10 Reasons Why I Choose to be a Financial Minimalist
When I was a kid, I would see TV shows of people with big houses, private pools, and 10 cars. When I would watch these shows, I would feel very insecure because I wasn't living in a big house with a bunch of nice things.
My life changed once I started traveling the world and I started to see that there is not just one way of living in this world. People do different things in different places and if I did not want to live in a big house and have a bunch of stuff, I didn't have to and I started to embrace this idea of "financial minimalism."
Financial minimalism is using your money intentionally in a way that adds value in your life. When you are more intentional with your spending, you naturally spend less. In this video I talk about "10 Reasons Why I Choose to be a Financial Minimalist."
Reason 1: To Remain Human
People often want to live very extravagant lives with big houses, private pools, and yachts; however, people never ask themselves, "What do you lose when you pursue this path." You lose community, relatability, and humanity. I choose not to live extravagantly because I want to be able to relate to people.
Reason 2: Community is a Human Need
Community is something that humans need to survive. When you spend too much money and show it, you lose your ability to relate to other humans and be a part of the community. I would rather find happiness through community than through spending money.
Reason 3: We Only Get One Life
In the US, we are so serious and future oriented that we forget that we only get one life. We spend most of our lives trying to make money, but if you spend less, there is less of a need to make money. I want to manage my money in a way that allows me to live my life more.
Reason 4: I Like Diversity in Thoughts
Money can divide people and prevent you from getting to know people with a different perspective. The world is incredibly rich in perspectives, so I do not want to allow money to limit me from only getting to know one type of person.
Reason 5: I Love Creativity
I have learned in life that when you have less money, you have to be more creative. Convenience and easiness can steal your creativity. I prefer to limit my spending so I can have more creativity in life.
Reason 6: I Want to Own My Stuff
Who is the owner of your stuff? Do you own the stuff or does the stuff own you? I like having things in my apartment, but I am very intentional when I bring something in because I don't want my stuff to own me.
Reason 7: To Live With Imagination
Life is much richer when you are able to use your imagination. Just like creativity, you are able to use your imagination when you don't spend as much money. I prefer to spend less to have more imagination in life.
Reason 8: To Keep Appreciation
If you are constantly treating yourself to things, they are no longer treats, but it is the norm. I limit my spending on treats because I believe that depriving yourself of things is necessary in life.
Reason 9: To Keep Simplicity
When you buy something, there is the monetary cost, but there is also the responsibility cost. I do not want to spend money to accumulate a bunch of things because I would prefer to live a more simple life.
Reason 10: To Keep Ownership in My Life
I prefer to do things on my own instead of pay people to do it because it gives me a sense of pride and ownership of my stuff. I would rather save the money and do it myself.