askchapo

There are several categories, and I'll keep below $500 in each category. I marked stuff with a ^ that has been life-changing for me personally, although a lot of these things I've always had and couldn't imagine living without.

Kitchen stuff: Skillet, small saucepan, larger pan, big cutting board, chef's knife, baking pans (loaf, cake, large sheet), measuring spoons/cups, decent spatula or two, plus $20 in dishes and silverware from a thrift store. Use whatever durable lidded containers as fridge storage, and empty glass jars as cups (or also as storage). Pressure cooker, (more versatile than a crockpot) food processor (more versatile and reliable than a blender), and electric tea kettle^. Appliances might be pushing it close to 500, and there are more gadgets that you might want, depending on what you prefer making, but these are the basics to be able to cook most things yourself. Cooking instead of relying on pre-made food saves you hundreds of dollars a month, and opens up so much.

Transportation: A bicycle^ that fits you well, and if you have the space for it, a bike cart. Hybrid bikes are great but expensive, larger mountain bikes are suitable and versatile, road bikes are good if everywhere you want to go is 5+ miles away. If you can cycle places within an 8-mile radius (or 12 if road bike) on most days instead of driving, you'll save a lot of money, and it's effectively half a gym membership- the other effective half is a yoga mat and maybe a pair of free weights. For everything that's outside the range of cycling, a bus/metro pass.

Tools: A drill, circular saw, screwdriver set, allen wrench set, claw hammer, adjustable wrench, needle-nose pliers, multitool, whetstone, plenty of duct tape and WD-40.

Furnishings: A decent mattress, box springs, and bed frame that's high enough to put storage totes underneath, plus those storage totes. An adjustable desk chair, and a spacious desk^ that you're neither straining at nor crunched over. A large table that can fit a lot of people around it, or a sizable project on top of it. Windowsill plants, for either air quality or herbs. A foldable stool. The more familiar you are with the tools, the more of this you can make yourself.

Terminal: A computer case that will fit all the hardware you'll ever need, and that you can run Linux on. A good-sized screen, keyboard and mouse and webcam, and a printer/scanner.

Clothing: A really good winter coat (with plenty of pockets), a decent rainproof windbreaker, a wicking layer/long johns^, a pair of rain pants, a good pair of work boots. At least 2 sets of dress clothes or semi-formal wear, because having a good-looking outfit gives you a real self-esteem boost. At least one set of really sturdy clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and worn. If you learn to sew and get yourself a sewing machine, you can make a lot of custom clothing, which is especially important if it's hard to find the right fit. Plus you save a lot of money and get a concrete kind of ownership that money can't buy.

Gear: A tent^ - unless you can never see yourself or any guests camping. A hand cart/dolly^ because there will be things too bulky or heavy to carry or move. A portable first aid kit, and a larger one for your home. A wireless speaker^. If you're musically inclined, your own instrument, plus a music stand and amp and even bigger speakers. A couple lamps^ for lower levels of light at night, or candles if that's your thing.

Miscellaneous (depending on your location and lifestyle, either absolutely essential or useless): A dehydrator, if you do food or seed or specimen preservation. A weighted blanket, if it makes a big enough difference. A water filter/purifier if you don't trust the water district or your pipes. If you have long and/or thick hair, a hair dryer. If you're in a humid climate, a dehumidifier^ (food spoils slower, clothes won't get mildew, deters some pests).