Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words. If you’d like to participate, click here for details.
This week, I’m pleased to feature Tamara. She tells us how her goal to pay off her house inspired her to simplify her life in so many ways.
Tamara writes:
Hello, my name is Tamara and I started my “minimalist” movement 6 years ago with the idea to pay off my house before age 60. I started with reducing my expenses. This included vigilant reduction of household expenses including utilities, groceries, gas, etc. Air drying clothes, using a bucket to catch water during my shower to water plants, not wasting food etc.
I then had a garage sale and sold some items on line and realized a few months later that not only did I not remember what was sold, but I did not miss it. For every item I brought into the house I made a promise to get rid of an item. If I saw a new skirt on sale, I stopped and asked myself ”which one do you want to give away?” Frequently my answer was none, I liked and wore what I had in my closet, so I ended up not buying the new one.
Next I went through the kitchen and gave away or sold any item I had not used in the last 6 months. No mini muffin pan anymore, no problem, I just won’t make mini muffins for my next brunch but will make a coffee cake instead. I continued this practice throughout the house. I gave away several bags of seasonal decorations. I found one simple beautiful fall decoration on the table set the mood just as much as several dozen around the house.
Last but not least I had a large estate sale, sold 2/3 of my household “stuff”, the car and rented the house and took off to volunteer and travel for 6 months throughout Europe! I am having the best experience ever! Oh and did I mention that I did pay off my house! When I return after my travels I plan to move into a much smaller place with just the minimum of things needed for a great life.
More is less- I have a more exciting, fulfilled life with less stuff.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or joining my email list.}
What a great story! I appreciate your bravery to just go for it – clearing out your stuff, selling your car, renting your house, taking off for Europe! Well done!
A great story! I would love to know what volunteer work you are doing, please.
I LOVE your story! (You should start a blog)
I really enjoyed your post. As an older aspiring minimalist , I can better relate to your actions to downsize possessions and expenses. It is easier to think adventure or just something different if one is not weighed down with too many material possessions.
Thank you for sharing your well thought out plan.
Way to go, Tamara! I love the idea of catching shower water for plants, by the way.
I’m an older aspiring minimalist, too. I figure we should pare down now, rather than waiting until just before heading to assisted livng, or leaving the work for someone else. And a simpler life in retirement and on into old age is appealing — and could contribute to being independent longer!
Can totally relate!! You should start your own blog- I would read it
I really enjoy the real life minimalist feature.
I have been friends with Tamara for 30 years, she is an amazing person! Here is a link to her Blog as she travels Europe with one backpack!
Mytimshe.wordpress.com
Mytimshel.wordpress.com
I do papercrafting as a hobby. I get most of my materials second hand. Usually I am given so much, I give 3/4 away to my grandsons ‘ art teacher. I teach classes at libraries, museums, forest preserves or anywhere someone asks me. Some one asked how I store my stuff. I keep only what I know I will use and store it flat or in cookie tins. When a friend gave me two garbage bags full of paper, I sorted it and folded as I went. I kept only the colors and styles I needed. Some was recycled and a lot was given away. À number of people seem to have whole rooms full of scrapbooking papers or wrapping paper.
A friend who is a quilter asked if I wanted some of her scraps. I was making a crochet project out of long scraps and doll costumes out of small scraps. My friend gave me two huge garbage bags full of scraps. I kept about a shoebox full and passed the rest around. I couldn’t use garbage bags full of fabric in ten years. I like to make small projects and finish them. If there is a collaborative project, I do my part.