Yes this is exactly how I try to live too! My lifestyle choices have allowed me to reduce my expenses so much and because I don't need so much money, I'm able to start my own business at a lower income than I would need to make at a traditional job. Basically living this way has allowed me to create a life I want to live without so much money stress! It's so worth it for me!
Sometimes people buy things or spend money thinking that it will be good for their children or their own future selves to have certain things/services but actually the best we can do for our future selves and our children is to stay away from the trap of consumerism and trying to fill the emotional void in our lives with spending unnecessarily. That is where sustainable survival-basics minimalism simple-living and occasionally indulging in fulfilling little desires of everyday life intersect. We must try to understand that the life we live is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others.
so well worded! Especially the things we don't even need right now, the things we think of as "investments" in our future are often unnecessary. Of course, sometimes spending money makes sense, to make our lives easier, to get the tools we need to live it in a fulfilling way but stuff is never able to make us happy on its own, only if it solves a problem or is at least beautiful and serves a purpose :)
I always wait to make purchases and avoid eating out except once or twice a month, and with (non-COVID) vacations it's give and take. I get so much joy and richness out of experiencing new places, but I save by staying in cheaper hotels, walking when I can, and only eating out a few times. Another area I'm figuring out how to save effectively is the food I bring into the house, learning how much my household eats before food goes bad and sacrificing some variety in ingredients and instead finding creative ways to combine them in different ways with stuff that last longer like nuts, rice, spices, etc . . .
I definitely feel you when it comes to traveling. I wouldn't want to give that up, even if it is expensive, it gives me so much that it is absolutely worth the money! And you are very right with groceries, the cost can vary so much between buying random things we felt like in the store and planning and learning about our own habits etc. :)
I’m cutting back a lot on my spending for the first time in probably 10 years and it feels so good . I’m finally debt free. I need to cut down on food shopping though. I’m saving for any wants/ needs as well. I have 3 children so there is always things needed
that sounds amazing! OH yes, I am definitely guilty of spending too much money on food. But I think especially when it comes to groceries I also want to make sure to always spend enough on healthy things :)
@@ecofriendlia I wish I was spending too much on healthy food . I’m a chocolate/ bad food addict 😂. I need to meal plan and eat healthy. I just haven’t got there yet . It would be worth the money though if it was good healthy food x
Wear out might be a better word, you are right 😂 but at some point, it feels like they break when suddenly something essential rips or they are just not in a shape I could wear them anymore ☺
Getting an overview was life changing for me! In former times I just spent money without thinking about it. The result after 20 years is a mountain of debt. Now I know exactly what comes in and what goes out. I also opened an account for groceries. The very small rest is my pocket money and since I know how much I can spend, I'm so much more intentional. And even though it's not much, I try to spend not all of it so I can put a small amount to my savings account every month. The best thing about it is that I don't feel restricted in a negative way. Yes, I do have to limit myself but I love questioning everything I think I need or want and maybe find an alternative that is cheaper (second hand) or even for free (public library). Now we're in the third lockdown... when restaurants are open again, it's gonna be challenging... I LOVE eating out in great restaurants, and you can spend a loooooot of money doing this. But somehow it's gonna work out, I see it as an extra incentive to save as much as I can and don't buy random things.
I am so glad you got an overview, and are in a good place with your finances now! I experience the same. Even though we really don't have much money in general, it is enough to cover the costs and to buy the things we really need and want. And that gives me a lot of peace to know that I have enough as long as I am intentional!
I won't film a home tour to keep our apartment private. I live here with my boyfriend and my son and they don't choose to put their lives on TH-cam as I do. If you want to take a look at other videos on my channel you can see that I have plenty of videos where I show you other things apart from my wardrobe. (Ther is also a video about everything I own personally where I even talk about everything I use together with my family). Since sustainability is a very important value of mine I don't think giving you a proof of the number of things I have in my apartment will make a positive change but rather sharing possibilities and lessens while also showing you things I use and own to live more sustainably and not consume unnecessary things is the route I chose to respect my family and our private space.
In your social work course, did you study the works of thinkers and philosophers who have influenced your current lifestyle? This would be very interesting to hear about.
Thank you for that question! Actually not that much... At least when it comes to minimalism. But my social work studies have surely had an impact when it comes to realizing and seeing how different peoples lives and perspectives can be and that we always only really know our own which makes it important to listen to others and accept that other people might choose completely different routes ☺
I wait a week to make a purchase once I have made a decision. Much of the time, I decide that it is not necessary (that it was an impluse). My expenses personally are minimal because I am supporting my son while he is in college in another city. His expenses take up the rest of my salary.
Yes, that is such a good method and it is crazy to see how much we think we need and end up realizing that it is absolutely unnecessary after just a few days. Oh, I can only imagine that your son's education and housing, etc costs a lot of money.
Tomorrow ☺️ I don't know if it works in many countries. Another option I have seen is a tree card but I am not sure if it is an actual bank or just a credit card or something ☺
I always look forward to Lia saying 'Hello everybody and welcome to today's video'😍🍃
that makes me very happy ho hear:)
Yes this is exactly how I try to live too! My lifestyle choices have allowed me to reduce my expenses so much and because I don't need so much money, I'm able to start my own business at a lower income than I would need to make at a traditional job. Basically living this way has allowed me to create a life I want to live without so much money stress! It's so worth it for me!
We must identify what is enough and what is essential.
Yes, absolutely! That is what I mean by setting priorities because it helps us getting clarity and it saves a lot of money ☺
Sometimes people buy things or spend money thinking that it will be good for their children or their own future selves to have certain things/services but actually the best we can do for our future selves and our children is to stay away from the trap of consumerism and trying to fill the emotional void in our lives with spending unnecessarily. That is where sustainable survival-basics minimalism simple-living and occasionally indulging in fulfilling little desires of everyday life intersect. We must try to understand that the life we live is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others.
so well worded! Especially the things we don't even need right now, the things we think of as "investments" in our future are often unnecessary. Of course, sometimes spending money makes sense, to make our lives easier, to get the tools we need to live it in a fulfilling way but stuff is never able to make us happy on its own, only if it solves a problem or is at least beautiful and serves a purpose :)
I always wait to make purchases and avoid eating out except once or twice a month, and with (non-COVID) vacations it's give and take. I get so much joy and richness out of experiencing new places, but I save by staying in cheaper hotels, walking when I can, and only eating out a few times.
Another area I'm figuring out how to save effectively is the food I bring into the house, learning how much my household eats before food goes bad and sacrificing some variety in ingredients and instead finding creative ways to combine them in different ways with stuff that last longer like nuts, rice, spices, etc . . .
I definitely feel you when it comes to traveling. I wouldn't want to give that up, even if it is expensive, it gives me so much that it is absolutely worth the money! And you are very right with groceries, the cost can vary so much between buying random things we felt like in the store and planning and learning about our own habits etc. :)
I’m cutting back a lot on my spending for the first time in probably 10 years and it feels so good . I’m finally debt free. I need to cut down on food shopping though. I’m saving for any wants/ needs as well. I have 3 children so there is always things needed
that sounds amazing! OH yes, I am definitely guilty of spending too much money on food. But I think especially when it comes to groceries I also want to make sure to always spend enough on healthy things :)
@@ecofriendlia I wish I was spending too much on healthy food . I’m a chocolate/ bad food addict 😂. I need to meal plan and eat healthy. I just haven’t got there yet . It would be worth the money though if it was good healthy food x
Love 💞 that your clothes don't wear out . They break
Wear out might be a better word, you are right 😂 but at some point, it feels like they break when suddenly something essential rips or they are just not in a shape I could wear them anymore ☺
I know the meditation-mantra "I do enough, I have enough, I am enough". :)
That is a wonderful mantra!
As always Lia you have excellent advice. And you are always mindful of people who have it differently than you.
Thank you! Yes, I do think that is very important since our lives and circumstances and choices can be very different and still valid! ☺
i keep my grocery list in my phone & i also subtract what is spend from the monthly total budget. this way i can see where i'm at after every trip
I live in Poland in a big city and I have sold my car. It was my next step on the way to minimalism. I love listening to your movies. Great video. ♥️
That sounds great! And I am so glad you like my videos ☺
Lia ur amazing ur so simple ,transparent and lovely really enjoy watching ur videos ur simplicity just shines thru 🌟
Oh, thank you! It makes me happy to read that☺
Getting an overview was life changing for me! In former times I just spent money without thinking about it. The result after 20 years is a mountain of debt.
Now I know exactly what comes in and what goes out. I also opened an account for groceries. The very small rest is my pocket money and since I know how much I can spend, I'm so much more intentional. And even though it's not much, I try to spend not all of it so I can put a small amount to my savings account every month.
The best thing about it is that I don't feel restricted in a negative way. Yes, I do have to limit myself but I love questioning everything I think I need or want and maybe find an alternative that is cheaper (second hand) or even for free (public library).
Now we're in the third lockdown... when restaurants are open again, it's gonna be challenging... I LOVE eating out in great restaurants, and you can spend a loooooot of money doing this.
But somehow it's gonna work out, I see it as an extra incentive to save as much as I can and don't buy random things.
I am so glad you got an overview, and are in a good place with your finances now! I experience the same. Even though we really don't have much money in general, it is enough to cover the costs and to buy the things we really need and want. And that gives me a lot of peace to know that I have enough as long as I am intentional!
I love the idea of a low spend month or year.
Would you consider doing a whole apartment tour or a Q&A with your boyfriend? Always enjoy your videos 😀
@ or maybe Lia just likes to keep parts of her life private which is fair enough.
I won't film a home tour to keep our apartment private. I live here with my boyfriend and my son and they don't choose to put their lives on TH-cam as I do. If you want to take a look at other videos on my channel you can see that I have plenty of videos where I show you other things apart from my wardrobe. (Ther is also a video about everything I own personally where I even talk about everything I use together with my family). Since sustainability is a very important value of mine I don't think giving you a proof of the number of things I have in my apartment will make a positive change but rather sharing possibilities and lessens while also showing you things I use and own to live more sustainably and not consume unnecessary things is the route I chose to respect my family and our private space.
In your social work course, did you study the works of thinkers and philosophers who have influenced your current lifestyle? This would be very interesting to hear about.
Thank you for that question! Actually not that much... At least when it comes to minimalism. But my social work studies have surely had an impact when it comes to realizing and seeing how different peoples lives and perspectives can be and that we always only really know our own which makes it important to listen to others and accept that other people might choose completely different routes ☺
@@ecofriendlia Thank you. Your reply is thoughtful. I admire your consideration of others.
Where did you get your top from that you are wearing in this video ?
I wait a week to make a purchase once I have made a decision. Much of the time, I decide that it is not necessary (that it was an impluse). My expenses personally are minimal because I am supporting my son while he is in college in another city. His expenses take up the rest of my salary.
Yes, that is such a good method and it is crazy to see how much we think we need and end up realizing that it is absolutely unnecessary after just a few days. Oh, I can only imagine that your son's education and housing, etc costs a lot of money.
My retirement goal is to live somewhere in which I don't need a car.
What bank are you using?
Tomorrow ☺️ I don't know if it works in many countries. Another option I have seen is a tree card but I am not sure if it is an actual bank or just a credit card or something ☺