Top 10 Minimalism tips
Make Uses of the Ingredients You Already have
Do you ever look at your pantry and wonder how your leftover items will ever go together? Well, sites like SuperCook, BigOven, and Tasty help you create amazing dishes with the items you already have in your cupboard and fridge. Using the suggestions on their sites will also help you create a minimalistic grocery list. What are you waiting for? Start getting in the habit of using all of your ingredients today. You never know what delicious meals you’ll come up with next.
Spend time with people who have good money habits and beliefs
You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you get around people who make good money decisions and have good money habits, they will rub off on you, too.
- Listen: Your Relationship With Money (podcast)
- Listen: The Best Indicator Of Your Success (podcast)
Do the spending vs. value test.
Minimalist living is not just about getting rid of stuff. It’s also about getting the most value from life and focusing on what’s important. Do a spending vs. value test to figure out what matters the most. Make a list of the ten most expensive items that you own. This can include your house, car, jewelry, TV, etc. Then make another list with the things that add the most value to your life. This could include playing with your kids at the park, traveling, or enjoying new cuisines. When you’re done, compare the two lists and see where there’s overlap. If there isn’t any, think if you can get rid of some items from the “stuff” list to pay for or make room for the “value” list. This list may also show what you should stop buying to make more room in your budget for your values.
Incorporate clean, simple lines
Simplicity is key in minimalist decor. Choosing furniture with clean lines and in simple shapes, like a plain square coffee table or an uncomplicated lamp, will keep your apartment orderly.
Use coupons when you shop
Get in the habit of using coupons when you shop. You can use physical, paper coupons, or find ways to use digital coupons (my preferred method of choice). It’s a way to save money and get the best deal. Once you’re in this habit, it’s easy to keep searching for more coupons, which leads to more savings.
Choose furniture with nothing underneath
When picking your couches, chairs, bedframe and coffee table, you'll want to stick with pieces that show the legs and are open underneath. These pieces look sleeker and don't give an illusion of hiding anything underneath, which will make your apartment look cleaner and larger.
Declutter little by little each day
Decluttering your items is not a race. You can do as much or as little as you desire. The important thing is that your taking a step forward. You could start by just reducing one item per day. You might get so comfortable with doing that, you feel inspired to reduce even more items in a day. Just go at your own pace, and you'll soon be living in a space that brings you joy. Check out my tips for decluttering.
Harness the light
The more light, the better! Whether you're able to harness the natural light coming in through windows or you add other lighting options throughout your apartment, have as much light as possible. Making things brighter will add a clean, crisp feeling and make your apartment not feel crowded.
Work in a job that pays you what you’re worth in the market place
Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. It’s relatively easy to search online and find out what someone with your job is likely to make in your area. Take advantage of this. If you find out you’re underpaid, do something about it. Ask for a raise, build your resume, or find another job – just don’t accept how things are. Your career is too long to spend it underpaid. Next step:
- Read How To Make A Career Change
Listen to personal finance podcasts
To increase your knowledge of personal finance, a good personal finance tip is to listen to podcasts. I used to listen to money podcasts during my commute before I started my blog. It was my very first introduction to learning about money. This is an easy way to learn about money with very little effort. Next step:
- Listen: Bad With Money With Gaby Dunn (podcast)