Minimalism

[barkley]

He who dies with the most toys wins!!

with the caveat that-so long as "he" does estate planning regarding the 'toys' distribution individually (vs. 'you can all fight over who gets what' aka-'evenly distribute my property among my heirs'), and periodically purges junk so it doesn't make it a p.i.t.a. for whomever has to deal with it in the end (this coming from dealing directly w/going through, cleaning up, trying to document/determine current value/store/arbitrate fights among heirs in order to distribute 'toys' from 7 decedents/estates in the thankless role of 'executor' or 'trustee').

 

[MickeySP]

with the caveat that-so long as "he" does estate planning regarding the 'toys' distribution individually (vs. 'you can all fight over who gets what' aka-'evenly distribute my property among my heirs'), and periodically purges junk so it doesn't make it a p.i.t.a. for whomever has to deal with it in the end (this coming from dealing directly w/going through, cleaning up, trying to document/determine current value/store/arbitrate fights among heirs in order to distribute 'toys' from 7 decedents/estates in the thankless role of 'executor' or 'trustee').

LOL!!! I grew up in the family law firm so we are good. I was the traitor went from lawyer to PO. Family joke now.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Not ever going into stores helps. I guess one of the reasons I don't have more "things" is that I never even see the vast array of merchandise that's on offer - I have literally gone 3 or 4 months at a time without going into any store except a supermarket. For me, a purchase is usually motivated by coming to a point where I "need" something and from there I can think about what exactly to buy and where to get it. Sometimes if I wait long enough the "need" passes.

OP---I consider every price by the "cost per hour of use" and find that that alone rally makes it much easier to figure out what to buy and what not to. Do you see yourself wearing that $100 dress every week? (realistically) Will it stay in style, or be your style for several years to come? and it the quality is going to hold up to repeated wear? Then it is a bargain and might only costs 10 cents an hour!
Are you likely to wear that 25$ dress next week and then twice more, because it will look rumpled after washing and you'll never get around to ironing it? Not such a bargain then. Too expensive.

The result in thinking this way is that we own a lot less stuff, but much (not all) of what we do own is very high quality.

I also consider the environmental impact of an item being made for me, stored in my home (requiring a bigger home), etc versus renting or buying a single item (one manila envelope as needed, versus buying a box of them at Costco if I only use a few a year), etc when making purchases. it is not all about the money--it is also about the environment and also about that feeling of stressed out by too much stuff you reference upthread.

The flip side to Annette's post is for me, that I have things I am looking for and have been for a while--but I don't buy something that is mostly right but not what I really want (which used to be what I would do). So, for example, I like to wear hats. I have a big, white, sunhat I love (it's in my avatar). I want something similar in black. In the past i might have bought a low quality black hat that would flop into my eyes and only be worn once or twice because it wouldn't really be the exact thing I was looking for. And then i probably would have eventually ended up with 4-5 similar hats, all not too expensive, and all available to me relatively soon after i decided i wanted the hat--and none would really work out. Now--I have been looking for the RIGHT hat for nearly a year. When I see the one I really want, I'll feel OK with buying it even if it is expensive (the white one was about $50, which seems like a lot of a straw hat,but it doesn't flop in front of my eyes and I love it and wear it often and have for several years now--so cost per hour of use is low). On the meantime, I am ok with not having one, since anything less than the right hat will not really make me happy anyway.

 

[JaxDad]

LOL!!! I grew up in the family law firm so we are good. I was the traitor went from lawyer to PO. Family joke now.

Hi Mickey! I don't think you meant to quote my post from the Orlando terrorist attack thread here...

 

[piccolopat]

I really don't know too much about this minimalism thing but if its a lifestyle a person wants to live I think that is great. However I think when that person uses other people's passwords so they don't have to pay for Netflix, or ask someone for a ride because they don't want to own a car, or borrow equipment when they want to camp because they don't want to buy and store it, it becomes a fine line between mooching and "minimalism". If you want to sacrifice things for your lifestyle great, but that means actual sacrifice, it doesn't mean borrow something so that you can still do what you want to do.

I don't think it is a fine line at all. As described it is mooching. I would be ok if someone wanted to borrow my party size coffee urn if they rarely have company but were having a special celebration. I would be ok lending my van if you need to pick up a large purchase once or twice. To loan out regularly used items because someone us too cheap to buy or store it, no way.

 

[ronandannette]

...The flip side to Annette's post is for me, that I have things I am looking for and have been for a while--but I don't buy something that is mostly right but not what I really want (which used to be what I would do). So, for example, I like to wear hats. I have a big, white, sunhat I love (it's in my avatar). I want something similar in black. In the past i might have bought a low quality black hat that would flop into my eyes and only be worn once or twice because it wouldn't really be the exact thing I was looking for. And then i probably would have eventually ended up with 4-5 similar hats, all not too expensive, and all available to me relatively soon after i decided i wanted the hat--and none would really work out. Now--I have been looking for the RIGHT hat for nearly a year. When I see the one I really want, I'll feel OK with buying it even if it is expensive (the white one was about $50, which seems like a lot of a straw hat,but it doesn't flop in front of my eyes and I love it and wear it often and have for several years now--so cost per hour of use is low). On the meantime, I am ok with not having one, since anything less than the right hat will not really make me happy anyway.

That truly IS a bit different than my approach, which is not near so purposeful. I'm also not motivated to simplicity by environmental, financial or ideological concerns - I just really don't care much about "stuff" and hate shopping. I am waaaay less thoughtful and determined than you describe, in fact this would be me in the sun hat scenario: I didn't like the sun in my eyes on my last island vacation and today Hadley posts about a straw hat. I've got another vacation coming up and maybe I should get a straw hat too!! I'll think (off and on) about what stores around here sell sun hats and maybe Google hats a time or two to get an idea of what I like. One day I'll have a few spare minutes while I'm out and be by a store and decide to stop in. If they have a hat I like I'll buy it (if I like the price). I might even buy a hat I don't like very much just to get the job done. Or I might leave the store empty-handed and decide finding a sun hat isn't worth the bother. I'll go on my next vacation without giving it another thought. - until the sun is in my eyes again and I wish I had a sun hat like Hadley's!

 

[lovedisney123]

I have been a 'clearance' addict. Those red stickers get me for the 'maybe one day' thinking (maybe one day I will have a reason to wear it). I have been working on clearing out my closet. I am getting ready to go to our grocery store soon (which is also a department store). So I am making a list and trying to stick to it. Hopefully that helps! Baby steps! lol

 

[rastahomie]

I'm Facebook friends with a man who is an extreme minimalist. He's not poor - he is actually a successful businessman. Nor is he a miser - he'll pick up the check or buy a round of drinks from time to time, and he pays top-dollar for medical-grade... medicine . But he has no use for "stuff." He lives in a cheap studio apartment, all of his furniture came from Goodwill. I think his laptop, cell phone, and lamp are the only things he ever plugs in.

 

[LisaR]

I have been a 'clearance' addict. Those red stickers get me for the 'maybe one day' thinking (maybe one day I will have a reason to wear it). I have been working on clearing out my closet. I am getting ready to go to our grocery store soon (which is also a department store). So I am making a list and trying to stick to it. Hopefully that helps! Baby steps! lol

As I said earlier, I am not a true minimalist, but this is the kind of stuff I avoid. If I need something, I buy it. I don't borrow it, I don't buy something because it is cheap and I might need it someday, and I don't peruse stores just for the heck of it. When I need something, I grab it and leave (well, I pay first . I don't go to the clearance section because I don't want to buy things simply because they are marked down. I needed pajama pants this weekend. I went into Kohls, grabbed two pair and was out the door five minutes later. I didn't look at anything else because I didn't need anything else. For me that works. I know it isn't for everybody.

 

[lovedisney123]

I'm Facebook friends with a man who is an extreme minimalist. He's not poor - he is actually a successful businessman. Nor is he a miser - he'll pick up the check or buy a round of drinks from time to time, and he pays top-dollar for medical-grade... medicine . But he has no use for "stuff." He lives in a cheap studio apartment, all of his furniture came from Goodwill. I think his laptop, cell phone, and lamp are the only things he ever plugs in.

This is somewhat what I am interested in as well. I like the idea of my money going more towards 'experiences' and time with people I care about, than putting it towards STUFF that clutters my house, packs my closets and collects dust. As I said, I am only a few weeks into looking at this lifestyle and attempting to make changes. I am giving myself a year to see what happens. I have already decided that for Christmas I am giving restaurant gift cards or Disney gift cards if I know someone is going to Disney within the next year. Basically giving 'consumable' goods.

Oh, and I just returned from my department store grocery store, and I stayed strong In fact, after coupons, my bill came to less than $3 and I paid with cash. I realize it was just a step, but any journey starts with the first steps.

 

[NHdisneylover]

That truly IS a bit different than my approach, which is not near so purposeful. I'm also not motivated to simplicity by environmental, financial or ideological concerns - I just really don't care much about "stuff" and hate shopping. I am waaaay less thoughtful and determined than you describe, in fact this would be me in the sun hat scenario: I didn't like the sun in my eyes on my last island vacation and today Hadley posts about a straw hat. I've got another vacation coming up and maybe I should get a straw hat too!! I'll think (off and on) about what stores around here sell sun hats and maybe Google hats a time or two to get an idea of what I like. One day I'll have a few spare minutes while I'm out and be by a store and decide to stop in. If they have a hat I like I'll buy it (if I like the price). I might even buy a hat I don't like very much just to get the job done. Or I might leave the store empty-handed and decide finding a sun hat isn't worth the bother. I'll go on my next vacation without giving it another thought. - until the sun is in my eyes again and I wish I had a sun hat like Hadley's!

OMG your sunhat scenario cracked me up! Thanks--I needed that

 

[NHdisneylover]

This is somewhat what I am interested in as well. I like the idea of my money going more towards 'experiences' and time with people I care about, than putting it towards STUFF that clutters my house, packs my closets and collects dust. As I said, I am only a few weeks into looking at this lifestyle and attempting to make changes. I am giving myself a year to see what happens. I have already decided that for Christmas I am giving restaurant gift cards or Disney gift cards if I know someone is going to Disney within the next year. Basically giving 'consumable' goods.

Oh, and I just returned from my department store grocery store, and I stayed strong In fact, after coupons, my bill came to less than $3 and I paid with cash. I realize it was just a step, but any journey starts with the first steps.

Yeah--we travel a lot. A whole lot. People who know us tend to assume we have more income than we do (or more debt, or less savings). For us, it is mostly that we prioritize travel over most "things" and then are great at finding travel deals--so for us that is where our money goes instead of into "stuff" (I think two nicer vacations a year are covered by just what we save on not having a second car and the insurance, gas, upkeep, etc to go with it--even after I factor in the cost of my bike, tram fare, etc---though I fully admit that is MUCH easier to do living in Europe than it was in the US, but we did make a point of only buying a new home/condo somewhere that was still practical to be a one car family--and if DH did not need one for work we could be a no car family). For me, that is what makes me happier. Might not work for everyone.

 

[MickeySP]

Hi Mickey! I don't think you meant to quote my post from the Orlando terrorist attack thread here...

Oops

 

[lovedisney123]

The only thing that really keeps me back from the 1 car thing is worrying about what to do if the one breaks down. But we will see. I am still considering it since at some point when my DDs take two of the cars when they move DH and I will be left with one car and then we either add another or get by with the one. Probably won't have to decide for at least a year though.

 

[gotomu212]

The only thing that really keeps me back from the 1 car thing is worrying about what to do if the one breaks down. But we will see. I am still considering it since at some point when my DDs take two of the cars when they move DH and I will be left with one car and then we either add another or get by with the one. Probably won't have to decide for at least a year though.

We have one car and it works perfectly for us. I did worry about car repairs/accidents and what if.....but here we could rent a car for $50/week if a car went down for repairs or there's uber for a short little $10 ride somewhere if it's an emergency. Both of those options outweighed taxes, maintenance, and insurance for us (and we've yet to have a repair issue in the last 2 years of single car ownership).

One of the big things in minimalism is letting go of the "keeping this for a what if" mindset. That was big for me personally but really and truly those what ifs almost never happen and the few times I did need something for a what-it moment it was a really small, under $10, purchase which I felt outweighed all the crap I had shed.

 

[NHdisneylover]

One of the big things in minimalism is letting go of the "keeping this for a what if" mindset. That was big for me personally but really and truly those what ifs almost never happen and the few times I did need something for a what-it moment it was a really small, under $10, purchase which I felt outweighed all the crap I had shed.

YES to this!

 

[lovedisney123]

You are right. It is funny, buy when I was growing up my family only had one car. They did not get a second car until after I had moved out. I am guessing we can work it out. We just need a car that allows for us to transport a bike (DH likes to go to different trails for rides on Saturdays). We are looking at a Prius and he found you can have a hitch put on it to carry a bike. Right now we have a mini van and it is handy, but uses a lot more gas. Although I am leaning towards keeping it until it starts having a lot of problems (plus we have a Disney trip planned in March 2017 what includes 6 adults riding in our van to Florida).

 

[PollyannaMom]

I like the idea of my money going more towards 'experiences' and time with people I care about, than putting it towards STUFF that clutters my house, packs my closets and collects dust.

Me too! There have actually been studies that show people get more happiness from experiences than things....but I wish I'd realized that a lot sooner!

One of the big things in minimalism is letting go of the "keeping this for a what if" mindset.

That's my problem exactly!! I'm too good at thinking up 6 different uses for everything!

(I thank my grandmother, who lived through the Depression and was very frugal and creative!)

 

[lovedisney123]

Me too! There have actually been studies that show people get more happiness from experiences than things....but I wish I'd realized that a lot sooner!

I wish I had realized it sooner too. But this is the direction I want to take for now. We will see how it goes. I just came to this thinking in April and started researching in May. I figure I will just keep working on things over the next year and hope for the best. I am loving the blogs and videos and books. Glad to see there are some others here on the Disboards who think like this.

 

[ronandannette]

Me too! There have actually been studies that show people get more happiness from experiences than things....but I wish I'd realized that a lot sooner!

That's my problem exactly!! I'm too good at thinking up 6 different uses for everything!

Well, if you actually use those items for 6 different things on a regular basis, then I think you really ought to have them and enjoy! Sometimes having the right tool for the job is the definition of happiness - in the moment. (There's also something to be said for having enough ingenuity to be able to multi-purpose mundane things.)