When I first starting embracing minimalism, I imagined a very stark, bleak life.
No possessions, shaved head, you know.. all that stereotypical stuff. 
When I finally gave it a shot and did the following:
- gave up all my furniture and lived out of a suitcase as a consultant
- sold 50% of my wardrobe (perhaps more, there was a frenzy of donating near the end)
- moved to a smaller apartment (a studio to be more exact)
- bought furniture, but only key pieces: table, chairs, futon, 2 metal racks
..inevitably money always seemed to be part of my decisions, directly or indirectly.
Most of my minimalist decisions saved me money, that’s for sure.
But I didn’t do it just for the money
Sure, I had debt.
$60,000 of it in education loans that I cleared in 18 months.
But I didn’t do it as a means to to save money and get out of debt.
I did it because I had the means and opportunity to do so, so I bit the bullet and jumped in headfirst.
It was a simple decision:
no apartment = no rent = no money owed = more money saved
However it soon became more than just saving money to me, it became a part of my lifestyle.
And I still don’t do it for the money
Even now, being a full year out of debt, I have the money to basically buy what I want (within reason and my bank account).
All of my decisions are because my habits have now changed over the past couple of years, to wanting less items, but the choice has always been mine.
If I wanted to buy a big screen TV, I have the money to do it, and I would.
I now choose not to.
Mostly because I don’t have a cable subscription and I don’t watch TV in the traditional sense, but I still chose to not re-introduce a TV into my life.
Money in a minimalist’s world is just re-allocated
Some people may feel that going minimalist ultimately means you will save tons of money and live happily ever after with lots of free flowing cash.
If you don’t buy that new TV you wanted because you are a self-branded minimalist, you’ve just saved a couple of thousand at least, right?
Multiply that by not buying a new car, a new table… and you’ve got thousands!
Well yes. But doing it for the money is not my objective, and maybe that’s why it’s been easier for me to ingrain into my everyday habits.
I don’t want to buy a new TV or to watch it on a TV because since giving it up, I have found my life richer as a result.
I have more time, which I just re-allocate to spending time in areas that I love: cooking, blogging, sleeping, etc.
And it’s the same with money.
I am just freeing it up by NOT buying material possessions so I can:
- move at a moment’s notice — Give me a day to pack and I can move by tomorrow
- stop worrying about my stuff — “Please use a coaster on my very expensive coffee table!”
- spend the money on traveling — seeing more of the world
- ..and well, spend it everywhere else that makes me happy
Money is just re-allocated when I save it.
I still spend it. I just spend it on what I want.
Sounds horribly simple right?
I wish I came to this realization years ago.
Jesse
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 2:42 pm:
I have a similar story in that I didn't get into minimalism (in fact, I only started calling myself a minimalist in the last couple of months) to save money. I got into it because when I started purging STUFF I started feeling incrementally better. I saw that the two things were correlating perfectly…the more I purged, the better I felt!
We all have different reasons for making the journey to minimalism, thanks for sharing yours!
Charley Forness
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 3:20 pm:
Great article. I was lucky (read = busted my arse off) to pay off my primary home a year ago. Now, I'm doing the 100 Thing Challenge in 2010, I don't really know what to spend my money on.
So I have Vacation Fund, Publish My Own Book Fund, upped my retirement contributions, upped the contributions to my triplets' Education accounts. But I really don't want any stuff. Thanks for the great breakdown.
Chris
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 3:46 pm:
I love it. I'm the same way (now). Just wish I'd been so wise four years ago when I bought $6,000 worth of electronics. Oh well, live and learn.
)
nicole 86
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 7:49 pm:
Great post. I am on the way : A great purge after a painful divorce is the beginning of freedom.
My relatives think I am depressed, as I only enjoy what I use and like.
Next purchase : a Japanese tea set to enjoy after donating china.
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 9:35 pm:
Your relatives think you're depressed because you only use what you like?
I find that hilarious.
I'd be more excited about you getting on with your life and finding what works for you.
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 9:36 pm:
We all make mistakes
I can tell you, that I am definitely someone who has to keep her technology lust in check.
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 9:36 pm:
Congratulations!
Paying off your primary home is no small feat.
And if you can't think of anything you really want to buy or pay for, then just bank the cash and be happy you have it
Everyone needs emergency cash.
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 11th, 2010
@ 9:37 pm:
You're welcome, and thank you!
TPS Report Tuesday | The Corporate Chick
on Jan 12th, 2010
@ 9:00 am:
[...] around in our homes. I am not entirely a minimalist yet, but I’m working on getting there. Read this article about money in minimalism. It’s great – my husband and I live pretty minimalisticly and it’s [...]