Minimalist lifestyle?

[MJ DeMarco]

What I dont get is the extreme some people take it to. It is like they are on some bullshit self righteous mission to excuse their inability to go after something more.

I think this is the truth for a lot of folks. It gives them excuse not to "go big" or to strive for something great. It gives them the crutch and excuse "Oh, I don't need the Lamborghini and the nice house-- the Toyota and the air mattress will do." With that foundation, you convince yourself not to work any harder than you need too. I see so many blogs like this and frankly, it just seems like a lot of lazy people who don't want to work and would rather survive over thrive.

However, the counter to this is that some people actually have the ability to get the Lambo and the big house, and yet choose not too. Having had both for years, I can say there is some element of peace living without stuff. I like low to no drama. Exotic cars are drama queens. So are big houses with 4 AC units, pools, tax assessments, etc. etc. Just saying that a lot of people who can afford whatever they want are looking to minimize drama -- hence, minimalist lifestyle.

For me, I'm still looking for the big house on top of the hill, but will consider a tiny house on top of the hill as well. I'm more interested in not being governed by an HOA -- hence, another minimization of drama and an enhancement of freedom, doing whatever the heck I want with my house and not have to get permission from some random 6 person board.

 

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[DurianGray]

I'm backpacking around Asia right now. All my stuff fits in a 50L backpack.

4 shirts / 3 shorts / jacket/ a pair of chacos / umbrella / macbook / iphone / kindle / sunglasses / notebook / toiletries/ water bottle/ strong spirit

And I'm good to go.

Working in cafes and cutting down costs while building an online empire.
My goal is to eventually buy a flat in trendy neighborhood in SF/NYC. Better than the McMansions full of junk in the middle of nowhere.

 

[JasonR]

This thread is a good read, some very valid points from a few people who have clearly "made it," with differing opinions.

For me, I used to be all about stuff. But now I just can't stand to have shit around I don't use. To me it just feels like a waste. I do want some nice things, such as a nice house (I'll settle for a condo on a beach), and nice sports car (because I love cars), but I don't need a lot.

My position is sort of a mix of what Bobby and MJ said. I want a nice house and car, but the real value of money to me is freedom. Freedom for life experiences. I may think twice about buying something I know I can afford, but I rarely hesitate to spend when it comes to life experiences.

 

[biophase]

What I absolutely hate is when I get back from a long vacation and I have a pile of mail and a ton of shit to do. For me, being minimalist is that when I get home, I drop my luggage and turn on the tv. I hate looking at my utlity bills, my mortgages, credit card bills. I hate scheduling the pool guy, landscaper, house keeper. When I look at those things, I think that if I move to a 1br condo I could avoid all of this.

It's not that I mind paying out the money, I just hate that I have to do those things.

Same is happening to me in my business. I'm streamlining stuff, not to save money, but to save time. A side effect is that it does save money.

Having stuff is inevitable, you are out and you need xxxx and you buy it. Minimalist is not owning nothing, it's about not being attached to your things. It's very different. Kak has golf clubs, I have my mountain bike. We use them enough that renting is the wrong choice. But some people will buy things that they use one time because it's $35 rent and $100 to buy and they think "if I use this 3 times, I get the item for free." That's a saver's mentality and puts value on the item, not on the event that they are buying it for.

 

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[Kyle Tully]

I like the idea of going minimal.

Recently got back from 6 weeks traveling around the US... living out of a small suitcase in hotels and one room apartments.

Only non-clothing possessions were my macbook and DSLR. Didn't even bother getting a sim for my phone and never took it anywhere.

You get home from a trip like that and suddenly a big home feels like complete overkill.

And you realise how much stuff you have that you almost never use.

 

[GlobalWealth]

Ok I understand what you are saying. Someone could be happier and I would have no idea

I wasn't picking on you really. Just that you made such a hard line statement.

Sleeping on some blankets, crashing in peoples houses with your only suitcase of possessions sounds like living hell to me and it isnt what I work for.

Minimalism needn't be sleeping on a blanket and crashing at someone's house. I could be living in a fully furnished luxury apartment or house. It's just the detachment from possessions that is the minimalist mindset.

I am not some hoarding shithead.

Not hoarding? Or not a shithead...

But why choose inconvenience?

For you the inconvenience is not having the stuff you want. For me the inconvenience is having the stuff. It's just perception. To each his own.

I absolutely need a car.

Considering where you live, I would 100% agree. You don't live in a place conducive to walking or public transport. It just wouldn't work.

For me I hate driving and don't want the hassle of owning a car. So I chose to live in a place where it is not required. It was one of the deciding factors on living where I live.

Again, you chose where you live based on what you want in life. As did I. I am not trying to say one is any better than the other. Just choices and perception.

I need a place to live. Given the choice between a shit a$$ apartment and a house on the golf course with a pool I prefer a house on the golf course with a pool. This is not because I need it either, it is because I can and I want it.

For me I prefer the apartment because of the complete lack of maintenance and close proximity (walking distance) to everything I want to do. Plus I hate golf.

Given the choice between a king size bed and a yoga mat? BED

I'm with you there. Actually considering you spend about 33% of your life in bed, having a really nice bed is a very important aspect of quality of life. But I can promise you I would never take my king size bed frame and mattress out of this apartment. When I move, I will just buy another one.

Do I want a TV in my house? Sure I like to watch movies with the girlfriend.

I eliminated a TV in my house 5 years ago. Best decision ever. Now I watch the occasional netflix on the laptop, otherwise movies are for the cinema. Now I read at night instead of tv.

I get being minimalistic. What I dont get is the extreme some people take it to. It is like they are on some bullshit self righteous mission to excuse their inability to go after something more.

Interesting viewpoint. I agree that some people take minimalism, and conversely consumerism, to extremes to prove a point.

Good discussion.

 

[Hope]

I know this is going to sound cliche...

But my first brush with minimalism was watching fight-club with my older brother a few years back.

Over the years I've grown so tired of dealing with things, physical items, obligations, people, etc.

That I have adopted the minimalist lifestyle, but only while I am young and focusing on my entrepreneurial goals.

When I am older and richer, I'll buy an island, build a beautiful mansion on it, and get all the materiel items I want then.

Until then, I need and want only the items I can pick up and leave with, so its not much, keeps me frugal and focused.

 

[Runum]

This thread sounds weird to me. Maybe it is due to culture differences or because I almost don't own anything of my own but unless it is because you need money right now, why do you want to get rid of all this stuff? To make a comparison, to me, this sounds like trying to save money instead of trying to increase your income. If you don't need money, selling your stuff will give you less money than what you invested to buy it so you are loosing and as it is already paid and amortized, why not just keep it?
And in the case you just have too much, I am sure a lot of people around where you are living need clothes, food, etc... to reach a minimalist lifestyle level.
Maybe it is me but I struggle to understand why you want to do that and why you don't know how to get rid of what you no longer want.

It is absolutely cultural. In the US we are inundated with messages that you have to own something or be something to feel good about yourself. We love stuff so much that we will work at jobs we hate to pay to store stuff we don't use. We will build a bigger house to get more stuff inside of. We will go into bad debt to buy a gizmo to impress people that do not care about our stuff.

After many years of accumulating stuff you will come to realize that your stuff owns you. You can't quit the job and you can't move because of stuff. Your life choices have been limited because of prior decisions about stuff.

Stuff can be cool but stuff can also be toxic.

However, when considering stuff, I never thought about the guy in the culture that never had the opportunity to buy stuff. I guess this is a lesson that has to be learned with experience and each person must decide were their comfort level is with stuff.

 

[GlobalWealth]

I can say with 100% certainty that I have a happier life than someone that counts their clothing items and sleeps on a few blankets.

The fallacy here is the definitive nature of your statement. The problem is you are framing the world within your own set of lenses.

Can you really say you are 100% certain you are happier than someone else who has minimal stuff? I think not.

I personally have very little "stuff". I don't have the car, motorcycles, golf clubs, big house, or cigar collection. Does that make you happier than me?

I choose to not have this stuff. I have intentionally chosen to eliminate unnecessary clutter in my life. The things you have mentioned I deem to be unnecessary because they are detractors from my own happiness.

I do own an apartment in the city where I live. I just bought it 2 weeks ago. It was purely a financial decision. Two days after I put it under contract, the seller got an offer for eur40k higher than what I paid. Another apartment is for sale in the same building (same floorplan) for eur170k more.

For me, it was about opportunity cost. I can easily rent this place for a net 10% yield if I choose to move somewhere else. Most likely I will live at least part of next year in either Portugal or Croatia. I know I can rent this place for positive cash flow.

But the furniture is what I consider to be "disposable". I would rather toss it than move it. I don't have a car. I have a minimal wardrobe that is pruned every 2-3 months. I could easily move in 1 week if I want.

I chose the minimalist lifestyle because it frees my mind and my time for things that matter - life experiences and spending time with friends and family.

If I want to play golf, I rent the clubs. If I want a nice cigar, I buy it when I want to smoke. If I want to live at the country club, I will rent a house for a month at the country club - furnished. If I want to drive a nice car for a few days, I will rent one.

But I refuse to clutter my life with the stuff that detracts from what is important.

For you, it seems this stuff is important. Great. But you cannot definitively say you are 100% certain you are happier than someone who chooses the minimalist lifestyle.

 

[Kak]

The fallacy here is the definitive nature of your statement. The problem is you are framing the world within your own set of lenses.

Can you really say you are 100% certain you are happier than someone else who has minimal stuff? I think not.

I personally have very little "stuff". I don't have the car, motorcycles, golf clubs, big house, or cigar collection. Does that make you happier than me?

I choose to not have this stuff. I have intentionally chosen to eliminate unnecessary clutter in my life. The things you have mentioned I deem to be unnecessary because they are detractors from my own happiness.

I do own an apartment in the city where I live. I just bought it 2 weeks ago. It was purely a financial decision. Two days after I put it under contract, the seller got an offer for eur40k higher than what I paid. Another apartment is for sale in the same building (same floorplan) for eur170k more.

For me, it was about opportunity cost. I can easily rent this place for a net 10% yield if I choose to move somewhere else. Most likely I will live at least part of next year in either Portugal or Croatia. I know I can rent this place for positive cash flow.

But the furniture is what I consider to be "disposable". I would rather toss it than move it. I don't have a car. I have a minimal wardrobe that is pruned every 2-3 months. I could easily move in 1 week if I want.

I chose the minimalist lifestyle because it frees my mind and my time for things that matter - life experiences and spending time with friends and family.

If I want to play golf, I rent the clubs. If I want a nice cigar, I buy it when I want to smoke. If I want to live at the country club, I will rent a house for a month at the country club - furnished. If I want to drive a nice car for a few days, I will rent one.

But I refuse to clutter my life with the stuff that detracts from what is important.

For you, it seems this stuff is important. Great. But you cannot definitively say you are 100% certain you are happier than someone who chooses the minimalist lifestyle.

Ok I understand what you are saying. Someone could be happier and I would have no idea. Sleeping on some blankets, crashing in peoples houses with your only suitcase of possessions sounds like living hell to me and it isnt what I work for.

I am not some hoarding shithead. I dont keep that much stuff around. I like my cigars and I dont want to rent golf clubs. I never let things own me. I could get rid of it all very quickly too by throwing it in the trash, I am unattached. But why choose inconvenience? Fitting your whole life into a suitcase? Come on. (some of these guys not necessarily you)

I absolutely need a car. Given the choice between a shit a$$ car and a nice luxury car I pick the luxury car. This is not because I need it, but because I can and I want it.

I need a place to live. Given the choice between a shit a$$ apartment and a house on the golf course with a pool I prefer a house on the golf course with a pool. This is not because I need it either, it is because I can and I want it.

Given the choice between a king size bed and a yoga mat? BED

Do I want a TV in my house? Sure I like to watch movies with the girlfriend.

I get being minimalistic. What I dont get is the extreme some people take it to. It is like they are on some bullshit self righteous mission to excuse their inability to go after something more.

 

[GlobalWealth]

I like low to no drama. Exotic cars are drama queens. So are big houses with 4 AC units, pools, tax assessments, etc. etc. Just saying that a lot of people who can afford whatever they want are looking to minimize drama -- hence, minimalist lifestyle.

It's not that I mind paying out the money, I just hate that I have to do those things.

Same is happening to me in my business. I'm streamlining stuff, not to save money, but to save time. A side effect is that it does save money.

Wells said by MJ and Biophase.

My sentiments exactly. I like the way Biophase said, it - I don't want to come home with a ton of shit to do.

I prefer coming home, unpacking then settling down to relax. Not sift through mail, deal with the pool guy, the overdue bills, etc.

I get zero mail. Zero. None. Nada. What few bills I get come via email and many are autopay. My apartment has a mailbox, but I don't even remember the last time I opened the box.

I don't deal with car maintenance, insurance, repairs etc. I am leaving today for a 10 day trip to Italy. I will taxi to the airport. When I get to Rome I will rent the car. Money => car. No worries about repairs, maintenance, tires, etc.

It's not that I can't afford a car. I have just structured my life to make it unnecessary. When I need one, I rent it. It has been 9 months since I have rented a car. Clearly I don't need it very often.

Same is happening to me in my business. I'm streamlining stuff, not to save money, but to save time. A side effect is that it does save money.

Great point here too. I'm doing the same thing. Time is our most valuable resource so I am streamlining my business as well as my life to have as much available time as possible not spent on frivolous matters.

 

[GlobalWealth]

I've been traveling now for 6 weeks. I've been in the US (NC), St Martin, Anguilla, back to the US (NC) and Washington DC. Still just a backpack. Nothing beats the minimalist feeling.

 

[DeletedUser394]

Everything I own fits in 2 suitcases.

Just throw out/sell whatever you don't use. Get rid of any knicknack crap. If you're renting, rent furnished. If you're living at home, move out and rent furnished.

I suggest you don't physically count the number of items. I have no idea how many things I have, but I do know that I use them.

 

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[liquidglass]

A tip I read years ago that I used to eliminate my pack-rat tendencies was look at something. Clothes:if you haven't worn it the last time it was in season, donate it. Items: if you can't remember using it in 6 months, donate it. Keep-sakes: if you can't remember the significance associated with it, donate it.

Simple.

 

[splok]

I want to cut down to a certain number of items I physically own ... I don't know where to begin the elimination process.

It seems like sort of a silly question when you could just toss out everything except the things you mentioned, so I'll assume that the problem isn't logical but it's more of a unreasonable attachment to your stuff. So, here's a couple of things I've done (repeatedly) that really simplifies things, whether you like it or not:

- Move somewhere far away, and only take whatever you can fit in your car (no repeat trips).

- Move to a different country, and only take whatever you can fit in two suitcases.

Of course, after the move, I tend to accumulate things, but imo, the trick isn't learning to live without things, it's considering those things disposable. I have an apartment full of stuff at the moment, but when it's time to move again, life will get stripped down to whatever fits in two suitcases again with not a F*ck given about the stuff that doesn't fit.

You don't have to live like a monk to keep your stuff from tying you down, just don't place any more importance on it than it deserves. I like sleeping in a comfy bed. I think it makes me healthier and more productive and generally improves life, so I bought one. When it's time to leave, someone else gets a comfy bed at a considerably reduced price (or free).

 

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[biophase]

Related: I like to collect things.

It's a personality flaw.

If I get one thing in a series and like it, I'll quest for the rest.

How do I de-program myself?

This is easy.

Look at something that you collected a few years ago, then go look it up on eBay. See what it's worth. See how much people are selling them for as a collection. Did you just spend alot of money on something that is going down in value? Realize that they aren't really worth anything in the long run.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

why do you want to get rid of all this stuff?

I feel cluttered to be honest.
I hate having more stuff than what is needed. It allows me to put things off that are important to get done.

Honestly most of my personal stuff doesn't have much resell value in it.

I really just hate being a slave to my things.

 

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[Get Right]

For me - its about control. If I control the "stuff" it can stay. If it starts to control me, it has to go.

Example - I have a collector car that has slowly turned into a maintenance nightmare. It is now controlling my time and money. The enjoyment factor has diminished so it has to go.

 

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[Ninjakid]

Thats a lot of stress for a fancy coffee maker

Ever tried the Nespresso? The coffee that machine makes is like the joe equivalent of crack-cocaine -- except it won't ruin your life.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

I want to cut down to a certain number of items I physically own and I'm wondering if anyone else leads this kind of lifestyle


I want cut down to:

• The amount of cloths I have to - two pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of basketball shorts, 2 pairs of Khaki pants, 7 tee shirts 2 polos and my work shirts and 2 pairs of shoes(work and casual)
• My Laptop
• My phone
• Car

I don't want anything else aside from a few blankets to sleep on

Essentially the goal is to be able to pick up and take everything with move quickly whenever I want. (Minus the work shirts of course)

The reason I want to know if anyone else lives this kind of lifestyle is because I don't know where to begin the elimination process.

 

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[brycer9]

Think to yourself, "What is going to help me get to where I want to be", and then keep that stuff

 

[Shack]

Many people own stuff that they do not use and that's not a problem until you travel or move around often.
I suggest you put in a pile all the important things you can't live without and start dealing with the rest of the items one by one.

 

[GlobalWealth]

For me minimalism was a pretty emotional and very difficult choice. Like Runum stated, my stuff owned me, not the other way around so I decided that collecting life experiences was much more important than collecting stuff.

In order to do that I chose the minimalist lifestyle. I wrote an article about this about a year ago that you may like:

http://www.globalwealthprotection.com/minimalist-manifesto/

 

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[Kak]

Why???

I enjoy my king size bed, golf clubs, my firearm collection and my growing cigar collection. Id buy another boat if I had the time to use it. I want to join my nearby country club and am planning to get a house on the golf course. Maybe im crazy, but im trading in my truck for a luxury car next month after I get back from China. Why? because i can.

I understand the whole stuff not owning you thing, but come on. I can say with 100% certainty that I have a happier life than someone that counts their clothing items and sleeps on a few blankets.

 

[DeletedUser394]

Why???

I enjoy my king size bed, golf clubs, my firearm collection and my growing cigar collection. Id buy another boat if I had the time to use it. I want to join my nearby country club and would like to get a house on the golf course. Maybe im crazy, but im trading in my truck for a luxury car next month after I get back from China. Why? because i can.

I understand the whole stuff not owning you thing, but come on. I can say with 100% certainty that I have a happier life than someone that counts their clothing items and sleeps on a few blankets.

Different strokes for different folks.

It's a question of opportunity cost, at least for me.

Would I rather that shit box car/money pit, or would I rather take that money and spend a month in Nicaragua, etc?

The only interest I have other than accumulating money, is to accumulate experiences, all over the world. Nothing wrong with material things. I'm gunning for a sexy a$$ 458 italia (that I plan to transport with me to any destination I stay at for more than a week or two), and a penthouse or two, among other things.

I like the fact that I'm extremely mobile. Mobility is important to me, to be able to drop everything and just go.

 

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[JEdwards]

I get being minimalistic. What I dont get is the extreme some people take it to. It is like they are on some bullshit self righteous mission to excuse their inability to go after something more.

Exactly and there is a lot of that here.

 

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[Gsuz]

There is a saying along the lines of "A fish's growth is restricted by the size of the tank he's in." So if you're the guy who wants to sleep on a blanket all year long, there's a chance you might become that guy, because you can't afford anything else.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

I want to do it for efficiency sake. Less clothes, less time doing laundry and less time folding. I'm ok with more often.

I've already shrunk down to half my starting (op) wardrobe so far. I might go as far as limiting myself to a certain number of clothes in the future but now, with a
job, I need clothes to change often (work and civilian life). Hell I would like to get down to 8-15 outfits (shirts, pants, boxers) but that is in the future.

As for material items, all I need is a laptop. It can be a library, TV/Movie theater, game center, and document storage all in one.
Only need one car for where I live.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

Never did give an update on my decision.

While I'm not a minimalist, yet, I've eliminated a lot of the stuff I don't use or need.
Threw out a third of my clothes(holey,stained), donated another third(good condition/not sellable) and kept what I use frequently.

I read all of my books on kindle now. Either on my phone or on my computer. When I have more space I'll get a "study" with a nice chair I can kick back on.

I still like the thought process of just picking up and going where ever.

 

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[Angus]

A minimalist lifestyle is the way to go, everything that can be taken away from you is not you, so you must not get attached to it (thanks stoic & zen philosophy)
all you need is your body and your mind. even as a homeless person you can find your way in this world

@DurianGray that's cool as hell man, i will do it too in the future, what's the point of living if you don't do adventurous shit

 

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