# If you had to throw/give away all your possessions, except what will fit in a shoebox... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124 "2011-01-18T21:28:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/21 "2011-01-19T09:13:43Z")
My external HDD, my wallet, the deed to my house and the paperwork for my car. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/22 "2011-01-19T09:27:08Z")
Assuming I’m allowed the clothes I’m wearing. (Please note that my feet are large, so my shoebox is correspondingly large) Passport, birth certificate, degree and exam certificates, mobile phone, laptop PC, USB HDD with backups of my PCs and scans of all my photos and insurance policies and other important documentation. 2x underwear. 2x shirt. A certain plush toy that I’ve had since childhood. I’d love to take some of my mother’s paintings, one in particular, but they’re too big to fit in a shoebox so I’ll just have to take high-resolution scans of them instead. Can I have a nice carry bag in which to carry the shoe box? ---
**Author:** ![ecseas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ecseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecseas)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/23 "2011-01-19T09:37:33Z")
Are we allowed things in pockets, or do things like purses, phones etc need to go in the box? My netbook + charger. My shelly bone china cup and saucer. jewellery, especially my 200 yr old cameo and i don’t know, i’d think of other things ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/24 "2011-01-19T10:42:16Z")
> [@ecseas](#): > > Are we allowed things in pockets Loose change, wallets with cards and cash and a bunch of keys are fine. Phones, cameras and pretty much any other pocket/hand-size item needs to be in the box, or gone. One normal set of clothes, shoed, coat, etc is permitted, but you can’t keep your whole wardrobe by wearing it all at once. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/25 "2011-01-19T11:47:20Z")
I guess it would have to be a gun and lots of ammunition, so I could get my stuff back from those fuckin’ alien thieves. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/26 "2011-01-19T12:36:35Z")
Good luck with that, but you will fail, as these are invulnerable aliens from the planet Hypothesis. You get to keep a box of guns and ammo though (well, minus the ammo you wasted trying to shoot the invulnerable aliens) - are you sure that’s what you really wanted? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/27 "2011-01-19T12:39:06Z")
The box itself well be useful to bury whatever is left of me after trying to attack the aliens. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/28 "2011-01-19T12:42:01Z")
Imagine they’re not aliens then, but some unavoidable fate, _to which you are already fully resigned,_ will deprive you of everything except what you can put in a shoebox. The hypothetical is meant to bring you to the point where you try to choose what goes in the box, only. Please. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/29 "2011-01-19T12:42:45Z")
All the $50.00 bills I could get my hands on. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/30 "2011-01-19T12:47:39Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > All the $50.00 bills I could get my hands on. Do you already have them (including savings you may have in the bank)? You get to put things you already have in the box, not fill it with stuff you’d like to have. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/31 "2011-01-19T12:48:47Z")
BTW, the aliens haven’t said anything about stripping your bank accounts, so you’d be better off just leaving the money there. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/32 "2011-01-19T12:51:58Z")
Well, then can I use the ammunition on other people to take their stuff? Otherwise. like LouisB and [Paul Powell](http://www.tommcmahon.net/2005/12/paul_powell_the.html) before him, lots of cash. I’ve never been a keeper of knickknacks and mementos. God bars or loose diamonds would also suffice. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/33 "2011-01-19T12:54:11Z")
Do you _have_ gold bars and diamonds? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/34 "2011-01-19T12:55:00Z")
I don’t have a single family photo. I don’t have a single item that belonged to either of my parents or any ancestors. My computers or TV wouldn’t fit. Maybe a blowup doll? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/35 "2011-01-19T12:57:59Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Do you _have_ gold bars and diamonds? No, and I don’t have a blowup doll either. Come to think of it I don’t have a gun. I’m screwed. I’d say my ID and insurance cards, but you haven’t said I would be stripped naked, so if I could keep my wallet… Nothing, I don’t need anything that small. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/36 "2011-01-19T14:37:51Z")
ID, insurance cards, thumb drive full of crap from the computer. iPod. Checkbook. And jewlery - I have a fair bit of gold and diamond jewelry, almost all of it inherited. I could probably sell some of it if need be. But look here. It’s 30 degrees in NY today. Yesterday it was eighteen. And snowing. We are just going to be turned out in the snow with the clothes on our back? Or can we at least take a coat? Cause, you know what, fuck these aliens. I’d rather go with Oakminister. I have a couple of big knives, and I’m sure I can learn to hack off ears if need be. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/37 "2011-01-19T14:51:37Z")
The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control, and the paddle ball… and this lamp. That’s all I need. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/38 "2011-01-19T15:03:45Z")
My Randall Model 14,my Chris Reeve Sebenza, and the Colt 1911 and the S&W Model 36 that my dad carried as a cop. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/39 "2011-01-19T15:25:33Z")
Wallet,watch,phone,charger, wash kit +bit of towel,one of those small fold up waterproof jackets,address book and a multi tool. ---
**Author:** ![shamblesmaybe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@shamblesmaybe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamblesmaybe)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124/40 "2011-01-19T15:40:13Z")
Wallet, watch a couple of lighters (in case I need fire) and my motorcycle keys. Sure I can’t use the bike, but if I have the keys, neither can the person who brought it at auction… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-throw-give-away-all-your-possessions-except-what-will-fit-in-a-shoebox/568124.md?page=3)