The CDFN is a not-for-profit volunteer group of GoC spouses working together to connect spouses and family members of GoC representatives at all diplomatic posts, and advocate for them.

Planning your move : Measuring Toiletries and Cooking Supplies
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by Chris Stewart

We all need certain comforts from home, and it’s possible that on post you’re just not going to be able to find them. We’re not judging, but maybe you have a certain toilet paper that you love, or a spice rub that you can’t live without. Making sure your sea shipment is well stocked is key, but the big question is how much do you buy? After all, when you’re standing at Costco looking at the 2 kilo bag of paprika, it might seem like you might go through that in a couple of years… right?

So how do you find out how much of your creature comforts you might need, planning. If you’re heading on post in the next month or two, you might be a little late, but if you’re not going for a few months or even a year, now is the time to plan. Make a list of all the items you just can’t live without (again we won’t judge), now post that list on your fridge or someplace where everyone in your house has access. Whenever someone changes a roll of toilet paper, take a note on your list. Whenever you go through a jar of paprika, take a note. With as little as a few months of collected information, you’ll have a much better idea of what your household actually goes through. In our house we’re almost always amazed at how little it actually is.

Chris Stewart has been a Creative professional for over 20 years, photographer, video wizard, writer, illustrator, often juggling more than one hat at once. Chris is also an expert suitcase packer! He’s currently based in Myanmar, with previous adventures in Cambodia, Pakistan, Greece, and Japan. The ‘CDFN life hacks’ aims to provide quick tips to navigate the posting cycles. 
Oh, and Chris draws all the illustrations for those CDFN Life hacks posts!

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