I'm reading this killer book by Leo Babauta called The Power of Less, and in it he suggests to spend 15 mins. a day on a new habit to work on. It's brilliant! Just enough to get you to take action, but not enough to wear you out. I actually look forward to this "work on me" time!

I've been using it to declutter our house more (and subsequently my brain), but you can surely apply it to anything in life - even finance. It's been about 12 days now and I'm still going strong, baby! Incredible. And perfect for us A.D.D. folk ;)

What I love the most about this concept is that it gets you to STOP all the craziness of your day - whether it's in the morning, day, night, whatever - and helps you to FOCUS on a simple task. Whatever you choose it to be. It's fascinating because you'd think out of 24 hours each day that 15 minutes wouldn't mean jack, but sometimes we just go and go and go w/out ever stopping and consciously prioritizing our time and wants in life. Like everything's one big "swoosh," ya know?

15 minutes doesn't seem a lot of time (power of less, eh?) but it can do wonders if spent wisely. Think about it - what would you do with an extra 15 mins every day? If a genie stopped time and said GO! Do whatever you want for 15 mins and then we'll start the day up again! Would you use it to better your lifestyle?

I encourage you to take a few minutes right now and really think about what goal you'd love to achieve this month. It could be the smallest, or simplest one out there - it doesn't matter. What's important is that it's a habit that makes you happy. A habit that gets you towards a healthier YOU.

Here are some ideas if it helps. Some are financial, and others not:

• Declutter your house. In these past 12 days I've cleaned out my closet, drawers, cabinets under the sink, kitchen cupboards, and just last night my file cabinets! (although that took 3 hours - but the point is I would have never started had it not been for this new mindset)
  
• Review a bill each night. I guarantee you'll find places you're overspending.
• Run/walk around the block. Much easier to do knowing it's only 15 minutes, right?
• Do art.Pick up a brush, sharpie, block of clay, whatev. Just go for it!
  
• Eat healthier. Prepare 1 meal ahead of time each day so you know you're eating well.
• Clip/download coupons. Buy the same stuff every week? Spend a few mins finding deals!
  
• Review your cash flow. Jot down what went out, and what came in for the day.
  
• Read before bed. If you're a slacker like me, this will really get you in the habit of reading more :) Plus, I find it's a great way to let your mind release that day's stresses before zonking out.

The list goes on and on my friends! I asked my newsletter subscribers this very same question and the results were outstanding (some of which are listed above). I may be in the "new & shiny" excitement phase right now, but I honestly couldn't be happier. And I want YOU to be happy too! So again I ask - how could 15 minutes improve YOUR life today?

Labels: advice, goals, life, minimalism

I feel like I want to be a Minimalist right now :) I know it's a lot easier said than done, but in theory it sounds awesome! Fewer things to worry about, less clutter in the house, less maintenance costs, less less less!



I've been thinking about this for over a week now since the Frugal Bachelor started hitting on it. And then even MORE when he linked over to The 100 Things Challenge by the Minimalist King himself - Leo @ Zen Habits. Damn that really got me thinking....what the hell am I doing collecting all this stuff?! Do I even *use* half of it? (answer: no)

Before I get into it all though, here's a great explanation of what minimalism is by ecollo:

"When the term minimalism is used, it often refers to art that is stripped down so it only includes the bare necessities. That same principle applies to the minimalist lifestyle. The idea is to de-clutter the area around you and to avoid accumulating more by simply not buying things you don't need."

YES! I like, I like! Now, anyone who knows me in REAL LIFE would probably tell you that I represent the opposite of minimalism ;) I have frames & art all over my walls, drawers stuffed with trinkets, collections of things I can't give up, boxes of 8th grade notes, etc etc...in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if people mistaken our place for an antique store! Or at least a thrift store. haha...So yeah, this would def. be a challenge for me. But like I said, in theory I'm all about it!

Minimalist Lifestyle = Fewer Things On Mind

As I get older, I'm realizing that the more stuff I have the more stuff I have to WORRY about. I really hate that. I could honestly say that I love 75% of the items I own, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the mental price tag. I mean, how could I appreciate what I really own when I'm in front of the TV or laptop all the time anyways? I dunno...

The other side of me asks me what the hell I'm talking about ;) I LOVE all the artwork and pictures watching over us as we roam the halls. They scream LIFE, HAPPINESS, CREATIVITY - so what's bad about that? Nothing I don't think, as long as I keep and appreciate *those* belongings and instead rid myself of the other junk lying around. I guess that's the first step here - dividing your stuff up into things you absolutely enjoy, and then all others under it. No real gray areas - either you love it or it's "so-so" and it's taking up space. (there's probably a 3rd category of things you *need* like tools and such too, but not sure where that fits in with this lifestyle)

Minimalist Lifestyle = Less Clutter

If the brain power wasn't enough, the physical part is. Every day we go through our front door, see 1,000+ things instantly, and then brush most of it away to concentrate on the items needed that very second. And that's just the first level! If you have 2 more (like we do), the same thing occurs every time you walk through. It's not the end of the world, but I bet your brain would feel a lot better seeing LESS stuff around the house. Or I guess less UNNECESSARY stuff as we have already determined (or at least I did with the art everywhere - if those aren't important to you they go right into YOUR so-so bin).

And guess what? The fewer things you own the less maintenance/upkeep you have to shell out money on! No more fixing unimportant (to you) gadgets, toys, collections, etc etc. I'm telling you, if you could pull it off I bet you'd be a lot happier :)

And having less clutter around the house is just the first half of it all. If you can clean things out, and STICK to it, the desire to buy more and more stuff would diminish along with it. After all, if you keep buying things they'll go right back on the shelves and drawers that you just worked so hard to freshen up, right? That means less money going out the door, and a fatter savings account. Or at least a house full of *must haves* if you subscribe to the "buy something - throw something else out" rule.

Buy Something - Throw Something Out

If you/I can pull this whole minimalist lifestyle off, I think this is a rule that would help us stay on track. Say, for example, you DO get all your belongings down to 500 (or whatever # you choose) and you want to pick up a new such & such. You have to then ask your self - "Will I enjoy, or need, this item more than any other of my 500 things?" If that answer is Yes, then go for it! And then sell/donate the item you want to replace it with. Simple :) If you were Mr/Mrs. Perfect of course.

So what do you take from all of this? Well, it all depends on how happy or not you are with your lifestyle. For me, I could use the de-cluttering. I don't think I could get my life down to only 100 items or a liter bottle full (seriously, that's hardcore), BUT I could certainly cut it in half. Perhaps a 1,000 items challenge? I dunno...I just find this whole minimalism stuff incredibly inspiring.

Labels: goals, life, minimalism, money hacks, shopping