Top 10 Minimalism tips
Visit Your Friends and Family
Instead of determining a destination and then planning a vacation around it, ask your friends and family if you can come to visit. Do you have an uncle in New York City? Or, perhaps you have a passed school mate that lives on the California coast? No matter where your friends and family live, ask them if you can come to visit. Not only will you save money on lodging but they may be willing to show you around town.
Keep only what you need
As the name implies, minimalism means having less — keeping belongings to a minimum. That might mean you need to clean things out or at least hide them out of sight in a closet or cabinet.
Stick to a Grocery List
A minimalist doesn’t need excess items. The less they consume, the better. Therefore, creating a grocery list can help all minimalist ensure they aren’t purchasing too much. Take an inventory of all the food you have in your home, then plan your weekly meals accordingly. You may even want to divide your grocery list into categories to make your grocery visit as quick as possible. The less time you’re in the store, the less time you have to overspend.
Get a Toy Box
Invest in strategic toy storage that keeps legos off the floor and stuffed animals out of the living room. Get a toy box and fill it. Eliminate whatever extra toys don’t fit in the toy box. Each time your child gets a new toy, have them choose an old toy to donate.
Be aware of the three types of income and how you pay taxes on each differently
There are three types of income, and they’re not treated equally. Knowing this can help you better understand your taxes and which income you to make more of. The three types of income are: 1) earned income (like what you make from your day-job), 2) portfolio income (the income you make from the stock market when your investments go up), and 3) passive income (the income you make from assets you own, while not actively working (e.g.: rental income or business income). Each type of income is taxed differently, too. You pay a higher percentage in taxes from active income than from portfolio income, typically. Knowing the different types of income can help you better understand how your money works and how you can save on taxes, too.
Create a Routine
Creating a daily routine is underestimated, a lot. What if you don’t have to think about what to wear, what to drink, what to eat, when to get up? What if these little details are already settled and the only thing you need to do is do the work you want. The work that will inspire, help others? You will be most probably 300% more productive and more satisfied with your life. Find out what is the most important task (tasks) in your life and clear your schedule for making this sole thing. Soon enough you will begin to live more focused and more meaningful life.
Keep it Clean
Giving your space a fresh, rejuvenated feel will supplement your minimalist attitude. It is hard for clutter and garbage to accumulate when you are maintaining your home regularly.
Add opaque drapes
Opaque fabrics look heavier than those that are sheer, which will play to your advantage when going for a minimalist vibe. Light, airy textiles are often associated with bohemian or beachy decor, but using a heavier, opaque fabric for your drapes will bring a little more seriousness to your apartment.
Simplify decision making
Too many decisions take up our mental capacity and can be draining, if not debilitating. Simple living is about knowing what matters most to you in life and easing the burden of choice. You’ll be surprised at how a little self-awareness, clarity, and focus, can chisel your decision-making skills.
Learn contentment.
I became a minimalist because of Marie Kondo, but her now well-known question, “Does it spark joy?” didn’t serve me well. Because I became a minimalist during a season of living paycheck to paycheck, what was left over after decluttering, I didn’t love. We had mostly hand-me-down, crappy furniture and odds and ends accessories and décor. I saw the minimalist homes of people who had expensive furniture and everything that goes with it, things I wanted, and I was honestly discontented with our life. I blamed minimalism. Really, it was my own heart issues. I needed to practice contentment with what we had and the season of life we were in. Keeping a gratitude journal can also help you develop contentment. Related: The Downside to Minimalism (that no one likes to talk about)