Why I'm Extremely Frugal ~ Minimalism & Saving Money

I live frugally and it has made me wealthy. Living minimally and frugally I was able to become debt-free and save money. As an extreme minimalist I buy nothing, this allows me to save money for retirement. I’m sharing my frugal living tips and minimalist money habits. Financial minimalism is mostly about living a frugal lifestyle. I hope my money-saving tips give you ideas to save money while living a minimalist life.

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00:00 embrace a frugal lifestyle
01:16 contentment
02:27 mindful spending
03:08 living with less
04:03 financial freedom
04:49 simple joys

[ConnieRiet]

I see frugality as being mindful about where my money goes. What are your views on frugal living?

[HappyCrone]

My Generation Z son and many of his peers have no interest in consumerism. They buy second hand when they buy, and they are interested in trading their smart phones for flip phones. They are a completely different generation. It gives me hope.

[dimitri]

I am from Canada. I have been practising minimalism for more than 20 years. Couldn't be happier. After our boys grew and started living separately, we got rid pretty much of 80% of our belongings. We own small 3 bedroom house in Gatineau, a car, and only necessary things. We eat twice a day - good breakfast an 11 and good dinner at 5. We earn more than we spend, help financially our kids and old parents, travel, laugh, exercise - and planning to follow this lifestyle!
Happiness and pеаce to all of you!!! ❤❤❤

[lose]

You're rich in love; in a good marriage. That's priceless.

[jennil]

Hi Connie!

I am neither a minimalist nor a hoarder.
Contrary to what many commenters here seem to believe, this is not an either/or choice. There are probably way more Inbetweeners than either of those two groups. People like me, who value, enjoy and honour the high quality items passed to them from previous generations.
Many now proclaim themselves minimalist but have sent the entire contents of their home to landfill to achieve what they fondly believe is a minimalist lifestyle, but is merely an almost all white, magazine driven look.
Like many in the UK of my generation, I grew up in a post-war frugal family. Most of us have sent little beyond broken crockery, a mattress and food waste to landfill in the past, or recently. We have always bought only what we need and with an eye for long future use, and accepted good, pre-used toys, books and household items gratefully. We rarely fly, use public transport and only shop when necessary. We may not be minimalist but don't waste fuel in constant, daily travel or overheating our houses. Our homes are clean, tidy and uncluttered.
I resent the word hoarder being applied to everyone who is not drawn to minimalism in our homes. (To me, many minimalist homes feel unloved, more like an Ikea roomset.) Using the word minimalist as a form of self-praise and hoarder for everyone who is not a follower of the minimalist path is virtue signalling. Minimalism is a lifestyle choice. Taken to the extreme where all who make a different choice are seen as inherently bad, is no longer just the way they wish to live, but a cultish obssession, no better than true hoarding.
I enjoy seeing how others live, what their goals in living as they do are and how these ideas evolve in society over time. I do not decry minmalism, only the "we are good/every one else is bad" attitude it has brought out in a few who have chosen it. It is not for me, but I see the value it has for some others and do not lump all minimalist together as a homogenous group.
Please ask followers and commenters here to respect the choices and integrity of those who choose a different path to environmentally friendly and frugal living.
Where does my money go? On making our ancient cottage environmentally friendly, on making the 5 acre garden a wildlife haven. My choice is to live frugally and hand to my grandchild a once cheaply bought, derelict home that will soon meet ecologically sound standards. That's my life choice, it is no better or worse than most other life choices, just perhaps a little different from that of commenters here who wish to be free to choose their own title of minimalist while deciding my identity of "hoarder" for me. My life style designation is mine to choose, they have no right to choose and foist it on me themselves!
Rant over...each to her or his own! Sent
Jen

[anniesshenanigans]

I embraced my version of Minimalism about 5 years ago when I was overrun with debts and stuff and although I was not broke, I did not see where my money was going, since it was not being saved. I desperately needed to start saving for my later years and started paying off debt, getting rid of 'things' and stop buying 'things'. So many mistakes made along the way, but I am in a better place mentally without all the baggage.

[lindap.p.]

I think there are two extremes here. One extreme is the hoarder, who cannot resist buying. Then there are those who buy nothing that is not absolutely necessary. I choose to save first, then pay all outstanding bills and lastly spend a bit. I do love second hand but I sometimes buy new too.

[timalart]

You live a nice, simple life in minimalism and made this lovely video about it. We must remember that many people are affected by illness, unemployment, injustice... People who live in hopelessness in overcrowded city neighborhoods, are involved in cruel wars, oppressed by systems, and suffer from hunger. They have no financial safety net and minimalism is the last thing on their mind. Minimalism is great- as I experience myself - but only if a number of basic conditions are met.

In today's world, it's a huge challenge to be frugal in this hyper-consumerist society. We are looked down upon, and no one notices us... They don't understand something as basic as, if we want to save the planet and its various cultures and people, we have to reduce consumption to the essentials to live well but without excess. Thank you for your work. 🙏🏼 Big hug from Portugal. 🤗😘🇵🇹

[franciscoobregon]

A coworker in his 60's once told me this "don't drink, don't smoke, eat healthy, so when you die you die very healthy"

[maureenmckenna]

Just replaced a twenty year old wall to wall carpet with a new floor, easy to maintain and allergen free. A complete joy to see the result. Needed to be done. Could have gotten it cleaned, again, but it was a great improvement in our home, and money well spent.

[pollyhawkins]

I live on the Uk state pension so have to be careful with money. A treat for me is to go to a cafe and have tea and cake but can’t do it often. Today I ordered a brownie at £2.85 and took it back as it was not gooey, it was raw. They changed it but the next one was not much better. I was really upset that I had wasted my treat allowance. But, lesson learned, I will not buy cake in that particular cafe again as it’s the second time I’ve been let down. Even at age 72 I find you so inspiring. Are you ever disappointed when you spend money on something that lets you down?

[greentea]

We are moving to another state, when I look at homes in the area to purchase, I am almost hyperventilating at the stuff, stuff in these houses. I guess I realize that I am a minimalist. My house has only furniture I need and love, the pictures on my walls all mean something special to us, I don't collect things. Really eye opening.

[brendakrause]

I moved into fifth wheel RV because my rent increased over $400. I paid $9, 000 for the 2006 RV. I am parked by the beach. Lot rent is $1, 100 utilities included. Storage room $200. Eventually I will save enough for a larger used RV and hope to get rid of the storage space. It is like a fresh start. I have no mortgage with all that interest to be paid.

[JenFlutterby]

My husband and I are currently in the process of going organic eating, non-toxic and clean living in our home. With that comes higher costs, yet we are finding savings in food cost by not buying the ‘junk’ anymore and putting that difference into healthy organic foods instead. It’s almost a balance out for us. Obviously it does cost slightly more. Never thought about it to that way once we started the journey. Once you realize the cost of things, it helps one be frugal to put money where it matters most.

[robertross]

I totally agree. I went on an Alaskan cruise that is geared toward shopping. I was happy to put $00.00 on my customs form for purchases made on my 7-day adventure. I invested in excursions that brought me joy instead.

[conniepleasantnails]

I recently lost some weight and could no longer wear some of my favorite pants. I saved the budget to buy some pants and was able to stay under my budget and feel like I have some items that will last. I always think of that video you made where you selected your clothes to take in your suitcase. Well that’s how carefully I made my purchases. I care for my clothes and always buy sale items. I have more weight to lose but I will go with the flow and remind myself that right now my health is the most important thing on my current journey. I love how simple my wardrobe has become 😊

[teresamartin]

I'm living in my parent's condo by myself now that my dad passed away 2017 and after 8 years of being my mom's live-in caregiver, at age 58.5, I could no longer do it with her frequent falls and my bad back. My parents were hoarders. They hid the hoarding in closets, cabinets and every drawer. I've been slowly downsizing everything over the last 6 years. I'm also donating and discarding my stuff as well.

It feels so good with every trip to the donation center. I'm just keeping what I use. With all the decluttering I've done, my life feels less stressful, my moods have improved, I'm less frustrated because I know where everything is, and I don't spend as much time looking for things.

[lagomholly]

To be frugal in todays society is more difficult than it sounds! Advertisement is everywhere, and we’re almost programmed to consume on autopilot - I strongly believe social media has a huge role to play in this! So it’s about making a conscious effort to turn off the noise of consumerism and really ask yourself what YOU want and need. Minimalism has opened so many doors for me to live a happier and more content life. The best decision I’ve ever made, but it sure takes work! Great video as always thank you☺️

[drbndbh]

Financial freedom is truly freedom. You can spend time, energy, and money o the things that you most enjoy! You are an inspiration!