Minimalism = fewer possessions = less spending? Yes and no. In most cases the equation is not that simple. If you want to save money, you can start at many different levels. Principles of a minimalist lifestyle simplify things.

As we all know, money is such a thing. Everyone deals with the topic differently and has an individual starting point. Therefore, not all points may apply to you or can be specifically implemented for you. So just take from this post what suits you. I hope some of these tips will help you. ☺️

1. Don't go shopping when you're stressed or emotionally upset.

Shopping can be a welcome distraction - especially when you're not feeling particularly well. And for a brief moment you think it helps. But this is exactly where the problem lies: in the short-lived nature of this “therapy”. Because buying things to feel better is ultimately not effective. It's a short-term solution to numb the feelings you don't want to feel. After a few hours or a day or two at the latest, you'll be back at the beginning and feel like you did before.

Especially if you already tend to make impulse purchases, this can be quite expensive...

So you should find other ways to deal with negative emotions such as sadness, fear or anger. In most cases, confronting your emotions head-on is the most productive thing you can do. Still, you're not always in the mood to sit down and meditate, journal, or confide in someone. Occupational therapy can help in such situations. But instead of going shopping, maybe take a walk, meet up with friends, or watch a movie that cheers you up. Do a workout, take a bath, or listen to an audio book. Think of things you can do that cost little or no money and that will ultimately be good for your soul.

2. Don't just go shopping because you're bored.

A similar but equally important point - and here I also admit guilt: how many times have I gone into the city because I felt like I had nothing better to do. “I’m just checking to see what’s going on; what's new..." And in the end I came home with full bags. I also usually met up with my friends in the city, especially when I was younger, because there was “nothing else to do.” Of course, as young people you don't have the foresight yet, which is why, in my opinion, the whole thing is less reprehensible than for adults. But still: Especially when you're in a shopping center, it's hard to avoid spending money. Online shopping can also quickly degenerate if you click through the Internet from your couch out of boredom.

But what do you do when you're bored? Instead of ending up “just” drowning in front of Netflix or social media, you can do a lot more things than just go shopping. If you'd like to do something at home, you could read a book, take a free online course, write a journal, get creative (painting, singing, playing music), or explore topics that inspire you. If you'd like to go out, it's worth Googleing for free activities in your city beforehand. There's always something to do that doesn't involve spending any money!

Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash

3. Sleep on it for a night, especially if the item you want costs more than 100 euros.

The “100 euros” is only a guideline for this tip. Of course, you can adjust the value as desired to suit your needs or habits. But setting this mental limit has saved my wallet several times. Taking time to think about your potential purchase is good. Because you don't feel under pressure and you can think more rationally about why you want to buy something and whether you even need it.

When I was little and I wanted to spend all my pocket money on a toy (the 20 euros I saved felt like 2000 euros), my mother advised me to sleep on it one night. I'm sure you know it too: you wake up the next morning and suddenly you know what's going on. Whether the item is really worth it or whether you would have bought it out of impulse. Sometimes it even happens that I completely forget the item I wanted after a day or two... So it couldn't have been that important after all.

So take your time with purchases that require a little more money and sleep on it for a night.

4. Harness aspects of minimalism.

Minimalism is not necessarily about owning as little as possible or not buying anything new. Likewise, there is not just “minimalist” and “non-minimalist”. Rather, minimalism is a spectrum. For example, it may be that you live a minimalist lifestyle in some areas of your life and have not yet dealt with it in other areas. That's completely ok. After all, we are all on our own journey.

An important principle of the minimalist lifestyle is to ask yourself whether you really need something . And that's something we can always use when making purchasing decisions. That's why this one is one of my favorite tips.

Because when it comes to saving money, it's also important to question yourself. To reflect on purchasing decisions and analyze your own consumer behavior. This can help us shop with more intention and “plan.” Making conscious decisions. To take a closer look at what you are actually buying. Not just looking at things as objects, but looking at them in terms of their functionality and meaning.

So next time you're faced with a purchasing decision, ask yourself: Do I need this, or do I just want this? What added value can this item/piece of clothing/product bring me? Will I use the product multiple times or let it collect dust in the closet after using it once?

If you would like to delve deeper into the various aspects of minimalism, then I can recommend the following blog entries:

• 5 things you should know about minimalism
• Benefits of Minimalism – Why you win more than you lose
• 5 Minimalism Habits You Can Start Today!
• How sustainability and minimalism fit together

5. Go shopping with intention and a list.

This point follows from the previous one. If I think about what I want to buy when and where beforehand, I'm much more likely to save money than if I just go out and look on the spot. Of course, you can't always plan all your purchases precisely. However, how prepared we are can make a big difference, especially for our wallets.

You probably know this too: without a plan and without a list in the supermarket. In the end, all kinds of food and products end up in your shopping cart that you didn't actually want to buy. You are also much more susceptible to impulse purchases without a list. Freshly bought vegetables go bad because you haven't thought about how to process them and when to eat them. This means that not only coins are lost, but also valuable resources.

So before you go shopping, it's worth thinking about what you already own or what you still have at home and spending a few minutes writing a shopping list.

Two other practical precautions you can take:

• Make it a habit to pay with cash when you're out and about instead of using a card. Even though contactless and card payments in general are becoming more popular and simpler, it's not right for everyone. If you tend to make impulse purchases, try paying cash on the go. This helps many people keep track of their own expenses and spend less money overall. A booklet or list where you can record what you've spent can also show you your habits in the long run and help you save money.
• Never go grocery shopping hungry. Another thing we all know, right? There's not much more to add... 😉

If you would like to find out more about the topics of sustainability, mindfulness or healthy eating, take a look here .

Photo by Christian Dubovan on Unsplash