I live a minimalist and frugal lifestyle for many reasons: for example, I love the freedom, the flexibility, and the financial benefits of not owning a lot of stuff.
But I must admit, it's also a chance to indulge my inner-rebel. I've been a straight-A student, model employee, and overall law-abiding citizen; yet when it comes to consumerism, I can't resist my desire to stick it to the man.
When I see ads for luxury cars, designer handbags, trendy clothing, and electronic gadgets, I become more determined not to buy them. When I see promotions for loans, mortgages, and credit cards, I become more convinced to stay out of debt.
When politicians implore me to go shopping to "improve the economy," I'm inspired to swap, borrow, and make do with what I have. When I hear that more stuff means more happiness, I become that much more passionate about living with less.
In short: the more I'm told to consume, the more enthusiastic I become not to.
And you know what? My rebellion has paid off in spades. I have a bigger bank account, a more spacious and serene home, and a better ecological footprint than if I'd accumulated a pile of unnecessary material goods.
If we thought the government had too much control over our lives, we might turn to civil disobedience as a means of protest. But what if it's banks, corporations, and other profiteering interests that are stifling our freedom? What if we feel shackled to the work-and-spend treadmill, slaving away at jobs we don't like to make minimum payments on things we don't need?
Then it's time to push back against the commercial entities that infiltrate our lives. But we don't have to go on marches or block the doors to megastores -- we can simply engage in some personal acts of consumer disobedience.
Here's a few of my favorites:
1. Pay with cash. Don't give credit card companies another penny in finance charges -- they grow richer at your expense. Save up for stuff instead of charging it; by the time you have the money, you may no longer even want it.
2. Say no to logos. If a company wants you to be a walking advertisement, they should be paying you.
3. Be brand disloyal. Check out generic alternatives to name-brand goods; the products are often nearly identical.
4. Ignore trends. They're just a clever ruse to get you to part with your hard-earned money. Don't buy stuff that'll be obsolete, outdated, or out-of-style in the blink of an eye.
5. Be a borrower. Whether it's a book, a ladder, or a dress to wear to a special event, explore borrowing options before you buy. Check out the library, tool shares, car shares, toy shares, and other programs in your area.
6. Swap. Trading your old stuff with others is a great way to save space and money. If you can't make a swap among friends and family, go online: sites like Swap.com and Paperbackswap.com help you trade books, CDs, DVDs, video games, clothing, accessories, toys, and more.
7. Go on a spending fast. For a specific time period -- like a week, a month, or even a year -- don't buy anything but necessities. Find creative ways to meet your needs, and make do with the things you already have.
8. Have a gift-free holiday. Instead of exchanging store-bought goods, celebrate the holiday with gifts of service (like babysitting, tax help, or a massage), gifts of charity, or by simply spending time with loved ones.
9. Tune out the ads. The easiest way to stick it to the ad man is to stop listening to him. Cancel magazine subscriptions, turn off commercials (or ditch the TV altogether), and install an ad blocker in your browser.
10. Go car-free. If you can walk, bike, or take public transit where you need to go, consider going car-free. Then you can avoid the expense of gas, maintenance, parking, and insurance as well as a car payment.
11. Right-size your space. Live in the smallest space you need, not the largest you can afford. Not only will you save money on your rent or mortgage, you'll have less incentive to buy stuff to fill it up.
12. Fix your stuff. Try to repair items before replacing them with something new. Darn your socks, mend your clothes, and take your lawnmower to the repair shop instead of running out for a replacement.
13. DIY. Grow your own veggies, make your own furniture, sew your own clothes, bake your own bread. Use your particular skills and talents to avoid buying mass-produced stuff.
14. Want less. Advertisers, marketers, and corporations will do everything in their power to make you want more. But to be richer, happier, and freer, all you need to do is want less.
If you're tired of the clutter in your home, the finance charges on your credit card, the commercialization of your holidays, or the pressure to keep up with the Joneses, you don't have to accept the status quo. Channel your inner rebel, and fight back. And don't be surprised if your fatter wallet, and newfound financial confidence, add a little extra swagger to your step.
Follow Francine Jay on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@missminimalist
Mark
Rich Man, Poor Bank
I just saw this post on SFgate: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2012/07/12/ucla-study-clutter-in-typical-middle-class-home-at-epic-if-not-epidemic-proportions/ I'm afraid how much clutter most Americans have. It seems so unhealthy. Shopping also depresses me now, esp shopping at big box stores where we just seem to consume, even for leisure.
Part of the money we've saved has gone toward higher quality food. So not only do we get more exercise by walking, cycling, and catching buses, we also get to eat better food.
What a deal!
Also love freecycle.org, and the local lending libraries for tools, toys we have locally. And there is nothing odd about writing up a budget. If a person has friends who think one has to spend spend spend, then maybe new friends are in order. Was amazed at how much money we saved when we ditched the tv, shopped around for car insurance, and stopped magazine subscriptions.
Loved your '13. DIY. Grow your own veggies, make your own furniture, sew your own clothes, bake your own bread. Use your particular skills and talents to avoid buying mass-produced stuff.' Many areas have free or inexpensive cooking class, canning/dehydrating fruits and vegetables, growing a garden. Some fabric stores also teach sewing classes, as do some local groups where we live. These are all fun, rewarding and in the end money saving ideas.