Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by having too much stuff, too many commitments or maybe even too many financial obligations? If so, adopting a minimalist lifestyle may be the solution for you. Minimalism is about living with less. Whether it’s by removing and decluttering excess items from your home, simplifying your social calendar or paying off debt, minimalism can have a profound impact on your overall happiness, stress levels and even your bank account. If you think a minimalist lifestyle is for you, here are a few tips to get you started.
The first thing you need to do on your path to a minimalist lifestyle is to understand why and how you want to live with less. If your ‘why’ is about stuff, your home may be full of unused items, full of clutter or maybe you find it difficult to find things. If your ‘why’ is about time, you may be constantly running late to appointments or are overwhelmed by your social calendar. If your ‘why’ is about finances, paying your monthly bills may be stressful for you or you might find it difficult to save money or pay for the things that matter most to you. No matter what your ‘why’ is, understanding it will help you develop your plan to leading a more simplistic life.
Now that you understand why you want to live with less, it’s time to develop a timeframe for when you want to reach your goal. Getting rid of all the excess can take time so make sure your timeframe is realistic. For instance, going through all of the extra stuff in your home can take days, weeks or even months. Likewise, paying off extra debt can take months, if not years to accomplish. Don’t get discouraged by how long it will realistically take to reach your goal. The longest journeys start with a single step, so the important part is to simply get started.
As stated earlier, living a minimalistic lifestyle can be about many things, so there are many different ways to go about living with less. Here are some simple tips to get you started depending on your ‘why’.
Stuff: If your goal is to get rid of excess stuff, here are some easy tips for buying less and/or deciding what to keep, sell or donate. In the end, you will be left with the stuff you value the most and hopefully a little extra cash in your wallet:
Time: We live in a society where continually doing more is the benchmark by which we measure our success. But doing more comes with a price – more stress and fatigue and less time doing what we really enjoy. Follow these tips to take more control of your time so that you can spend it doing what you value the most.
Finances: Managing your finances is an ongoing process and can be very stressful at times, especially if you find yourself with too many financial obligations and not enough extra cash. Many feel that if they only made more money they would be less stressed. But the truth is, it’s not always about making more money, it’s about making the most out of the money you currently make. Here are some easy tips to help minimize your financial stress:
Not only does minimalism help you live a less stressful life, it can also lead to have more money in your wallet. If you are looking for a safe place to store that extra cash, a Personal Banker from FNBO can set you up with an account that meets your needs. Call or stop by a branch location today.
The articles in this blog are for informational purposes only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations. When making decisions about your financial situation, consult a financial professional for advice. Articles are not regularly updated, and information may become outdated.