Now more than ever, we are prone to falling into the trap of overspending and overconsumption, leaving our homes and lives cluttered and stressful.
But one group that seems to be outperforming this is the minimalists. Their intentional lifestyle has helped them perfect a philosophy of conscious consumerism, resulting in less clutter, confusion, and stress overall.
But how do they do it? Minimalists not only adhere to the proverbial decluttering strategy, they also set strict spending rules for themselves. In fact, there are some things minimalists would never buy to make their lives easier. Here's how you can do the same.
8 things minimalists never buy
These eight items will fill up your storage space so you can spend it on bigger and better things. Learn how to promote minimalism at home through your spending habits, from organizational pros and decluttering experts.
1. Physical subscription
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We live in a world of subscriptions, whether it's streaming services or weekly food deliveries. Although these can make your life a lot easier, physical subscriptions can add up to a fair amount of clutter and waste, especially when it comes to home decor and beauty subscriptions. As a result, minimalists tend to avoid them, says Katie Wells, professional tidyer and founder of The Clutter Cure Club.
“Minimalists tend to avoid physical subscriptions, such as various clubs that deliver goods to them on a regular basis. These subscriptions accumulate items that are not necessarily needed or of value. The constant influx of new items requires management and decision-making and can clutter your space, both physically and mentally.
“Minimalists like to consciously choose what they put in their space and make sure everything has a purpose or brings joy. This is because minimalists keep their homes clean. It's a great hack that I rely on.
2. Duplication
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Whether you're aiming for more minimalist living room ideas or minimalist kitchen ideas, one thing you'll never find in a minimalist home is duplication.
“When it comes to clutter, many of my clients find that they have duplicate items, like two irons, three graters, or even two of the same book. Why? “If you're overwhelmed by what you have, you won't be able to keep track of what you have, find what you're looking for, or buy duplicates,” says tidying coach and tidying coach. says Julie Leonard, founder of the Simplify Your Life Programme. “Minimalists don't make the mistake of buying duplicates because they have less stuff and have a place for everything. Duplication creates more clutter, more things to maintain and clean, and of course… The economic costs are also high.”
3. Sale items
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Avoiding the lure of store sale aisles takes practice, but it's one of several ways minimalists can stop clutter before it starts, says professional declutterer Katie Wells. continue.
“It's common to be tempted by items on sale, but minimalists usually avoid buying things just because they're discounted. The 'bargain trap' is buying things you don't really need. Or you may end up hoarding things that don't fit your lifestyle or values. This approach not only prevents unnecessary confusion, but also helps you stay focused on purchasing items that truly improve your life, regardless of the transaction. ”
4. Impulse buying
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Similarly, minimalists won't take home last-minute purchases they don't need, adds decluttering coach Julie Leonard. “In my experience, minimalists shop more intentionally and only buy the specific items they need. If you follow the 24-hour rule (i.e., just go to bed), you'll feel less of an urge to buy something. You can reduce clutter, and in most cases, find that you don't want the item the next day. This way, you can reduce clutter, avoid buyer's remorse, and save money at home.”
It can also be helpful to avoid online window shopping to avoid the temptation of adding things to your cart that you don't need.
5. Disposable items
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Another major source of clutter that minimalists avoid is disposable time. points out C. Lee Cawley, home organization expert and founder of Simplify You. This is a great life change if you're looking for a more sustainable lifestyle at home.
“All disposable items create clutter and cause waste,” says C. Lee. “Minimalists avoid disposable items like paper towels, plastic wrap, and disposable coffee cups and instead choose reusable alternatives like cloth towels, beeswax wraps, and travel mugs. This simplifies their lives. Not only that, but the impact on the environment is also reduced.”
Glass water bottles are much better than plastic bottles. It doesn't affect the taste of your water, reduces microplastic pollution, and is easy to clean.
Reusable soy wax wraps can be washed and re-waxed and used over and over again, reducing the need for plastic wrap. It's good for your health and the environment.
Washable Swedish dish towels eliminate the need for disposable dish sponges and paper towels. It's softer and more absorbent.
6. Unitasking items
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“Minimalists typically don't invest in gadgets that serve just one purpose, such as banana slicers or egg separators. These are certainly some of the items to get rid of in a minimalist kitchen.” recommends professional tidyer Katie Wells. “These items can take up kitchen space and are often unnecessary. I'd rather have multifunctional tools that are efficient to use and store.”
Of course, if you use your unitasker regularly and it has some benefits in your daily life, you can keep it, but be sure to recycle the rest.
7. Books
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
This may seem like a shocking item not to buy, but tidying coach Julie Leonard says minimalism isn't anti-book. Minimalists are much more likely to borrow books from the library or exchange books for free, she explains, than to regularly buy new books and declutter.
“As a book lover, this was a difficult case for me. However, when minimalists buy a book, they usually don't get rid of it; they move it to a new home and enjoy it somewhere else.”
8. Trendy decoration
(Image credit: Renee Kemps)
There's nothing wrong with trying out the latest interior design trends, in fact, we actively encourage experimentation. Minimalists aren't quick to embrace the latest fad to stay relevant, warns home organizer expert C. Lee Corey.
“Minimalists shop intentionally. They avoid impulse buys and trendy decor that quickly feels outdated. Instead, they buy pieces of time that they truly love and that will bring them joy for a long time. We invest in works that transcend,” she explains. “This creates a calmer, calmer atmosphere in their home.”
FAQ
What do minimalists spend their money on?
Just because minimalists spend money more intentionally doesn't mean they don't spend money at all. Minimalists tend to spend money on things they value and need, rather than on impulse purchases. This way, every item you bring into your home will serve a purpose and won't clutter your storage space when you get bored of it.
What is toxic minimalism?
“Harmful” minimalism is described as a harsh form of minimalism that encourages or forces people to only buy what they strictly need and nothing else. While this may be good in the short term for saving money and budgeting, in the long term it deprives you of all your wants and desires, negatively impacting your mental health and ultimately your well-being. It may affect the degree.
When practicing minimalism, it's important to treat yourself from time to time with items that are not only functional, but also bring you joy.
The minimalist way of living may not be for everyone, but following just a few of its rules is a great way to reduce clutter and make organizing your home much simpler. . Easier?