Joshua Becker's Blog, page 82

20 Places to Donate Used Books

For some, the hardest item to declutter is books. But one of the most common questions I get asked is, “Where can I donate my used books?”

It’s an interesting paradox when you think about it. But the struggle and the question are probably related. Books are an important part of our lives. When we decide it’s time to part with them, we want to know they are going to a nice home where they can continue to enrich and improve other people’s lives.

In order to provide a thoughtful and thorough answer to the question above, I’ve spent time researching the most current and up-to-date places to donate your lightly-used books.

Here’s a list of 20 places to donate used books:

1. The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest providers of social aid. Proceeds from their stores are used to fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where those in the grip of addiction find help, hope, and a second chance at life. Find a location near you.

2. Goodwill. Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who have barriers preventing them from otherwise obtaining a job. They are often conveniently located.

3. Local Libraries. As with most places on this list, it is wise and courteous to call in advance for specifics on current needs. Many local libraries do not have the space or time to sort through large collections of books. Check to see if they are looking for current titles, or organizing a community book sale in the near future.

4. Vietnam Veterans of America. VVA is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of veterans. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government. Check out their convenient Pickup service for availability in your area.

5. Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Proceeds from ReStores are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter in local communities and around the world. Check out their website for locations near you.

6. Other Local Charities. Donation Town connects donors with charities all over the country that offer free donation pick up service. Use their website to locate local charities willing to come pick up your gently used book donation.

7. Local Theaters. If your books are historical in nature, check with your local theater and/or museum. Books may be used as props during performances or as display exhibits in local museums.

8. Retirement Homes. As with other places offered on this list, be sure to call and inquire about current level of need to ensure that your donation is not a burden.

9. Kids Need to Read. Kids Need to Read works to create a culture of reading for children by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children. They accept “like new” children’s books that are not scribbled upon or visibly damaged.

10. Reader to Reader. Reader to Reader, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding literacy and learning opportunities for the nation’s most chronically underserved and vulnerable communities, including inner-city schools, Native American reservations, and poor rural towns. Find a donation program near you.

11. African Library Project. ALP is dedicated to creating African libraries by organizing the shipment of gently-used books through book drives in the United States. You can find a local book drive or better yet, organize your own.

12. Books for Africa. Books for Africa collects, sorts, ships, and distributes books to students of all ages in Africa with the goal of ending the book famine in Africa.

13. Books Through Bars. Books Through Bars works to provide quality reading material to prisoners in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

14. Prison Book Programs. Prison Book Program is a grassroots organization that exists for one purpose—to send free books to prisoners. In addition to the work they do, they also keep a current list of local organizations (in your area) doing the same thing. Find their list here.

15. Books for Soldiers / Operation Paperback. Books for Soldiers / Operation Paperback collects gently-used books and sends them to American troops overseas, as well as veterans and military families here at home. To begin the shipment process, sign up here.

16. Better World Books. BWB collects and sells books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide. You can find more about their donation process here.

17. Bookmooch. If you are looking to receive books back in exchange for your donation, try Bookmooch, a community for exchanging used books.

18. Re-book It. (Los Angeles). Re-Book It is a free community pick-up service provided by The Last Bookstore to ensure that no books end up in landfills, but instead find new homes in the hands of readers.

19. Big Hearted Books. (New England). Big Hearted Books & Clothing Inc. is a socially conscious, for-profit, book and textile reuse company whose mission is to keep books, media, clothing, and other reusable items out of landfills.

20. Freecycle. Freecycle is a free, local online bulletin board dedicated to reusing goods. Create an account, post a brief description of the books you are looking to donate, and see if anyone local is interested in taking them.

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Here are a few other places doing cool stuff with books. They are not accepting book donations at this time—but if you want to financially support reading programs, here are a couple to look into: United Through Reading and Reading Education Assistance Dogs.

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As I’ve mentioned  a few times in this post, please be courteous and thoughtful with your book donations. Whenever possible, call ahead to be sure your book donation is needed—citing specific genres when possible. Keep in mind that quality, gently-used books will always be most appreciated. And consider sorting your books prior to donating.

Be a blessing, not a burden.

Jump While You Can

Recently, I spent a week with my family in Costa Rica. There is much to see and do in that beautiful country. And both my kids (11 and 15) thoroughly enjoyed it.

One afternoon, we went on a boat ride to watch dolphins, witness the sunset, and enjoy dinner out on the ocean.

As part of the tour, at one scenic stop, the boat anchored and the captain invited everyone to disembark for snorkeling and/or swimming. Like I said… there is a lot to do in Costa Rica.

In addition to snorkeling, the captain invited people to jump off the top deck of the catamaran into the ocean if they wanted. As you might imagine, the teenage boys and young adults were the first to attempt the high dive into the water below. Some needed a little peer pressure, but most of the young men were more than happy to jump (and impress the girl they brought with them).

While anchored, I looked around at the other participants on the tour and began noticing for the first time the wide range of ages represented. There were many elderly people wearing regular clothes, enjoying the scenery, but with clearly no intention of getting off to swim or snorkel, much less jump 25 feet off the top of the boat.

There were also a number of young children onboard. Each of them got off the boat for snorkeling and swimming, but not a single one of them dared to make the jump.

While I was looking around at the different ages and life stages represented, my wife asked if I thought I was going to jump with the others.

“Yes,” I said. “I’m going to jump… while I still can.”

I’m 43, healthy, and in fairly good shape. I can run, snorkel, and swim. There will probably come a day when I am unable to do any of those. But that’s not today. Today, I can jump. So I will.

Besides, my son is 15. And he had every intention of jumping off that boat. I wanted to be there and jump alongside him—because I still can. And that might not always be the case.

There are moments in life that are difficult to communicate adequately with words. The circumstances are just right… the emotions are in perfect alignment… and all the thoughts running through the back of your mind are impossible to describe to another person. And sometimes in those moments, when everything is just right, a thought overwhelms you.

For me, the sight of young adults jumping off a boat into the ocean while those younger and those older watched from the sideline brought new resolve into my life.

I want to jump while I can. Because there will come a day when I cannot. And I don’t want to regret missing my opportunity to do it while I could.

On that warm evening in Costa Rica, that meant jumping into the ocean and treading water waiting for my son to follow my lead.

But I found the principle of “jump while you can” extends far beyond that one moment.

You see, not long after that boat ride, I was talking to a friend at a restaurant about raising daughters. His daughters are a bit older than mine, so I like to seek his wisdom and input from time to time.

He happened to make a comment to me about how fast time passes. “They grow up really fast Joshua, and you don’t always realize it’s happening. I’ll never forget the time I reached down to grab my daughter’s hand while on a walk and she pulled it back for the first time, and said, ‘I think I’m old enough to walk alone dad.’ Without even realizing it, my little girl had become a young woman.”

That evening, while on a walk with my daughter, I made a special point to hold her hand and enjoy the moment. “Jump while you can Joshua,” I thought to myself. Because there is probably coming a day very soon when I won’t be able to.

I have even begun to apply this mantra to the work that I do. As many of you know, last summer I launched a digital magazine with a few friends. Simplify Magazine has been incredibly well-received with over 65,000 subscribers in less than 10 months. We knew there was a need for well-curated material in a magazine-format that helped families focus on the things that matter most—but we had no idea this many people would sign-up in the first year.

Recently, my friend Brian and I began discussing the idea of starting a second magazine. This one though, would be focused almost entirely on the topic of money. Money is such an important topic and many people are looking for genuine help in how to handle theirs more effectively and intentionally. Out of the conversation, the idea for Simple Money Magazine was born.

Incidentally, it was this mantra of “Jump while you can,” that kept running through my mind during the decision-making process.

I’m healthy, with energy, and still enjoy working hard. I am at a good place in life to invest effort in creating something that will be genuinely helpful for people. That may not always be the case. But today it is. So I’m going to jump while I can. And I look forward to launching something new that will be helpful for many people when the first issue launches this Fall.

I don’t know what opportunity, opening, or challenge lies before you right now. Maybe it is a physical opportunity, a business opening, a relational challenge, or something else altogether.

But let me encourage you, jump while you can.

Life changes quickly. And there may come a day soon when you are not able to jump. So make the most of your opportunities today.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

F ill your life with stories to tell, not stuff to show.

The simplicity/minimalism movement is a beautiful community. And I enjoy any opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more by owning less.

So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. Find a quiet moment this weekend. And enjoy some encouraging words to inspire more simplicity in your life today.

I Was A Multimillionaire – Then I Gave My Fortune Away | Positive News by Dariel Garner. I never thought of wealth as an addiction.

We Went to a Goodwill Store and Saw How It’s ‘Overrun’ with Stuff Millennials and Gen Xers Refuse to Take From Their Parents | Business Insider by Mary Hanbury. Young people are scaling back on what they need. This has led to a generation of consumers who donate, and thrift stores like Goodwill are the biggest beneficiaries.

4 Things We Think We Need Today that Won’t Matter at All in the Long Run | Marc and Angel Hack Life by Marc Chernoff. Do more than just exist. We all exist. The question is: Are you living?

With Deceptive ‘Discounts,’ Retailers Are Manipulating Us To Spend More. Here Are The Worst Offenders. | The Washington Post* by Kevin Brasler. Many of these claims aren’t really discounts at all, but attempts to mislead.

How to Cut Down on Unwanted Junk Mail | The New York Times by Whitson Gordon. With a few clicks and a bit of waiting, your mailbox should be home to far fewer dead trees.

*Editor’s note: The Washington Post limits the number of free Post articles nonsubscribers can read to 10 per month.

Still the Most Important Piece of Financial Advice You’ll Ever Receive

I majored both in Banking and Finance from the University of Nebraska. (I don’t talk much about it as my career took a different route shortly after graduation.)

And yet, despite having a college degree in money, I lived most of my life with financial discontent, always surviving paycheck-to-paycheck, despite several pay increases early in my marriage.

When more money came in, more money went out. My credit card statement seemed to often be simply a mirror of my paycheck.

As the cycle continued year after year, I found less opportunity to blame my financial stress on an entry-level income. Sure, money is tight when you’re just starting out. But at some point, the reality of my financial pinch had to be blamed on me—not employers, not rising housing costs, not previous generations, not failed political leadership.

I was solely responsible for my financial well-being. And clearly, my existing habits were not working. If I was ever to get ahead, something would need to change.

There are, of course, only two possible remedies for an unsustainable financial situation: 1) Either you make more money or 2) You spend less.

Most of us automatically assume the former is the key to improvement. If we could make more money, we’d get ahead financially. And while there is some truth hidden in that statement, I stand as proof that’s not always the case. Maybe you do too.

I would like to submit that the latter option is most often the easier to implement and longer-lasting in positive effect.

Spend less is the most important piece of financial advice you’ll ever receive.

Every financial advisor I have ever met begins with that advice as the foundation for freedom. It was the same thing my parents told me, and almost every person I looked up to in the financial world.

The most essential foundation for financial freedom is to spend less than you earn.

If you cut back on your spending, you’ll be able to pay off your debt, build an emergency fund, start saving for retirement, or find more space for generosity.

Why then is this step so hard to implement?

In a country where 76% of us live paycheck-to-paycheck and the average American between the ages of 18 and 65 has $4,717 of credit card debt, the message of “spend less” is clearly having a difficult time gaining traction.

One reason I believe spending less is such a difficult step for many to take is because the solution sounds unattractive to so many. Buying less sounds a lot like taking a step backwards in life. In a world where success is often defined in material acquisition, spending less sounds boring, unfashionable, and destined for ridicule.

And that’s what I used to think too—until I actually tried it.

Nine years ago, I made the intentional decision to own less and buy less. It has turned out to be among the best decisions I have ever made in my life. As a result of paring down most of my possessions and determining to only buy things that are actually needed (rather than everything I ever wanted), I have found my life improving in very significant ways.

Now that I own less and spend less, I have more time, energy, and money available to me than ever before. Because I own fewer things that need to be cared for, I spend less time cleaning, organizing, and managing. I have more opportunity than ever before to pursue my greatest passions in life—however I decide to define them.

Rather than running up a credit card bill by chasing every new product or fashion line sold at the department store, I am able to invest in the things that make my life worthwhile and significant.

In this simple decision to buy and spend less, financial discontent in my life has been resolved.

Spending less provides the foundation for financial freedom. It can also provide a pathway for a career change or escape from the unrelenting desire to earn more. Financial relief can even improve our marriages and our sleep.

There’s a reason ten out of ten financial advisors recommend it.

Of course, simply spending less may not be the solution to every financial problem that we encounter. But it is the solution to most.

If you are experiencing financial related stress, spending less is probably the most practical solution to resolve it. And the road to relief may in fact be more appealing than you think.

The Value of Fasting (from Anything). And How to Get Started.

In my mind growing up, the idea of fasting was always tied to food. My Catholic friends would fast during Lent—the 40 days leading up to Easter—by not eating meat on Fridays. While my family never observed Lent in the traditional sense, I was still encouraged to consider fasting from food as a spiritual discipline by abstaining from eating for 24 hours as a means to focus more attentively on God.

In many ways, my views on fasting have not changed. I still see spiritual value in removing food for a period of 24 hours. The practice does indeed heighten awareness of spiritual matters.

And nothing I write beyond this point is meant to take away from that practice or the spiritual benefits of it. I only mean to add to it.

You see, as I have matured in my life (and my spirituality), I have begun to recognize additional value in the discipline of fasting. Moving beyond abstaining from food, I have also learned to appreciate the benefits of fasting from almost anything in moderation.

Fasting, it seems to me, is ultimately about self-control. It is about the intentional removal of one, external controlling factor in our lives for a period of time. It is an exercise in self-control. And self-control holds benefit for all—regardless of our faith or nonfaith preferences.

In college, for the first time, I set out to give up one “controlling factor” in my life for a period of 40 days—a form of fasting that drew inspiration from my Catholic friends (although I’ll be quick to admit that most world religions embrace some form of fasting).

My thinking went like this, “If there is any external reality in my life that I could not give up for 40 days, it has become a controlling influence on me. By definition, I have lost an element of self-control.”

Over the years, as a result of this exercise, I have fasted from television for 40 days, eating out for 40 days, my cell phone for 40 days, and candy for 40 days. Each time, I chose one thing that would be difficult to part with for a period of days, and then challenged myself to go without it as an exercise in self-control.

Each time, it seemed, I learned more about myself and gained additional insight into finding balance in my life.

I am not alone in my practice of this discipline. The Minimalists recently gave up social media for 30 days. Courtney Carver has written about giving up sugar for 30 days. And almost everyone who attempts an extended shopping ban will tell you it was worth it.

There is value in this practice—however you choose to embrace it.

Currently, my fasting practice looks a bit different than the extended period of abstaining 30 or 40 days from a specific item. Over the past year, I have returned to the 24-hour model of intermittent fasting, choosing to abstain from coffee on Saturdays. It’s not a long, drawn-out practice that requires pre-planning of any sort. It’s just a simple reminder to me—every weekend—that I am in control of my habits, not coffee.

Recently, I texted a friend to see if I could call her about a writing project on a Sunday evening. She said I’d have to wait until Monday, “Sunday evenings are family time. I don’t do any work on purpose.” Just another form of fasting, I thought to myself.

There is value in this discipline. Here’s a quick guide to get started:

1. Choose one external influence in your life to fast from. The best practice for testing (and strengthening) self-control is to choose an item you imagine would be difficult to part with. Finish this sentence, “I could never go 40 days without ____________.” Whatever pops into your head might be a good place to start. Maybe it’s chocolate or Facebook or alcohol or Netflix. You get to decide.

2. Choose a period of time (or regular interval) for your exercise. You may choose 7 days, 40 days, or 365. Or maybe you want to fast every Saturday, every weekend, or every first week of the month. Again, the choice is yours. But do choose a period or interval of time that will challenge you and require a measure of self-control on your end.

3. Make arrangements if necessary. If you are choosing to abstain from sugar for 30 days, it might not be wise to keep lots of sugary snacks in your pantry. If you decide to give up television for a period of time, it may be beneficial to remove the temptation entirely (assuming other members in your family do not object). When I gave up eating out for 40 days, I needed to think through and prepare adequately for brown bag lunches each day instead.

4. Embrace the discipline and expect the beginning to be the hardest. There is nothing wrong with this being difficult—especially at first. Expect it and embrace it. In fact, if the fasting is not difficult for you, you may want to consider choosing something more difficult to give up.

5. Find meaning in defeat. If you give in at some point during the experiment and succumb to the temptation, don’t lose heart. Make failure your servant by examining its root. And then get back up to try again.

6. Re-enter slowly. When you complete your exercise, reintroduce the item into your life deliberately. Remember, you have not committed to giving up something for the rest of your life—only for a predetermined period of time. But that doesn’t mean you automatically return the element to the same level of influence it had before. Almost certainly you will have learned something during the process that will enable you to reintroduce the item in a healthier manner.

Many of the external items that subconsciously control our lives are not needs, they are wants (coffee, dessert, television, Facebook, etc.). But we have become so accustomed to having them in our lives on a daily basis, we quickly confuse our wants and our needs.

Fasting from anything (and/or everything) for a set period of time helps put these items back in proper perspective and gives us the strength to walk away when necessary.

There is value in the practice of fasting. I have found this to be true. So will you.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

There’s more to life than buying stuff.

There are many wonderful people pursuing and promoting simplicity. Fortunately, some of them are gifted in communication and choose to encourage and inspire us with their words. I enjoy reading their unique perspective. I’m sure you will too.

So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea on this beautiful weekend. Find a quiet moment. And enjoy some encouraging words about finding more simplicity in your life today.

Extreme Frugality Allowed Me to Regain Control of My Life | The Guardian by Elizabeth Willard Thames. Elizabeth Willard Thames abandoned a successful career in the city and embraced frugality to create a more meaningful life. Here’s her story.

Are Home Renovations Necessary? | Curbed by Kate Wanger. Renovations have become a national pastime, but there is nothing wrong with your house.

The Case For Minimalism | Forbes by Joshua Becker. Owning less offered escape from the clutter in my home. But more than that, it offered escape from the clutter in my life. It reintroduced intentionality and alignment. And it offered the very ideals my heart most desperately desired.

The Pursuit Of Status: How To Avoid Chasing The Wrong Things | Medium by Louis Chew. One seemingly innocent purchase can lead to many bad decisions.

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Simplify Magazine: The Declutter Issue. Last summer, I launched an online magazine called Simplify Magazine. Each issue recruits experts to contribute long-form articles addressing one specific topic. On March 01, we released an issue of the magazine focused entirely on decluttering your home and life. If you enjoy these weekend reads inspiring simplicity, I’d also recommend this particular issue. Find out more here.

The Most Important Question You’re Not Asking Yourself

There are a lot of important questions we ask in life: Who? What? When? Where? How?

But the most important of these is the one we ask the least often: Why?

Granted, why? is the hardest question to answer. But just because it can be difficult to answer doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be asked.

Why? is the question with the most potential and the greatest opportunity to spark new life going forward.

When I first began minimizing and removing possessions from my home, I found myself asking lots of questions: Where should I start? How will I ever get through my entire home? Where should I drop off these items? How will I ever get this old piano out of the basement?

Lots of questions.

However, as the process continued, I began asking myself fewer what?, where?, and how? questions. No longer wondering what process might work best for my family, I began asking myself more difficult questions, including:

Why did I buy all this stuff in the first place?

In the end, it was this question that brought the greatest potential and opportunity into my new life. It was this question of why? that forced me to uncover and evaluate the unseen, unhealthy motivations that were contributing to my over-accumulation in the first place. Once I knew them, I was better equipped to overcome them.

That’s what makes this question so important. Why? forces us to stand face-to-face with questions of motivation and impulse. It requires us to confront the reason behind the actions.

As a result, it offers opportunity wherever it is asked:

What is the first thing you do in the morning? Why?

What are the unhealthy habits in your life? Why are they there?

What worries do you carry? Why is that so?

What fears do you have? Why do you have them?

What struggle points do you have in your marriage? Why?

Do you enjoy your work? Why?

Are you getting ahead financially? Why not?

Are you content with your life? Why or why not?

Are you happy? Why or why not?

With each question, we journey deeper and deeper into our heart.

The what? and where? and when? questions may reveal facts. But the why? question uncovers motives.

And that is how self-reflection begins to emerge.

And it is self-reflection that paves the way for the greatest self-improvement.

Five Life-Giving Truths About Living Simply And Saving Money

People have set out to more remote places of the world, built homes of their own, and lived off the land. They’ve followed the sun—up at dawn, sleep at dark.

Our ancestors lived simply, by default.

Nowadays, however, it’s more difficult to live this way in a time of great technological advancement. People are looking for a more simplified life, but without wholly removing themselves from the world around them—their friends, family, workplaces, and devices.

Amidst material abundance and availability, our lives can sometimes look quite foreign from the homesteaders of the past.

Today, intentional living is even more necessary. And in a world of increasing complexity, it is becoming more and more desired.

Here are Five Truths You Can Use to Save Money and Live Simply:

1. You can’t take it with you.

You’ve probably heard the truism “you can’t take it with you” or, perhaps you’ve heard it as “you never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” These phrases suggest that you should spend your money with an eye on the inevitably of death—because you could be gone tomorrow.

Let’s consider how we can use these statements to live simply.

If we cannot take something with us, should we lust after it? Should we go into debt to buy it? Should we spend countless hours maintaining it?

To live simply, we should adopt a rental philosophy for the goods we purchase. From this standpoint, we are temporary holders to the many material possessions we store. And not a thing we own will be ours after we pass. So, what’s important given this truth?

2. The most frugal or greenest product is the one you didn’t buy.

Over the last decade, people have been quick to embrace “green” products such as LED lightbulbs and hybrid vehicles. Some of these advancements really do cut down on energy bills and emissions.

But many businesses have responded by using “greenwashed” marketing to confuse and appeal to more consumers. A shocking number of products are now “environmentally friendly” without any certifying body to confirm or standardize what that even means.

“Going green” has been coopted by corporations.

The kindest decision for your wallet or the environment usually isn’t marketed in magazines or on product packaging. Whether you’re looking to save money, live simply, or be greener, there’s a simple rule you should follow: the cheapest or most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn’t buy.

3. No individual product can make you a minimalist.

These headlines should frighten you: “Get This Unique Minimalist Watch While You Still Can” or “The Best Gifts For the Minimalist In You.” I’ve even seen “minimalist mattresses,” “minimalist clothing,” and “minimalist luggage” for sale. Some articles promising the latest and greatest ideas in minimalist living are laced with affiliate links and goods that could occupy more space in your life and further empty your bank account.

What the writers are actually saying is, “Here’s another item that looks cool and you can spend money on. And because you are interested in minimalism, I will use that to market specifically to you.”

Similarly, stores that sell containers and organizational tools cannot make you a minimalist. They can help you spend money, hide clutter, and manipulate the appearance of your home. But the products contained therein require consistent maintenance, care, and careful organizational efforts.

The problem remains when we buy more to become simpler. Organization can help, but minimalism always comes from less stuff, not more. It is better to de-own, than merely reorganize.

4. The best gifts don’t take up room in your home.

As a father, I recognize my children sometimes want gifts. And when holidays and birthdays come around, I cherish opportunities to make them smile.

I also recognize my inner values.

I want to be kind, receptive, and understanding to my family, and I want to give the gift of my attention to them. When my family started letting go of extraneous possessions ten years ago, I was better able to be there for them. I was a better listener, and could spend more time focused on what they really need as they grow.

And this extends beyond children. My friends know the best gift they could ever give me is their friendship. That never costs a dime or gets old.

5. Material possessions never provide lasting happiness.

Endless research has found that material goods and purchases rarely provide lasting happiness. Buy the Corvette today, and you’ll get used to it. The shine and sheen will wear off. Then, the insurance payments, gas, maintenance/repair prices, and other burdens come into focus.

Wellness comes from purchases that lead to stories, experiences, and help for others.

My family is taking a one-week vacation this Spring. While we’ve tried to save money, it’ll still cost money to do so. Similarly, I’ve poured sweat and time into creating The Hope Effect, which is a non-profit organization changing how the world cares for orphans.

Every dollar spent in these areas are deeply meaningful for me. I carry these moments and experiences, not things.

We live in a time of always-on Internet, 24/7 business hours, and credit cards that can allow for purchases despite our budgets. The consequences are readily evident: the average American has over $16,000 in debt.

Living simply can be our way out. By realizing these five truths, we can begin to focus again on what’s more important.

7 Life-Changing Perspectives To Overcome Your Family’s Obsession with Stuff

Ten years ago, our lives changed dramatically. The realization that our possessions were actually distracting us from a life of joy and purpose and fulfillment became the motivation to pursue minimalism in our home.

As our family of four began removing nonessential possessions, we soon discovered more time and energy and focus for the things that matter most. And we discovered that our things had become a far greater burden than we’d ever realized.

We also began to discover that many of our thoughts concerning physical possessions were incorrect. These faulty mindsets were contributing to our over-accumulation and cluttered lifestyles. Slowly, but surely, our approach to possessions began to change as we experienced more and more the benefits of owning less.

If your family struggles with owning too much, consider these seven life-changing perspectives to help overcome your family’s obsession with stuff:

1. Owning fewer toys is actually better for your kids.

Parents want what’s best for their children. But often times, our desire to help them learn and develop results in the over-accumulation of toys. Did you know the research says the exact opposite? According to almost every scientific study on the issue, fewer toys will actually benefit your kids more. Here’s a recent one: owning fewer toys will result in deeper, more creative play for your kids—along with a whole bunch of other healthier lifestyle habits.

2. Buying more hobby supplies will not help you enjoy it more.

The story plays out almost the same way every time. We discover a new hobby (camping, music, sewing, art, etc.) and quickly begin gathering the necessary tools to partake in it. As we grow in our passion for the hobby, we accumulate more and more “supplies” thinking these items will help us enjoy the pursuit more. However, as my friend Kristoffer Carter once wrote, “Sometimes, our pursuit of tools gets in the way of our enjoyment of the hobby.” We’d often be better off improving our skills, rather than simply buying more equipment.

3. Hoarding kitchen utensils is not making you a better cook.

I used to think the only thing missing in my kitchen was the latest and greatest kitchen gadget. That somehow, one more piece of plastic would make my food taste better and my cooking a more enjoyable experience (because who doesn’t like getting frustrated trying to find that one utensil hidden somewhere in the drawer…).

Everything changed when I read this article by Mark Bittman in the New York Times titled A No-Frills Kitchen Still Cooks. An expert and veteran of commercial kitchens and classically-trained chefs, Mark changed my perspective entirely by listing out a limited number of utensils needed to prepare any recipe. I immediately minimized my kitchen. And fell in love with cooking.

4. Owning a bigger house is not improving your family life.

It’s an odd connection when you think about it, but we hear it all the time. The more square footage in our home… the happier our family will be. As if, somehow, more space to spread out will somehow bring our families closer together. My family has found the exact opposite to be true. Among countless other benefits, we have found that living in a smaller home has actually brought our family closer together. It has encouraged more conversation and deeper relationships. After all, when you can’t run from your problems, you are forced to confront them.

5. Keeping extra clothes in your closet is making your morning harder.

In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains how the absence of choice is not an ideal environment for the human spirit. However, he also explains how too many choices is equally undesirable—leaving us feeling less and less satisfied. It’s a life-changing perspective in many ways—you can watch him explain it here. Similarly, the abundance of options does not make life easier, it makes life more difficult and more complicated. We purchase more and trendier fashion thinking its presence in our closet will make mornings easier. But just the opposite occurs. The overabundance of choice only makes it more difficult.

6. Having more television sets is not making your family happier.

According to statistics, the average American home now has more televisions than people. This phenomenon is most certainly a result of our common thinking that more is always better. But in regard to televisions, there is an added assumption that giving every family member a chance to watch whatever they want will keep everyone happy. Again, we found the exact opposite to be true.

Years ago, our family of four decided to get rid of every television except for one. For us, it was just an experiment at first. But quickly into the experiment we discovered that having only one television in our home brought us much closer together. The amount of television we watched began to decline dramatically. But even more important, when we did choose to watch something, we did it together as a family.

7. The greatest gifts you can give your kids are not bought with money.

Very few of my fondest childhood memories involve physical possessions. Instead, I look back and recall moments we spent together, the example my parents set, and the lifelong values they worked hard to instill into me. None of those truly life-giving gifts were purchased at the local department store.

As we seek to overcome the empty promises and the temptation to own more, let’s remember all the benefits of owning less.

Let’s allow our perspectives to change about what is true, what is noble, and what is good. In the end, everyone benefits.

 

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything 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.

The Tyranny of Convenience | The New York Times by Tim Wu. We must never forget the joy of doing something slow and something difficult, the satisfaction of not doing what is easiest.

Embrace Anti-Consumerism and Feel Like a Millionaire After 60 | Sixty + Me by Elizabeth Dunkel. Consumerism is trying to part you with your money.

Digital Clutter: Konmari Your Way to E-Freedom | Mavericks Digital by Jessica Zoo Christensen. Here are some of the best digital-minimising steps I have taken to re-gain balance and control over my digital devices.

A Minimalist Movement Takes Root in Singapore | The Business Times by Helmi Yusuf. “It’s definitely a movement that has gained traction among millennials like us who, among other reasons, want to leave the world a better place for future generations.”