10 Things I am Learning to live without

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1) Monthly payments and leases for permanent assets

Especially for a car, but also for a mortgage.

I don’t think I’ll ever purchase a house, but I never say never.

I rent because it gives me flexibility and freedom, especially as someone who has nomadic tendencies and is a consultant.

(By general definition, consulting = travelling…)

2) Landline/Home Phone

I use my cellphone for my life, and for my business. Period.

Plus, it’s portable :)

No need to sign anything or ask someone to come in and hook the connection up.

I can also keep my telephone number wherever I go, so even if I move cities, I can keep my number.

This might seem inconvenient but I need to have Canada-wide long distance calling on my phone ANYWAY, with the nature of my job, and my incoming calls are free.

I also rarely use the phone. I never go over my 100 minutes a month, let alone 10 minutes.

3) Shopping for fun and Shopping Parties

You know those Tupperware or Purse parties? No thanks. I also don’t go out shopping for fun any longer — it just adds to my temptation.

4) Guilt

I don’t buy the latest toys (iPad debacle, anyone?), and I even held off on an e-book reader for a couple of years and counting, because the price isn’t right.

I don’t feel guilty about not having the latest and greatest toys.

I don’t feel bad about saying “No” to people, events and commitments.

I don’t feel guilty about owning anything I don’t love or use.

5) Newspapers and Magazines

I feel a bit bad about this, as I know people in the publishing industry, but magazines used to stack up into huge piles in the corner when I subscribed to them.

They also made me feel like I wanted to go shopping for the newest purse, the newest dress or whatever else was in those shopping/fashion/lifestyle magazines.

The temptation was awful.

Now I get my fix online ;)

6) The luxury of energy

Heating the house to a balmy temperature is unnecessary in Canada.

Of course, I need it to be a BIT warm, but for personal preference, I just throw a sweater and some MUGGs on my feet, and I am perfectly fine.

Some people crank up the heat too far, but slightly cold is all right for me.

Running the air conditioner when it’s just a bit too hot in Canada, is also a luxury (but not for those of you living in Florida I bet!)

I just cool down the room before I sleep, and let a light fan run instead of the A/C.

I also use a night light in the bathroom for the night, and put everything on power strips, which I shut off at night to avoid vampire drain.

I’m getting used to using less energy.

7) Debt

I cleared my student debt and am happy to report that I am being extremely careful to never rack up ANY kind of debt again.

8) Fancy nights out

I am more of a homebody. I don’t like clubs or fancy restaurants.

We also don’t eat out unless it’s a really special occasion to celebrate something, or if I am meeting friends.

I just prefer eating at home — I know what goes into my food, I love spending the time cooking it to exactly what I want, and it’s cheaper to boot!

9) Gifts — Receiving or Giving

And by gifts, I mean STUFF.

I’d rather go out to eat with friends, or gift services.

I don’t like having extra stuff in my closet, or anything that I am not planning on using.

When I do get gifts, I of course, do NOT go into a tirade about how I hate gifts and clutter.

I just simply smile, thank them, reciprocate with something, and re-gift the items to my very happy friends who will get some good usage out of them.

10) A Starbucks here, a Muffin there…

No more. I only buy those items as a treat.

This also makes the treat all the more special if I don’t get it every day, and take it for granted.

About everydayminimalist

I'm a 20-something year old girl who lived out of a single suitcase in 2007, and now I'm living with less, but only with the best. You don't have to get rid of everything to become a minimalist! Minimalism can help simplify and organize your life, career, & physical surroundings. You can read more about me as a minimalist. Or come and visit my other blog Fabulously Broke in the City where I got out of $60,000 of debt in 18 months, earning $65,000 gross/year.