Joshua Becker's Blog, page 14

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

My desire with each Weekend Reads is to provide you with articles and posts that encourage simplicity and minimalist living. Below, you will find links to blog posts and news stories that I hand-picked over the last couple weeks. I hope you find inspiration and practical help inside them.

That is my goal on Becoming Minimalist: to intentionally promote simplicity in a world that needs to hear it. Here is the first edition of Inspiring Simplicity in 2024.

You Don’t Need Everything You Want | Vox by Emily Stewart. There is nowhere you can look in society that isn’t screaming at us to spend, spend, spend — and, frankly, we view it as un-American to live any other way. It causes us to conflate nonessentials with essentials; we don’t just want the thing, we feel like we have to have it.

I Was Determined to be Rich, But Then Life Showed Me Why the Greatest Joys Aren’t Things You Can Buy | Hack Spirit by Tina Fey. If you find yourself caught in the relentless pursuit of wealth, take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. Remember that money can buy comfort and convenience, but not happiness or fulfillment.

‘I Love Everything About It:’ 38-year-old Only Spends $792 a Month to Live in a 160 sq. ft. RV | CNBC by Ryan Ermey. I look around and honestly say, “Man, I have everything I need.”

How to Stop Shopping Impulsively in 2024: 24 Frugal Tips! | No Sidebar by Barefoot Minimalists. Think back to all of the purchases you made last year. How many of those actually improved your quality of life? For most of us, very few of the many purchases we make actually add value to our lives.

12 Personal Finance Habits to Begin in 2024 | Simple Money by Jennifer Hayes. Consider slowly incorporating these 12 personal finance habits into your routine over the next year. Maybe start with just 1-2 and add more as you get comfortable with the idea.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

This month, I am publishing an in-depth Video Series on 7 Life-Changing Strategies to Change Your Spending Habits. You can find links to the first two videos here:

7 Life Changing Strategies to Change Your Spending Habits – Episode 1 | YouTube by Joshua Becker. In this series, we dive deep into resetting our spending habits and ways to overcome consumerism in our lives.

7 Life Changing Strategies to Change Your Spending Habits – Episode 2 | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Part Two of the Four-video series covering Strategies 2 & 3.

— 

Uncluttered. If you’re looking for help trying to minimize your possessions, my 12-week course will help you own less, live more, and discover the life you want. But this is the last weekend to sign-up. Registrations ends Sunday, January 14. The experience begins on Tuesday.

The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Master Your Mornings: 7 Things to Do Before Bed

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” —Robert Collier

In my pursuit of intentional and fulfilling days, I have learned that how I end my nights is just as crucial as how I start my mornings.

My mornings tend to be my most productive hours of the day so it’s important for me that I make the most of them. Most of my writing is accomplished in the morning, as well as video filming.

Being at my best makes me more efficient—and hopefully more helpful to you. :)

That’s why I’ve developed an intentional practice over the years that I call “Before Bed Prep.”

I don’t recall anyone ever teaching it to me. It occurred naturally in my life around the time I started this blog and began rising early in the morning to write. In order to not waste any time, I’d prepare some items ahead of time to make my morning run smoother.

“Before Bed Prep” is essentially a series of intentional steps taken each night to ensure the next day begins on the best possible note.

As I’ve heard different mentors (and people that I look up to) mention doing the same thing, I’ve begun to recognize that the routine isn’t just about saving time in the morning; it’s about embracing purposeful living, every day, from beginning to end.

Here are the seven steps I take every evening for my Before Bed Prep routine:

1. Set Out My Gym Gear

The first place I go every morning is to the gym. So, part of my Prep involves laying out my gym clothes and shoes. They’re set out right near my bed. Putting them on and getting ready for the gym is the first thing I do.

2. Pick My Outfit for the Day

I wear pretty much the same thing every day, so this isn’t a difficult step for me. But choosing my clothes for the next day and setting them out still makes it easy for me to grab them.

3. Create My Morning To-Do List

Almost every morning, before waking up, I know exactly what I intend to accomplish that day. I typically do this every afternoon before leaving work and apply my 3-Item To Do List criteria for the following day.

My afternoons can vary based on how efficient I was each morning, but rarely do I sit down for work at the beginning of the day without knowing my three goals.

4. Pack My Work Bag

Before I go to bed, I compile or even pack my workbag for the next day. If I did any work during the evening, I collect it and pack it away. In addition to keeping my mornings efficient, it helps me not forget anything.

5. Plan Breakfast

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I eat the same breakfast every day. So planning my breakfast doesn’t require a ton of effort—although I still do it. Even before eating the same thing every day, this was a helpful step in my Before Bed Prep.

6. 10-Minute Evening Tidy

One of the greatest benefits minimalism brought into our lives was the ability to quickly reset rooms and tidy up in the evening. Tidying the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom every evening before going to bed is something we’ve practiced in the Becker Home for years.

A calm and tidied home, without yesterday’s messes all around, is one of the best ways to keep your mind focused on the opportunities of today rather than cleaning up yesterday.

7. Set Out Meditation Supplies

I’ve written about my Three Essential Habits for Living Well. They are exercise, eat healthy, and solitude. You’ll see that exercise and eating well already appear on this list. My final step every evening before bed is to set out my supplies for solitude and meditation (my Bible). Seeing it out each morning is a helpful visual reminder.

While these seven steps form my Before Bed Prep, there’s no doubt yours will be different.

Here are some other ideas that might be helpful to consider for your unique lifestyle:

Checking your calendarPacking your lunchPrepping your kid’s supplies for the school-dayGathering necessary pet itemsPreparing your coffeemakerSetting out your actual breakfast foodLaying out items you need for your morning self-care ritual

Regardless of what you choose or don’t choose, it is true that a calming, focused, and productive morning begins the night before. It can even help motivate you to get the day started if mornings aren’t your thing.

Consider incorporating Before Bed Prep into your nightly routine, even as an experiment, and observe how it eases your transition into each day, fostering a more intentional life.

The post Master Your Mornings: 7 Things to Do Before Bed appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

When Life Feels Far from What You Imagined

Life never fully goes as planned. In fact, nobody escapes unscathed as the old saying goes.

But sometimes, the trials and pains of life throw us so far from the life we dreamt for ourselves, it is difficult to find our bearings.

For any number of reasons, within or outside our control, life unfolded in ways we never anticipated and we find ourselves navigating through a reality we never desired‚ or in some cases, we’d never even wish upon our worst enemy.

We were unexpectedly given a painful health diagnosis, experienced the loss of a child, lost a marriage we fought hard to save, felt the brunt of an economic downturn, or suffered firsthand the devastation from a natural disaster.

For whatever reason, the life we live today feels far from the life we imagined for ourselves. Maybe, living isn’t even the word we’d use to describe our circumstances—surviving might be the best we can muster.

Sometimes the present trials and circumstances are a result of our actions—but not always. Sometimes our circumstances are no fault of our own. And sometimes they occurred quickly, while other times they slowly built over time.

Regardless, they have become the life we are presently living.

If that is you today, living a life far from what you imagined, I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not the only one suffering. You are not forgotten. I see you and feel for you and love you. And if that is all you need to hear today, then I hope it encourages you.

But I also want you to know that while life might not look like what you imagined, it still holds potential for growth, impact, fulfillment, and meaning.

If you are breathing today, life still holds opportunity. And you need to believe that. Because you’ll never take steps toward joy until you believe they are possible.

No matter your age, your health, your surroundings, or your circumstances, the rest of your life can be lived intentionally for your good and the good of those around you.

I’m not here to tell you the road will be easy. If it was, you would have already found it. But it does exist. So hold your head up high.

If your life feels far from what you imagined, here are some truths and practices to help you reignite hope:

Recognize and Embrace the Now

This present moment, no matter how imperfect, is your life and it is where your life is happening. There’s no joy to be found in thinking it is different than it is. So, embrace it as true. But remember, embracing the now doesn’t mean giving up on the future; it only means recognizing the value of today.

Understand the Power of Choice

While we cannot control everything that happens to us, we always have a choice in how we respond. This involves discerning between what is within our power to change and what we must learn to accept. But there are always factors we can control, our attitude for example. And that should never be overlooked.

Seek Joy in Simplicity

In difficult circumstances, the need to find joy in simple, everyday moments is even more important and can be incredibly grounding. Whether it’s the warmth of the sun, a conversation with a friend, a pain-free afternoon, the laughter of a child, or a good book, these simple joys remind us of hope and joy.

Cultivate Gratitude and Positivity

There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Even when life is far from what we envisioned, there are aspects of it for which we can be grateful. Basing our expressions of gratitude on changed circumstances will never bring them about. We must look, purposefully and intently every day, for reasons to be grateful.

Work Harder at Connections

Human relationships are a great resource in times of hardship. Reaching out for support and offering it in return creates a network of empathy and understanding, reminding us that we are not journeying alone. But this is harder for us to do when we feel our life has become something we wish it wasn’t. Humility and love can bring you back. So make that phone call today.

Dissolve Envy with Encouragement

It can be hard to celebrate the successes of others when we feel life has treated us unfairly. Work hard to not allow jealousy or envy to take root in your heart or relationships. Work to dissolve it by cheering and encouraging others instead.

Practice Self-Compassion

Be gentle with yourself. Recognize that feeling overwhelmed or disheartened is a natural response to life’s trials. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a dear friend.

Try Something New

If the old foundations on which you built your life have fallen away, look for a new foundation. Turn to faith or lean into the support of a close-knit community group, neighborhood, or club.  

Pursue Personal Growth

Every remaining day is an opportunity for growth. And while your life may never become what you imagined it to be, engaging in activities that promote self-discovery and personal development will help you begin to re-imagine what the rest of your life can still become.

The world can be cruel. And life will always be unpredictable and complex. Your present journey may not be the one you wanted, but it is yours. And you are still important.

The post When Life Feels Far from What You Imagined appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Less is More in ’24. Get Uncluttered

This is now my ninth year offering the Uncluttered Course as a resource for people who can see the benefits of owning less and living clutterfree—and are ready to make it happen in their own home.

The course has proven effective for over 75,000 people—and it will work for you.

Enough thinking about decluttering home, it’s time to fully accomplish it.

My mantra for this year is “Less is more in ’24.” And I mean it: Less is More.

Less clutter
More calm
More time
More focus
More money
More freedom
More gratitude
More creativity
More spirituality
More family time
More intentionality
More peace of mind
More personal growth
More contentment in life
More meaningful connections
More space for things that matter

Uncluttered

For those of you who don’t know about the course, Uncluttered is a 12-week online program that I developed to help you own less, live more, and discover the life you’ve always wanted.

For only the next 10 days, registration is open for The New Years Edition of the course.

If you want 2024 to be the year you declutter your home, own less, and save more, sign up before Sunday, January 14 to be part of the private community—all focused on the same goal.

The program includes videos, interviews, live webinars, practical articles, weekly challenges, interaction with me, accountability, and a super-engaged community to cheer you on.

Every Monday, you will receive a video from me, an exclusive interview with one of the brightest minds in the simplicity movement, or written content prepared for the course. You will receive a weekly challenge to complete. You will be offered significant opportunities to engage with the community in a private Facebook group and with me during live webinars and live question and answer opportunities each month.

The course offers everything a book or blog post cannot: community, accountability, and opportunity to ask questions.

To find detailed information about the content and the subjects covered in the Uncluttered Course, click here.

The Results

Feedback about the course from the community has been unbelievable:

The term life-changing gets thrown around a lot, but this course really is. —Kathryn Wagner, Los Angeles, CA

Signing up for the Decluttering course was one of the best decisions I’ve made. —Tracy Nowak, Webster, NY

I am a better mother, a better wife, a better housekeeper, a better budgeter, a better teacher, a better neighbor and a better friend. I’m still a work in progress, but it feels good to be where I am at. —Pam L.

My credit card statement came today. $1,000.00 under my typical monthly balance! Thank you Uncluttered community. —Cheyanne Morris, St. Paul, MN

The Details

I offer the course just three times each year.

This program begins on Tuesday, January 16. Registration is open now, ending on Sunday, January 14—so don’t wait if you want to join us.

The cost for the course is $99. But you can find a 25% off discount code in the back of my book, The Minimalist Home. The book is not required. But it’s often cheaper to buy the book and use the discount code than it is to pay full price—the option is yours.

I am personally involved in every aspect of the course. Helping people live more by owning less is what I am passionate about. I created the videos and the content. I host the webinars. I answer questions in the Facebook group and via email. And I host live video chats over the course of the 12 weeks. My goal is to help and cheer you along.

Participants receive lifetime access to the course. And they can take it as many times as they need.

—

Uncluttered is a 12-week online course with videos, interviews, webinars, articles, weekly challenges, accountability, and community. It is strategically packaged for one purpose: To help you unclutter your home, own less stuff, and find space to live the life you want.

If you are interested in joining us for the next 3 months, visit My Becoming Minimalist to register. Make 2024 the year you finally discover that less truly is more.

The post Less is More in ’24. Get Uncluttered appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

How Becoming Minimalist Can Help You Live More by Owning Less

At Becoming Minimalist, my passion is this: Help you live more by owning less.

Simply put, our lives are too valuable to waste chasing and accumulating material possessions.

There are greater and more important pursuits that we can devote ourselves to than constantly buying more and more stuff.

Even worse, when we buy more than we need, we actually limit our potential in life. We spend our most important resources (money, time, energy, focus, and passion) on things that can never bring happiness and fulfillment.

Excess possessions distract us from happiness—and also joy, meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. For that reason, my desire is to help EVERYONE live a bigger life by owning less. Including you!

Over the last 15 years, this website has inspired and helped millions accomplish that very thing. But our work is not complete. There are many more left to reach—and there is a next step that you need to take.

When it comes to living a bigger life by owning less, every person can be placed somewhere on this chart. I encourage you to picture where you are and see the next step that you can take to make more of the one life you have to live:

[image error] [image error]

Whatever your next step, I want to help you take it.

Your life is incredibly valuable and I want you to make the very most of it.

Let’s go through each step one-at-a-time:

DISCOVERY STEP

To those who have never heard of the word minimalism or have misunderstandings of what it means:

I want to introduce you to the beautiful world of minimalism.

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It frees us to pursue our greatest passions in life.

Here are the tools I use to help people take this step:

Social Media PostsSpeaking EventsPodcast InterviewsWide-reaching Articles

—

INSPIRATION STEP

To those who have heard the word minimalism and for the first time are considering if it would benefit them:

I want to help you see how owning less can benefit your life, your family, and those around you.

Here are the tools to help you take this step:

Read the Becoming Minimalist Blog. You can even subscribe for free (2-3 new articles/week)Or follow the Becoming Minimalist YouTube Channel (1 new video/week)

Both are free and designed specifically to inspire and help people own less. If you want more:

Read my free Ebook: Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life Follow Becoming Minimalist on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)Read this article: 21 Life-Giving Benefits of Owning LessRead/listen to my book: The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own

—

DECISION STEP

To those who have heard the word minimalism and considered its benefits in their home and family:

I encourage you to choose to pursue a life intentionally owning less. This is a decision that only you can make for yourself.

(20-25% of Becoming Minimalist readers are still considering this decision.)

For encouragement, consider the personal benefits of owning less, continue reading Becoming Minimalist, watch my YouTube videos, or talk to others who have made the decision themselves.

—

APPLICATION STEP

To those who have decided to intentionally pursue owning less:

I desire to provide all the inspirational and practical resources you need to own less.

(35-40% of Becoming Minimalist readers are actively working to declutter their homes.)

Over the last 15 years, I have discovered that different people need different resources for the process of decluttering their home. Some can hear the word minimalism and that is all they need to get started (this is very few), most people need more specific and intentional help.

In fact, there are four distinct paths that people take on their journey to own less:

The Intuitive Path: People who need no help from others and declutter entirely on their own.The Self-Paced Path: People who need some helpful ideas and strategies to declutter, but choose to implement these strategies on their own.The Community Path: People who need more than a set of strategies or tips. They desire directed instruction, community interaction, answers to specific questions, and/or consistent motivation.The Individualized Attention Path: People who need more than the general guidance that most courses offer. They desire one-on-one help (either virtual or in-person) to assist them in owning less and decluttering their homes.

* It is important to note that none of these paths above are better than any of the others. There may be any number of reasons why a person would choose one specific path over another. And it also possible for someone to choose one path and transition to another if they find it more helpful.

The point of the list above is not that one is better than the other. The point is that different people require different tools during the Application Stage of minimizing their possessions.

And my heart is to provide the resources needed for anybody (and everybody) who desires to own less.

If your next step is to continue (or begin) decluttering your home, I want to help you succeed!

For those of you who choose The Intuitive Path:

You will find this blog (this article) and YouTube (this video) helpful

For those of you who choose The Self-Paced Path:

Read/Listen to my book: The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life Use The Clutterfree App (the only app that creates a personalized decluttering to-do list for your unique home)Download this free 101 Things to Declutter Checklist

For those of you who choose The Community Path:

Take The Uncluttered Course

For those of you who choose The Individualized Attention Path:

You can find a Professional Declutterer to work with you individually in your home. Each Professional has been trained by me specifically in my approach, methods, and strategies to owning less. You can find a professional in your area here: Becker Method Certified Pros

—

MAINTAIN STEP

To those who have decluttered their possessions and seek to maintain a minimalist life focused on more valuable pursuits than physical possessions:

I desire to provide the tools and resources to help you maintain that lifestyle in a consumerist society working against you.

(40-45% of Becoming Minimalist readers are actively working to maintain minimalism in their life.)

Maintaining minimalism requires three steps:

Creating clutterfree habits in your homeOvercoming consumerism in your spendingApplying minimalist principles to other areas of life

If you are working to create clutterfree habits in your home, here are the tools to help you accomplish this step:

I am working to create a printable checklist of clutterfree habits that everyone can use. In the meantime, watch this video and/or read this article.

If you are working to overcome consumerism in your spending, here are the tools to help you accomplish this step:

I have developed a 4-part Video Series on 7 Life-Changing Strategies to Change Your Spending Habits. That free series will begin on Friday, January 05 on YouTube.

If you are working to apply minimalist principles to other areas of life, here are the tools to help you accomplish this step:

Read/Listen to my book: Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life Subscribe to Simplify MagazineConsider No Sidebar’s 30 Days to a Simpler Life Email Course

This Maintain Step is where I am intend to create new resources and helpful tools this year.

—

ADVOCACY STEP

Joy is meant to be shared.

To those who have discovered minimalism and its potential to bring about a better way of life. Whether you have just discovered it, are actively applying it to life, or are working to maintain it, I encourage you to share it with others in a loving and thoughtful way.

Minimalism holds benefit for all people. When the pursuit and accumulation of excess possessions is removed from our lives, we are all free to pursue greater passions and values.

My desire is that EVERYONE will choose to intentionally own less and the entire world will benefit from it.

I encourage you to become an advocate and share the joy of owning less with others.

Here are the tools to help you accomplish this step:

Share your story in conversations with family and friendsPost about your journey of owning less on social mediaStart a blog, podcast, or YouTube channelShare meaningful and helpful articles with friendsTake my Professional Training Course to learn how to help others own less

Minimalism has changed my life. It has brought intentionality and focus to how I spend my time, my money, and my energy.

I am driven by a passion to do my very best to help others live more by owning less.

What is the next step that you need to take to live your biggest and best life, freed from the pursuit of consumerism? Whatever that step is for you, we can help.

I look forward to an exciting 2024 helping you own less and live more.

The post How Becoming Minimalist Can Help You Live More by Owning Less appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Becoming Minimalist’s Top Posts of 2023

A special thanks to each of you for making 2023 such an enjoyable year here at Becoming Minimalist. It was my fifteenth year of writing on this blog, and I have loved every moment of it!

Whether you have been reading all 15 years, the last 15 months, or just the last 15 seconds, I’m glad you’re here.

Becoming Minimalist continues to reach people beyond my wildest dreams as we grow every year in new ways. As before, this growth has occurred because of the support from readers like you—thank you for helping to spread the inspiration.

Thank you for sharing this website on social media and with your friends and family. This website exists only because of your support all these years.

Here are some numeric representations of our growth:

Becoming Minimalist was read by nearly 4 million people last year.Our Facebook page has over 2,700,000 followers and reached over 80,000,000 people last year. Thank you for continuing to share our posts.185,000 people currently receive Becoming Minimalist posts via email. Sign-up here to do the same.Over 200,000 people subscribe to our quarterly magazine, Simplify Magazine .Over 3,000 new people decluttered their home last year through the Uncluttered Course.56 new videos were posted to YouTube last year and subscribers grew from 260,000 to 290,000.On any given day, over 1,000 people actively use the Clutterfree App to declutter their homes.And our Instagram following is now over 102k people.

All that to say, the influence of this website (and more importantly, what it represents) continues to reach people and change lives around the world.

But some of our most significant successes this past year are not found in the numbers above:

The Hope Effect . Our non-profit continues to change how the world cares for orphans. Your continued support allowed us to expand into two new locations last year: Nuevo León and Colima, Mexico. More than 3,254 generous people have donated and become part of the solution. Giving Tuesday 2023 was our single-largest fundraising day ever.

Becker Method Professional Training. In 2023, I took my 15 years of experience helping people own less and created a Training Course for Professional Declutterers. The goal is to: 1) Train as many people as possible passionate about helping others own less; 2) Create a list of personally-trained professionals for people who want (or need) to hire someone to work with them individually to declutter and minimize. Last year, 70 people went through the Certification Training and many of them can be found listed on the Becker Method Certified website.

The Focus on Faith Newsletter . In April, I launched a new newsletter. Every week, I send one email that includes a passage of Scripture to meditate on and a 5 minute Jesus-focused devotional—intentionally written to keep our hearts inspired and our minds motivated to live for God. This project has become a meaningful pursuit for me. It is free for anyone who is interested in my faith-based writings and has grown to over 18,000 subscribers over the course of the year. You can sign up here: The Focus on Faith Newsletter.

It has been a fulfilling and meaningful year for Becoming Minimalist. Thank you for being part of it.

—

In case you missed any, here are the top posts on Becoming Minimalist from 2023.

Most Popular Posts from 2023 (as determined by readers):

10 Signs You Own Too Much Stuff. In a world where consumerism seems to progress unchecked and is even promoted by many of our leaders and mentors, how can we know when we have given in? How can we know, on a personal level, when we own too much stuff?

100 Simple Ways to Immediately Improve Your Life. Sometimes drastic changes are helpful—quitting smoking, becoming minimalist, changing careers. But sometimes, just a simple change has the power to improve our lives and send us down a new path.

21 Things To Do In the Morning Before Checking Your Phone. If you want to break the habit of checking your phone first thing in the morning, here’s a list of 21 things you could do instead.

15 Years, 15 Lessons: My Journey of Becoming Minimalist. It’s almost unbelievable to me to think that this year marks 15 years since that Saturday morning in Vermont when I was first introduced to the word: minimalism.

10 Financial Decisions You’ll Regret 10 Years From Now. When it comes to the decisions we make with our money, our choices today create the reality of our tomorrow. They are the building blocks that shape our future.

My Personal Favorite Posts from the past year:

Is Having a Lot of Money Really Something to Be Proud Of? Why are we celebrating it? Why are we chasing it? Maybe it’s not something to proud of… maybe it’s something we should be embarrassed about instead?

Maybe Your Family Doesn’t Care About Money As Much As You Do. Maybe, just maybe, the most meaningful thing to your family has nothing to do with the money you provide. Maybe you are the most meaningful thing to them.

Yes, Decluttering Has an Endpoint—And It’s Wonderful. It’s easy to believe that decluttering must be a never-ending cycle. And while it’s true that we need to stay vigilant against clutter returning, that doesn’t mean we never experience the moment of accomplishment.

You Matter to Me. Please know that I work hard to show up for you with messages that inspire, motivate, encourage, and challenge all of us—myself included—to live an intentional life focused on things that matter.

Most Popular Guest Posts in 2023:

I’m an American Nomad Traveling the World: Here’s What Other Countries Taught Me About Minimalism by Julie B. Rose. Instead of measuring net worth, dollars, square footage, and brand names, how about we count the years and measure ‘wealth’ in freedom.

How I Found True Happiness Living with Less by Winnie. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle certainly didn’t happen overnight, but it’s been a worthwhile and rewarding experience. It’s incredible how something as simple as living with less has shifted my mood and perspective so greatly.

Why Decluttering Isn’t Like Waving a Magic Wand by Karen Trefzger. As I worked through the process—sometimes with quick successes and sometimes more slowly and painstakingly—I began to feel lightness and freedom.

How to Systematically Declutter Your Life by Mike Donghia. What it boils down to is this: the more clear the path, the more confidence in the outcome, and the more enjoyable the journey… the more likely you are to succeed.

Most Popular Outgoing Links from the past year:

Five Types of Habits That Will Radically Change Your Life | The Simplicity Habit by Julianna Poplin. Habits effectively automate our lives in a positive way and take the effort out of performing a task; when something is a habit, it’s virtually automatic.

“Make Your Coffee at Home” And 50 Other Simple Habits to Save Money | Simple Money by Joshua Becker. In a world where we’re bombarded with options to spend, saving money can often feel like an uphill battle. But what if you could save without a significant overhaul of your lifestyle?

The 20 Greatest Decluttering Tips of All Time | No Sidebar. As you journey through these 20 decluttering tips, you may feel the urge to overhaul your entire space all at once.

10 Daily Habits that Often Waste 90 Percent of Our Time and Energy | Marc and Angel Hack Life by Angel Chernoff. Regardless of your unique life situation or how you personally define success, you can’t become an overnight success. You become successful over time from all the little things you do one day at a time.

Most Popular YouTube Videos of 2023:

15 Little Changes You Can Make in Your Home to Help It Serve You Better. Does managing and maintaining your home cause you stress? If so, here are 15 easy ways to make caring for your your home less stressful.

21 Life Changing Minimalist Experiments to Try in Your Home. Society is constantly calling us to expand and upgrade every area of life: our home, our car, our kitchen, our wardrobe, our technology…. A Living with Less experiment provides us the opportunity to see if there is a more intentional, more focused, better way to live.

15 Clutter Busting Routines For Any Family. For years, our family has worked hard to remove any clutter that begins to accumulate in our home. Along the way, we have picked up some helpful clutter busting routines to help those who are just getting started with minimalist living.

Whether you have been reading Becoming Minimalist for one week, one month, one year or longer, thank you. This blog owes its success to the support of its readers. Thank you for reading. And thank you for sharing these posts with others.

I look forward to an exciting 2024. 

I am excited to offer the Uncluttered Course again next year (registration will open on January 3rd for the New Year’s Edition) as well as my Becker Method Certification course. If you’d like to know more about the Professional Training, you can sign up here to receive specifics updates about it.

I’ll also remain active creating videos for YouTube and Facebook and will continue publishing Simplify Magazine and Simple Money Magazine.

In addition to continuing to offer those valuable resources, I look forward to offering some new resources this coming year. More details about that on January 1st.

No doubt, Becoming Minimalist will continue to evolve and be redefined.

But this website will always stay true to its core message that there is more joy to be found in owning less than can ever be found in pursuing more. We will continue to invite as many as possible to discover this truth in their lives. And I hope you will join us.

The post Becoming Minimalist’s Top Posts of 2023 appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

The Boy with the Box

This short story was first published in 1916 by Mary Griggs Van Voorhis. It is a heartwarming story about love, empathy, and doing the right thing. I hope you enjoy it this Christmas season.

It was an ideal Christmas day. The sun shone brightly but the air was crisp and cold, and snow and ice lay sparkling everywhere. A light wind, the night before, had swept the blue, icebound river clean of scattering snow; and, by two o’clock in the afternoon, the broad bend near Creighton’s mill was fairly alive with skaters.

The girls in gay caps and scarfs, the boys in sweaters and mackinaws of every conceivable hue, with here and there a plump, matronly figure in a plush coat or a tiny fellow in scarlet, made a picture of life and brilliancy worthy of an artist’s finest skill.

Tom Reynolds moved in and out among the happy throng, with swift, easy strokes, his cap on the back of his curly head, and his brown eyes shining with excitement. Now and again, he glanced down with pardonable pride, at the brand new skates that twinkled beneath his feet. “Jolly Ramblers,” sure enough “Jolly Ramblers” they were!

Ever since Ralph Evans had remarked, with a tantalizing toss of his handsome head, that “no game fellow would try to skate on anything but ‘Jolly Ramblers,'” Tom had yearned, with an inexpressible longing, for a pair of these wonderful skates. And now they were his and the ice was fine and the Christmas sun was shining!

Tom was rounding the big bend for the fiftieth time, when he saw, skimming gracefully toward him through the merry crowd, a tall boy in a fur-trimmed coat, his handsome head proudly erect.

“That’s Ralph Evans now,” said Tom to himself. “Just wait till you see these skates, old boy, and maybe you won’t feel so smart!”

And with slow, cautious strokes, he made his way through laughing boys and girls to a place just in front of the tall skater, coming toward him down the broad white way. When Ralph was almost upon him, Tom paused and in conspicuous silence, looked down at his shining skates.

“Hullo,” said Ralph good naturedly, seizing Tom’s arm and swinging around. Then, taking in the situation with a careless glance, he added, “Get a new pair of skates for Christmas?”

“‘Jolly Ramblers,'” said Tom impressively, “the best ‘Jolly Ramblers’ in the market!”

Ralph was a full half head the taller, but, as Tom delivered himself of this speech with his head held high, he felt every inch as tall as the boy before him.

If Ralph was deeply impressed he failed to show it, as he answered carelessly, “Huh, that so? Pretty good little skates they are, the ‘Jolly Ramblers!'”

“You said no game fellow would use any other make,” said Tom hotly.

“O but that was nearly a year ago,” said Ralph. “I got a new pair of skates for Christmas, too,” he added, as if it had just occurred to him, “‘Club House’ skates, something new in the market just this season. Just look at the curve of that skate, will you?” he added, lifting a foot for inspection, “and that clamp that you couldn’t shake off if you had to! They’re guaranteed for a year, too, and if anything gives out, you get a new pair for nothing. Three and a half, they cost, at Mr. Harrison’s hardware store. I gave my ‘Jolly Ramblers’ to a kid about your size. A mighty good little skate they are!” And, with a long, graceful stroke, Ralph Evans skated away.

And it seemed to Tom Reynolds that all his Christmas joy went skimming away behind him.

The sun still shone, the ice still gleamed, the skaters laughed and sang, but Tom moved slowly on, with listless, heavy strokes. The “Jolly Ramblers” still twinkled beneath his feet, but he looked down at them no more. What was the use of “Jolly Ramblers” when Ralph Evans had a pair of “Club House” skates that cost a dollar more, had a graceful curve, and a faultless clamp, and were guaranteed for a year?

It was only four o’clock when Tom slipped his new skates carelessly over his shoulder and started up the bank for home. He was slouching down the main street, head down, hands thrust deep into his pockets, when, on turning a corner, he ran plump into–a full moon! Now I know it is rather unusual for full moons to be walking about the streets by daylight; but that is the only adequate description of the round, freckled face that beamed at Tom from behind a great box, held by two sturdy arms.

“That came pretty near being a collision,” said the owner of the full moon, still beaming, as he set down the box and leaned against a building to rest a moment.

“Nobody hurt, I guess,” said Tom.

“Been down to the ice?” asked the boy, eagerly. “I could see the skaters from Patton’s store. O, I see, you got some new skates for Christmas! Ain’t they beauties, now?” And he beamed on the despised “Jolly Ramblers” with his heart in his little blue eyes.

“A pretty good little pair of skates,” said Tom, in Ralph’s condescending tone.

“Good! Well I should guess yes! And Christmas ice just made o’ purpose!” In spite of his ill humor, Tom could not help responding to the warm interest of the shabby boy at his side. He knew him to be Harvey McGinnis, the son of a poor Irish widow, who worked at Patton’s department store out of school hours. Looking at the great box with an awakening interest, he remarked, kindly, “What you been doin’ with yourself on Christmas day?”

“Want to know, sure enough?” said Harvey, mysteriously, his round face beaming more brightly than ever, “Well, I’ve been doin’ the Santy Claus act down at Patton’s store.

“About a week ago,” he went on, leaning back easily against the tall building and thrusting his hands down deep into his well worn pockets, “about a week ago, as I was cleaning out the storeroom, I came on three big boxes with broken dolls in ’em. Beauties they were, I kin tell you, the Lady Jane in a blue silk dress, the Lady Clarabel in pink, and the Lady Matilda in shimmerin’ white. Nothin’ wrong with ’em either only broken rubbers that put their jints out o’ whack and set their heads arollin’ this way and that. ‘They could be fixed in no time, I ses to myself, ‘and what a prize they’d be fer the kids to be sure!’ For mom and me had racked our brains considerable how we’d scrape together the money for Christmas things for the girls.

“So I went to the boss and I asked him right out what he’d charge me for the three ladies just as they wus, and he ses, ‘Jimmie,’ he ses (I’ve told him me name a dozen times, but he allus calls me ‘Jimmie’), ‘Jimmie,’ he ses, ‘if you’ll come down on Christmas day and help me take down the fixin’s and fix up the store for regular trade, I’ll give you the dolls fer nothin’,’ he ses.

“So I explained to the kids that Santy’d be late to our house this year (with so many to see after it wouldn’t be strange) and went down to the store early this morning and finished me work and fixed up the ladies es good es new. Would you like to be seein’ ’em, now?” he added, turning to the great box with a look of pride.

“Sure, I’d like to see ’em,” said Tom.

With careful, almost reverent touch, Harvey untied the string and opened the large box, disclosing three smaller boxes, one above the other. Opening the first box, he revealed a really handsome doll in a blue silk dress, with large dark eyes that opened and shut and dark, curling locks of “real hair.”

“This is the Lady Jane,” he said, smoothing her gay frock with gentle fingers. “We’re goin’ to give her to Kitty. Kitty’s hair is pretty and curly, but she hates it, ’cause it’s red; and she thinks black hair is the prettiest kind in the world. Ain’t it funny how all of us will be wantin’ what we don’t have ourselves?”

Tom did not reply to this bit of philosophy; but he laid a repentant hand on the “Jolly Ramblers” as if he knew he had wronged them in his heart. “That’s as handsome a doll as ever I saw and no mistake,” he said.

Pleased with this praise, Harvey opened the second box and disclosed the Lady Matilda with fair golden curls and a dress of “shimmerin’ white.” “The Lady Matilda goes to Josephine,” said Harvey. “Josephine has black hair, straight as a string, and won’t she laugh, though, to see them fetchin’ yellow curls?”

“She surely ought to be glad,” said Tom.

The Lady Clarabel was another fair-haired lady in a gown of the brightest pink. “This here beauty’s for the baby,” said Harvey, his eyes glowing. “She don’t care if the hair’s black or yellow, but won’t that stunnin’ dress make her eyes pop out?”

“They’ll surely believe in Santy when they see those beauties,” said Tom.

“That’s just what I was sayin’ to mom this morning,” said Harvey. “Kitty’s had some doubts, (she’s almost nine), but when she sees those fine ladies she’ll be dead sure mom and I didn’t buy ’em. If I had a Santy Claus suit, I’d dress up and hand ’em out myself.”

Tom’s face lighted with a bright idea. “My brother Bob’s got a Santa Claus suit that he used in a show last Christmas,” he said. “Say, let me dress up and play Santa for you. The girls would never guess who I was!”

“Wouldn’t they stare, though!” said Harvey, delightedly. “But do you think you’d want to take time,” he asked apologetically, “and you with a new pair of skates and the ice like this?”

“Of course, I want to if you’ll let me,” said Tom. “I’ll skate down the river and meet you anywhere you say.” “Out in our back yard, then, at seven o’clock,” said Harvey. “All right, I’ll be there!” and with head up, and skates clinking, Tom hurried away.

It was a flushed, excited boy who burst into the Reynolds’ quiet sitting room a few minutes later, with his skates still hanging on his shoulder and his cap in his hand. “Say, mother,” he cried, “can I have Bob’s Santa Claus suit this evening, please? I’m going to play Santa Claus for Harvey McGinnis!”

“Play Santa Claus for Harvey McGinnis. What do you mean, child?”

“You know Mrs. McGinnis, mother, that poor woman who lives in the little house by the river. Her husband got killed on the railroad last winter, you know. Well, Harvey, her boy, has fixed up some grand looking dolls for his sisters and he wants me to come out and play Santa tonight,” and Tom launched out into a long story about Harvey and his good fortune.

“He must be a splendid boy,” said Mrs. Reynolds, heartily, “and I am sure I shall be glad to have you go.”

“And another thing, mother,” said Tom, hesitating a little, “do you think grandma would care if I spent part of that five dollars she gave me for a pair of skates for Harvey? He hasn’t any skates at all, and I know he’d just love to have some!”

“It is generous of you to think of it,” said his mother, much pleased, “and you would still have two and a half for that little trip down to grandma’s.”

“But I’d like to get him some ‘Club House’ skates,” said Tom. “They’re a new kind that cost three dollars and a half.”

“But I thought you said the ‘Jolly Ramblers’ were the best skates made?” Mrs. Reynolds looked somewhat hurt as she glanced from Tom to the skates on his shoulder and back to Tom again.

“They are, mother, they’re just dandies!” said Tom blushing with shame that he could ever have despised his mother’s gift. “But these ‘Club House’ skates are just the kind for Harvey. You see, Harvey’s shoes are old and worn, and these ‘Club House’ skates have clamps that you can’t shake loose if you have to. Then, if anything happens to them before the year’s up, you get a new pair free; and Harvey, you know, wouldn’t have any money to be fixing skates.”

“Well, do as you like,” said Mrs. Reynolds, pleased with Tom’s eagerness, for such a spell of generosity was something new in her selfish younger son. “But remember, you will have to wait a while for your visit to grandma.”

“All right, and thank you, mother,” said Tom. “You can buy the skates down at Harrison’s and I’m going over and ask Mr. Harrison if he won’t open up the store and get a pair for me for a special time like this. I’m most sure he will!” and away he flew.

That evening, at seven, as the moon was rising over the eastern hills, a short, portly Santa Claus stepped out of the dry reeds by the river bank and walked with wonderfully nimble feet, right into the McGinnis’ little back yard. As he neared the small back porch, a dark figure rose to greet him, one hand held up in warning, the other holding at arm’s length, a bulky grain sack, full to the brim.

“Here’s yer pack, Santy,” he whispered, gleefully. “They’re all waitin’ in the front room yonder. I’ll slip in the back way, whilst you go round and give a good thump at the front door and mom’ll let you in.”

Trembling with eagerness, Tom tiptoed round the house, managing to slip an oblong package into the capacious depths of the big sack as he did so. Thump, thump! how his knock reëchoed in the frosty air! The door swung wide, and Mrs. McGinnis’ gaunt figure stood before him.

“Good evenin’, Santy, come right in,” she said.

Tom had always thought what a homely woman Harvey’s mother was when he happened to meet her at the grocery, with her thin red hair drawn severely back from her gaunt face, and a black shawl over her head. But as he looked up into her big, kind face, so full of Christmas sunshine, he wondered he could ever have thought her anything but lovely.

The room was small and bare, but wonderfully gay with pine and bits of red and green crepe paper, saved from the ‘fixins’ at the store. And on a large bed in the corner sat the three little girls, Kitty with her bright curls bobbing, Josephine with her black braids sticking straight out, and the baby with tiny blue eyes that twinkled and shone like Harvey’s.

The fine speech that Tom had been saying over to himself for the past two hours seemed to vanish into thin air before this excited little audience. But in faltering, stammering tones, which everyone was too excited to notice, he managed to say something about “Merry Christmas” and “good children” and then proceeded to open the magic sack.

“Miss Kitty McGinnis!” he called, in deep, gruff tones. Kitty took the box he offered with shy embarrassment, slowly drew back the lid and gave a cry of amazement and delight. “A doll, O the loveliest doll that ever was!” she cried. Then turning to her brother, she whispered as softly as excitement would permit, “O Harvey, I’m afeard ye paid too much!”

“Aw, go on!” said Harvey, his face more like a full moon than ever. “Don’t ye know that Santy kin do whatever he wants to?”

The other dolls were received with raptures, Josephine stroking the golden curls of the Lady Matilda with wondering fingers, and the baby dancing round and round, waving the pink-robed Lady Clarabel above her head.

“Mr. Harvey McGinnis!” came the gruff tones of Santa Claus; and Harvey smiled over to his mother as he drew out a pair of stout cloth gloves. “Mrs. McGinnis!” And that good lady smiled back, as she shook out a dainty white apron with a coarse embroidery ruffle.

“I reckon Santy wanted you to wear that of a Sunday afternoon,” said Harvey, awkwardly. “And I’ll be proud to do it!” said his mother.

Little sacks of candy were next produced and everyone settled down to enjoy it, thinking that the bottom of the big sack must be reached, when Santa called out in tones that trembled beneath the gruffness, “Another package for Mr. Harvey McGinnis!”

“Fer me–why–what–” said Harvey, taking the heavy oblong bundle; then, as the sparkling “Club House” skates met his view, his face lit up with a glory that Tom never forgot. The glory lasted but a moment, then he turned a troubled face toward the bulky old saint.

“You never ought to a done it,” he said. “These must have cost a lot!”

“Aw, go on,” was the reply in a distinctly boyish tone, “don’t you know that Santy can do whatever he wants to?” and, with a prodigious bow, old Santa was gone.

A few minutes later, a slender boy with a bundle under his arm, was skating swiftly down the shining river in the moonlight. As he rounded the bend, a tall figure in a fur-trimmed coat came skimming slowly toward him, and a voice called out in Ralph Evans’ condescending tones, “Well, how are the ‘Jolly Ramblers’ doing tonight?”

But the answer, this time, was clear and glad and triumphant. “The best in the world,” said Tom, “and isn’t this a glorious night for skating?”

The post The Boy with the Box appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

This Christmas Week, Fill Your Home with Life, Not Stuff

As the week of Christmas officially begins, many of us will find ourselves caught up in a whirlwind of preparation and shopping.

Almost all of us desire our upcoming week to be a time of connection, relationship, memories, celebrations, and time shared in joy with one another.

And apparently, a large percentage of us think buying more stuff is going to help those things be accomplished. Don’t believe me?

Did you know that three of the four busiest shopping days of the year will occur this week?

But what if the most effective way to elevate your Christmas season isn’t found hustling and bustling about to different stores and websites?

What if, instead of filling our homes with more stuff this week, we chose to fill them with more life?

More stuff and more life are not the same thing. In fact, often times, it’s the pursuit and accumulation of stuff that distracts us from real life.

Christmas isn’t about filling our homes with more items. It’s about creating spaces for life and laughter, for connection and memory-making. Our relatives and friends don’t travel long-distances to our homes for the decorations and presents. They come for the joy and the warmth and the connection of being together.

Think back to your most cherished Christmas memories. Rarely are they about the gifts you received. Maybe you remember one or two, but that’s about it.

More often, your most cherished Christmas memories include being with friends and family, the warmth of laughter, and the feeling of belonging. These moments of connection are the most life-giving parts of Christmas.

Too often, we place pressure on ourselves during these final days. We dash to the stores for ‘just one more gift’ or rush about seeking the ideal ingredients for the festive feast. One more idea of something we could get pops up in our head and we rush out to get it.

But in this frantic pace, we risk missing the life happening right in front of us.

So this holiday week, let’s shift our focus from the external trappings of the season to what truly matters. Let’s remember that being present, both physically and emotionally, is more valuable than any present we can buy.

Even for the little ones, the real holiday magic isn’t opening boxes and boxes full of toys on Christmas morning, it’s in the time spent with family simply being together. Part of me thinks, deep-down, kids only want more toys on Christmas morning because it’s just one more opportunity for you to sit down and play something with them.

This Christmas week, let’s make a conscious choice to bring life, not more stuff, into our homes.

Let’s resist the constant urge for ‘just one more thing’ and instead, cherish the blessings already around us. Let’s slow down, breathe in the moment, and be fully present with our loved ones.

Christmas is a time of giving, of course.

But the greatest gifts we can offer are our time, our love, and our presence. These are the gifts that fill our homes with life.

So rather than more shopping, let’s consciously choose to slow down. Let’s savor the moments of togetherness and create an environment that prioritizes people over things.

Let’s fill our homes with laughter, stories, and the warmth of togetherness. After all, the true magic of Christmas is defined not by the stuff we accumulate but by the life and joy we share.

Have a great one everybody!

The post This Christmas Week, Fill Your Home with Life, Not Stuff appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.

For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.

Why Are Sales So Hard to Resist? | NPR by Alina Selyukh. Why is it so hard for the human brain to resist a discount, especially around the holidays?

Our Kids Have Too Much Stuff | Washington Post by Caitlin Gibson. To understand how we got here — drowning in all those stuffed animals and Legos — it helps to look as far back as the late 19th century, he says, when the dynamics of an American family began to shift in significant ways.

Change Your Environment, Change Your Life | No Sidebar by Julia Ubbenga. Decluttering your life changes more than just the way your home looks and feels. It also realigns your soul. An outer refresh reestablishes inner order.

How to be Happy With Less: A Minimalist Holiday Manifesto | OnlySky by Adam Lee. By the standards of almost every human being who’s ever lived, my life is overflowing with abundance. If this isn’t enough for happiness, what is?

We’re All Addicted to Cheap Stuff — And Temu Knows It | Vox by Whizy Kim. That is what has attracted American consumers — our hunger to keep buying cheap stuff we probably don’t need It’s what drives so much of our modern economy, and certainly so much of online shopping.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

10 Simple Christmas Truths We Need to Remind Ourselves Every Year | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Maybe no season requires greater intentionality than the holiday season.

10 Intentional Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Relieving stress any time of the year is worth the effort. But during the holidays, with the extra rush, hurry, and expectations, reducing stress is even more important.

***

In other news, the paperback version of my book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life, became available on Tuesday (December 12). It is available wherever books are sold.

The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

12 Financial Challenges You Could Try in 2024

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to stop and think about how we’re living our lives and how to make them better.

That is what makes New Year’s resolutions so popular. The beginning of a new year is a great time to both look back in review and look ahead to consider making some changes.

According to some studies, 62% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, so maybe our financial habits are a good place to start.

If you want to make your money situation better in 2024, here are 12 Financial Challenges you could try.

(This isn’t a list where you’d commit to all twelve. Instead, see if one or two make sense for your current financial situation and then put them into place on January 1.)

1. The 52-Week Money Challenge

The 52-week challenge starts with saving just $1. But if you stick with it, you’ll save over $1,300 by the end of the year.

Begin by saving just $1 in the first week, and add an extra dollar each week (save $2 on Week 2). You can even find printable charts to keep you on track and will end with $1,378 by the end of the year.

2. The Single Dollar Saver Game

Every time you receive a $1 bill in 2024, no matter where it comes from, set it aside.

Periodically deposit them into a separate bank account. Small amounts add up over time. And you might be surprised how quickly those random singles add up over the course of a year.

3. The Weekly Investor Challenge

Choose a dollar amount—maybe $5 or $10—and invest it into the stock market every week of 2024.

User-friendly apps like RobinHood make this process very easy and have no minimums. (The smartest first step is always to invest in a fund that moves with the market, like VOO—or you could follow a system live Leverage Momentum if you have more experience and flexibility.)

Learning how money grows in the Stock Market is a great way to become more financially disciplined and learn the real-world benefits of compound interest. Plus, if you use my link above, you can get a free stock just for signing up.

4. The “Community Hero” Challenge

Every month in 2024, donate $100 to a different local charity. Just make a decision to do so now and get started right away in January.

Choosing a different local charity every month will broaden your understanding of who is doing what in your local area to solve problems that they see in the world.

Your donation will be a benefit to them. And your understanding of the hard work being accomplished in your local area will undoubtedly be an encouragement to you.

5. The Mortgage Shrinker Challenge

Try making one extra mortgage payment next year. This could be spread out over the year or in one lump sum. Either way, one extra monthly payment per year on your mortgage shortens the length of your loan by 4-5 years.

It is something the Kim and I have always done. And as soon as you do it once, it becomes very addicting to do again. It’s very satisfying to see your entire payment pay down principal.

6. The Emergency Fund Challenge

Decide that in 2024, you will get to $1,000 in savings (an Emergency Fund). To accomplish that, you’ll need to save just $20/week.

If you don’t have a separate account for your Savings, I strongly recommend it. You can start one at your local bank or online to keep you from spending it.

7. The 90-Day Sprint Saver

If you want to be more aggressive about getting to a $1,000 Emergency Fund, you can accomplish that in just 90 days by depositing $84 weekly. It’s a short-term challenge with a satisfying reward.

If you aren’t sure where you’re going to find $80/week, cut something nonessential out of your usual lifestyle such as eating out, coffee shops, or frivolous luxuries. The “sprint” nature of this challenge allows you to make those adjustments knowing they are only temporary.

8. The Side Hustle Hustle

If you have any financial goals that you’ve been struggling to meet for a period of time (paying off a credit card bill or car loan, or getting ahead of paycheck to paycheck living, for example) decide to meet them by increasing your income in 2024.

Pick an easy-to-get-started side gig like Uber or DoorDash or Amazon Flex. Then, dedicate every penny you earn from it towards that specific financial goal and finally free yourself to move beyond it.

9. The Rainy Day Fund

Every day that it rains in 2024, set aside $10. Mother Nature decides when and how often you save.

10. The Dining-Out Tip Yourself Match-Up

Each time you eat out in 2024, save 10% of the bill into a separate account. For example, if the final bill for your dinner comes to $26.10, immediately put $2.61 into savings. Do it every time you eat out (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or even just drinks).

You’re already spending more on a meal than you need to… why not increase the price by 10% and establish some savings along the way?

11. Monthly Spend-Free Week

Pick one week each month to spend absolutely zero dollars except for groceries. Doing this challenge just one week per month will help you plan appropriately.

Of course, this is only helpful if you commit to not making radical lifestyle changes to accommodate the week (such as going on an online Shopping Spree every day before your spend-free week begins).

But choosing one week per month where you commit to not spending a single dollar will help remind you of how little you actually need to spend. The challenge also helps you distinguish between wants and needs, reshaping your spending habits well beyond the 7-day challenge.

12. The No-Buy Year Challenge

Did you know that countless people have revolutionized their lives with a No Buy Year? A whole year dedicated to cutting out extraneous purchases in order to reset their spending habits

I’ll put this challenge last as it is probably the most difficult. But lots of people, from all over the world, have accomplished this challenge and so can you if you decide to do so. Here’s some advice on how to do it.

As an additional idea, for those looking to bolster their retirement funds, consider a Retirement Ramp-Up Challenge. Make it your goal to contribute more to your retirement fund in 2024 than you did in 2023, even if it’s just a small increase. If you are falling behind in saving for later years when our earning potential tends to diminish, every additional dollar saved now can make a big difference.

As I mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t expect anybody to try all twelve of these. And maybe for you, financial discipline is already part of your routine—I would hope that reading this blog has helped make that a reality.

But if you know you are in need of a financial change heading into the next year, any one or two of these challenges can begin moving you in the right direction in a fun, helpful way.

Most of these challenges, in the long run, are about more than ways to just save money anyway. They are about changing our relationship with money and the financial decisions we make.

Choose a challenge that resonates with you, and let’s make 2024 a year of positive financial change.

The post 12 Financial Challenges You Could Try in 2024 appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.