One glance at my bankruptcy blog and you will see a contrasting writing style.
I am typically wordy, expressive and perhaps long-winded.
This blog is an exercise in restraint for me. It mirrors my life and the transitional journey I am on.
It is challenging, therapeutic and serves as a daily reminder who I need to be.
By minimizing my words, I am minimizing the clutter in my mind.
I am writing a simpler path.
If we take a step back from 2012, what do we truly need?
Food, water, clothing and shelter. Our families and friends.
Everything else is optional.
No, I am not going to sell or discard my personal effects down to necessities. I am not going to cease working, curse material possessions and strip my life of its luxuries.
Millions of people throughout the world are happy with the bare necessities. I will continue to be grateful for my conveniences.
However, before buying, selling or making any financial decisions, I will realize that everything is literally discretionary.
When it comes to saving, it seems there is always an excuse. There is always a reason to delay.
“I’m too old.” ”I’m too young.”
“I don’t earn enough.” ”I will earn more in the future.”
“I have too many monthly expenses, I can’t right now.”
These are excuses and they do not tally with reality.
Saving is a state of mind. It is a personal contract you form with yourself and your family. Don’t breach it.
Lifestyles need to be adjusted to fit a savings plan, not the other way around. Make a commitment to modify your mindset.
When you stop spending, you save.
Thanks to Jon at atidierlife, we were inspired. This past weekend, we balanced our closet and cleansed our wardrobe.
Stale t-shirts, work shirts, pants and shoes were discarded.
I invoked a “60 day rule” in deciding what to keep. If it hadn’t seen action in the previous 60 days, it was scrapped and destined for the drop bin.
Surprisingly, with a stable closet comes a refreshed mind.
It wasn’t easy, but purging the rags created the drive to further minimize. I was awakened to the fact that it is freeing and healthy to let go of your effects.