Ep. 058 | Home

Joshua & Ryan talk about different types of minimalist dwellings and simple-living situations. Watch “Maximal” episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively at / theminimalists
Questions answered in this episode:
I’d like to move to a much smaller home, but how do I get my partner and my children on board?
I have a lot of extra room in my home-how do I ensure I don’t fill it all with new stuff?
What are your views on microhomes?
Detailed show notes: theminimalists.com/podcast
#TheMinimalists

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

My apt is too large, but I am unable to move, so I turned part of it into a community library. It gives me such joy to see children reading and excited about books.

[@juliakonowrocka9564]

Arlene Adkins-Zell what a great gesture

[@JaneDay]

Hi guys.. I wanted to applaud the way Justin reads 'Everything that remains'. As a totally blind person, audio is my chosen or should I say imposed way of accessing books. Justin reads this book in such an awesome way that before I was 30 minutes in, I was hearing your voices and not his. It was so so easy to pick up on Ryan's comments. Thank you so much and I have just downloaded my second book authored by you. Much love and thanks for the value these audio books have brought to my life. Jane x

[@CassTeaElle]

Tip for helping kids get rid of stuff (my sister always phrases it this way to her kids): tell them that you guys are going to gather up some toys that they no longer use to give to other kids who can enjoy them. It will help them to be more motivated and it will also help them to understand the importance of giving to others. I've seen my adorable little nephews actually excited, at times, for some other kids to enjoy their toys that they no longer use.

[@mamapork]

I like your podcast and have been listening to it almost daily. I do want to let you know that u can possibly improve on the sound of the recorded voicemails that you receive. For example, I listen to it in my car, usually I turn it on to volume 25 but when the voicemails get played, I often have to turn it up to about 55 in order to hear what they are saying. So u can see, it scares me when your voices come back and blasting at volume 55. Would be great if you can look into recording the voicemail parts. Also, when your producer speaks in some of the podcast, it would be nice for him to have a microphone too when he reads questions, I can barely hear him too. Keep up with your enjoyable podcast Ryan and Josh. Your podcast adds alot of value to my life. Thank you.

[@kellyclearly7327]

Ah a breath of fresh air to hear! we have been struggling to save a deposit for a house and getting frustrated with ever increasing house prices. Freedom is one of my top "must have values" so it scares me to be tied financially to one single destination. I'd also never thought of a mortgage as renting from the bank but yes your right it is! Thank you for lifting my mood and giving me clarity :)

[@florencemarie8290]

I love you guys! Reading your book memoirs right now. I wish I had lived my life more like this 15 years ago. I had it in me I was just afraid of being weird or Hippyish for not wanting the "American Dream". I am an artist so eventually I had to just get over that. Now I can put a name to what I believe and practice. Where are the minimalists in South Carolina? I feel alone! Lol

[@lourlopezsk]

To the person who asked where to start I'd say: "It's not a matter of where but when. So start anywhere, but start". And yeah I agree on not dealing with sentimental items first.

[@satellitefalling7397]

These podcasts bring great value to me. I don't have itunes to rate it on there, but there are fantastic truths in each and every one. My life choices are becoming more and more meaningful.

[@brittpetersen143]

I was a hoarder as a child.. it wasn't until I started moving around a bunch when I could clearly see what I was doing to myself. Started learning to let go in college.. Then I moved out of a house into a small studio apartment, which encouraged more decluttering. Now I rent a room. As wonderful as it has been to help inspire me to keep letting go of things I don't need, I learned I need "space" ......personal space. living with 4 roomates is too much!! I hope to forever remain a minimalist. I would love to see a podcast for pet owners. Part of my hoarding was animal hoarding (mostly rescues) and I'm down to 4 animals now. I try to stick to the basics of what they need for survival and environmental enrichment. However, I watch people in pet stores get suckered into the HUGE variety of merchandise available these days...

[@chandaharkins4418]

Britt Petersen Good job getting your hoarding under control. That indicates what a strong person you are! I like the idea of the pet discussion. We also have four dogs.

[@summertakacs-michaelsonch8842]

I think the question begs to be asked, why people have pets in the first place. Also, value judgements of what others need are outer focused, and it's hard to know why others are motivated. We only have ourselves to settle these questions of value with. I consider myself a minimalist because I want to spend more time with my dogs, and training to new heights. My dogs own more things than I personally do. I see so many dogs live a minimum existance. Throughout our time together, dogs have been mostly working dogs I have 2 dogs who are service dogs, 1 who is a service dog in training. 1 dog who is a mushroom Hunter, another dog who is a truffle hunting dog in training. My service dog in training is a water rescue dog, and will save any human or animal out of the water as soon as he has the suspicion anyone is in trouble. He is also doing some search and rescue exercises, not sure if we will go after all the certifications for that yet. We own harnesses specific for mushroom hunting, service work, and walking/hiking. We have long lines and life floats. We have training supplies needed for scent work. We have medical supplies for the dogs, swamp coats, winter coats. We have brushes and combs that suit each breed best. My elder dog has a double handled coat to pick him up after falls when hiking, and has a wheelchair he is training in, just in case. He has lufelong, managed hip dysplasia, but we're at the point we need backup alternatives to keep him hiking and moving. He is my best trail dog ever. My dogs eat a seasonal, home -made diet. I am on this minimalist path in my life so I can focus on them, giving them every training and life experience they need and want. I do try to be specific in what I buy for them. I've made my share of spending mistakes. I try to learn from them. For the most part. I do not shop at regular pet stores, rather, I go to a store when I need something specific for our goals. However, they have items for comfort according to their breed. And items for entertainment when they have downtime. I try to buy natural and comfortable toys whenever possible, such as made with undyed cotton, hemp, leather and such as I worry about the lack of the testing in pet stores. My dogs work hard, I work them hard, and I take superb care of them. They have their gear, and they have their comforts at the end of the day. Each of their breeds is specific in needs. One, a long haired Newfoundland cannot share grooming supplies with my e. Sennenhund. I don't think anyone would look at my dog supplies, from the outside, and consider me a minimalist. However, I keep nothing that I do not use on my dogs with purpose, and from hiking in the deep woods, to walking into a restaurant or movie theatre, they have to be pristine, tick free, and able to move between situations. My dogs have saved many lives. I am proud of that, and all the work it takes to make that possible. I like to return to the ideas presented about value. What has value to a person. Many pets live lives of forced minimalism, with lack of opportunity for adventure, training for skills and excitement. However, buying stuff mindlessly for pets isn't helping them grow or live into their potential in any way. This is my view on animals and minimalism. I think it is a complicated subject without any definitives applied unless breed, lifestyle and goals are taken into account. My dogs own more than me, and I am okay with that! But, they are great teachers, and do not keep what they are done with. ☺

[@shelll.342]

You had me thinking "Oh no!" with that whole ad space thing, glad it was a joke! Love the podcasts, always something I can take away and get value from! thanks!

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Please don't hold your podcasts hostage, many of us do not use iTunes.

[@NikNik0123]

I, for one, don't!

[@eclairtreo]

@@NikNik0123 Neither do I.

[@divisionistheillusion]

Appreciate the content that's put into the podcast. Connecting to a deeper part of life because of it. Thankyou

[@Smash2792]

when the minimilist upload a podcast on your bday! 😍😍😍😍

[@CindyLW781]

Ashley Purdun happy birthday!!

[@Smash2792]

Cindy White thanks! :)

[@nariko47]

Ashley Purdun Happy Birthday from Chile !

[@cpenrose64]

I always listen to these Podcasts via the Apple Podcasts app and there is not a place to provide a comment. So I'll leave one here! This podcast series offers monumental information on life and living with less to simplify our lives. Just great, timely information.

[@3kittieslove]

Just stumbled on this video of yours. Not my first one. I love you guys. I've listened to hundreds of different people on the decluttering topics mostly, and you guys seem to inspire me the most. That said, I'm not sure where to leave a formal review on KZbin, which is where I listen. Thanks for what you do and sharing your hearts. Very inspiring to me.

[@susancook3360]

You guys get on really well Supportive and appreciative of your differences Very nice to listen to Excellent modelling of collaboration and friendship Just saying

[@gissybatyah]

Ryan I forgot, on your last podcast, you can try oxi clean spray for your t shirt underarms :)

[@juanmackenzie6443]

I loved this podcast! The song in the beggining made me laugh so hard! xD

[@keithterry2051]

"...I think cobb houses count." crackin' me up.

[@PeterParker-rj7wn]

Good staff these podcasts ! I too am from that bread which enjoys engineering simplicity, which is kind of a ridiculous contradiction...I got to say I laughed more of guilt than anything else, I've been negotiating with my mind some kind of compromise between cobb, adobe & concrete...Me, myself & I have finally opted for bricks...lol

[@Fenkoster]

The person you mentioned who stops making episodes without sufficient reviews is an ego thingie.. but I realized I can show my appreciation by leaving a review in iTunes I will!

[@petsila]

these are the exact questions I have too... I want to move to a smaller place next time we move, my husband wants a bigger one.

[@CindyLW781]

I really enjoy your podcasts on my commute! Looking forward to this today! Thank you!

[@mariluzsampalo6096]

what are the measurements of those kinds of homes? 😅 I feel like depending on where you live the size of the home could be considered big or small p.e. homes in the countryside are usually bigger than home in a big city

[@moanateliersoo18]

intro though haha

[@almollitor]

I imagine many minimalists are interested in treading lightly on the Earth and an in-sink garbage disposal is not environmentally sensitive.

[@edennis8578]

Seriously? What would you suggest, putting it in the garbage to go to the landfill?

[@almollitor]

Composting.

[@edennis8578]

If you live in an apartment, there isn't anywhere to put compost.

[@almollitor]

Maybe there are opportunities to work with community gardeners.

[@edennis8578]

Maybe, but it's an extraordinary amount of work and inconvenience for what purpose? The amount of organic matter that goes through my garbage disposal is miniscule, but it saves my pipes from getting clogged if the tomato stem bit falls down the drain. If you're worried about a tiny amount of food finding its way into sewers, have you stopped pooping yet? What do you think poop is? 98% of the phosphorus in rivers and streams comes from human feces and urine, and farm run-off (farmers use phosphorus as fertilizer). So all that algae growth the government warns about? That's because you defecate and urinate, buddy. Better stop it.

[@miriammyrsiades7932]

I understand if you are single and don't have kids, but if you are married and have kids, you want to own a place so if you die your kids still have a place to live or when you get too old to work you can own your home and don't have to pay for rent.

[@edennis8578]

If you die your kids still have a place to live? I don't even know where to start. If they are minors, they aren't going to be allowed to live in the house by themselves, even if the mortgage is all paid for. If the kids are all grown up, they might not even want the house, and they will probably just end up fighting over it if they do want it. I've been through all of this. As for getting too old to work, are you #1. going to be able to keep an entire house clean and keep up the maintenance? Many can't. My mother in law insists on living in her house where she's lived for 30 years, but she can't keep up with the housework, and she won't pay to have it done or the maintenance. One of the basement walls is bowed and she won't pay to have it fixed even though she has a great income from investments. Her income is 4 times mine, but she thinks $10 is a lot of money! #2. You realize that you still have to pay property taxes and insurance on the house even after it's all paid off, right? My property taxes and homeowners insurance are half my mortgage payment. Then you have to pay for all maintenance: roof, driveway, furnace , air conditioner, termite damage, flooring, painting, water damage, that's all on you. It can be much easier and cheaper to rent an apartment.

[@Carcassbits11]

Snap chat is quite minimal because the photos dissappear and don't stay on your phone

[@feathersky860]

💥💥💥💥💥 ✔️

[@MKS73636]

lol to Canadians not having air conditioning..

[@augustineschaefer5522]

Even if you fail you’ve made it to day 3, 5, 19 you’ve succeeded by doing. It’s all a practice.