Frugalists and minimalists are often considered to be two extreme opposites. However, they are more similar than people realize. Minimalism means owning less, while frugality means spending less. If we were to make a connection between the two in vague terms, it would be; if you own less, you are likely to spend less. However, there is a much deeper context associated with this.
Minimalism is a lifestyle. Minimalists may own less, but that doesn’t mean they spend less too. It is important to note that frugalists aren’t only those who are always looking to spend less money. Instead, they tend to spend less because they are always prepared for the worst. Remember, frugality is a combination of survival and saving up money. Here, we have shared a few tips on how to be a minimalist and lead a frugal lifestyle.
1. Refurbish your house
A significant population of America has started to opt for more minimalist decor. This means decluttering and keeping only the most essential and frequently used items in your home, including furniture. Minimalist design tends to be less chunky, especially when it comes to furniture. However, you don’t need to dispose of all your belongings. Your taste can change at any time in the future. Instead, it is better to store all your unwanted stuff.
All you need to do is find a good place to store your belongings. Let’s say you live around Keller, open Google Maps, search for self storage in Keller TX, and voila, problem solved! Self storage facilities are a safe and convenient way to store anything and everything you don’t need immediately. They’re also quite economical, so you wouldn’t have to worry about spending too much money.
2. Live A Life Full Of Experiences
One important thing you need to learn is how to prioritize experiences over your purchases. Plan trips with your friends and family. Give your senses a chance to experience all the fun things out there. Life is very unpredictable, and you only live once, so isn’t it better to live to the fullest?
Adventures and outings don’t always have to be expensive. You could do tons of things for a lot less, such as road trips or overnight camping. You can also experience many exciting things for free, like hiking. Living for experiences is an excellent start towards living a minimalist yet an adventurous lifestyle. Anything works, as long as you’re not spending excessive amounts on hoarding stuff!
3. Practice Living For Today
There’s a famous saying that ‘money can buy everything.’ Sometimes, people believe and live by this; the higher their purchases, the lesser their problems! Minimalism isn’t just a fashion statement; it’s a way of life. To start living a minimalist lifestyle, you need to start living for today. You need to ignore all those negative thoughts about what you need more, how poor you are, or what you wish you could do. Instead, embrace a more positive mindset where you are grateful and content with what you have.
Fewer purchases and owning less do not mean unhappiness. In fact, at times, the less you spend and hold, the more satisfied you are. Having peace of mind and inner satisfaction are some of the core reasons why people opt to live a more minimalist life in the first place.
4. Be Mindful Of Your Purchases
Yes, frugality means taking full advantage of sales or any deals going on but make sure you don’t go overboard with your shopping. The best strategy is to buy less and buy better. Sustainable fashion has become a prevalent trend. The key is to invest in less and focus on longevity. This means you will own less (minimalism) and will also not have to spend a hefty amount on unneeded and unnecessary items (frugality).
5. Time Management
A frugally minimalist person is neither likely to prioritize money over time (an extreme minimalist) or time over money (an extreme frugalist). Instead, he/she tries to figure out some common ground and comprehend both together. Sometimes you might spend more money on things and sometimes you might devote more time to specific activities. Sometimes you might even do things that save both money and time. Finding a balance between the two is your key to living a minimalist lifestyle.
6. Don’t Rush
The last and probably the most salient tip is to be patient. Change can’t happen in the blink of an eye. You cannot wake up tomorrow and start decluttering your entire house because you decided to become a minimalist. It’s a time-consuming process. So, take your time to adjust to this new way of living. And if and when you have to, allow yourself some exceptions. Remember, old habits can not be replaced overnight. Be patient, and you’ll eventually get the hang of it!
Conclusion
Achieving both minimalism and frugality can be tough. It can become extremely hard, so much so that you might want to give up. But always believe in yourself, focus on what you have achieved rather than only pinpointing your failures. Frugal minimalism is not a task, it’s a lifestyle. It’s something you have agreed to adapt to for the rest of your life. It will impact your values, traditions, ethics, and the rest of everything. If you’re having a hard time, go back to your ask yourself once again, why did you opt to change your life!