How Can Minimalism Save You Money?

There is a movement taking place around the world – people are committing themselves to live a more purposeful, happier life with less. Minimalism isn’t a new thing – you can argue that Tyler Durden was an anti-consumerism minimalist when Fight Club came out in 1999!

But, thanks to the recent work of Joshua Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus – the minimalist life is gaining momentum as more people seek a happier and fulfilling debt-free existence.

What is minimalism?

Minimalism isn’t about living with nothing. But, it is about living with more purpose; being more deliberate in your decision-making and choosing to buy only the things you need.

Do you need to eat out every night of the week? Do you need a new pair of shoes every month? Do you need to buy that belt that matches your new handbag?

All this stuff is cluttering our lives. Minimalism is about re-calibrating and consciously moving against consumerism and the society-driven hunger to own more stuff. It’s a tool to help you find your freedom from the excesses of life.

What are the benefits of minimalism?

Minimalism helps you find freedom from stress, worry, guilt, and depression. There are many benefits in owning less, you:

• Reduce debt
• Buy less stuff
• Save money
• Eat healthier
• Live happier
• Spend your time and money more wisely.

How you can use the minimalism philosophy to save money

What’s interesting is that you don’t need to commit yourself fully to a minimalist life – but, you can certainly use the philosophy to generate some ideas to reduce the clutter in your life.

1. Cook more meals at home. Plan your meals for the week, and only buy the food items you need to create the meals you’re eating. You’ll save money on snacks, take away, and food wastage.
2. Trial a week without driving your car. Can you use public transport or get a lift to work with a colleague? Do you need your car to collect your groceries or, can you pick something up while you’re in town? You’ll save money on parking and petrol.
3. Spring clean your wardrobe. Rifle through every item hanging up in your wardrobe and folded in your drawers. Pull out the clothes you haven’t worn in the last 12 months. Sell the good stuff on eBay or donate it to charity. Everything goes.
4. Solemnly swear you will not buy any more clothes, technology, or accessories for the remainder of 2017. Seriously, do you really need a new iWatch? If you’re anything like my teenage daughters this will save millions!
5. Quit your gym and exercise at home. With so many free circuits available on YouTube and Facebook – you can ditch the excessive gym fees and train at home.

You really don’t have to go full hog and force yourself into a strict life of 100 possessions or less. That doesn’t sound fun, and it’s not what minimalism is about. But, you can choose to live with intention and be a more deliberate consumer and decision-maker.

The value here is not just with saving you money, it’s also the effect less clutter and less stuff has on enhancing your health and happiness in life.

How are you choosing to do more with less? Please share your comments and ideas below!