Why I'm a Financial Minimalist

Here’s why I’m a financial minimalist, why I chose to save almost all of my money, and why I always invest and live below my means - enjoy! Add me on Instagram: GPStephan

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This video is being made because several of you have sent me a facebook post mentioning me, by Alex Becker. The overall message of the post was just this: buying “things,” getting caught in a consumerist lifestyle, and living to impress others is always going to be a losing battle…so instead, we should strive to REDUCE our overhead, REDUCE our extravagances, and get back to the basics of what we all really value the most: FREEDOM. NOT THINGS.

First of all, having any type of financial “overhead” just stresses me out. Having a big mortgage payment, or having a big car payment, or having ANYTHING that l need to be financially obligated to makes me feel trapped, and makes me feel as though I’m on a hamster wheel just running to keep it going.

Having that “Type” of stress causes me to resent the work I do, and stifles my own creativity when it comes to pursuing my own passions - it just drains the fun out of it. This is why I’ve always preferred a financially minimalist lifestyle - the less financial responsibility I have, the more freedom I have…then, the more freedom I have, the less stress I have - and the less stress I have, the happier I am to pursue more creative and fulfilling work.

I’ll tell you what all that saved money really brings you: OPTIONS. That’s it.

Money is NOT for the purpose of flaunting…it’s NOT for the purpose of trying to IMPRESS random strangers. It is NOT for the purpose of measuring your own self worth, or feeling a sense of superiority over someone else…but, it does give you OPTIONS. That is worth more than ANYTHING I could’ve ever imagined.

For me, that option was not ever needing to work a job I absolutely loathed…I had the option to pursue the work that meant something, to me…it meant I had the option to spend every day doing something that gives me purpose and meaning to my life…and that NEVER would’ve been the case if I had to sacrifice those values in order to work a job I disliked, just to support the cars, and the houses, and the luxuries I never needed in the first place.

This is really, at its core, the entire culture of the FIRE movement - Financial Independence, Retire Early. It’s a community and mindset that you don’t need to be 65 to retire, if you keep track of your expenses, save your income, and grow your wealth to the point where you can live off your investments indefinitely.

And THAT is really the entire point of the financial independence movement - it’s spending money on things that really add value to your life, and SAVING with the intention of building a lifestyle that supports that. And while financial independence certainly doesn’t happen overnight, it can absolutely be a goal to work towards and one day achieve - because the less money you spend, the faster you can get there. And the more you can smash the like button.

[NickPeitsch]

Don’t buy things you can’t afford with money you don’t have to impress people you don’t like.

Great message, Graham.

[victorysampson]

2018: *Cheap*
2019: _Financial Minimalist_

[paoloangelino]

“If you buy things you don’t need, you will soon sell things you need.” - Warren Buffet

[MichaelSaves]

Money equals freedom. I couldn't agree more.

[Daxboy]

“If you can’t buy it twice, you can’t afford it.”

-Jay Z

[oiuytr]

When I feel like spending money I watch one of your videos and snap back into place

[ThanhTLam]

this whole time I thought i was cheap but i'm actually just a Financial Minimalist

[dakimuchi]

2017: Cheap
2018: Frugal
2019: *Financial Minimalist*

[s.robichaud]

Graham, you have given me the kick in the ass I needed. I still have so far to go but I've watched your videos so much the past few months, that I've paid off almost 6, 000 in debt. I didn't know I even had that much exact money! I appreciate your videos so much.

[GavinLon]

"Freedom and not things" - that about sums it up for me.

[MeetKevin]

My Next Video: Why I'm *not* a financial minimalist :P

[Shrs]

I enjoy my life. Times when I live minimalist, times I don't. It's okay enjoy what life offers. Just don't be broke.

[budgetbrainsvid]

it's important for people when they start from the bottom, they understand the true pain of being broke stressed out and unhappy. I love that you're putting this point of view out there so people learn to better manage their income and keep the security!

[marcoseesmarcoshares]

Financial minimalism is the way to go. The less that money is a factor in your life - the happier you'll be. Great video. Cheers!

[NeonBearClaw]

This video is by far your best, and I watch it every few weeks for inspiration. It's always difficult to cut spending 100%, but when I keep in mind the great points you made in this video, it makes saving a bit easier. Thanks Graham!

[ahmadsarwar]

Man I thought I was the only one that treated saving money like a game.

[OnTheChainwax]

I've lived a similar lifestyle for the last 10 years and saved a ton even though I have a low salary

[AverageJoeInvestor]

*GREAT VIDEO GRAHAM!* Yes! Freedom to CHOOSE and have OPTIONS! You can live like Graham if you WANT TO, but you can also still like a financial minimalist by keeping your obligations low. Having wealth ALSO gives you the OPTION to make significant impact in your community in the world around you. GREAT VIDEO GRAHAM! 😎👍🏻

[KZIRE]

"Income absurdly high, expenses stupidly low. That's not normal". Yes, that's not normal. Being weird is how you win financially folks.

[juliansegura]

The mindset of what can the money PAY FOR if invested is exactly the trick I was missing, that blew my mind. Thank you for that.
Your earned a follower.