you aren't born to pay off debt and die

time to stop chasing and start living

In a world dominated by consumerism and the relentless pursuit of more, the idea of minimizing debt and practicing sound money spending habits might seem counterintuitive. Yet, in the realm of minimalism, it's not about amassing wealth or possessions but rather about living a life of intention and freedom. Our motto "you aren't born to only pay off debt and die" seeks to challenge the conventional narrative surrounding finances and urging our readers to reconsider their relationship with money through the lens of the minimalist lifestyle.

As advocates of minimalist living, we understand that debt can be a heavy burden, both financially and emotionally. Whether it's student loans, credit card debt, or mortgages, the weight of the  indebtedness, especially in recent times can constrain our ability to live happily and pursue our passions. We think that by embracing minimalism and inviting you to embark on a journey towards financial freedom, one where you're not shackled by debt but set free to live life on your terms, you too will stop chasing and start living the way we were born to do.

to reduce debt first we must understand debt

To understand debt we have to look at the main drivers behind how we got into this situation in the first place. In a culture that often equates success with material wealth, it's easy to fall into the trap of accumulating debt to maintain a certain lifestyle. However, true wealth in a minimalist framework lies not in the accumulation of possessions but in the freedom to live with intention and purpose. Debt, then becomes a barrier to this freedom, tying us down to obligations and limiting our freedom of choice.

This often leads to excessive debt, which can have more profound implications on our mental and emotional well-being. The constant stress and anxiety associated with financial obligations can detract from our ability to fully enjoy life's experiences. Minimalism offers a refreshing alternative, a way to break free from the cycle of consumerism and reclaim control over our finances. By re-evaluating our priorities and adopting minimalist money habits, we can attain a sense of abundance and contentment that transcends material possessions. In our journey towards minimizing debt, it's not just about achieving financial stability but about reclaiming our freedom and pursuing a life of purpose and fulfillment.

our 6 areas to focus on to reduce your debt

• Create a Budget: I know this is probably the last thing you want to do but we have a great method which prioritizes saving over spending. It's the ancient Japanese technique of Kakeibo and it only takes a few minutes a week to keep your spending in check. You can read more about the Kakeibo budgeting method in our blog here.
• Debt Repayment Strategies: There a numerous methods for prioritizing debt repayments including debt consolidation, paying more regularly, the snowball method, but our favorite is the "Avalanche Method" where you organize all debts regardless of size in order of their interest rates. You will target paying off the highest interest rate debts first then use that extra money to put towards the next highest. This minimizes the amount of extra interest expense you will incur.
• Avoiding Temptations: When aiming to reduce debt and embrace minimalist money habits, it is important to resist the urge to give in to temptations. One helpful approach is to focus on spending only on necessities that align with your values, enabling you to differentiate between desires and requirements. Moreover, engaging in mindfulness and reflection before making purchases can aid in controlling impulsive spending and encouraging more deliberate financial decisions.
• Living Below Your Means:  Living below your means allows you to build financial resilience by creating a surplus that can be directed towards savings and investments, ultimately leading to greater wealth accumulation and security. Avoiding lifestyle inflation ensures that as your income increases, your expenses remain manageable, freeing up resources for achieving long-term financial goals and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. 
• Value-Based Spending:  To avoid impulse spending when practicing  a minimalist lifestyle try aligning all expenses with your personal values and priorities, focus on experiences and only products that truly enhance your well-being and happiness. By consciously directing resources towards what matters to you most, you will cultivate a sense of purpose and satisfaction while minimizing clutter and excess consumption. This approach emphasizes quality over quantity, leading to a more intentional and fulfilling way of living.
• Investing in Experiences:  This aligns with the philosophy of prioritizing meaningful moments over material possessions. Experiences create lasting memories and foster personal growth, whereas products often contribute to clutter and maintenance obligations. By shifting focus towards experiences, you can cultivate a richer, more fulfilling life while reducing your reliance on material goods.

living without doesn't equal being without

By embracing these minimalist money habits we offer a pathway to a different kind of financial freedom, one that prioritizes family and friends as well as living a more fulfilling life over accumulating the newest things. By living below your means and prioritizing value-based spending, you can cultivate a different sense of abundance and satisfaction whilst minimizing the clutter and financial stress of all that debt. Lastly investing in experiences over material possessions not only enriches your life with memorable moments but also aligns with the core principles of minimalism, emphasizing quality over quantity and fostering personal growth and fulfillment.