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Ep. 347 | The Minimalist Checklist

The Minimalists Podcast

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The Minimalists discuss ten ideal ways to simplify our lives. Watch “Maximal” episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively on Patreon: Patreon: theminimalists

Questions answered in this episode:

00:00 Where do we best start our decluttering odyssey?

13:02 What is “setting the stage”?

20:45 What is the “true cost” of an item?

24:32 What two ways do you recommend to save money on every purchase?

33:36 What platforms have you found reliable for selling unwanted items?

42:12 How do we effect positive change in our city’s policy regarding architectural aesthetics?

42:37 What is “wabi-sabi”?

59:47 Listener comments and minimalism tips.

#TheMinimalists

20 Comments

@TheMinimalistsPodcast Creator 4 years ago Pinned

How do you keep your life simple?

@RadCenter 3 years ago (edited)

I had to laugh at the discussion about coupons. Way back in the 1980s, my mom used to say, "If they have to bribe you to buy something with a coupon, you can probably get along without it."

@ellenmariejohnson589 4 years ago

When faced with something that I think is beautiful and is a great price, that I don't need, I say to myself "It is ok to enjoy this in the store and leave it here". This has saved me from buying many things that were "a good deal".

@elisabethm9655 3 years ago

That progression get rid of 1-30 items game…yeah, at the end you’re asking yourself if the box of 25 thumbtacks counts as 25.🤣

@kasiabednarska1207 4 years ago

About visual clutter on the streets - i moved to Prince Edward Island, Canada and here the law doesnt allow for banners, advertisments, signs. This is so refreshing, there are little blue signs with a name of the business and arrow indicating wchich way and how far it is but its all cohesive and not "in your face". I really love it after living in a big city!

@sharonjackson1035 4 years ago

Nice thing about buying used quality items, you can resell them after you've had your use for close to the same price.

@lauribailey580 4 years ago

i get so much value out of the used furniture i have bought, and ditto for the clothing. better for my budget and better for the planet.

@dianer8881 3 years ago (edited)

Out of necessity, I was a minimalist for more than 65 years. Since I saved every extra penny, I recently purchased $7500 of clothes, accessories, linens, kitchenware, tools, office supplies, etc. It will all bring beauty and joy to the rest of my life! No regrets, no credit card, no interest.

Since I have always taken very good care of everything I have, I also decluttered and gave many of my things to friends and family, which they really enjoyed.

Now, my possessions are more practical for my new life as well.

@Sallykat12 4 years ago (edited)

As much as I would love to buy used furniture.... The fear of bed bugs is overwhelming. Without getting into details... It can be the most horrible thing to go through.

@nata3467 4 years ago

I am by no means a minimalist but I have chosen to follow some of the ideas from this podcast and others to be more mindful of what I bring into my home and the why behind it many of their ideas have helped me become more frugal and save more money

@breec3346 3 years ago

Whenever I’m in a store to get what I need if I happen to see something I love, I will grab it and hang onto it until I’m done finding what I NEED and then I will look at the item I loved and if I still feel the same as I did when I first saw it I will buy it but if my thoughts have changed about the item I will put it back. It gives me time to forget about the item I’m holding that I love and if I still love it when I come back to it I will purchase it! Instead of acting on impulse! It really helps me and 99.99% of the time I will not feel the same way and will put it back!!

@alanbirkner1958 3 years ago

I saw a 2nd hand Hermes handbag in a store. Neat idea, but I don't need one. I saw a (no kidding) $71,000 purse on a YouTube video. A woman had 4 of them. Think
of the hungry kids she could feed instead. Tina, Al's wife

@leeboriack8054 3 years ago

If I see an impulse item, I take a picture and I have it for as long as I want.

@Erica.Whitfield 4 years ago

As for purchasing rules for myself, I have a rule that if it wasn’t already on my list before I saw the item, I must wait at least a week. It takes away the power of browsing. A lot of times the 30 hours over $30 isn’t a strong enough boundary. My sister, for instance, can $10 herself into debt easily. If someone is a natural browser or window shopper at a store such as TJ Maxx or the like, you will always find an item that piques your interest under that dollar threshold.

@kraykray4118 3 years ago

I really like what Joshua said in relation to his daughter Ella he said that she doesn't get a lot of answers from him but she does get a lot of questions from him. Great way to get young minds thinking and grow their minds