Challenge Issued

“I challenge Mr. Markey to follow the Ramsey plan to the letter for 12 months and present his financial statements before and after that time period.  Only then can he write from a position of experience rather than theory.“

Click Send.

It’s true, I get a little fired up when I see people knocking a system that I have personally benefitted from.  I am a proponent of caution, but outright argument against something one doesn’t understand really gets my goat.  Probably because I’ve done it so much in the past.

But the phrase “don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it” is becoming increasingly applicable in a day of rampant blogs and “opinion pieces.”  Yes, I admit that you’re reading those right now.

The last year has taught me a few things.

• I am not a natural saver.  Trust me, if there’s money in the bank and I feel like there’s a reason to spend it, I will spend it.

• Concession is not the same as agreement.  Just because someone goes along with your plan doesn’t mean they think it’s a good one.

• You can’t expect people to change.  I had to apologize to my husband for not insisting he cut up his last card.  I thought he’d get over debt once we were out of it.  A year later we are still living with Priceline.

• There is SO much less paperwork when buying a house with cash.

I’ve learned all these things because I experienced them.  Not because I listened to a 3-minute blip on the radio that made me believe them.

If it annoys you to see me talk about how nice it is to have no debt, or how it’s possible to buy a house with cash, or that sacrificing, while unpleasant at the time, is worthwhile, that’s fine.  You’re allowed to be annoyed.

But you can’t call me wrong until you’ve tried it for yourself.

How We Should Live

Disclaimer: These are things I really like.  I think they are a better alternative to what they would replace.  I do not have science to back this up, just lots of stuff I’ve read and, in some cases, rubbed between my fingers.

We should live...

• On radiant heated floors – If you struggle with allergies, like Cat Girl, radiant heat is a super preventative way to avoid airborne allergens.  It also doesn’t dry out the air like forced air systems do.  Hurrah!  Did we mention no more cold-floor-on-feet?

• As minimalists – Less consumption, less distraction, more time for what matters.

• Debt-free – Having control over your money instead of pre-promising it to people who are not your friends is way more fun.  Trust me.

• On solar power – No pollution-producing power FTW.  Also, less noise pollution.  Boom.

• Clothed in bamboo – It’s super soft, it doesn’t require loads of pesticides, it requires less water than cotton, and is naturally antimicrobial, meaning you can wash it less and it will not stink.  Did I mention it’s super soft?

• Eating organic food – Sure, lots of people disagree with me on this one.  So maybe we should say some kinds of organic food.  But I certainly prefer the idea of not eating loads of chemicals in my veg.  Maybe it’s just me.

• With Kindness – The world lives by a “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine” philosophy on kindness.  Be the first one to smile.

• Generously – If you have surplus and see someone in need, pay it forward.

• Small, Slowly, Mindfully –Different words for the same concept.  When you don’t take things for granted, they always seem better.

Minimalist Fun

What do minimalists do for fun?  The answer is the same as for people who are debt-free, healthy, or still a child: Anything they want.

But if you think a life without piles of new purchases sounds like no life at all, I’ll remind you that only boring people are bored.  Here are some questions you can ask to alleviate the ennui:

1.       Have I gone for a walk today?  I don’t write much about exercise.  But if you are like 90% of people who don’t exercise, you are probably used to using my excuse: “I’m too tired or busy to work out.”  I want to challenge that notion: Chances are that you just don’t like activities that you perceive as exercise.  Instead of jumping on the treadmill or driving to the gym, start thinking of experiences you enjoy that get your heart pumping:

• Trampoline parks
• Water Park or Theme Park (think about all the walking!)
• Volleyball, basketball, tennis…there’s no sport that doesn’t introduce you to muscles you don’t use on the sofa.
• Take a hike…or a walk, or a jog.  Even a walking tour is technically exercise.  So are walking through a museum, a park, the zoo, or believe it or not, the mall.
• When’s the last time I read a book?  No, I don’t just mean a fiction book, though I love those.  This is a great time to do some extra studying and get your grades up.  Done with school but not crazy about fiction?  Pick up a “How To” manual, something For Dummies, or Winston Churchill’s autobiography.

3.       What new skill would I like to learn?  Rather than going out and buying materials that might get you interested in something new, focus on trying out new things on someone else’s turf.  Take an art/wine pairing class, a racquetball lesson, or a tour of a microbrewery.  You might find that whatever you try isn’t for you, but it’s just one of hundreds of experiences you can dip your toe into without buying the whole pool.

4.       Can you hear me now?  When is the last time you talked to your parents, your siblings, or even your friends from college?  Try reconnecting with someone you haven’t seen or talked to in a long time.  You could even ask your renewed acquaintance for ideas of new hobbies to try.

5.       How many things can I think of that I’m grateful for?  I know it’s an oldie, but it’s still a goody.  Chances are you’ve made a list in the past, but maybe it’s different now that you have some space in your home and budget.

Minimalism, simplicity, being debt-free, and just plain living your life is about finding the people and activities that matter to you and making - not finding - time to enjoy them.