I may have shifted my focus from writing solely about minimalism to a greater variety of topics, but I’m still an advocate for having less stuff than the average American. And there are a bunch of reasons for this mindset. But if you’re like me, moving steadily toward retirement, expense is toward the top of the list.
To Work Less and Pay More Bills
I started and experiment this year. I cut down on my working hours while paying more toward my bills. That might sound strange, maybe even impossible. It’s not only possible, but it works. Here’s why. When we make more money than we really need, we tend to spend more, too. It’s easy to justify another small credit card expenditure or even a large purchase. After all, we’re making enough money to cover things. More stuff becomes the norm.
Something happens when you purposely limit how much money you bring in. You become more conscious about your budget. So even though I’m limiting my work hours, I’m focusing more on dealing with my debt at the same time. This means I’m buying less stuff.
4 Good Reasons to Have Less Stuff
- Spend less: More stuff leads to more expense. Whether it’s a small purchase or a large item, it all adds up. Consider your true needs. Do you really need a new car? Is that new appliance a necessity? You can save hundreds per month by making thoughtful decisions on purchases. Don’t buy things you don’t really need.
- Less upkeep: If you have three cars, you have to care for three cars. That might even include payments and insurance. Having less stuff not only saves you money, but you’ll have less work to do. If you own several electronic devices, that’s more to update. More stuff equals more work, period.
- Leftover money: So by buying less, I wind up with more money. I can use that money to pay debt or an occasional treat. Experiences are high on my list when I have a little extra cash. A short vacation, a concert, or sporting events are great ways to use that leftover money. Or you could give a little to charity.
- More space: And of course, you’ll have more space. Honestly, my attraction to minimalism has always been less about avoiding consumerism and more about avoiding clutter. Open spaces are very calming. There’s an aesthetic beauty in open landscapes and uncluttered rooms.
Simplicity Goes a Long Way
I encourage you to consider first, not how much stuff you already have, but rather how much stuff you buy. You can always declutter. More importantly, you need to change your buying habits.
If you want to buy less stuff, you might try limiting your income for awhile. That will force you to become more conscious about your purchasing decisions. Once you learn to thoughtfully consider each purchase, you’ll be on your way to saving money and working less.
If you’d like to develop simple habits for life, stay up to date with the happenings here at danerickson.net by signing up for my free newsletter.
