http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Flatform-Wheeled-Truck/dp/B002TITK8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409066040&sr=8-1&keywords=flatbed+cart

I bought this for my mom and it is light enough for her, very compact, and easy to use. Easily folds up into a car trunk and durable as well.

My great aunt is in her mid to late 90's and she's always had a cart like that. Kind of like this one...

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Wheels-Super-Shopping-Black/dp/B0015CLTXY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_op_36

But hers only has two wheels. She said they were very common when she lived in Detroit and everyone walked or took the bus.

I used to carry a messenger bag with a laptop pocket, but I started to get back pain from it... Now I have a North Face backpack with a waist belt and love it. I teach elementary, though, so I don't need to worry about looking like a student.

I have multiple coworkers that carry a small bag (just enough for a laptop, keys/wallet, and a few papers perhaps) and have something like this for when they need to transport more stuff.

Yeah well I guess the mobile work option depend on the size and weight and how you're transporting it. Maybe buy a cart like this for home:

Original Tubster Extra Large - Shelf Utility Cart- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CCYK2JP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cEHXCb3BZD1PV

And some how fasten something like these for quick removal, to bring on mobile jobs:

Sterilite 28309002 Black 3 Drawer Cart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUAS4VM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6BHXCbN1ZZDGP

Maybe just cut a peice of plywood to size on top? Maybe 2 of those plastic drawer carts bolted together? I dunno just looking for ideas....

Last school year, I bought this crate to take papers to grade to and from school: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CDOXO2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has never failed me. It is really nice and high quality, the pockets are great for storing extra stuff which I imagine elementary school teachers have a lot of supplies they carry often.

https://www.amazon.com/Magna-Flatform-Capacity-Wheel-Folding/dp/B002TITK8O/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1473558164&sr=8-9&keywords=wheeled+cart+collapsible

Something like this is even better, and will save you from trying to keep it on an angle while pulling.

Something like this will work pretty good
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFJVZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lfpgybH56R5FJ

You could probably use something like this. The shelves are adjustable, so you should be able to get your PC on the bottom shelf and that would leave the top and second shelf for other items like a power strip. Also, since it has slats you should be able to do some nice cable management.

My local Hobie shop sells their own version of Hobie's traditional scupper mounted card. THeir version replaces the smaller wheels fit wider, fatter wheels that seem to handle basic bumps and steps well enough.

THe only way you'd actually be able to do stairs is with something like http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Replacement-Climbing-Shopping-Fastening/dp/B008BXQR32 which uses a set of three wheels that rotate around a central hub. Great for stairs, useless for sand or grass.

Most of the students in my program have these! I have one as well and I love it; it's become my child at this point.
https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot-Mobile-Folding-16in-H/dp/B00DB8O26Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539064141&sr=8-1&keywords=office+depot+rolling+crate&dpID=219qvIqj4iL&preST=_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

While you can't take the store's shopping carts, you could just bring your own, something like this perhaps.

I live in an urban area where many people don't have cars and they do just this, bring their own carts. Personally, as someone in a similar situation as you, I find it better just to buy only what I can carry. Sure I make more trips to the store, around 2-3 a week, but I'm only buying what I'm going to consume in the next few days, which I think is pretty frugal since you're less likely to let food go to waste if you had bought in bulk.

to drop off orders at the customer? i use this and highly recommend it i keep it in my trunk and it folds/unfolds easy.

Most teachers I know use rolling carts if they don't have a classroom. Something like this might be more function-able.

If you're set on a backback, I found these:

Option 1

Option 2

One of these- https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot-Mobile-Folding-16in-H/dp/B00DB8O26Q/ref=pd_sbs_229_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00DB8O26Q&pd_rd_r=E7972N798VKEM7GWFPGK&pd_rd_w=VeIS7&pd_rd_wg=sP8FQ&psc=1&refRID=E7972N798VKEM7GWFPGK Then buy some foam from your local fabric store, some elmers glue, and some foam boards- https://www.amazon.com/Pacon-Board-Inches-16-Inch-Sheets/dp/B002NM94IC/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1501699428&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=foam+board&psc=1 You cut the foam to make your tray compartments, then glue the boards to the bottom of the foam, and you have some pretty darn sturdy customisable foam trays in a very transportable cart. I used to carry all my Hordes stuff in one(very large army, well, for Hordes). And you can always add boxes onto the top of the rolling cart and strap them on. It's cheap, sturdy, and customisable. Just not very pretty :)

Personally, I have found a lot more use from the Magna Cart Flatform (or a similar product).

It is really sturdy and can carry a lot of weight, and you can stack boxes or bags on it. More than anything, I like the fact that it folds up flat so is easy to stow away.

If you have a big enough vehicle to carry it get a full sized folding dolly/hand truck with larger (preferably inflatable) wheels.

I have one of the smaller versions that folds up flat but the wheels are small and hard plastic that sends all the shocks from brick sidewalks or rocky surfaces straight up through my stack of gear when I'm dragging it in and makes it much easier for things to get bounced off compared to a more traditional full size dolly.

I can't fit a full size dolly in my car with my full rig so the flat pack works well enough but it can be precarious loading in across different surfaces with those smaller casters.

> I rolled in with a literal suitcase full of CFR 19 and HTS codes.

Anyone that doesn't is not serious. I walked in with my HTS in Catalog Display Rack. Resting on top of a rolling handcart which contained the rest of the reference materials.

I have a of few of these rolling organizers that have worked well for me.

Where do you live? Public transit quality varies significantly city to city. Metro makes me think DC. If so, you should be fine. As for shops, besides your girlfriend's car you could invest in a grocery cart. New Yorkers use them all the time. Or you could get some panier bags for your bike.

There are folding chairs provided.

I recommend a foldable rolling cart for your tower:

Magna Cart Flatform 300 lb Capacity Four Wheel Folding Platform Truck https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TITK8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UYE7BbG9YQHMZ

This is what some of our guys use.

Be aware that the load-in process this year is.... not ideal. New security measures and just the layout of the venue mean it's just gonna be kinda awkward, particularly if you have a large tower.

I think it is this product: https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot-Mobile-Folding-16in-H/dp/B00DB8O26Q

I picked up this hand cart last year, made a world of difference. Folds flat in my truck, and moves a whole lotta water packs.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TITK8O

This is my go-to when I pack the car:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TITK8O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a variation of this.

http://www.amazon.com/Dbest-00-011-Two-Wheeled-Collapsible-Handcart/dp/B000G1KTMM/

I keep a Pack and Roll in my car. Very handy, and you don't even have to carry it very far 'cause it's got wheels.

This.

It's the most expensive thing on my list. I searched high and low for one of these over the summer for my pop culture lecture where I take A lot of items to class (like vinyl records, rotary pay phones, pagers, etc.) They are not easy to find :)

Serious suggestion: get a rolling crate/handcart.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000G1KTMM/ref=mp_s_a_2?pi=75x75&qid=1346501283&sr=8-2