Tag: Minimalism

Project 333: Who’s With Me?

- Alexis Leave a comment
A photo of my 33-piece fall wardrobe

Over the past few months (years?), a thought has occurred to me with increasing frequency: I spend a LOT of time, mental energy, and money on what I wear.  From reading fashion blogs, to planning the next day’s outfit, to trying to find the perfect companion for that unique item I bought, to online shopping, to trying on and returning purchases, clothes and accessories have claimed too much of my life.  So I’m ready to say enough.  It’s time to refocus all that energy and money on more important things.

Read more

The Year of Less and Keys to Breaking Bad Habits and Building Good Ones

- Alexis Leave a comment

Cover of The Year of Less audiobook by Cait Flanders

A couple of months ago, I heard an interview of Cait Flanders talking about her year-long shopping ban and her book The Year of Less.  I was intrigued by the concept of giving up shopping for a year, so when I saw that the book was Audible’s Daily Deal last week, I decided to check it out.  I’m so glad I did, because it is a fantastic read.

Read more

What to Do With Your Tax Refund Instead of Buying Stuff

- Alexis 1 Comment

Money: a one dollar bill on top of a twenty dollar bill on top of a credit card

If you’re really on top of things and heed the identity theft-prevention advice to file your tax returns as early as possible, you may have already received and spent your tax refund.  Good for you!  We’re still waiting for our refund, because newborn (and, let’s be honest, because of the same procrastination that hits every tax season).  Of course, not everyone gets a refund.  Last year, we were in that camp and had to pay the IRS — not a fun surprise.  But the average federal tax refund is $2,895, and for many Americans who don’t get annual or quarterly bonuses from their employers, it’s their only unbudgeted monetary windfall.

No matter your current situation, a couple thousand dollars can go pretty far in helping you to achieve your financial goals.  As I mentioned last month, I’m making an effort to buy fewer things, and I don’t want to watch my tax refund dollars evaporate in a shopping spree, spent on things that will just further fill my house, only to be discarded in a future decluttering effort.  If you’re in the same boat and are looking for some more intentional uses for your hard-earned money, here are a few ideas.  Read more

I Challenged Myself to the 30-Day Minimalism Game. Here’s How It Went.

- Alexis 2 Comments

Black and white monotype of interior with stools and plants

Despite paring down my possessions once or twice a year for at least the past eight years, including through six moves, I still often look around my house and feel like it is just too cluttered.  Too many knick-knacks means more to dust, too many surfaces to collect things means more time tidying when preparing for company, and all of this adds up to unnecessary stress.  I sometimes look at the white, bright, semi-sparse home decor photos trending on Pinterest or in magazine articles and think about how relaxing it would be to live in a more simply furnished, emptier space.

I’ve written before about my struggles with decluttering and owning too much stuff, and guest poster Courtney has shared her journey toward living with less, along with some great tips and inspiration.  The mood to declutter tends to strike me around January, both because of the symbolic fresh start of the new year and because I spend more time at home in the winter months.  So when I was invited to join a decluttering Facebook group and shortly thereafter heard of a 30-day decluttering challenge originally proposed by the Minimalists, I was motivated to once again assess my belongings and get rid of what wasn’t serving me.

Read more