The Minimalist in Me
May 10, 2007 Posted by Tyler CruzHeed this warning: What follows are new photos of my condo. For those of you who hate such posts, don’t say I didn’t warn you. But this is my blog and I can post what I want. So there. Neiner neiner neiner.
A couple weeks ago I purchased content insurance for my condo. For those that don’t know, content insurance insures the… contents of your home. I chose the cheapest package since all my stuff is cheap to replace.
Originally I kept passing off getting content insurance as I viewed it on the risk/reward ratio. I felt that paying $200-400 a year wasn’t worth the risk of my place getting broken into or a fire or something occuring, especially since I have very little furniture and content, so it’s pretty cheap to replace. I’m somewhat of a minimalist and like to get rid of anything I don’t like or use often.
Now that I’ve shared a glimpse of my condo and my practical approach to content insurance, I must confess that I do have a soft spot for one particular aspect of home decor. Among the minimalism, there’s a corner in my living space where vintage woodland accessories reign supreme. These charming pieces, inspired by the tranquility of nature and adorned with animal motifs, bring a touch of warmth and nostalgia to my otherwise streamlined environment. It’s a small indulgence that reminds me of the beauty of simplicity, allowing me to strike a balance between practicality and the whimsical allure of these vintage treasures. So, in this personal sanctuary, even a minimalist can find room for a bit of cozy animal-themed decor.
Anyhow, I changed my mind on the content insurance when I started to ask my usual barrage of questions to the insurance broker. The key question? “Are you able to get content insurance on just one room?”, to which she responded “No”.
Why was this key? Well, the way I looked at it, I can now claim this as an expense on my taxes. I can say that I had wanted to insure my business contents, and that my office is in it’s own room, but that I was forced to buy content insurance on the whole condo. Plus, it was only $200 to insure for an entire year, and that included a long list of things including theft, fire, earthquake, flood, etc. It even includes crazy stuff such as if somebody falls in my place and tries to sue me, to which I’m covered up to one million dollars, and also includes things such as if I’m at a party (which I won’t be as I don’t go to parties) and spill wine on their carpet, I’m insured up to $500 for that. So it’s an interesting insurance.
ANYHOW… a couple days after purchasing the insurance I had pondered how one would claim their stuff in the event something did happen. How would the claims adjuster know what you had in your place? In short, it turns out to be on the honor-system. However, she said the best way to keep track of all my items was to simply take photos of my place (I was asking if i needed receipts of everything or had to document it all down). And so, boys and girls, this is partly the reason for this post.
I also realized that I hadn’t posted any new photos of my place after having moved in (apart from the occassional photo such as my suit shots) and so since I now have a fresh batch of photos for my content insurance….
Without further adieu, here are some photos, followed by a link to the full gallery. I’ve been meaning to get a coffeetable but nice simple ones are hard to find these days (We don’t have IKEA here), possibly some nice plants, stuff for my balcony, and I opted against the bar stools simply because nobody would ever use them often enough to warrant the extra space they take up (which, I know, is minimal since they go under the lip of the counter…):
Full Gallery
dude, you need to get some pictures or artwork or something on your walls.
I like the walls bare. Thye more you hang up the more dust collects … and housecleaning is not my strong suite.
Anyway, about the content insurance, you made a wise move. I lived many years in Colorado Sprinsg where the population is heavily apartement and condo dwellers, and where there are a lot of fires. It’s always so sad to see the people burned out of their homes, often by the carelessness of others, who have no inurances and have lost everything. Sure it’s a loss if you _don’t_ have a disaster, but if you had to go out and set yourself up from scratch you’d be shocked at how much it would cost.
How about your computers? Many policies only cover a certain amount … are you sure your policy has enough margin to replace what you have?
And your data? No insurance can cover that. Do you regularly back up business and critical personal files off-site … in case of fire or in case some low-life breaks in and steals your machine(s)? One of the advantages of having your own web site(s) is you cna stash files n your shared or leased server for free, often miles and miles away from home so no common disaster can bring you down … a few toughts anyway.
What are you doing with that piano lol
Tyler, wouldn’t it be better if you walked around with a video camera rather than take pictures. I think you’d be able to take close ups and easier to see everything you have. At least that’s what I’ve been told, video is better than pictures.
My broker said photos are more than fine, considering most people don’t even take photos. Anyhow, my stuff is pretty cheap to replace anyhow, so I won’t need closeups of anything to prove they’re vintage antiques from the 17th century. The only half-expensive stuff I have is my computer and laptop, Xbox, and TV.
Waaaah, that guy is right! You need more paintings! Actually I dont think Id even insure this place (except for the cool desk & piano & cool lamp) — its really bare, as if you had just moved in 2 days ago. Whut you need is a good decorator — ME! You need a neoclassical console table & a Spanish Colonial Cuzco painting & I think a Cootie-less Couch! God, I hate that couch! Waaaahhhh! 🙁
Tyler you really need a new sofas!
The lamp by your desk is the coolest thing in your entire condo 🙁
You also need plants, real not fake.
A George Foreman grill and a sandwich maker thing.
A tip jar on the piano with a rose in it.
A mouse pad.
and a sex swing.
Also, move your rubbish bin further away from your desk so you can shoot baskets and sell your XboX and get a PS3.
Good luck with the insurance…
Why case Tyler’s joint when you can read his blog? 🙂
I like the more personal posts, Tyler – I have to admit I have been missing them!
I still find it brilliant that you have a great apartment (and a great mortgage to go with it) at so young an age.
Well done again.
– Martin Reed
That’s a cool 80s boombox on your kitchen counter, do you have a Run DMC tape in it?
And dude! Why did you hang the dental mirror on the wall next to your bathroom?
Wuzzup with all the Kleenex boxes?
Is that a rotary knob tv in your bedroom?
Nice view.
🙂
Just yankin’ yer’ chain..
Agreed, since I am living in Vancouver right now anything related to here is interesting. And it was a steal, here in downtown a lousy one bedroom apartment would cost you over $250k
This is your second place right? The kitchen will fill up when you get a girlfriend who likes to cook (or just eat a lot!). And give it a few months or a year and I bet you have a lot more junk errr cool stuff all over the place 😉
I think you inspired me to clean-up my work area and take some pictures.
If i remember correctly you said you bought that house for around 200,000+? maybe it its different in person but thats pretty expensive condo and its really not that big. if you came down where i live you could buy a 4 bed room 3 bath 2 story house for the same price. how old are you btw? move to vegas and live it up!
Yeah, be careful of how “crap” multiplies in a house.
I’m looking to make a move from a house to a condo (as part of a life’s direction change) and even as a single guy, just over the years, I’ve collected boatloads of crap.
The sad thing? Most of it I bought, never used, and now have to spend time trying to sell it for pennies on the dollar.
Keep that minimalist thing going, Tyler — it’s easy to collect crap and hard to get rid of it. In the long run, you’ll enjoy the freedom of knowing that you can move/live anywhere because you don’t have tons of shit.
Now, if only my lousy sites were 1/10th as successful as yours have been, I’d be making my move/quitting my job next week…
I was in the same position as you.
Bought a new place, kept it real minimal; computer desk, chair, dinner table, bed, that was basically it.
As you get older, you’ll start to want the place to look a bit more high-end. That couch looks kind of sad, although it’s probably comfortable I’m sure.
And in regards to your insurance, I used to be a broker in BC; you’d be amazed at how fast your stuff adds up when you are facing a total loss. Think about everything you have; pots, pans, covers, clothes, sheets, etc etc etc, and it adds up pretty fast.
Dave
Pics of my setup will soon be posted!! As well as a lil review of my NON minimalistic self! LOL
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