It is a constant battle: all our stuff against me. But I'm winning, and it is making me happy and saving me money. Apparently I'm not the only...there have a been a lot of articles lately talking about clearing out, saving up and enjoying the freedom of less stuff. One of the top 100 blogs on the internet is Zen Habits, which covers "achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving, getting a flat stomach, eating healthy, simplifying, living frugal, parenting, happiness, and successfully implementing good habits." Whew! That's a lot.
I admit, I find the Zen Habits website overwhelming, but by scrolling through quickly or using the browsing tools on the right hand side, I can find the kind of articles that most interest me. I love how the whole simplifying thing ties in with saving money, and I have definitely found it to be true. The less you have, the less you need, and somehow you spend less money. There's a lot of psychology behind it, but you don't need to understand the psychology. You must need to trust that it work. And it does!
The Christian Science Monitor's article Less Stuff = More Freedom makes the same point in a shorter format. Sharing your excess with others makes you feel good, improves your own life, and helps others at the same time. The financial benefits are an additional bonus.
As PCS season approaches, many of us are looking at our possessions through the weight limit goggles. However, it is a good time to view all our things through the value filter and see where they stand. Consign some old clothes, donate those excess household goods, and recycle a box full of paper, and see if you don't feel lighter when you're done. And if you are lucky, your wallet will feel a little heavier as well.
