Major Life Challenges

Just thought I’d recap what I challenged myself with since trying to pare down my life in all of its aspects.

Minimalism isn’t just about owning stuff, it’s also simplifying your own life and routines.

Even consolidating down to using only one bank is considered to be a minimalist action.

Instead of having to log onto 3 banks to check 3 different balances, I’d rather just check one.

Two at the most.

Cutting down my wardrobe:

• Sold 50%+ of it
• Am not shopping for new clothes for all of 2010

Getting out of debt:

• Cleared $60,000 in 18 months, earning $65,000 gross a year (See FB in the City)

Dropping expenses:

• Achieved in December 2009, I spent $821.71 for the month under my $1000 mark
• Money goal this year is to spend $20,000 in net expenditures, without Donations or any kind of Savings taken into account (See my 2010 Money Goal in pictures here)

Wanting to be able to cut down on my stuff

• I now fit my life into 3 suitcases and 2 carryons
• Got rid of most of my books (99%)
• Not buying anything I cannot use

Living in smaller spaces

• Used to live in a 1600 square foot apartment
• Then an 1100 square foot apartment
• And now a small studio is cosy yet still wonderfully spacious with everything we need

Going back to the basics:

• My household cleaners & beauty stuff is a lot more basic & simple
• Using pure, natural shea butter and olive oil to moisturize rather than chemicals that smell too strongly of perfume or have too many ingredients I cannot pronounce
• Cleaning dishes with castile soap
• Removing sulfates, pthalates, parabens and others from my daily life

Eating healthier and even saving money:

• Haven’t turned vegetarian or vegan, but I am eating better
• Enjoy cooking from scratch at home and eating simple meals
• Used to spend $300 a month on food; now I spend $150-$175 by being conscious

None of this is in my pantry for example:

• Soda/Pop/Juices
• Chips
• Candy – I only buy it when I want it. I don’t stock it.
• Chocolate – Ditto
• Frozen Dinners of any kind
• Jams
• Maple Syrup
• Other Spreads of any kind — I hate peanut butter for example
• Salad dressings — aren’t salad people per se, but we love veggies
• Cookies
• Biscuits
• Crackers
• Canned Foods
• Condiments — we don’t actually eat anything that requires ketchup, relish or mustard
• Mayonnaise — I’d make my own if I wanted some, but haven’t found a reason to yet

http://www.everydayminimalist.com/?p=1098