The KonMari method and my financial situation

I must be behind a bit because this is the first I have heard of the KonMari method. I will be doing a little research on it.

I have recently been doing a bit of research into minimalism and living with less. I personally grew up not having much as my parents were constantly traveling so we didn't collect too many possessions.

I prefer to have less stuff but have found that when you settle down for any period of time, you tend to collect more than you need.

The more I do realize how little stuff actually means to me, the less likely I am to want to purchase more so I can see how developing any kind of mindset about having less stuff could be beneficial to ones finances.

If the KonMari method has something to do with helping people do that, then you can bet I want in on it! 

I'm impressed that you've managed to miss the onslaught of writing about this! You must teach us your ways.

The thing I found interesting about Marie Kondo's approach which is that it's about respecting and honoring the things you have in your life, whether it's because it served a role or because someone gave it to you with love or you learned that you *don't* need items like that in your life.  It's a nice counterbalance to the way a lot of people approach buying and accumulating things by encouraging gratitude, thoughtfulness and respect for your belongings, as opposed to just accumulation for the sake of accumulation.  I suspect you'll find it interesting!  

First I have heard of this method, but have focused on reducing clutter in the house in an effort to clear my mind and reduce expenses. It has helped reduced expenses because by reducing the amount of stuff in our home, the focus becomes on using what we already have. It is amazing to find all the things that sit around your home never used. And when you're focused on having less, you are less motivated to buy stuff and bring more back in your home.

FreebiePharm posted:

First I have heard of this method, but have focused on reducing clutter in the house in an effort to clear my mind and reduce expenses. It has helped reduced expenses because by reducing the amount of stuff in our home, the focus becomes on using what we already have. It is amazing to find all the things that sit around your home never used. And when you're focused on having less, you are less motivated to buy stuff and bring more back in your home.

FreebiePharm, I had to laugh when I read your sentence about finding all the things sitting around your home that are never used.  I have found *four* tape measures. Four! That would be a lot even if I were super into carpentry, but the most I've ever done with those tape measures is hang art on my walls. Yeah, probably not going to buy one of those again!

Caitlin Constantine posted:

FreebiePharm posted:

First I have heard of this method, but have focused on reducing clutter in the house in an effort to clear my mind and reduce expenses. It has helped reduced expenses because by reducing the amount of stuff in our home, the focus becomes on using what we already have. It is amazing to find all the things that sit around your home never used. And when you're focused on having less, you are less motivated to buy stuff and bring more back in your home.

FreebiePharm, I had to laugh when I read your sentence about finding all the things sitting around your home that are never used.  I have found *four* tape measures. Four! That would be a lot even if I were super into carpentry, but the most I've ever done with tape measures is hang art on my walls. Yeah, probably not going to buy one of those again!

At least it's stuff that's inexpensive, right? My father used to buy doubles of everything, including kitchen appliances. We were always like, why do you need two of those? Watching him be so wasteful has probably motivated my quest to reduce!

@Caitlin Constantine you have got me wondering what I might have too many of lying around my house that I barely use.

I think that will make a good financial fitness step for today's challenge...

FreebiePharm posted:

Caitlin Constantine posted:

FreebiePharm posted:

First I have heard of this method, but have focused on reducing clutter in the house in an effort to clear my mind and reduce expenses. It has helped reduced expenses because by reducing the amount of stuff in our home, the focus becomes on using what we already have. It is amazing to find all the things that sit around your home never used. And when you're focused on having less, you are less motivated to buy stuff and bring more back in your home.

FreebiePharm, I had to laugh when I read your sentence about finding all the things sitting around your home that are never used.  I have found *four* tape measures. Four! That would be a lot even if I were super into carpentry, but the most I've ever done with tape measures is hang art on my walls. Yeah, probably not going to buy one of those again!

At least it's stuff that's inexpensive, right? My father used to buy doubles of everything, including kitchen appliances. We were always like, why do you need two of those? Watching him be so wasteful has probably motivated my quest to reduce!

Oh wow, I feel like I would run out of room in my house pretty dang quickly if I had that approach to buying things!

I had to chuckle. Before I read this post a couple days ago, I knew nothing of the subject.

Just now I was reading the book "Opportunity" (which I purchased about a year ago). On page 186 he mentions Marie Kondo and her recommendation to ask if your stuff brings you Joy.

I find it funny because now that I know about this, it keeps popping up everywhere LOL

I thought I had already gone through everything in my house, but after watching Marie's show I went through everything again. I was amazed at still finding things I no longer had any use for. My husband got into it too, and now over a month later, we still have an organized house.