24 Things I'm Not Buying in 2024 | saving money + minimalism

[@AtoZenLife]

Please give this video a like 👍 and sign up for the 🧭 Clutter GPS course here: atozenlife.com/clutter-gps

[@rachel7455]

I just found out I'm pregnant and am overwhelmed by how many baby products are out there and don't know what I actually need. Can you make a video about how I can keep my minimalist vibe in my home and nursery but still have what my baby needs? Thank you so much for your videos!

[@AtoZenLife]

@@rachel7455 Hi Rachel! I’m not sure if I’d be able to do a video on this since I don’t really have much of my baby stuff left, but I wrote a blog post about it a while back - you can read it here: atozenlife.com/minimalist-baby-registry 👍 CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🍾🎊🎈🍼

[@miriamroxana]

@@rachel7455 I felt the same way when I first was pregnant. I personally did not buy anything, close family gifted me stuff, and I just used what I got. Some would ask me what I need for the babies I would ask for baby wipes and dippers. I asked for spit up blankets. Baby shampoo, stuff that are for use instead of making clutter. I got a simple stroller handed down, and second baby it was a simple one from my dad. Babies don’t need much but clothes because they are messy sometimes 😊 but most of all they need their mommy.

[@jearodz]

Cardboard boxes when folded flat can be put under the mattress and Firm the mattress, it works 😊💪👍

[@vzteacher]

As a 5th grade teacher, I absolutely applaud your decision to not give your kids cell phones. I've been teaching for 29 years, and I have definitely seen an increase in disregulated behaviors in my students. The research you quoted is spot on!

[@pippas5808]

It also makes a huge difference to manual dexterity - I run a craft club for kids and it's scary to see the difference between kids who have smartphones and those who don't. We have kids of 10 or 11 who struggle to cut out simple shapes that our 4 year olds have no trouble with. I wonder what the next generation will do for plumbers, electricians, carpenters, gardeners etc, since we seem to be raising a generation that doesn't know how to use their hands!

[@juststeph6940]

In 2024 I plan on doing a no buy year. No buying material things.

[@juststeph6940]

Oh and no smartphones until they can pay for it themselves.

[@AtoZenLife]

Wishing you good luck on your no buy year! 👏

[@sandypuentes866]

​​@@juststeph6940That's what I'm doing, God willing.

[@erikahyman8611]

I want to try that too.

[@sandypuentes866]

But I have a plan in case I should need to get them a phone. It won't have internet, it'll have just calling and maybe texting.

[@rebeccatavares8556]

1. a tiny house 2. large plots of land 3. grey home decor 4. cushions and throw pillows 5. short-term decor and storage 6. weight scale 7. diet products 8. hair dye 9. hair tools 10. rubber bands 11. pets 12. smartphones for kids 13. dollar store goods 14. chairs with upholstery 15. jewlery 16. cardboard boxes 17. water bottles 18. cable tv 19. impulsive thrift store finds 20. soft pillows and mattresses 21. physical books 22. candles or air fresheners 23. craft or hobby supplie s 24. coffee

[@shannonwold638]

I agree with everything here, except for coffee (I make my own at home and almost never buy it) and pets. I have had dogs all of my life and cannot imagine living without them. They bring me so much joy, despite making some things more difficult, like travel. I would give up traveling, though, before not having dogs.

[@maxinef6654]

Thank you 🙏

[@FoougieTV]

Thank you

[@Roxannah79]

@@shannonwold638 but did you buy them though? I'm a mum of 2 dogs + 2 cats and they're all adopted (my Siamese girl adopted me ❤ and my Portuguese water dog was adopted as 1 month 1/2 old baby ❤)

[@sarahaas3182]

My hero

[@DawnH123]

Im letting my grey hair show now too. I’m 46. Why the heck do we, women, feel like we need to cover up all signs of aging. We should be proud and grateful for our beautiful bodies.

[@smp90000]

Because soon you will look and feel like a grandma and it's not good for woman

[@nancyc7629]

My gray is not attractive. Not a good look on me. Not trying to hide aging, I just choose to color it like I've done my whole life either for a change or now because I am not digging the color gray. Even though it is very trendy now. Lots of young women are sporting gray.

[@nancyc7629]

I am with you :)

[@darleneh608]

I started dyeing my hair when I was in my 40s, and kept it up until around 60. The dyed hair was brittle, damaged, and difficult to make do what I wanted. It needed to be updated every six weeks or so. For the first two weeks after dyeing, my hair always looked a little too dark to be natural. Then, for two weeks the newly dyed areas had faded a bit and looked more natural. Then, the last two weeks there were roots showing and that looked unnatural. So I think the dyed hair looked really good only about a third of the time. Around age 60, I stopped dyeing and grew out my hair. It was shortish, maybe chin length when I started. The new hair was growing in about 50% grey, which means the new growth was extremely obvious, very white looking compared to my medium brown dyed hair. I had scarves, which I have always hated wearing. I had chalk-like sticks that could temporarily color the grown-out areas. I tried just toughing it out and letting people notice the new growth, and I tried being a hermit. I lasted a while, got maybe two inches of new growth before I couldn't take it anymore and got a pixie haircut. That made my now mostly grown out hair look better overnight. All in all, I wish I had never started coloring my hair. The grow out process was pretty angsty. Now that it's been done a while (I'm 66), I think the natural grey actually makes me look younger than I looked with dyed hair. My advice - live with the grey as it comes in. Natural hair will go well with your skin tones, and will not age you the way you might expect. Growing out dyed hair is so uncomfortable that it overshadows any negatives. Next thing you know, you'll be 88 years old, sporting extremely unnatural looking dark brown hair and afraid to grow it out so you feel stuck.

[@jenner81]

I stopped dying my hair 6 years ago (been dying it since I was 16!) and finally it was long enough to cut off all the dyed parts! (My hair grows very slowly! 😅) But I'll be 43 tomorrow and not a grey hair in sight! 🤷‍♀️ But I also may have just won the genetic lottery since my Mom is 68 and only just finally started getting a few greys this past year!! 😮 I really hope I got those genes! 😅

[@RosesandBlingPapercrafts]

My 48 year old husband had a heart attack yesterday afternoon. Thankfully he’s okay atm. It’s put everything in our life in perspective though. I’m doing a low/no buy next year. Life is precious, spending unnecessarily isn’t worth the stress.

[@AtoZenLife]

Oh my goodness! Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and good health and fortune to you in the coming year. ❤️

[@RosesandBlingPapercrafts]

@@AtoZenLifeThank you ❤

[@thebusybees2006]

Oh no ! 🙏🏾for healing

[@Saforra99]

Oh help! All the best! 💜💜💜

[@ireneroy8820]

Your house does not look cramped! We Just have 1/2 acre Plenty big enough, 2069 sq. Foot home (Living area.) we have a small garden, we grow veggies year round. My yard is beautifully landscaped, we did it ourselves. We spend money on spring/ summer flowers and winter pansies and snapdragons. Budgeted for! The rest of the landscape we have blooming perennials. This past year, bought 1 pair jeans for my husband and 2 prs. For me and I had my granddaughters wedding so bought a dress and cheap shoes and oh course socks and underwear for us both. Cars paid but OLD, NO debt. Just our home. Our mortgage is $849 Without taxes included Been doing low/ no spend for years Thats it! No home decor or clothes

[@sheilagarrett7540]

You would love my Grandson! He’s starting High School this and his Mom decided it was time he had a cellphone. He said,”Thanks but no thanks. A cellphone would be way too much pressure for me and I don’t need that kind of pressure

[@taylorjanegreen1]

BRILLIANT HE IS!

[@sarafox5792]

Awesome!!🎉

[@Bookysoul]

This is probably just a good attitude, but after raising teens I think that he might also be avoiding parental tracking. I got a pager when I was a teen and my mom used it to page… page.. page. I regretted that pager. 📟

[@zabmcauley5647]

As a person with MCS I'm so happy to see "air fresheners" and candles being discussed as harmful to health.

[@watching2341]

MCS?

[@bmedve3427]

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

[@jekalambert9412]

It's not just air fresheners, it's fragrance in cleaning, laundry and body care products too. As someone who cannot breathe, coughs, gets headaches and nauseated from chemicals, I often wonder how other people cannot notice how awful these chemicals are. Who needs scented trash bags or antimicrobial underwear anyway?

[@reneeschwartz6555]

100% agree with "no younger than 16"! I so appreciate you sharing your pediatrician's wisdom on that. 🎯

[@mae12183]

Yes, love hearing this sage advice-- it is so hard to hold off, but I know it's better for my kids.

[@SomeOne-qz7sw]

As a pediatric psychiatrist in the making I do in fact not agree, and this is definitely not a universal indisputable guideline either. The important thing is to teach your children healthy boundaries around screen usage and especially social media as well. Just prohibiting these devices all together takes that learning opportunity away from them. Not getting them a smartphone until age 12 sure, maybe 13, 14, but beyond that is just not realistic in my opinion. And while it is always important to have a critical view on peer pressure, the reality of things is that completely banning smart phones can more often than not make them massive social outsiders. Again, the important aspect is teaching (and as a parent also modeling!) healthy usage, which with younger kids and teens could for example look like having certain „smartphone periods“ during the day when they are and aren’t allowed to use their phones, establishing that the devices won’t be in the bedroom when it’s time to sleep and discussing at what age and in what way certain social media/ online content/ applications are appropriate for kids to use or not.

[@mae12183]

That is also excellent advice @Someone-- thank you! Not ready to manage all that yet, but soon enough the day will come!

[@SomeOne-qz7sw]

@meganettlinger5386 I’m glad you found value in it and I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Open-minded communication goes a long way and you will figure this out with your family. Good luck to you!

[@pnwflipper2089]

I am a high school science teacher. One day I thought I would collect some data in my Biology class. While I was helping a student on-on-one, I noticed a lot of students (ages 14 and 15) who were supposed to be working on an assignment were sneaking cell phone time. Quickly I made a mark for each kid who was NOT on their cell phone on my seating chart. There were only 6! My intention was that I would look up each student’s grade and make a graph to show the class the next day how cell phone use correlated to grades. I didn’t have to look up a single one, though, because so immediately recognized that all 6 students were my A students. Many of them did not have cel phones. And the others had parental controls that made use very limited during school hours.

[@lilyc649]

I have 14 acres and chickens and I absolutely love it! I’ll never give up my chickens. But definitely need a community to make it work. For example my neighbour bales the hay for us and helps us with projects that requires big equipment. In exchange he takes the hay for his cows. Some years he keeps livestock here. I have three kids under 3 and my husband works a 9-5 office job. My oldest loves visiting the calves and piglets. It’s so reassuring knowing I can count on my neighbours and they can count on me.

[@AtoZenLife]

Sounds like you have an amazing home and village ❤️

[@Danicalip8]

One of the best places to get boxes is liquor stores. My stepdad told me this years ago and I always go there to get them. They are extra sturdy because they have to hold glass bottles so they won’t fall apart.

[@AtoZenLife]

You are the second person to say this, this is a fantastic tip 👏

[@jacquelyntierney]

I so appreciate this tip (coming from someone who moves a lot!)

[@Danicalip8]

@@jacquelyntierney ditto! I’ve moved over 30 times in my life so I get you.

[@debmoore629]

Egg boxes from grocery store also and they have handles cut in already.

[@brendamaun5455]

I'm a retired chemistry teacher and when our district built a new school I was responsible for moving all of the bottles of chemicals from the old school to the new one. Liquor store boxes were my saving grace!

[@pippas5808]

Decor in a short-term housing situation: I've lived all my life in rental properties and move frequently. I've been able to make every house feel like home just with the items I bring with me. I've found that items in natural materials and/or neutral tones tend to fit in everywhere, and a few loved houseplants and books make a place feel like home overnight!

[@KerryJames-l6z]

I have done the same age 55

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

Years ago before I even thought about minimalism my husband and I moved into our second home which was quite a bit bigger. My friends and work colleagues asked why when it was just my husband and myself. Of course we didn’t need a bigger home but we planned on having a family and more importantly it was for investment purposes. There aren’t too many things in this world that will make you as much money as real estate will. We moved again after that and our current home has more than quadrupled in price. I couldn’t work a lifetime and make that much money. You can still have a big home and keep it minimal. That’s what I’m working on now.

[@ParkDari]

Oh my goodness as I decluttering I have discovered a mountain of storage solutions. Every time I get rid of another cabinet or shelf or container. It’s absolutely wonderful.

[@martinh8784]

Regarding "large blocks of land" - in the 1990s, "Lifestyle Blocks" were the biggest thing in New Zealand real estate. Many people living in NZ cities wanted and bought them ... until it became apparent that the "Lifestyle Blocks" were way too large for self-sustainment (the chickens, goats, vegetable patches you talked about) but were too small to be commercially viable farms. Also, agricultural work sounds rewarding and wholesome ... but it is long, repetitive and physically demanding. Chickens are easy to keep, but once you start protecting them from foxes, cats or ferrets - prepare to spend a lot of time and money building and maintaining enclosures ... and so on.

[@francoiselafferty-hancock5112]

Haha! Hello Kiwi! I'm from Wellington 😊

[@lsamoa]

Hear hear. Working the land is the hardest work there is, city people idealize it way too much these days.

[@Toragrai]

​@@francoiselafferty-hancock5112I'm in the Waikato!

[@mharrod258]

And another Kiwi here!!

[@strangertobluewater]

I’m in a place in life where the thought of even entering a retail space seems bizarre and foreign. I wish for everyone to get there with me in 2024. 🤗

[@silvervixen8270]

We chose the tiny home (we live in a yurt) with 10 acres combination. The goal was to be mortgage free and grow most of our own food. This is a full time commitment. Milking goats, making cheese, canning, butchering animals, etc, etc. Definitely not for everyone but if you feel passionate about it...just do it I grew up in the suburbs and couldn't even keep one tomato plant alive. It feels good to have a home and land free and clear. Our food bill goes down each year. Plus I am in pretty good shape....no need to go to the gym! Thank you Marissa for all your inspiring videos.

[@AtoZenLife]

What a huge change! I’m also someone who can’t keep plants alive, lol, so it’s really interesting to hear your story. Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@loriegabidel]

Being real with yourself when buying a house is so important. When I bought a home, I went with a townhouse rather than a condo because "I want a garden!" Spoiler alert: 20 years later and grumble every time I have to mow my (tiny) lawn.

[@AtoZenLife]

See, that's what I"m afraid of! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

[@thebestwillow]

Yup. I know someone who bought a house with lots of land. Lots of talk of growing vegetables and such. The result? There's less biodiversity in the land because they got all the chaotic undergrowth removed, and now they don't use it, except they have chickens, but they could have done that just as readily at the old house.

[@dianasimplifies]

This is so true, we wanted 5 acres but only got a little over one acre. Turns out my hubby really doesn't enjoy yard work 😂😂😂 so it's a blessing we only have the acre

[@miriamroxana]

My husband got 5 acres in the middle of nowhere. It’s just sitting there … we rent a house in the city cus he got tired of the commute 😂

[@angelwings1]

Fake grass? That’s what we did in our previous small garden.

[@jodieh4739]

We have four kids. Our oldest got one at 16 when he started driving so we could know where he was. We started with a prepaid one with no perks but it didn't work during one emergency so we went to a phone that could track him. Then the next got one at 14. I kind of wish we'd waited a bit, but she was SUPER busy in a lot of activities and it was helpful to be able to communicate. The next one was at 16 and honestly that was too early. The last one just did at 15. So it's been very individual. We landed on the fact that we wanted them to have one when they started driving so we can communicate but also track them (not just for being nosey but for safety.) And with the youngest we decided to give it to her at 15 with a lot of strict controls and ease up as she earns it so that it's not all at once when she is driving. My kids are now 22 down to 15 and the struggle is SO much harder now! Thankfully the high school just implemented a very strict no phones during school time. Not even during lunch. They are encouraging real life and real conversations and I love it!

[@nicepeoplerock]

When we find cool things at the thrift store, my friend and I take pictures and send them to each other. This helps a lot to avoid wanting to buy everything cool we see. It seems once we've shared the finds and have pictures, the need to bring everything home isn't so compelling.

[@Bonniebranch7]

February was my first month in my no spend year 🥰 So far so good! Only bought food and diapers. Time for month 2. I’ve been intermittent fasting since the second week of January and I’m down 25 lbs so far. I have about 75 lbs to go. It’s the simplest change and it makes such a huge difference💗 I eat 9:30-5:30 and drink water during my fasting window instead of eating.

[@Mrs_Guac_and_Glock]

My husband is very picky about thick firm pillows, and after not being able to find what he wanted, I took some old clothes and folded them up and put them inside his pillow. (Thankfully his pillows are the kind that can unzip). He's been happy with it so far 😊

[@mchmonster]

For kids and smart phones, here’s what I’m doing: they are getting kid’s smart watches. Mostly for gps and emergency use. No camera. Pre written texts. Preloaded contacts. All managed by me. No social media. They are 7 and 9. If all goes well, I see them staying with smart watches until late teens (I hope). We’ll see 🤞🏽

[@AtoZenLife]

Fingers crossed 🤞 for you!

[@ElizabethCarter-v6y]

It’s a great idea to let your hair grey naturally. I decided to do it in my 40s and now age 64 my hair is still quite dark with grey on the sides and highlights. I’ve noticed it’s an easier transition to grey than dealing with regrowth. And you save quite a lot of money & time! Best wishes love your channel. Elizabeth - Australia

[@Azzne-]

I’m 36 and letting my hair be natural. I’m getting silver and it looks really pretty against the brown. It will be interesting to see how I look with lighter hair eventually! 😂

[@randomharts]

I completely agree with the study you found on Smartphones and the advice from your pediatrician…I work in an American elementary school, and I am shocked by some of the behaviors I see now compared to just 10 years ago. The increase in small children having smartphones at school is alarming. I applaud you for holding off on giving your children smartphones…pretty sure they are not the best thing for us as adults either (distracted driving, parenting, and existing)😮

[@AtoZenLife]

So true! My husband is always complaining about how many people he sees texting on the road -- so dangerous.

[@autobotdiva9268]

my 9 year old came home and said "mom, darius got a cell phone" i said...youre not and dont ask"

[@dianasimplifies]

@@autobotdiva9268I'm glad they were not a thing when I was in school. I was a straight A student but I wouldn't have been if computers and phones were a big thing. ❤

[@sharaharper2253]

Here in Queensland Australia, having phones out in your hand have been banned in schools. Kids can keep it in their bag, for travelling to/from school, but if a teacher sees the phone during school hours (inc lunchtimes) the phone has to be surrendered to the administration office until final bell.

[@melaniecastillo9786]

Go grey! You won't regret doing it naturally. Once you start dying it, you get sucked in. And then you don't want that line when you stop!! I love this post. But this hit me hard.. i had dark brown hair and im about 4 inches away from being totally grey!

[@theshapeexists]

Im thinning out everything I have. I used to be a consumer to get that dopamine hit. Once i hit 30 i realized i was just getting a quickly subsiding pleasure hit from buying unnecessary things. My wife and I completely changed our way of living. We went from living paycheck to paycheck to living off our lesser income while investing our other income 100%. We had minimal savings and within 18 months, our new plan grew our investments to over $100,000. Once you finally see your patience and everything pay off, you dont want to spend, you eant to keep growing your income.

[@victoriadelatorre9257]

🎯 Yes, we waited until the first year of high school to buy both my kiddos cell phones and they were fine with that. I think it helped them with the pressure s of staying off social media.

[@mishypeas2959]

When we first bought our house we had a vegetable plot and chickens and a pond - it was a LOT of work. When I became pregnant with our fourth child I got my husband to turn it all to lawn. Much easier now it just needs a simple mow. Know your limitations and don’t put too much on your plate. Minimalism is simplicity in life not just in the items we have. Looking forward to your house hunting videos.

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@SimpleLife365]

Ponds are so hard to maintain and keep healthy, not to mention the expense.

[@retroroost3488]

One element that made your European home look and feel spacious was the high ceilings. You may find that a well-cared-for vintage home has the warmth you seek with elements that create a spacious look. I wish you the best of luck in locating your next home, and sincere thanks for sharing the journey.

[@Nini-ze2jk]

Loving the channel. Wanted to share about water. I noticed you mentioned you usually feel hungry but never thirsty. Our bodies can make us feel "hungry" when we're dehydrated. Sometimes we can't tell the difference. I find it's good to drink some water when feeling hungry bc many times water/hydration is all we need, especially if it's not time for our usual meal time.

[@MJ-cz5gx]

Minimalism and small homes go well together because it feels more homely. Large minimalist homes can tend to feel cold and empty

[@ataylor3202]

I have two boys too, at the early age of 8 I bought a mobile phone for them to share for emergencies but I taught them that it was for phoning NOT playing or showing off. They understood, it gave them security and me a piece of mind. Just like watching TV we had our home rules. Now both in their 20s we still have certain rules about mobile use when we are together, out of respect for each other we use our phones but we put them down and we have conversation, for hours!🥰

[@pamelacooley6457]

😂❤ I’ve been homesteading my whole life …..we didn’t call it homesteading back then. We just called it regular life. We’ve had chickens for 25 yrs. 😂We have 3 acres.We have a huge garden 😂. You are absolutely correct….it is a lot of work at times.This year I’m committing to not buying any clothes and books.None. Use what I have. This year I’m committing to a no buy year…except for essentials of course. And I mean true essentials. Going to use up everything I already have.

[@AtoZenLife]

So cool, thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@SimpleLife365]

I use a pack of black ponytail holders from the dollar store when I need a rubberband. They work so well, are durable, reusable, and multi purpose. I haven’t purchased a new pack in years!

[@TGYtco]

Oh, Marissa. You are my favorite. As a mom, I love your phone idea. We gave our 2nd son a phone earlier than our first son because he has type 1 diabetes. He just turned 16 and recently told me he feels like smartphones are just a burden. He has friends with addictions and sees himself wasting time on it. If he didn't need it to sync with his blood sugar monitor, he would rather just have a talk and text. Very mature. As a fitness trainer. I LOVE that you aren't buying a scale or diet products. My past is similar to yours, and I find that the best way to manage weight is to create habits we can see ourselves doing for a lifetime, and then just focus on life.

[@AtoZenLife]

You are too sweet, thanks so much! Your son sounds like an observant kid, fingers crossed for him finding that balance 🤞

[@sonjarothmund3152]

Hi, you are right about Europeans beeing more sustainable. We don't have really good things in the thrift stores because we use our things for a long time and/or we re-sell on ebay or pass it on to family and friends. Love your video!

[@kathydonaldson863]

I was thinking that the difference might be due to differences in consumerism. Mass consumerism is pretty prevalent here in the states with people redecorating their homes every few years, or buying a new wardrobe every year or sometimes more often. But a lot of the stuff is still in pretty good shape, so it gets donated to thrift stores or sold at consignment shops. It feels better to donate something that somebody else might find useful than it does to throw it away. Some people feel so much guilt over throwing things out that they try to donate things that really should be thrown out, so some thrift stores have attendants that will reject donations.

[@janiec3915]

My plan for 2024 is a serious low buy. This wound up being a very expensive year for me and I hope to do much better next year. Like you, I would love a bigger house. Not because I want to cram it full of things but just because I love space. I'm also not a fan of the grey trend. I find grey to be a bit drab. I love neutral colors with lighter wood furniture. Im 54 and in October 2017 I stopped coloring my hair and never regretted it! My hair and scalp are so much healthier. It took 3 years to grow out. It's salt and pepper and I'm quite happy with it. I really have more than I need and realize a lot of my spending is getting caught up in the moment and wanting and buying something I really don't need. Thank you for another great video and for always inspiring me!❤

[@SusieQZee]

I really need to boost up my savings in this coming year. I had to get braces for two of my kids, and a musical instrument for another child of mine. And I was in an accident and missed months at work. Plus, inflation! Thanks for this video. I’m going to delete my shopping app carts right now! 😊

[@AtoZenLife]

I'm sorry that you had so much on your plate! My oldest is also getting braces this year, too -- I feel you on all points!

[@starbrite526]

I love The Sorry Girls shout out. In that aspect of Dollar store/ Thrift store purchases, I try to buy or purchase the item that fits my wants and needs, which is something that really took time to realize. In growing up, we always purchased the cheapest and wasn't necessarily what we wanted or needed, so we were always in a purchasing cycle. It's a hard cycle to break, especially when my mom still purchases this way.

[@ringailetervydiene5942]

We said goodbye to our dog of 16 years and my kids immediately started to ask for another pet. I realised we already have tons of pets since we have been maintaining birdfeeders in the winter for a couple of years now. We have a small forest close by and our yard is full of birds all winter. We buy seeds for them just like we bought food for our dog in bulk. And we never travel in the winter so we always make sure the bird feeder is full. In summer those birds eat flies, wasps, hornets, ants and other creatures we had too many for our liking. So it is a happy friendship with our local birds. And now my kids also consider those birds our pets 😊 Oh, forgot to mention that grass under bird feeder needs no fertiliser to be green even when drought strikes. So I don't need to maintain my lawn other than cutting it once in a while.

[@suzihill78]

I gave up caffeinated coffee. I still enjoy a nice decaf coffee daily. It was the caffeine that was affecting me not the coffee. Great list!

[@raineedaytinyfilms]

I stopped coloring my hair and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

[@fredmckibben6872]

I'm planning to start "pairing down' and "getting -rid - of". It's that time of Life plus, I want more time to do the things I would rather do than clean, garden maintenance and general upkeep

[@michellepreston5710]

I love my pillow cube!! I wouldn’t say it’s hard, but it’s firm and supportive. Helped reduce my neck pain immensely. Took me a while to bite the bullet, because of the price, but it was seriously worth every penny and I expect it will last a while.

[@allisonspeer649]

Not buying clothing, laundry/body care products (I have plenty to get through 2024), furniture, kitchen appliances no new yard equipment, no new home decor, no new seasonal decor, no new organizational boxes, etc, only eating out once a month preferably using gift cards we already have We have lived in the country on a mini farm all of our lives. You are right, there is a ton of work to taking care of your land and animals. Expensive lawn and garden equipment, things for your chickens or goats, etc. Its definitely a lifestyle that is romanticized but it's alot of work. I loved your previous couch... gorgeous.

[@shannonscheffel7366]

I haven't owned bathroom scales for years. I keep a seamstress tape in my bathroom and measure my waist regularly. I think it's a much better gauge of health than weight since waist size is a very good indicator of metabolic health. Also, I have dark hair like yours, and I love the gray streaks I have now because they add texture to my dark hair, much like highlights used to, and obviously it looks more natural, and perfectly complementary to my skin(I am 55 though so it's easy for me to embrace at this age).

[@gwenj5419]

Simple living seems the opposite in some ways to self-sufficient living. Growing your own food, including raising animals, making your own furniture, clothes etc might be a great goal but it wouldn't be simple or easy.

[@rosequartzinthesky]

Smartphones came out as I was entering high school and I would feel like an outsider when I was with people who had them. High school and middle school is hard enough on its own and being left out is even harder. Giving your kids smartphones can be a good opportunity to teach them responsibility. It’s only bad if there is no control

[@gretchenphillips9787]

I work as a teacher assistant at a high school. We've got a few kids with flip phones and they've found good groups of friends and seem secure.

[@Luciana-wg8gb]

I was giving that a thought as I, for one, felt like an outsider quite a few times growing up, though for different "trends" (smartphones didn't even exist back then). But then it hit me. If it's not the phone, it's gonna be something else. The need to feel we belong is real, that's part of human nature, but why does it have to be fulfilled by having and not by simply being? Particularly by having something that hinders the cognitive development of our kids and it's so easy to get out of control like a phone? Maybe that need is "fabricated" to have us craving stuff earlier and earlier. Maybe we should take this opportunity to teach kids confidence, self-love and awareness so they can find healthier ways to go through the normal changes of life. Going through the teens or high school shouldn't be hard. There was a time when it wasn't a thing, there're cultures and countries where this is not a thing. I'm not saying it wasn't hard for you, I just mean that it shouldn't be hard. Maybe one day we could change it for the ones coming next :)

[@KnineFeline]

I also got a phone during high school. It was a flip phone and I didn't feel left out at all. When in doubt, get kids a dumb phone that can make calls in the event of an emergency.

[@aboveboard4914]

I think it's better to give your kids the strength not to have to follow the pack. Smartphones are so bad for sociaty at large let alone kids whose brains aren't fully developed. As parents we should be able to say no regardless of what other parents have decided to do

[@allisonmcgriff6844]

Honestly, I miss my flip phone sometimes... It was the sturdiest phone I've ever had.. I've considered going back to a flip phone and getting a GPS for my car..

[@kathleenhunt7613]

I really, really struggled with the phone thing for my kids (now 22 and 26). Got my daughter a phone when she was 11 (prior to smart phones); our phone plan had family controls and I could block access during school hours and at certain times of night. My son didn't care so much about phones but was mad about computers. I also struggled with limits on that. Today he is a computer whiz and planning a career with them. I don't think there is any easy answer, just do what you think best and modify as needed as you go.

[@AtoZenLife]

This is the right mindset ☝️

[@kirstenfox182]

@kathleenhunt7613, what a beautiful, grace filled comment 🥰 I wish more people took that approach with many things.

[@sarahhomer9992]

You, your family, your home and videos are beautiful. Im sorry to hear of all of the negativity! You’re doing amazing! Thank you!

[@johannathorisdottir2456]

hey there i´m gray and i understand about it! It´s only recently i thought like hmmm i´m done coloring my hair and just let it out. And it´s the best decision i have ever made and my husband loves it wich is all that matters. i do have some blond highlights with the gray and my hair looks great. Just go for it you´ll love it. Love your content

[@joannasz838]

I think your weight gain can also be associated with different food in US vs Germany. Here food is less healthy and more fattening

[@Stopit77]

100% true about the correlation between increased behavioral issues and cell phone usage! Spend the day at any U.S high school, it’s a nightmare.

[@poodlegirl55]

We retired and our house sold in one day. We quickly bought another smaller one in a quiet community further south that need to be renovated. We thought we would find another house after two years and move to a dream house Now it has been seven years, our little house has been transformed and the only thing we don't like is a one car garage and nowhere for my husband's hobbies so we needed to make a decision. Goal: NOT BUY a new dream house. BUY a new garage which will be built in April 2024, the driveway is already in. Stay put and relax.

[@AtoZenLife]

Sounds amazing, good luck with your garage and your husband's hobbies. ❤️ What hobbies does he do?

[@poodlegirl55]

@@AtoZenLife There is a lake nearby and he has lots of fishing equipment. Now he will have room to buy a little fishing boat. We remodeled our house on our own and he is a tool guy who likes to tinker so he will have a workspace. I have a craft room and big kitchen and only wanted to move for him. I am happy to stay!!

[@poodlegirl55]

Lake Shelbyville, way to the south of you in Illinois.

[@MirandaBardick]

Absolutely appreciate alll the time you put into all these videos. I thank you for being real with yourself and to us.

[@dianasimplifies]

I'm not even a minimalist but I'm on board with most of these. My issue is I need to drop my Dollar Store habit even though I don't necessarily overspend. I still need to pull back some. ❤❤❤ Great video thx! 🎉

[@jasminemapes3168]

I know I got a cell phone earlier than most due to the fact that I acted as the go between for divorced parents. It was helpful for coordinating extra curriculars and such, and I think it is valuable to have that. HOWEVER, I was the last of my friends to get a smart phone, halfway into college, even though iphones were popular my freshman year of high school. I think if you want that check in point, a phone has value, but it doesn't have to be a smart phone!

[@Opm0316]

I love going to the thrift stores too. But I try to be very picky or else I’ll bring more stuff to clutter my house. Yesterday I went to goodwill just to go around, they have so many home decors that I would love to get but stopped myself from buying. I’m glad I didn’t buy anything.

[@moniquestone9185]

I've earned my gray hair. So, I'm right there with you.

[@rachel7455]

I just found out I'm pregnant and am overwhelmed by how many baby products are out there and don't know what I actually need. Can you make a video about how I can keep my minimalist vibe in my home and nursery but still have what my baby needs? Thank you so much for your videos!

[@gwenj5419]

What you actually need is pretty limited. 1 or 2 car seats, a stroller or baby carrier as desired and somewhere for the baby to sleep. This can be a bassinet, cradle, moses basket. You really don't need a crib until baby is crawling. Then clothes and diapers. A changing table is nice but not necessary. Maybe get the basics and add things as the need arises?

[@lesliecarpenter7476]

In addition to @gwenj5419's list, you may need to get a few different kinds of bottles and pacifiers (if you use them), because some babies are incredibly picky, but once you know what works for your kiddo, you can streamline again. You can do a simple diaper pad instead of a changing station. A few blankets can take the place of a lot: swaddling clothes, play mats, etc.

[@Siures]

We also had a car seat, a moby wrap carrier (no stroller!) and cloth diapers doubling as nips and almost everything. Clothes of course. 10 of everything because of milk accidents, for our summer baby two light knitted vests. As for care products we had a Creme for irritation (breasts AND baby) and a natural oil for massaging. For everything else I used breast milk. 1-2 bottles. I recommend giving a bottle once a week even when breastfeeding so that you can pump in emergency and it’s not a big deal for the kid. Oh yes, pumps if you plan breastfeeding and a kind of warming pillow to get the milk production starting. We actually didn’t need pacifiers but I think we had one at home (was in a gift so we kept it at first).

[@Elizabeth-490]

Amen! Don’t die your hair! At some point you will want to go naturally grey, and it’s easier if you haven’t been dyeing.

[@j.m.7056]

Even 1 acre is a lot to take care of. It will be a huge transition of duties and responsibilities both inside and outside for you. Nothing not manageable but a change for certain. Best wishes on your house hunt!

[@soulfuljuiciness]

I agree with you on the grey home decor and furniture, it feels so cold to me. But on the weight loss front it isn't just calories in, calories out... it involves hormones and keeping them balanced, especially for women... just something to be aware of should you have trouble getting back to your original size

[@cecilhudson1583]

Girl! I'm over the grey as well. We have a few bits of grey here and there but I enjoy some color and warmer neutrals. Enjoy all of your videos! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@AtoZenLife]

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well ❤️

[@debrafillingim7093]

Throw pillows-love them-hate storing them. So now I make pillow covers. Only have a couple pillows and I can change out the covers. Love it. I can store thirty of those covers in one dresser drawer.

[@patemmack7205]

Great list. I’m at a different life stage, so not giving up my hobby or coffee. I don’t spend heavily on supplies for my stitching hobby, but I do still add an occasional purchase. I would just revisit the phone option with your husband every 6 months or so. I think 12-16 is an appropriate range, but I would base the decision on their needs and individual maturity level. Your comment about tiny homes reminded me of my Mom. She said it’s easier to clean a larger space that is not over filled with furniture. We also have a family member with a disability, so we appreciate more open space to allow for mobility aids.

[@hooka2k]

A couple of years ago I decided to stop fixating on my weight gain from my second pregnancy and work on accepting my body as it was, buying myself new clothes that fit right and made me feel beautiful and exercising and eating delicious, nourishing foods for my health and enjoyment instead of to lose weight. For the first time in my life after growing up with diet culture and all the self hate that goes along with it, I was actually able to lose weight and keep it off. The irony is that didn’t happen until I decided to accept and love myself where I was at and I continue to do so at my new weight (which in the past, if I lost weight, I’d still be dissatisfied and want to lose more). ❤

[@0annonymous]

If you're renting short-term places, remember, as you get older, you have less time to wait to enjoy your home. I get it, there are some people who won't wait and some who can't wait to enjoy their space. What works for you may not work for someone else and vice a versa. Just have a plan B in place or even a plan C if plan a to buy the home falls through and you don't get it. Job loss, funerals and medical expenses can come up. Or if you have 10 kids you need to bail out because they got in trouble, that can take away from your planned home buying savings. Or someone may need to go to a loony bin if something happens. Another thing that can take away from your home buying savings. I'm talking about some situations Insurance just don't cover if they have limits, and usually they do. Then you buy whole life insurance and sometimes the insurance company won't pay out after that person dies. Just pay it off on your own and be done with it. Also another thing to keep handy as you get older is durable medical equipment because you never know when you may need it. I'm talking about getting used stuff so you don't find yourself fighting with your insurance company over something you need but can't get covered. If you have it handy and you get it used from someone who sells it cheap or gives it to you, keep it handy and make sure you get the most bang for your buck. Get the highest quality because not all stuff such as shower seats are necessarily going to last forever. Some of those cheap ones have a screw that can come loose or protrude through the plastic seat. Get the kind with no screws that are solid and durable, those particular things that are more likely to last forever and be passed down through the generations. If you're going to buy anything, get stuff you can keep handy forever

[@lorenadugan6355]

We put a piece of plywood in between our box spring and mattress on Cruise ships. We went through 3 mattresses in 10 years. Finally we got a Sleep Number Bed, C2 model. Nothing extra, no bells and tech extras. My sister had one, it lasted 15 yrs through two moves. We have loved ours for 5 years now. It’s a splurge but well worth it.

[@VickyHafler]

I love my grey home decor 😂 but mine is dk grey furniture and light gray walls. I decorate with plants (green with terracotta) and wood. I do have pillows on my couch. I’m ready to get rid of them. Everyone sits down and throws them on the floor 🤦🏼‍♀️ why keep them? No hair dye for me. I love my grey hair…. I am a grandma! We had a no phone policy for our children until they drove. Liquor store is a good place to get boxes. They are very heavy and a nice size. I use a wide mouth mason jar for my water. We pay for ad free KZbin. But don’t have cable TV either. Thanks for yet another great video.

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks so much for sharing, it’s so important for us to figure out what works in our own lives - your house and hair sound lovely 🙌 Aren’t the pillows annoying? Drives me crazy 🤪

[@irislikestosew]

Bedding: Latex or buckwheat pillows. I used to sell mattresses and the hardest one we had was a stearns and foster brand - the firmest one they have. Thanks for the list!

[@melissab8322]

🎯I have been a subscriber for a few years now. I appreciate that your attitude towards minimalism is a personal preference style. I would not consider myself a minimalist, but I certainly adhere to many of your philosophies about it.

[@linfranklin6972]

I don't like soft pillows either and several years ago I came upon bamboo pillows that are super firm. I have washed them and they have kept their firmness so I am super pleased with them.

[@ColleenJoudrey]

My property is 2 acres (1.5 lawn/driveway and .5 as a wooded garden/patio) Between that and maintaining the house itself, it's alot of work especially without the help of a tractor.

[@AtoZenLife]

See, my dad was a landscaper, and we had 4 acres of land, but he had all of the equipment, and he would have his workers mow, plant, etc. I’m sure it was a LOT. 😅

[@ColleenJoudrey]

I love operating machinery so I hope that I'll eventually be in the position to buy a small Kubota to help me keep up a little and reduce the shoulder strain.

[@RhondaTowanda]

Wow! That property with the 5 acres was spectacular! Homesteading movement is huge! I live on 25 acres , in a cabin , in the forest. We use to have 45, we sold 20 to pay off debt. I want to be debt free. I have chickens, goats & dogs. I have a garden, and doing all these things helps with the grocery budget. Besides having fresh eggs is so yummy and healthy! I love color! Living in a log cabin… it’s dark! So color helps. I could never go with brown, ,beige , or all gray s in my home. I like navy blue, reds and yellow. I don’t follow trends. I do me. I enjoyed this video so much! Looking forward to when you find your forever home! 🤎🌻🤎🌻🤎🌻

[@kmars3239]

One thing you will definitely want living in a colder state is a finished basement! Trust me, having that space to have a library for the boys, or a place for them to build things like Lego’s. Will definitely be helpful! Basements are life savers!

[@Siures]

Well, maybe it’s cultural (German), but I rather have an extra room upstairs, because most basements are… dark. You always need artificial light. Even if it’s a quite bright winter day. We (together with our neighbors/the relatives we live with) have a party room there and a kind of extra guest /office room there, but I wouldn’t want it as a space to play in daily. To dark and chill.

[@lsamoa]

@@Siures This. The more up North you live, the more daylight you need. I've never understood the point of basements, they have no windows.

[@kmars3239]

@@lsamoa my basements always had windows, so not sure what your talking about, you can’t build a home without it! It’s a safety issue!

[@lsamoa]

@@kmars3239 I've never seen a basement with windows, but glad to hear they exist. Sure you can build one without it, lots of countries have houses with no basement. Local building codes and safety issues aren't necessarily the same thing.

[@kmars3239]

@@lsamoa where we lived the windows are a must, in case god forbid there was a fire. Michigan and other states have it as a safety law.

[@VJS0812]

Thank you for this video! I don't buy journals and calendars. For both I use a ring book where I can easily change the paper fills. The calendar is can be adjusted just as I need it. It takes time to make the month but I choose to do this in order to calm down and either listen to a book or radio play or watch a movie while doing it. It is calming and saves money.

[@kamidsjournee]

We live on a farm in Nebraska. I spend about $20+ a week on eggs (ok, chicken food that translates into farm-fresh eggs). I’m not complaining, just stating a bit of reality.

[@Lethembe]

We have a sleep number bed for about 17 years, we love it. My husband also has a sleep number pillow.

[@faithkaltenbach9121]

I love my Saatva extra-firm mattress. They are made to order and you have choices to makre such as a variety of depths for both mattress and box spring.

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks for the tip!

[@NonaBear]

I like firm pillows too. I bought a bamboo foam pillow where i can stuff it with extra foam it came with to the perfect firm feeling. I recommend pillows that you can stuff with more filler.

[@j.m.7056]

Love the newsletter! Don't have the target emoji. Thanks, Marissa for all your guidance!

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks for watching and here we go 🎯

[@kennethbailey9853]

I dont know how You do it but You keep getting Better and Better ! This is Amazing that after these years You stay Cutting Edge ! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AtoZenLife]

Always great to have you here, Kenneth 😊

[@mc5366]

great list and good reminder to live intentionally.

[@tcaccs]

I love unity 💙 The girls did such a beautiful job decorating, and I loved hearing their sweet voices singing the songs.

[@carmenlheureux5435]

I agree with you on dollar stores, except for greeting cards that are so expensive elsewhere.

[@AtoZenLife]

That might be one thing that is worth buying there if you enjoy sending cards, then 👍

[@jandkhilbert]

Bad for the local economy. All the money goes to their headquarters and no investment in the community

[@jekalambert9412]

You can MAKE your own cards using cut up old books or magazines and a glue stick. If you want to be really creative, you can use colored pencils or cheap watercolor paints on them. WAY less expensive and more thoughtful than purchasing a card that will probably be tossed a few days after the event.

[@LauraMacMillan-el2kc]

I bought greeting card software and card stock weight paper. Total cost was about $50. I've used it for years. It's fun creating the cards and I know mine are one of a kind ... and for just pennies apiece.

[@dillinrivera91]

I agree with the pet thingy! I personally am not a pet or animal person in general and I always get flack for that but they’re just not for me😅 It’s not worth the extra money and energy imo!

[@luciafaulis6111]

I agree 100%. It's so freeing to be able to travel and not be concerned about the responsibility and expense of a pet. I do love my children's pets but I'm happy being a pet grandmother but no thanks to owning my own. I know its not the popular choice but I will defend my choice nonetheless.

[@dillinrivera91]

@@luciafaulis6111 Right! I don’t hate animals I just like to enjoy them from a distance ya know😅🤷🏽‍♀️

[@megamusicmessenger]

Yeah me 2. I am not an animal person and I would feel bad leaving them to go to work and it's really inconvenient if I want to travel or being out for a long time

[@Beulah5144]

The best firm mattress we’ve found is a “Sleep Number” knock off. It’s basically an air mattress that has baffles for comfort throughout the mattress & we love it. Where the foam mattresses were too soft even if they were rated firm, i can make my side of the bed firmer or softer depending on my needs & rather than having to flip the mattress, we just let all of the air out & refill & it’s like a new bed all over again. I have neck & low back issues & was told when sleeping on my back to use a very thin pillow or no pillow & it actually feels better than I would have thought. Hope this helps!

[@siona405]

I let my gray grow out a while back. I have never had so many compliments on my hair.

[@LauraMacMillan-el2kc]

This has been my experience as well. But I waited till age 65 to go naturally grey. Should have done it many years earlier!

[@Goldzwiebel]

The trick of borrowing books and getting the children to read them straight away thanks to the short loan period is great! I read a lot of books as a teenager because I had to return them within 4 weeks. The penalties for returning late were so high! However, after four years I was a regular customer and never damaged anything. After that, I didn't get any more penalties for returning them late (and I didn't have to pay for the two books I lost) and the pressure was off to read the books really quickly. That totally changed my reading behavior, where I probably needed the pressure. shortly afterwards I stopped reading at all.

[@quoththeraven13]

I agree with so much of this! 👏

[@AtoZenLife]

I’m glad to hear that 🙏

[@theperegrinecatholic2892]

I’m the same age as you, have the same hair color and similar complexion, and I have stubborn grays. The only thing you can do is pay $100+ for highlights to camouflage the grays. As far as hairstyling products, I highly recommend getting a blow dryer hairbrush. I hate gadgets but it’s my favorite product!

[@mydogismyheart23]

I read the book Glow Kids and it was eye opening on the topic of screens and young kids. Written by a psychologist who was seeing alarming behaviors in kids. After reading it I am very anti screens for my kids. I'm not sure what age she will get a smartphone... I may get her some sort of basic phone to make calls when she is old enough and might have a need to get ahold of me, but I'm not sure about a smart phone yet. I'll have to see how it goes.

[@MinimalistLil]

I got my son a phone when he was 12 years old, but only because my employer at that time would not let my son call me at work. One time, when he called, she told him he was not allowed to call me at work unless the house was on fire or he was hurt. I'm a single parent, and he needed to be able to get a hold of me no matter what the reason. I was livid!!! So I got him a talk & text plan (no data) so that he could text me at any time. I'm happy to say that I no longer work for that person.

[@AtoZenLife]

Ugh, toxic boss alert. 🚨 Glad you moved on!

[@debbiehalverson22]

My bro-in-law bought boxes and it drives me crazy! Love Thrift Store shopping! But I have had to be very mindful of what I bring home. I do pick up books at thrift stores and usually pass them on to family when I'm done (and vice versa).

[@faithkaltenbach9121]

My neighbors list on NextDoor all the time: "I have moving boxes I want to get rid of." "I am looking for moving boxes."

[@robingage2855]

We love our tiny home! I am working on and succeeding in keeping it very minimal. It is an awesome experience.

[@loriegabidel]

Knowing me, I will probably buy jewelry lol. However, I have promised myself that I will stop buying cheap jewelry. I just gave away so many pairs of cheap earrings and a bunch of necklaces; I also threw out a lot of broken pieces. I find that sticking to quality pieces and mostly timeless shapes results in having pieces that hold up and that I love to wear. I also buy WAY fewer pieces overall.

[@AtoZenLife]

Sounds like a good decision that fits into your likes and lifestyle! 👍

[@Waiting_with_oil_lamp_full]

I think you are spot on about the size of your home with a family. I would consider myself a minimalist. But my family of 4 live in a very small condo and i feel like I'm drowning in our stuff that we use on almost a daily basis and no one has personal space.

[@capturedbyannamarie]

We are not letting our kids have a smartphone until they have a job to pay for one. My parents did this for me with just a regular cell phone, and I think that is the correct way to do it.

[@LauraMacMillan-el2kc]

I got my children a flip phone at about age 15; because they got jobs in fast food and worked until after dark and then walked several blocks home. As it turns out, neither of them ever had to call for help. But I wanted them to be able to if necessary.