Minimalism and Savings

What is a minimalism?

It is about living only with what’s necessary. Minimalism is freeing oneself from the desire to buy and accumulate more. It’s not just re-organizing but living with less stuff. It’s more of finding happiness in relationships and experiences.

How I get started?

When I was younger, I used to hoard fiction books, leaving them on display without even finding time to read them. I used to buy too much hair, body and other products that I don’t consume until its expiration. I used to buy so much raw and uncooked preserved foods without finding time to actually cook or bake them.

It came to a point where I feel suffocated by the clutter I stuffed my room with. I decided to organize my room and look for cleaning inspiration in YouTube. Then there, I was introduced to minimalist lifestyle. I saw how calming the effect of having less. I realized, I don’t actually need lots of stuff in my life.

So instead of re-organizing, I started de-cluttering my books, clothes, papers and etc. Here in the Philippines, there no ‘goods-for-donation’ center, I opted reselling and giving them away to friends and family. The money I earned from selling was used in paying small debts and some were donated to a fund-raising activity at work.

As for papers and documents, I found out that I had been keeping away 5 sacks of trash. They are old notebooks from my elementary, high school and college that I no longer need. I don’t understand why I’ve been keeping them there for years. I even find unused notebooks. I gave them away or reused them.

After my room de-cluttering, I redo my grocery list. Instead of buying too much junk, I started buying fresh produce and only bulk-buy the things that does not expire easily such as shampoo, soap, body wash, fabric conditioner, deodorant and no more.

Personally, this new habit allowed me save money while repaying debts by patronizing ‘less is necessary’. With less stuff, you’ll get a more spacious room, less clutter, less things to remember, better inventory of things you own and need, more fund for savings and the peace of mind you need.