Minimalist Adventures

Much of what I think about minimalists and their financial policies comes from Timothy Ferriss, writer of the 4-Hour Work Week. Reworking his finances was one of the first things he did, and because of it, he was able to really focus on the business he was starting. Guess what crazy method he used?

Write down how you currently spend your money. Then, fix it.

Yes, I am suggesting that time-tested method to help you fix your financial problems: budgeting.

I even made you this handy sheet to help you out! It’s extra pretty. Budget for blog here.

Regardless of whether or not you are on your way to living a minimalist lifestyle, you can benefit from trimming down your expenditures. I don’t want anyone to think I’m perfect at this either, so here is one my problems and how I fixed it.

I love going out for coffee with people. I love going out for coffee by myself. As a barista of 8 years, the coffee shop culture is a part of who I am, and I love being part of that environment. However, if you aren’t careful, it can get expensive very quickly. Those damn, cute, little baristas at Starbucks are the most infamous for this, saying little things like, “Would you like to add an extra shot of espresso to that?” Ping! 60 cents. “Have you tried our new products (insert new fancy thing here)? Based on what you normally get, I think you would love this.” Then, of course, you do love it and have to get it? Even as a former Starbucks employee, I let it happen. So, how did I fix it?

Back to black.

I started drinking black coffee again. Costs me waaaay less, if I get coffee while I’m out and about. However, sometimes you really want something else, like an espresso con panna (Yum!). So, I searched Goodwill for about a week. Lo! and behold! For $15, I found an espresso maker someone thought was broken, when a seasoned barista could tell all it needed was the steam wand cleaned out. The thrill of the hunt, as well as a decent espresso, were mine.

To really make it clear how much I’m saving, allow me to number crunch this for you.

1 16 oz. cup of coffee = $1.75 x 5 days a week = $35/month
My typical drink = $2.60 x 5 days a week = $52/month plus the possibility of weight gain from extra calories.

Also, I have a cappuccino at home with my partner everyday now that we have our little machine, which would make the number even higher, but I choose not to include it because it is rather recent ritual we started.

Making coffee is zen for me, and sharing it with someone I love makes it infinitely more satisfying. If I make you coffee in my home, you can be assured that you are receiving something very special and are witnessing one of my personal rites of honor. I honor you with my skill, and you honor me with your presence.

While I understand many people don’t have my coffee experience behind them, this was a great way for me to lower that bill. Figure out ways for you to exercise your creative frugality, and reap the rewards.

(Also, if you like the idea of making your espresso at home, look on YouTube. I’m sure someone has put on a video on how to pull good shots. If they haven’t, someone interested in this should let me know, and I’ll make one and post it for you. I love you all that much.)

Thus, this post began about tightening your belt by getting your finances under control and digressed into the zen of making coffee. How can I bring it back around?

Go get a cup of coffee, fill out your budget sheet, and then post an activity you do that is zen for you. We’ll fix your finances tomorrow.

You know who is awesome? Courtney Carver.

I stumbled upon her site via the A-List Blogging Club, and she had a great idea. She created Project 333, a mission to be aware of simplifying what we wear as a way to simplify our lives. The idea is 33 items for 3 months. It has a few things you don’t count (Naturally. Hey, we’re trying here! :p), so it’s totally doable!

Courtney’s mission is very inspiring. She wants to let herself shine, instead of her clothing, and it seems to me we should all be so secure. One of the very valid points she makes, about why she chose to start this project, is she formally used what she wore to display her creativity and originality. While I still think this is possible, via self-designed clothing, what an interesting notion. How many of us have done the same, keeping clothing in the name of personal creativity?

This is why what Courtney has to say matters. Because she is saying it, not anything she owns, she is one of my new heroes.

As you may know, clothing is my sin as a minimalist. So, I am happy to say as of Oct. 1st, I am taking the plunge and joining Project 333.

Continue Reading…

When you enter the school system, how you dress is one of the primary ways you are judged by your peers. One day, when I was in second grade, I wore what basically amounted to a white sports bra, black bike shorts, and the biggest black sunglasses you have ever seen. Not only did I get away with wearing it because my teacher thought I was hilarious, everyone kept asking me how to pick out clothes like Janet Jackson. To this, I asked who Janet Jackson was.

I wish I could dress like I was eight again. Really. How many 8 year olds do you know who really care about what everyone else is going to think about what they wear? When I was 8, I could wear a pink tutu with neon green leggings and a velvet leopard print top, and I’d feel great about it because I was comfortable in it. If I wore the same outfit now, while I’d probably fit in fine with a certain crowd (Yay Portland!), I’d probably be pretty self-conscious about it.

What do you do when you’re clothes rummaging and your child falls in love the most garish thing you’ve ever seen? Do you ask them to put it back? I sincerely hope not. Let them choose their own style. Even if you had bad experiences at school, let them be their own person. Consider this; if you let them make more of their own decisions now, the chances of them rebelling later are lower. That was one of the few things my mom really did right. She let me have total control over my wardrobe, and I developed a sense of style early on. This prevented me from going through the “Mom-everyone-else-has-this-so-I-need-it-too” phase.

Even for the teenage years, you can remove a lot of the hassle and headache that can constitute back to school shopping with a little preplanning.

Here are a few tips I would recommend:

1. Set a budget.

Tell your child how much they have to spend, if they are old enough. Not only will this help them choose wisely, it will help them appreciate the value of being thrifty.

2. Have an itinerary.

Make a list of all of the places you are going to go. Allow for some variation from the plan, and let your child have some say in where you go. If they have a favorite thrift store downtown, make a day out of it! This could a learning and bonding experience.

3. Clear out the closet and catalog.

This is a great moment to push minimalist values, if you need the opportunity. Clear out everything that doesn’t fit, they don’t wear, and is worn out. Next, make a list of what is left. Make a copy for you, too, so after the fact, you might be able to find a needed item for a birthday or holiday.

4. Have your child make a list of what they need/want before the fact.

Lists make shopping easier. This is a well-known fact. If your child starts to lose focus, return them to their list to help them get everything they need.

5. Let them choose what they want!

Seriously! Let them express their style, even if that means Superman underwear over leggings during a super hero phase. They will probably grow out of it, and you’ll have great pictures! Clothing choice isn’t an area that is going to affect their moral character or values systems, so let them go for it.

Don’t worry about what your kid wears. Worry that they feel comfortable in their own skin. If you can help them and support them, they won’t need to be guarded behind the latest fashion craze to feel like they are awesome people.