I haven’t talked much about minimalism lately, mostly because things have been so minimal. As you can tell by the chart below I haven’t been spending much beyond the food and consumables stuff. Once I got into the mindset of not needing stuff it has become pretty easy to get out of the pattern of spending money all the time.
As for possessions things haven’t changed much at all. My wardrobe consists of about 30 items. I still have the laptop/iphone/camera combo. And a back pack to hold it all. The few bits I have for the kitchen are all from the dollar store and are pretty much throw aways when I move to the next place. And of course there is my $50 bicycle which runs exactly like you a would expect a $50 bicycle to run. The wheels are bent, half the gears don’t work, and when you pull on the brakes they more or less suggest you slow down as opposed to actually performing any friction type stopping action. But, it gets me around the island when I need it. I keep a couple wrenches and a screwdriver to fiddle with it now and then but it’s a maintenance free, fuelless transport.
I don’t find myself wanting for anything else. I happened across a rather affordable decent looking sailboat in the ads recently and almost decided to go take a look. But I thought once again, why burden myself down with something that requires a license, maintenance, and fuel. It’s kind of nice right now to not have anything that doesn’t fit on my back…bike and cats aside of course.
I’ve taken the minimalist mindset to the digital level too. I’ve been slowly eliminating some of the ad programs from the blogs that were not producing. They never cost me anything to implement but at the same time they never generated any revenue. The problem with affiliates like Google or Amazon is they are all over the place. Hit any website and chances are you will see the ads. After awhile you condition yourself to just gloss over them as you search for actual meaningful content. So, rather than clutter up the blogs with all that generic stuff, I’m dropping most of them and just leaving the stuff I have produced personally like the apps and ebook. I’ve gone back and closed out some other useless accounts that I no longer use.
Just trying to simplify in all things. It keeps the clutter and stress to a minimum and allows me to concentrate on the important stuff. Must be working because despite the income woes, I am very content at the moment, and confident of what the future will bring. It’s been a while since I felt like that.
Capt. Fritter
I was wrong back then too. At least this time I don’t have anything to lose.
i always like your minimalist posts. and i say that even though i already live it.
not quite on the level you do… but true enough that what’s important could fit into my car.
(i live in one of those southwestern states that traded horses for cars in getting to and fro)
everything is spread out like no tomorrow. they like them thar wide open spaces i guess.
i have what people would call lawn furniture instead of sofas, etc. nothing heavy or overstuffed.
i have white wicker (pseudo wicker actually) arm chairs that i bought on sale one year at target.
all i need.
but reading others’ minimalist stories is always enlightening and supportive. and though i used
to think somethng must be wrong with me that i didn’t “want” anything… now i know…
nuthin’s wrong!!! it’s the greatest way to live! i say… come on in. the water’s fine!
ps..
i’m glad you’re in a good place about the future. might as well be.
what’s that saying… ‘the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’ no fear.
have you ever done any public speaking? i think you’d be a hoot. rated pg 13 or 36 of course.
My verbal skills leave much to be desired. I am much more at ease writing as opposed to talking.
C. F.
Wow – you are getting closer to that $50 a day mark! Good luck!