Minimalist Adventures

Debt sucks. In fact, the word shouldn’t even be in your vocab. Why?

Because it holds you back. And unlike that hideous faux-leather easy chair, you can’t just toss it on the curb with a Free sign.

When you’re in debt, someone else controls how you live your life. I know you’re dying to sell everything and hike around Europe for three months of blissful basic living, but you can’t. You’ve still got the Mastercard bill hanging over your head from how you used to shop.

You know you need to ditch that shit. Fast. But right now you’re freaking out about how far you are from the life of your dreams because you owe so much money. Take a deep breath. You can do this.

Make a plan

How much money do you owe? If you’re scared to write it down, now is the time to face up to what you’ve done. You’re going to conquer it – you just need to know how much ass you’re going to have to kick first. Start tallying, sugar.  Once you’ve got the magic number, decide the date you’ll make the final payment. You’re calling the shots now.

Keep track 

Minimalism is all about being intentional with how you use your money and spend your time. So if you haven’t yet, it’s time to set a budget and stick to it. This lovely little document lets you decide where you’re money goes. There’s no more getting to the end of the month and wondering what the hell happened to all of your paycheck.

Cut the crap

Still paying for 500 cable channels? Call the company to cancel then yank the cord from the wall. Sell the TV and use that money to start paying down your debt. What else can you cancel that you don’t need? If you can’t cancel something because of a contract, you can probably lower the bill substantially. And think twice before ever signing a contract again.

Make more money

The faster you get out of debt the better. While cutting costs and funneling all of the money saved into debt-reduction, it’s only going to take you so far. You need to build momentum by increasing your income. Start a savings account. You could do this with a part-time job delivering pizza, but come on. Signing up for a minimum wage job isn’t the way to do it. It’s time to get creative. And I’ve already done it for you.

Dream

What are you going to do after you pay off the debt? Spend a month in Argentina taking tango lessons from an Antonio Banderas look alike? Fund a small business venture with micro-lending? The choice is yours. Decide what you’re working toward so you can say no when you’re tempted to spend $5 on a tall caramel mocha.

It’s time for you to control what happens with your money. Pay off your debt and don’t ever do it again. Got it? Time to get started.

The Ultimate Minimalist Resource Guide

Greetings everyone,

As I am making my exit from the world of minimalist writing, I thought it was best to leave you with a roadmap. From here on out, you are your own guide.

Here is your entire guide to everything minimalist. These link back to all of the best articles on the topics you’ve said you’re most concerned about.

Enjoy your minimalist adventure! Thank you for sharing it with me.

Download Conquer the Clutter for free here.
Get the worksheets here.

Steps to become a minimalist (in no particular order):

Figure out why you’re doing it.
Redefine your needs.
Get rid of your crap.
Sell your crap for money.
Take the easy way instead.
Get rid of more crap you keep avoiding getting rid of for sentimental reasons.
Revel in the joy of less.
Become indoctrinated into Leo’s fan club.
Follow your passion.
Love your life.
Live more mindfully.

Major areas to address when entering the minimalist ranks:

100 Thing Challenge – Are you game? If you are, snag his book here.

Housing

Create a minimalist home.
Live in a relatively normal house. (But do extraordinary things.)
Dream of tiny homes
Build a tiny home
Homestead it
Digital Nomad
Try location independence.
Stay in one place.
Go for less square footage.

Entertainment

Kill your television.
Really. Kill your television.
Watch sheep.
Have fun!
Do something impossible.
Run a triathlon.

Transportation

Explore your options.
Then explore more options.
Go car-lite.
Go carfree.

Finances

Make a budget.
Download some free books.
Have some free fun with your kids.
Be romantic without an expensive dinner.
Be a cheapskate.
Set smart goals.
Get out of debt.

Clothing

Try Project 333
Realize how little you really need.
Quality versus quantity.
Reduce your fashion footprint.
Remember, clothes are not who you are.

Food

Learn some food rules.
Save money.
Try Paleo.
Try Vegetarian.
Try Vegan.
Eat like Leo.

Children

Be radical.
Or don’t.
Don’t make excuses.
Get tips from the guy with six kids.
Pride yourself on being The Minimalist Mom
Realize minimalist living and kids is counterintuitive – but still doable and wonderful
Ignore your mom.
Realize they won’t die without a house full of crap.
Don’t feel guilty.

Non-Minimalist Family

Get rid of stuff, not your family.
Reboot your family!
Lead by example.
Let it go.
Focus on you.
Explain what you’re doing. Ignore their negativity.

You know you’re a minimalist when:

You could walk away from everything you own – and know you’ll be okay.
You can’t walk through a big box store without a little disgust.
You really appreciate how little you own.
You tell your secrets freely.

Beyond the basics and what to do now – (Once you’re over decluttering, there is more.)

Know this is just the beginning.
Go on digital sabbaticals.
Reclaim your mornings.
Watch Fight Club. Rejoice.
Uh, what you love, maybe?
Close the damn laptop.
Induce creative flow.
Stay motivated. Chase your dreams.
Minimalism: Decluttering or deeper meaning?
Become a happiness ninja.
Create change.
Read more.
Quit your job.
Live on the edge of your reality.
Do something you’ve always wanted to – and ignore the price tag on it.
Get inspired.
Conquer fear.
Write an ebook. (Make sure it doesn’t suck.)
Stomp on a white picket fence just because you can.
Inspire others.

Hello friends,

If you haven’t heard already, there is another massive ebook sale going on for the couple of days, and I’m lucky enough to be one of the contributing authors! If you had been considering any of these books, including mine, now is a great opportunity to get access to many great reads at once. Here is all the information, and I hope you enjoy your new ebook collection!

• Corey from Simple Marriage and Mandi from Life…Your Way have brought together some of the top authors in the family life space with 30 ebooks covering a variety of topics related to family life.

• When purchased separately, these ebooks are worth over $450, but for the next four days, you can purchase the entire collection for just $47!

• A portion of each sale will also be donated to The Mentoring Project, which seeks to rewrite the story of the fatherless generation.

When you purchase the Simplify Family Life collection, you get instant access to each of the 30 ebooks listed below:

Family Minimalism

• Inside Out Simplicity by Joshua Becker @ Becoming Minimalist ($11.99)

• Simple Guide to Minimalist Life by Leo Babauta @ Zen Habits ($9.95)

• The Minimalist Mom by Dusti Arab @ Minimalist Adventures ($17)

Food & Cooking

• 5 ingredients, 10 minutes by Jules Clancy @ The Stone Soup ($37)

• Healthy Snacks to Go by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($6.95)

• Healthy Eating Handbook by Melanie Thomassian @ Dietriffic ($27)

• Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($18.97)

• The Real Food Cleansing Guide by Lisa Byrne @ Well Grounded Life ($29)

Green Living

• Simply Car-Free by Tammy Strobel @ Rowdy Kittens ($9.95)

• Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)

• Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing & Learning Guide by Michele Augur @ Frugal Granola ($8.95)

Intimacy & Marriage

• Stripped Down Marriage by Tony DiLorenzo @ One Extraordinary Marriage ($12)

• A Simple Marriage by Corey Allan @ Simple Marriage ($18)

• Buck Naked Marriage by Corey Allan @ Simple Marriage ($9.50)

• 15 Minute Marriage Makeover by Dustin Riechmann @ Engaged Marriage ($27)

• Getting Lucky With The Wife by Sarah Baron @ Anonymous8 ($18)

Money

• The Super-Charged Guide to Financial Freedom by Jeff Nickles @ My Super-Charged Life ($14.60)

• The Hybrid Homemaker by Melissa Gorzelanczyk @ Peace and Projects ($17)

Organizing

• Organizing Life as Mom by Jessica Fisher @ Life as Mom ($9)

• Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews @ Blogging with Amy ($12)

Parenting

• Parenting with Positive Guidance by Amanda Morgan @ Not Just Cute ($9)

• Finding Educational Activities in the Most Unexpected Places by Angie Kauffman @ Many Little Blessings ($7.50)

Personal Development

• Your Life. Live It. Love It. by Sherri Kruger @ Serene Journey ($19.95)

• The Gratitude Journal by Sherri Kruger @ Serene Journey ($5.99)

• Flying By the Seat of My Soul by Tess Marshall @ The Bold Life ($5.97)

• The 7 Week Life Cleanse by Katie Tallo @ Momentum Gathering ($20)

• How to be Rich and Happy by John Strelecky & Tim Brownson @ How to be Rich and Happy ($19)

Travel

• Family Camping Handbook by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($4.95)
• 
  

Holidays

• Christmas Your Way + Planning Printables from Mandi Ehman @Life…Your Way ($4)
• Thanksgiving Your Way + Planning Printables from Mandi Ehman @Life…Your Way ($3)

Work at Home

• Smalltopia by Tammy Strobel @ Rowdy Kittens ($27)

The sale ends at 2 p.m. ET on March 24th, and there will be no late sales offered.

Get your collection here. XACSJ7F4HKMV

Since beginning Project 333, I have realized the sheer number clothing items, the majority of my 100 things, is unnecessary. Seriously, during the first month, there were three of just those 33 things that I hadn’t worn. Thus, I have purged once more. On a whim, I decided to recount my personal items, and I was a little bit surprised to see what the number was. Here is the current count of my personal items. (Pictures will be on their way shortly. Right now, they are busy having a glass of wine and going to bed. :p )

1. Art Supplies
2. Backpack
3. Bike
4. Bike pants
5. Black boots
6. Black hoodie
7. Black Long sleeve top
8. Black Long sleeve top
9. Black Pants
10. Black skirt
11. Black yoga pants
12. Bras
13. Brown heels
14. Brown shirt
15. Cell phone
16. Cut shirt
17. File box
18. Gloves
19. Hat – Green beret
20. Hat – White winter hat
21. Jean shorts
22. Jeans – Black
23. Jeans – Blue A.E.
24. Laptop bag
25. LBD
26. Leather Jacket
27. Lingerie (Damn straight.)
28. Macbook
29. Notebook
30. Pajama bottoms
31. Puffy skirt
32. Purple cardigan
33. Rain boots
34. Red dress
35. Scarf
36. Snowboarding Gear
37. Socks
38. Stockings
39. Strapless Dress
40. Strapless red top
41. Swimsuit
42. T shirt – Blue Roxy
43. T shirt – Green PSU
44. T shirt – Marilyn Monroe
45. T shirt – Yellow A.E.
46. T shirt -black
47. Tank top – Black
48. Tank top – Black
49. Tank top – Blue
50. Toiletries bag (one quart bag containing makeup, brushes, perfume)
51. Toothbrush
52. Underwear
53. Vest
54. Walking shoes
55. Wallet
56. White button up top
57. White long sleeve top
58. (Ripped… so I guess I’m really at 59? Lol.)
59. Grey T-shirt
60. Yoga mat


60 items. Even I would have told you that was impossible a year ago. It feels so good to know I could pack 90% of that into my backpack and just go somewhere. Anywhere I wanted. My already mobile lifestyle of moving every year is supported by this list, and it is so… reassuring. I’m having trouble describing the sense of peace that comes from having a list like this.

That same sense of peace is why I argue in favor of radical minimalism. Minimalism where you strip all of the excess – and at this point I do believe I have cut all of the excess – is incredibly satisfying, although it can take some work in the beginning.

I have such a firm belief that getting rid of all of your stuff can make you happy, I want to make sure those who don’t know where to start have somewhere to begin. I am giving you a gift to prove it. A digital work of art for all of my beloved readers. You all have been so supportive of my work here, and I receive many of the same questions and requests for posts regularly, so instead of having to patiently await for that one super relevant blog post, I put them into an ebook for you.

Conquer the clutter

(Cover courtesy of Everett Bogue)

Some of the glorious answers you have been looking for are contained within this book. Inside, you will find quizzes, facts, and worksheets to help you get down to business where it counts, and a real kick-in-the-ass call to action.

Some of the highlights include:

-Worksheets to get you started
- Help getting over society’s bullshit
- A very special offer at the end of the book

If you need some extra support, I have also set up a really killer weekly email list, where you will receive encouragement, inspiration, and additional ass-kickings, if necessary. You’ll receive information you won’t always find elsewhere on the blog, and any special offers I hear about or am offering, you’ll get first dibs.

This is a crash course in getting your life pared down to the essentials, and it gives you the tools you need to succeed. A mini-course made to get you from packed house to minimal bliss in two weeks, if you can spend even one hour a day for that two weeks. It’s a big claim to say you can get through possibly an entire house full of crap, but it is entirely possible.

If you are serious about clearing that which no longer serves you out of your life, click here to get put on the list.

Why should you give me your email in order to get the book? Because I want to help you gain control of your possessions. Honestly, if you’d like the book and don’t want to subscribe, I might just send it to you, if you’re nice. I will be completely available to everyone who is working through the course to answer any questions or assist you with any concerns you may have. Basically, I want you to give me a chance to give you a chance at radically reducing your stuff to find happiness under it all.

I also have a few extra surprise benefits for those of you willing to take a chance on my outrageous claims that will be revealed to you over the course of the next two weeks.

Enjoy your gift, and happy holidays!

Now you have no excuse to not have something to do. All of these ideas can be done for free or very little, so by all means, get moving! Emphasize experiences, and your life will be much more fulfilled than if you would have spent tons of money shopping.

1. Go to the beach.
2. Go to the park.
3. Go on a picnic.
4. Go to the zoo.
5. Go to a museum.
6. Go to a state park.
7. Go to a national forest.
8. Go to the library.
9. Go to a free concert.
10. Go to a multicultural center.
11. Go to a community theatre.
12. Go see a dance performance at a school.
13. Go see a music performance at a school.
14. Go to a school and volunteer.
15. Go to a national park.
16. Go on a walk. Have no location in mind.
17. Play dress up. Then walk around town in character.
18. Build a fort. Forget how old you are.
19. Have a dance party in your living room. Invite all your friends.
20. Go bowling.
21. Visit a garden.
22. Get a plot at a community garden.
23. Go to an aquarium.
24. Go hiking.
25. Volunteer.
26. Go to the farmer’s market.
27. Take a free class. It doesn’t matter what it is.
28. Go ice-skating.
29. Go to a rock concert. Show your kids how cool you are.
30. Go out for gelato. Explain why it is better than ice cream.
31. Go to a bookstore.
32. Go to a secondhand shop.
33. See a free sports game.
34. Play with your kids. (No kids? Offer to babysit for someone.)
35. Go to a convention.
36. Make a scene.
37. Question someone in an authority position.
38. Make a fancy dinner for fun. Have friends over.
39. Bake an amazing cake for the pleasure of it.
40. Eat some berries.
41. Paint.
42. Draw.
43. Sculpt.
44. Write a poem.
45. Write a story.
46. Take a bike ride to nowhere in particular.
47. Have a themed party.
48. Raise money for charity.
49. Plant a tree.
50. Read to kids.
51. Read to seniors.
52. Read.
53. Go skydiving.
54. Climb a mountain.
55. Dance.
56. Go skiing.
57. Go snowboarding.
58. Go swimming.
59. Do yoga.
60. Sing.
61. Sing karaoke.
62. Go to a church.
63. Ask the pastor a question he can’t answer.
64. Go to a religious service you’ve never been to.
65. Ask questions.
66. Build something. Donate it.
67. Design your future tiny home.
68. Create a mind map.
69. Send an email to someone you admire. Tell them how they changed your life.
70. Write a letter. Snail mail it.
71. Learn to sew.
72. Learn a language.
73. Learn to cook.
74. Teach someone something you rock at.
75. Plan a dream trip.
76. Create a sidewalk chalk piece of art.
77. Write your 99 theses. Post it somewhere it will be seen.
78. Play a board game.
79. Bake!
80. Meet your neighbors. Give them whatever you just baked.
81. Learn to knit.
82. Start a blog. Make new friends.
83. Learn out to make paper cranes. Resort to making paper airplanes if unsuccessful.
84. Start a neighborhood compost initiative.
85. Play cards.
86. Tweet a celebrity. See if they are cool enough to respond.
87. Watch the stars.
88. Go guerilla gardening.
89. Go on a scavenger hunt.
90. Go on a thrift shop adventure.
91. Go camping.
92. Get a plot in a community garden.
93. Make a movie. Post it on Youtube.
94. Enjoy the rain, whether by dancing, singing, or walking in it.
95. Prank call someone in good fun.
96. Pretend you are a time traveler.
97. People watch.
98. Have a legit tea party. Fancy dress required.
99. Find the solution to end world hunger. Now do it.
100. Find something wrong in the world and fix it.
101. Start a revolution. (If you are more timid, you can join this one.)

Still bored? Read about why you shouldn’t be here at The Art of Minimalism.