100 Things: My Minimalist List of the Things I Own

It’s been almost three years since I initially took the 100 Things Challenge.  I believe it’s one of the pillars of being minimalist – and maintaining my personal items at or under 100 things keeps me honest about what I truly need to be happy.  Since 2021, I moved abroad to Thailand, forcing me to really consider what to keep versus give away or sell.  The move experience also taught me to be more choosy about what to buy over here in Thailand, avoiding the painful experience of giving away things at far less than what I paid for them.  

In updating my list, I kept the same three basic exceptions:

1. No shared things: I didn’t count things I share with my family, such as our car, our appliances, housewares, etc.  I only included things that I can say are 100% mine / I am the only person who uses the item
2. No consumables or ‘attachments’: I didn’t count things that I consume, e.g., food, toiletries like toothbrush or toothpaste.  I didn’t count things that are ‘attached’ to another item, e.g., electrical wire, charger for iPhone
3. Yes multiples of the same thing: I count any unique / discrete thing as one, regardless of how many I own of it.  For example, my seven pairs of Adidas briefs I count as one of my 100 things 

I have maintained a ‘cost per use’ metric for each item.  This takes the price I paid for the item divided by the number of times I believe I will use the item (throughout my estimated ‘life’ of the item / before I sell or give it away).  It’s a helpful metric in two ways.  First, it shows me a true value of an item; some things like an iPad may cost more but actually costs very little given how much I use the item.  Second, it shows me a benchmark to compare against renting or borrowing the item; for example, purchasing your own hiking poles versus simply paying them to borrow them while on a hiking trek.  

I have also added some commentary, if merited, next to certain items to highlight any important notes or changes since my last 100 Things list.

My 100 Things

Cost per use calculated as US Dollars per use

With Me in Thailand

Accessories

1. Patagonia Fitz Roy Scope Pro Trucker Hat – 0.05
2. Carrera Sunglasses – 0.13.  Saved by buying these at Off 5th in the U.S. versus here in Thailand
3. Warby Parker Glasses – Vaughan, Burnt Lemon Tortoise, HI / Blue light / Anti-fatigue – 0.18.  Unnecessarily expensive.  Includes eye exam ($85) and add-ons (+$150).  I’ll use eyebuydirect next time 
4. Ray-Ban Sunglasses – 0.70
5. Serman Brands RFID wallet – Gift

Basics

6. Smartwool Run/Bike Zero Cushion Socks – 0.03 
7. Adidas Performance Boxer Briefs – 0.03
8. Uniqlo AIRism V-Neck Short-Sleeve Shirt – 0.11.  Use dropped significantly after quitting my job.  Now occasionally wear under dress shirts.
9. Smartwool Crew Hiking Socks – 0.20.  Kept for occasional hiking trips, but regret purchasing.

Business Attire

10. Reversible Black/Brown Belt – 0.03
11. Uniqlo Super Non-Iron Dress Shirts – 0.15.  The only dress shirts I now own.  I (regrettably) lost my luxury dress shirts during the move.
12. Brooks Brothers Clark Lightweight Chinos – 0.67.  I don’t think I have worn these once since moving to Thailand.  Consider donating.
13. Brioni Silk Tie – 2.00.  This is the only neck tie I have kept.  Wore it once for a wedding in Thailand.  

Casual Attire

14. Old Navy Active Shorts – 0.03
15. Old Navy Active Tees – 0.03
16. Uniqlo DRY-EX Polo Shirts – 0.15.  I swear by these; perfect for the Thai heat – and the grey and black polos can double for formal dinners
17. Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily T-Shirt – 0.16  
18. Patagonia Wavefarer Board Shorts – 0.20
19. Columbia Silver Ridge Stretch Shorts – 0.20
20. Majestic Sports T-Shirts (Texans, Astros) – 0.23.  Only item that really identifies me from Texas.  I’m considering donating.
21. Nike Golf Polo – 0.23.
22. Proof Nomad Pants – 0.25.  Also versatile; wore them for wedding.
23. North Face Crag Polo Shirt – 0.26.  Earmarked for donation; I prefer Uniqlo
24. Patagonia GI III Pants – 0.31.  I wear rarely – solely for hiking; I prefer Marmot convertibles.  Consider donating.
25. Patagonia L/S Capilene Shirts – 0.32.  Very thin, quick dry long sleeves – perfect for sunny weather
26. Marmot Elche 8” Shorts – 0.33
27. Marmot Men’s Wallace Polo – 0.33.  Earmarked for donation; I prefer Uniqlo
28. North Face Shorts – 0.33
29. Zara Straight Fit Jeans – 0.40
30. Smartwool Merino 150 T-Shirt – 0.40.  A lot of nomads swear by wool shirts to reduce body odor, but I prefer quicker dry capilene shirts
31. North Face Motion Pants – 0.41
32. Marmot Transcend Convertible Pants – 0.43.  These are perfect for Thailand because I almost always wear them as shorts but then can convert to pants for hiking trips
33. Brooks Brothers Classic Pique Polo – 0.60.  Earmarked for donation; I prefer Uniqlo
34. Callaway Golf Polo – 0.60.  Earmarked for donation; I prefer Uniqlo
35. Mott & Bow Jeans – 0.70.  I wear for evenings out because of the Thai heat

Luggage

36. Vaultz Zip Mesh Pouches – 0.01
37. Kikkerland Bobino Cord Wraps – 0.01
38. Procase Laptop Sleeve – 0.04
39. Patagonia Arbor Backpack 22L – 0.09
40. North Face Base Camp Duffel XS 31L – 0.10.  I wrote about the benefits of this bag here
41. Patagonia Atom Sling 8L – 0.25
42. Victorinox Werks 4.0 Traveler 22 Upright Expandable Carry On – 0.50
43. Patagonia Nine Trails Pack 28L – 2.00.  Bought for multi day hiking treks, but rarely use this.
44. Ermenegildo Zegna Dopp Kit – Gift.  Got this from flying first class with Cathay.  
45. Kiehl’s Dopp Kit – Gift.  Got this from purchasing Kiehl’s skincare products.

Miscellaneous 

46. Zojirushi Mug, 16oz, White – 0.02.  I travel with this tumbler everywhere – storing water, tea, coffee, etc.
47. Custom-Fitted Night Guard – 0.05.  Fitted by my Thai dentist
48. Bull & Stash Notebook – Gift.  
49. Pokémon Tumbler – Gift.  Keep this at home for drinking water at night.

Outerwear

50. Smartwool Crew Hiking Socks – 0.20
51. Mammut Packable Rain Jacket – 0.40
52. Patagonia Crosstrek Jacket – 0.50
53. Wedze Base Layer – 0.52
54. Smartwool Merino 150 Baselayer Active Long Sleeve – 1.00
55. Marmot Quasar Packable Hoody Jacket – 1.37

Shoes

56. Old Navy Flip Flops – 0.10
57. Teva Original Sandals – 0.23.  Fantastic for Thailand: breathable, pool and beach friendly 
58. Nike Golf Sneakers – 0.32.  Versatile because they look like canvas sneakers but can wear on golf course
59. Zara Monochrome Sneakers – 0.50.  Because they’re black, they can be worn for nicer dinners
60. Merrell Accentor 3 Hiking Shoes – 2.80.  Bought these because initially left Asolos back in U.S.  Consider donating.
61. Asolo Megaton GV Hiking Shoes – 3.00.  
62. Allbirds Wool Runners – Gift.  Only workout shoes I like to wear because they are waterproof, and have gotten me out of tough Thai rain situations
63. Mini-So Plastic Slippers – Gift.  Keep at home
64. Ermenegildo Zegna Black Loafers – Gift.  For formal occasions like wedding.

Sports

65. Manduka EKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat – 0.01
66. Adking Workout Bench – 0.04
67. Aegend Swim Goggles – 0.08
68. Livingzone 24kg Adjustable Weights – 0.16.  Worth every penny for convenience of home workouts
69. Dunlop Golf Set (Pre-owned).  1.33
70. Black Diamond Climbing Shoes.  1.36
71. Black Diamond Distance-Z Hiking Poles.  2.00

Technology and Devices

72. Logitech Wireless Keyboard – 0.01
73. Bluetooth Mouse – 0.01
74. Kindle Paperwhite Kids – 0.04
75. Ring Light with Foldable Tripod – 0.04
76. Western Digital 2TB Elements Hard Drive – 0.05
77. Apple AirPod Pro – 0.05
78. Anker Powercore 1000 Portable Battery – 0.08
79. Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speakers – 0.12
80. Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Noise Cancelling Headphones – 0.25.  I rarely use now because of my AirPod Pros.  Consider selling.
81. Apple iPad Pro 5 (12.9”, 256GB) – 0.33
82. Rode PodMic USB – 0.83
83. Rode Video Micro II – 1.25
84. Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Nano Gen 2 – 1.65
85. Apple iPhone 14 Plus – Gift
86. Apple Watch (4th Gen) – Gift
87. Canon G7 X Mark III Camera – Gift

Storage (back in U.S.)

88. Wolf Self Winding Watch Case – 0.01
89. Paul Smith Cuff Links – 1.63
90. Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon – 20.00.  The most expensive per-use thing I own, especially since I left it in the U.S. (for security purposes).  But I intend to gift this to my son.
91. Louis Vuitton Cuff Links – Gift 
92. Tumi Alpha Bravo Kessler Bag – Gift
93. Shoebox (for personal effects) – N/A

Summary 

I’m happy to report that I have successfully kept my things under 100 even after moving to Thailand.  With a big move half way around the world, there’s always the risk of buying two of the same thing – which I believe I largely avoided.  I believe the only thing I own two of the same thing: hiking boots, and I intend to donate the pairs I bought in Thailand.  

There are a lot of reasons (and benefits) to doing the 100 Things Challenge.  Chief among them, for me, is the feeling of ‘lightness’ I have to know that each thing I have serves a purpose, and by doing so, I make sure I am using the thing, not the other way around.  

Whether you’re new to minimalism and considering taking this challenge, or you’re a veteran looking to maintain your list, I wish you less things and more meaning (with the fewer things you have).  In short, I wish you less, because it’s truly more.

~Lester T