7 Ways to Simplify Your Life and Save Money

Life today is much more complicated than it used to be; every generation can probably make that claim. Taking the time to simplify your life can really save you a lot of money and give you more free time. Simplifying can make your life more enjoyable; it’s really not about being restrictive.

Here are 7 ideas to get you started:

1. 1. Whenever possible, buy durable goods. Disposable items are a big part of our lives. This includes things like disposable razors, disposable diapers, disposable cameras, and more. We even have no-contract cell phones, which are commonly referred to as ‘throw away’ phones.
      • • Many of the disposable items in our lives have a more durable solution that is less expensive in the long run. Consider all the items you regularly throw away and replace with a new item. Try to buy something just once.
          
          
   2. Let go of being style-driven. Does your used car run just fine and get you from point A to point B? If so, you don’t need a new car. Do $20 jeans keep your legs covered in a socially acceptable way? If so, you don’t need $100 jeans. Be strong enough to buy what you need instead of what you believe will impress others.
      • • Being free of the worry of being judged is one of the greatest freedoms of all.
          
          
   3. Recycle everything you can. In some cases, you’re only helping the environment and not helping yourself financially. But it’s possible to get some money out of many of the things that you frequently throw in the trash. Call your local recycling center to find out what items they will pay you for.
      • • Don’t just throw away clothing, furniture, toys, and appliances. Just because it no longer meets your needs doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t enjoy it. Sell the stuff you can and donate anything else to a charitable organization. At the very least, you’ll get a tax deduction.
        • You can recycle many items in your own home by figuring out a way to reuse the item. This can save you from having to buy another item. For example, if you use outgrown or worn-out clothes to make a rug or patchwork quilt, you don’t have to buy a quilt or a rug. Many types of paper items can be re-used decoratively as gift wrap.
          
          
   4. Grow your own food. Not only is the quality a lot better, but it’s also much cheaper than the produce in the store. Gardening can be relaxing and enjoyable. Kids love it, too. You’ll even save by not spending gas on unnecessary trips to the store.
      
      
   5. Be energy efficient. Take shorter showers; you’ll use less hot water and have more free time. Did you know that a low-flow showerhead could potentially pay for itself in a month?
      • • The newer fluorescent bulbs last a lot longer, so you won’t have to take the time to change them as frequently. The bulbs are much less expensive over time due to their longevity and lower power usage.
          
          
   6. Downsize, when possible. Buying more than you need just creates more stuff in your way that you have to deal with sooner or later. It’s also wasteful since you have to throw some of it away in the end. Do you always buy the large size ‘just in case’? It’s more expensive and creates clutter to buy more than necessary.
      
      
   7. Cut out the irrelevant. Look at all your activities, hobbies, clubs, and everything else. Do you really enjoy all of them enough to justify the time and monetary expense? Removing the irrelevant activities frees up your time to bring more meaningful activities into your life and also saves money.

Simplifying your life is great; you have more free time and can save money, too. We all have more stuff than we need and spend too much time on things that really aren’t that important to us. Start small, but start today.

A simple life is a richer life, in more ways than one.