Anyone here a minimalist?

In reply to pheller:

I won't speak for anyone else, but in MY case, it is most certainly not the fault of any "corporate overlords"

Its MY choice (and my wife's). No one else's fault.

I have too many interests and too much ADHD to be a minimalist. I like cars, tools, video and camera stuff, motorcycles, construction, computers, comfy furniture, tv, guns, art - maybe not all at the same time, but I circulate through the stuff. I might like reading about minimalism or watching a show on it. I like the idea of an RV - but not to live in. I laugh at people spending 80k on tiny houses that are essentially a fancy shed on a trailer. When I pitch things - I need them a week later. I have a dining room I use one or twice a year - it came with the house that I use every day. I can appreciate having/needing little though.

I certainly agree with the overpriced housing aspects.

You'd do so much better to buy a cheap house all cash in a mid-west city someplace where you actually have job opportunities than to live in a overpriced tiny house out in the middle of no-where with virtually no ability to make income.

I moved everything I owned from Ohio to California in a 10x12 trailer.

When I moved from California to Pennsylvania I required a 26' box truck 3/4 of the way full.

I added a wife, two children, and a dog in that time. I still feel like we have too much stuff and I'm in the process of clearing it out.

I've got a rule that if it sits for more than 3 months and costs less than 5 dollars it gets pitched. That usually clears out the bowls of random crap pretty quick.

Sadly the detached garage is the most organized part of my household because I hate it when I need to fix something and can't find a tool.

The0retical wrote: I moved everything I owned from Ohio to California in a 10x12 trailer. I've got a rule that if it sits for more than 3 months and costs less than 5 dollars it gets pitched. That usually clears out the bowls of random crap pretty quick.

We are attempting to do a modified version of this. Living in Chicago, I can go 21 months without needing my super parka--but when you get that super cold winter, you sure do need it. So we're basically doing it but on an 18 month basis for cold/warm weather items.

Taking those things out, its a 6/20/20 rule: If we haven't used it in 6 months, costs less than $20, and can be replaced in 20 minutes or less, it is pitched.

ProDarwin wrote: I think the only reason this is more difficult is that A) people would rather buy stuff than save money and B) most people who could get on board with this don't also have a spouse that's on board with this.

Perhaps, but I believe there needs to be a balance between living for tomorrow and enjoying the now. Otherwise you can run the proverbial risk of dying with a pile of money in the bank, having never enjoyed any of it.

I definitely know the trap of buying stuff in an attempt to make me happy. Often going into debt to do so. I did it for many years. It never worked for long. Now that I'm in the fortunate position to be able to buy many things I want without going into debt, I still realize that won't make me any happier. In a perverse way, that realization makes me more depressed than ever.

SVreX wrote: In reply to pheller: I won't speak for anyone else, but in MY case, it is most certainly not the fault of any "corporate overlords" Its MY choice (and my wife's). No one else's fault.

I don't think that was his point. American society is one that favors a consumer attitude. While I'm sure many of us like to say how much we'd like to get out of the "rat race", it's not as simple as it sounds. To me, it seems like health care is the 800 lb gorilla in the way. How many of us stay in jobs or careers we don't really care for because of the health insurance? How many would be tempted to try something new or more to their enjoyment if that gorilla went away?

oldtin wrote: I have too many interests and too much ADHD to be a minimalist. I like cars, tools, video and camera stuff, motorcycles, construction, computers, comfy furniture, tv, guns, art - maybe not all at the same time, but I circulate through the stuff. I might like reading about minimalism or watching a show on it. I like the idea of an RV - but not to live in. I laugh at people spending 80k on tiny houses that are essentially a fancy shed on a trailer. When I pitch things - I need them a week later. I have a dining room I use one or twice a year - it came with the house that I use every day. I can appreciate having/needing little though.

Nice picture, but likely a little misleading.

While some of them will have those individual loans, the odds that it's a nominal representation of net worth isn't correct. The bald guy on the left is likely to have a home and other assets. As will the woman with child- of course, both will probably have a loan to balance that asset. But they will probably have some kind of positive value in that.

The guy with the $8500 car loan, same thing, but it won't be a net positive. Not sure what part of the loan the value of the car is $8500 less than what is owed, but it would have to be a pricey car and early for that number.

The women with the CC debt- lots of things could be suggested- either she has some stuff with value, or she's used the value. But that kind of nominal CC line also tends to come with a job. Which also has value.

About the only one that is likely to be accurate is the student loan, as fresh grads are less likely to have a home, or any real assets, but are likely to have student loans.

As for being minimalist- we are working that way- getting rid of stuff that we don't need or want. It helped when we went through my in-laws home, trying to simplify things for them. So we are going through the same thing, sort of. Rather spend money on experiences than lots more stuff.

I'm not a hoarder but I am certainly an "accumulator". In the army all my worldly possessions fit (barely) in a first gen Mitsubishi Eclipse. Later I moved into a college apartment borrowing a Ford Econoline. Then on to my first apartment I shared with the ex. 700 sq ft and we barely had enough to fill it. In six months it was overflowing and we rented a 1200 sq ft house, looked monkishly spartan at first. Eventually it was stuffed full. Repeat at 1,700 sq ft starter home. Then again at 2,500 luxury home, finish the basement for 4,000 sq ft and every room was used, mostly full, and had a function.

Divorce helps reduce a lot of your stuff but 4 kids and a 5 bedroom house means I won't be zen like in my minimalist possessions any time soon.

From the moment most Americans alive today were born they were told acquiring stuff was equal to happiness. People work to get money to get stuff to get happy. It's a great scam. By the time they figure out they could have gone straight to happy... they are enslaved by the note on all the stuff. Then they work to try to get away from it to be happy. Then they die.

I would consider my dad a minimalist, he lived for 4 years in college apartment, with a blow up mattress, and some duck tapped folding chairs. He was actually a administrator at the local college (he was 65 years old). I would have my friends come over and they would be on the floor laughing....a Dean lives like this.... He had a party not to long after he moved in, where he invited colleagues, some of which were big wigs. He said that they all have to bring a folding chair so they had something to sit on. Some of them left the party feeling so bad, they told him to keep the chair they brought. He also had a Min-cooper and when he moved he was able to fit everything in his car. You would think my dad would be some kind of hipster with a beard and pony tail and strange like someone from American Pickers. He is actually very normal. In fact you would never know if you met him.

I am a closet minimalist. I'm coming out.

I spent 20 years with a (now ex) wife who was a borderline hoarder. She liked "stuff."

When I travel, its usually me, a tent, a camera, a change of underwear, and a backpack. I am slowly getting rid of my stuff because my stuff is owning me. I have a storage garage at $100/mo for my extra car parts and tools. I have 5 vehicles. I have a huge closet full of clothes I rarely wear.

But those are my passions. I love cars and tools and looking dapper. Everything else is minimalist. My entire world of toiletries fits in one small vintage train case; toothbrush, beard trimmer, Advil, nail clippers, cologne, and shampoo.

I would love to be, but honestly I think I'm too lazy to do anything about it.

Getting rid of stuff is hard. Actually, honestly, really hard. I try, but I seem to accumulate it as fast or faster than I get rid of it. When it comes to tools, I have no restraint.

I suppose I'm a minimalist. Everything I own, aside from my DD, could easily fit in a cargo van. Everything I own feels like a burden to me. Buying things not only doesn't make me happy, it actively makes me sad.

I really need to go through the garage. Even though everything in my garage fits in 8 Rubbermaid totes, I think I could get rid of half of it and never miss it.

The most important things I own are my memories, and those fit in a very small space :)

I try to be a minimalist, but my wife is the type to keep things "in case we need them."

For example, we have a breast milk pump from when the kids were younger. Our kids are 9 and 13. I've been snipped.

Should I be worried?

EvanR wrote: The most important things I own are my memories, and those fit in a very small space :)

True... but I am one of those types where memories are triggered by things or pictures.

I want to be minimalist, but my wife is not. For me it is about overcoming having been raised on the packrat side. Dad was raised with his parents depression era mentality and mom grew up poor. I love the idea of starting fresh but that is not in the cards without being single again, and my marriage is healthy. That said if we did split, I would pack my clothes, cameras, laptop, and cat and have room leftover in my civic.

Huckleberry wrote: From the moment most Americans alive today were born they were told acquiring stuff was equal to happiness. People work to get money to get stuff to get happy. It's a great scam. By the time they figure out they could have gone straight to happy... they are enslaved by the note on all the stuff. Then they work to try to get away from it to be happy. Then they die.

Well, the economy is totally a consumer economy. We are driven by what we consume.

And the whole obsession with growth, and panic around it, if enough people go minimalistic- and find that equilibrium between working enough and consuming just enough, that will stall the economy enough to freak out the banks.

Still, I really wonder how many people are living on much less after the last recession. Intentionally, I mean.

Ian F wrote:

SVreX wrote: In reply to pheller: I won't speak for anyone else, but in MY case, it is most certainly not the fault of any "corporate overlords" Its MY choice (and my wife's). No one else's fault.

I don't think that was his point. American society is one that favors a consumer attitude. While I'm sure many of us like to say how much we'd like to get out of the "rat race", it's not as simple as it sounds. To me, it seems like health care is the 800 lb gorilla in the way. How many of us stay in jobs or careers we don't really care for because of the health insurance? How many would be tempted to try something new or more to their enjoyment if that gorilla went away?

Whether it was his point or not, MY point was the use of the phrase "corporate overlords" is an instant turnoff. It is a substitute for decision making.

I agree that our economy is hugely impacted by consumerism, but reject the idea that we are not in control. We are. We make the choices we make, and need to accept the responsibility for those choices.

Healthcare is only in the way if we allow our decision making to be driven by the fear of losing our stuff.

If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.

SVreX wrote: If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.

I hear that call loud and clear.

Sometimes I pretend a little and do practice runs for that very scenario. I'm pretty sure I could go a very long time with just a tent, a bag, few camp tools/toiletries and a change of clothes or two. I've never really felt better than when I'm alone, I don't know where I am or where I'm headed but I've got gas money and time.

SVreX wrote: If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.

What happens if you get sick? Like cancer level sick?

In reply to pheller:

Perhaps I will die.

Its pretty likely it will happen one day.

BTW, there have been seasons of my life when I lived that way. Some of the most stress-free times of my life. I'm not just BSing- I know what I am talking about.

I'm not in the least, but lately I've been feeling like all my crap owns me.

How do I get rid of it? Rent a dumpster? I think part of the reason that it's so hard to get rid of is that I still think of most of it as having at least some value - and I can't just throw it away.

I need an estate sale, but minus the dying part.

Huckleberry wrote:

SVreX wrote: If I woke up one day a single man, I would be a total minimalist. Screw the mortgage, the stuff,and people's opinions. I'd ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle with all my belongings in a backpack.

I hear that call loud and clear. Sometimes I pretend a little and do practice runs for that very scenario. I'm pretty sure I could go a very long time with just a tent, a bag, few camp tools/toiletries and a change of clothes or two. I've never really felt better than when I'm alone, I don't know where I am or where I'm headed but I've got gas money and time.

100% agree with both of these good gents.

I'd be that bum in a old bus, that rolls into town and does odds jobs for little old ladies, for gas money to get to the next stopping point.

Screw the status quo.