We have been on our minimalist journey for 3 months now! It’s very interesting how minimalism has shifted the way I think about everything. Now when we run out of something I stop and think. Can we live without it? or I look up a reusable ECO friendly alternative.
Minimalist SHOPPING
Emmett, my 3 year old, has currently grown out of a lot of winter clothes, which will be saved for Calvin, my 1 year old. Instead of running out and buying a bunch of replacement items I am going to see if we can get by on what he has for a while. After a month I will reassess if we need to buy him more clothes.
If this was a few months ago I would have already bought him a ton of clothes without even knowing if he really needs more.
I have only been to target twice in the last month and both times I only had 2 or 3 items to buy and I stuck to those items and didn’t buy a thing more. I actually walked around the store thinking, look at all this stuff I don’t need. Calvin broke a lamp so I had to find a replacement, I was able to rig something up for $3.99.
Decluttering to be Minimalist – CLEANING OUT
I have gone through the entire house and completed our initial declutter, but as time goes on I have been going through again and really asking myself what we really need to keep.
I love the Konmari theory of only keeping what inspires you, but for me that doesn’t work that great because clothes don’t inspire me. So what I am doing is if I put something on and change out of it for any reason I set it aside and think about it.
Then I will try to wear the item again and if I keep not wearing it for whatever reason I donate it. Sometimes clothes fit well, but for some reason we just don’t wear it time and time again. When this keeps happening I am now donating that item.
BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS & MINIMALISM
We have been to a few birthday parties since adopting minimalism and I have resorted to giving money for a gift. That way the person can buy what they really want or need. Also I am not wasting money and the environment on wrapping.
I had my birthday the other day and we went out to dinner which was a great gift from my family. I didn’t get anything from Grant and I was happy with that because he never knows what to get me anyways.
My mom got me a few things that she knew I needed and wanted (wash cloths and a tablecloth). The holidays are coming up and I will only be buying the kids what they really need and maybe one toy. I know they won’t know the difference between 3 toys and 50 toys.
SAVING MONEY with MINIMALISM
The proof is in the pudding, as they say! We have saved over $300 a month so far by not buying junk.
I think about what I stopped buying and I can’t really pin point exactly what I cut out. Now I don’t buy anything but food and necessities.
We have also been eating all our meals at home, which has saved money and been much healthier. With this savings we will be going to New Zealand to visit friends and family in a few months.
Giving ourselves an experience over things!
Leave me a comment below and let me know what has changed along your minimalist journey?
Read More About Our Minimalist Journey
2 Month MINIMALISM 2 MONTHS POST
1 Month MINIMALISM 1 MONTH POST
Finding Minimalism MINIMALISM FIRST POST