7 Life Changing Strategies to Change Your Spending Habits - Episode 1

In this series, we'll dive deep on resetting our spending habits and ways to overcome consumerism in our lives.

Whether you have a shopping addiction you want to overcome, want to save more money in 2024, or if you just want to find new ways to spend less money in general, this video series has something to offer.

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Recent videos:

24 Things to Declutter in 2024

If Your Only Goal is More, You’ll Never Get There

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Most popular videos:

3 Things to Buy to be Happier, According to Science

Top 10 Things to Declutter Right Now

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You can read more tips in my newest book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life:

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

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[KellyBoettcher-qotx]

I've started this journey last January. In one year ive decluttered 5, 000 items.
Result
Spend less money.
Can find things easier in my home.
Own 40% less clothing. Easier to get dressed.
Spend more time 📚
Do things outside instead of go shopping for fun.
Have more money to invest.
Its been wonderful ❤

[k.h.]

From anxious shopaholic to minimalist has been a journey of self discovery that took me 10 years. But it was worth every second and now I am free.

[chalkdusthorizon]

Thank you for this! For me, it's not about wanting 'more'; it's about wanting the 'perfect' thing that will eliminate the need for any other version of that thing. But in this quest, I accumulate so many imperfect things without realizing that the perfect thing likely doesn't exist and I need to learn to be satisfied with one of the things I already have.

[jenniemurphy]

We are 74 and 77 years old and I’ve been on a simplify my life journey for years. Now in retirement one of the many benefits is that i don’t have to ask the kids or grandkids to help us with stuff (I.e. taking down decorations from attic, etc.) everything is within easy reach in our small home. We can take take care of out basic needs with ease and have more time and money to do the things we really enjoy.

[valerierogers]

To change your relationship with stuff, begin to realize how much you've hung onto out of habit, emotion, guilt rather than practicality. Belongings should suit stage of life you're currently at.

[heatherohara]

Perfect timing as I embark on my first time ever no buy/low buy year. I have been mentally preparing for a month as I am seriously wanting to accomplish this for 2024. After my first week, which was not without temptation (I bought something but returned it the next day with renewed resolve to only buy replacements and what I really need and not what I just want), your 4 part series will be just what I need to get through the first month. Thank you in advance!

[justme-llqs]

I never comment but we always watch your videos. They are always relatively short and packed full of inspiration and information And, we appreciate the lack of commercials

[kakylong]

My Hubby & I decided to do a "no buy" (except groceries) in January. I've put groceries in my online cart & even thought, could we get by with not even buying groceries. I think we could.

I've mentioned our minimalism journey to all of my family & over Christmas, I talked in depth with my Mom. I gave her permission to get rid of anything I had given to her & my Dad. She decided to go through some items while I was home. What I wasn't prepared for was my reaction to her getting rid of items & letters I had given her. It was hard & I cried a few tears. The next day, I told her how proud I was of her for letting go. I hope she keeps it up. 😊

[saraperkins]

Sharing my journey:

I saw a full matcha set today for $28. I put it in my cart and then walked around the store. I went to grab some matcha and then, realized I did not want to have to spend another $25. Then I walked around for another minute debating the fact that now I would need to pay $55 for an impulse purchase matcha set. I put the matcha set back and I have no regrets right now. If I still want the matcha set later, I can put it in my budget.

[kristindowner]

I do believe that DAILY voicing my gratitude for what I already have — right out loud; where my own ears hear it coming from my own mouth— MUST be my first & foremost defense…

[olderandwiser]

My problem has never been with shopping and buying too much personal stuff. The problem is with getting rid of things that I haven't used in years, and really don't need. I think I can still use that item, or wear that item, but then I never do. I have been selling things on Ebay for 17 years and recently started to list and sell on Facebook Marketplace. At first it was items from my brother's estate who was a hoarder. Then it was unsold merchandise from my retail brick and mortar store. Now that I am retired there is so much unsold left over inventory, and my personal stuff that it is overwhelming. Selling is very slow and I have been donating on a regular basis. My plan this year is to finally put an end to the excess clutter. If it means donating everything, that is what it will have to be.

[tracyd]

Wow, just what I needed! For the past 17 years of being widowed, I think the "stuff" has been replacing the loss... Clothes, supplements (trying to heal a 35 year chronic illness), art supplies, etc. Making my written list of reasons to let go, and not replace "stuff"! Working on kitchen cupboards this weekend.

[AngieTrianta]

This is the series that I didn’t realise I needed until recently. I’ve only just begun my decluttering journey and I’m faced with some ugly truths about myself, not least of all my compulsive spending habits. Decluttering is not only physically challenging, but also psychologically difficult. I want to live with less AND want less. Thank you for these practical steps I can take to achieve this.

[gardengirl]

In 2017, I knew that I would be moving overseas in early 2018. And international move is extremely costly. This is what I did to prepare. Now, I know that not everyone can do this, but I think some can or adapt the strategy. I first did a heavy declutter: keep, donate, toss. And I sold or donated a lot of extra furniture that I knew served little or no purpose. Then, I packed everything up in totes and boxes, except 1 set of bed and bath linens, toiletries and 1 change of clothes. Over the next several months, if I needed something, then and only then did I go get it from the tote/box. After I used it, I put it back. If it came out of the box twice, I left it out. At the end of six months, I evaluated again. I sold or donated most of the remaining furniture that wasn’t worth the cost of moving or storage fee. Most of the stuff was still in the totes/boxes. It was work upfront, but little to no work on the back end when I was crushed for time. Moving was much easier, less costly and my tiny house wasn’t over full once I got to my new home. I had exactly what I needed. I repeated the process in 2020 when I returned to the USA. It really showed me how much I can do without and be very content.

[valeriehowden]

Been following you for 2+ years. I really think I've mastered how not to fall for the consumerism trap. Trying to remind myself what clothing I purchased in 2023 - 1 pair of replacement running shoes and a winter parka to replace the 1 I gave to my daughter. Less stuff, less organization!

[TheJorgSacul]

My wife has finally taken her first steps in this journey. I consciously make every effort to encourage her and compliment her efforts, as I see the positive results for her beginning to manifest. We have a ton of "memory junk" (useless stuff picked up on travels, or from events) in the house that needs to be eliminated, and the process has begun. I look forward to the coming months.

[vondrabejot]

Recognize and articulate the benefits of owning less.
1. Observe and reflect where you have had a positive impact.
2. Share the benefits and the why about owning less.
3. Create a list of benefits and add other benefits as you discover them.

[JasonBedient]

My new mantra is: Do i want to be rich or look rich?

[yswbtsl]

Thank you for a soft reminder to start 2024 thoughtfully.

[i.m.]

Just what I needed to hear today. I've been debt free several years now and at the "maintain" stage of minimalism. This month I am participating in "no spend January" but have found myself more tempted than ever to buy things I absolutely do not need. When I was at full intensity in my debt-reducing journey, I talked my friends and family to death about Dave Ramsey to the point they became sick of hearing me. I'm afraid the same thing would happen if I shared with them about my minimalism journey so I will just let them see how I live and if they have questions, then I will share.