☘️ What I Spend MORE On As A Minimalist • Decluttering Can Come With Hidden Costs

☘️ Decluttering can have hidden costs. Since starting the KonMari Method there are some things I spend more money on now, even as a minimalist. And it's not just that I'm spending more for quality items and experiences, some of these are things I didn't buy before becoming a minimalist.
If you're starting out on your decluttering journey, you need to be aware of these extra expenses. Not all will apply to you but some will (even the ones you think right now might not).
⭐️ Here's what I STOPPED buying: • ☘️ What I Stopped Buyi...
⭐️ Watch my KonMari Method journey from the very beginning: • My Very First Time Tac...
⭐️ Decluttering tips right here: • Avoid These Common Dec...
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Laura

[@_QuiteSketchy_]

I have found as I spend less on impulse items, I am more willing to spend money. It's interesting. I spend money at the local bakery every week, and buy good bread, a pastry for each of us, and a 'gift loaf' for the food pantry. It's not cheap, but it is a so many things bundled up together; its a treat, a good deed, better quality, and supporting a local business. I always walk out of there feeling happy. And as a side effect - I no longer desire those crappy cheap treats, and I no longer desire white bread!

[@halloxhm6639]

sounds great. it is so good, not only physical but mind.

[@hollymoseley1355]

I love how you greet your plant with a head cuddle!

[@hollymoseley1355]

And yay you! on giving back to authors and supporting good writing....

[@andreabrunkow9314]

It sounds like once you got away from the stress and discomfort of clutter you can now practice self love.♥️

[@Sapientiam]

I can definitely relate to this. I love selling everything that is heavy, large and that takes up space and what I do not use. But I also like to buy high-quality items. I recently bought new longer duvets and realized that I had to buy new bedding. I am decluttering my former bedding and buying best of the best quality linen bedding. It's clearly not the cheapest, by far, but it gives me more pleasure as I know that's what I want. My savings account is being reduced and it's sour as I don't like spending money, but at the same time I know I'm buying what I need and that this is an investment. Right now, I'm looking forward to it, since I order online, and I'm very nervous that I'm making a mistake, which I think is common for many people who want to live more minimalist, save money and who have made previous mistakes. I try not to make any more mistakes, but making mistakes is human. It's learning from those who apply and grow from their mistakes.

[@fabienneroure9995]

OMG I can relate to many things you mentionned! Also, I've noticed that I spend more money on organisation such as containers.I'm really enjoyed seeing everything compartimentised ( sorry I'm not sure this is a correct word in english my native language is french) and it really helps keeping clutter at helps being less wasteful. I went from chaotic and disorganized to decluttered and picture worthy pantry and I'm still going at it! Things are so much easier and my family really enjoys it (and are somewhat shocked)! It did not happen overnight, and at times I just wanted to cry but decluttering my home is one of the best things I've done. It made me realized what my priorities are and made me more environmentally conscious and less wasteful. Happy 4th of July 🇺🇲! Cheers from Canada🤗

[@hazelmeldrum5860]

My friend gave herself permission to have clothes Ironed. 3 males and lots of shirts . She said the difference it made to her temperament was immense

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

I definitely agree on spending my money on experiences with family and friends over buying things. When I do have to buy things my for home I definitely buy better quality items that will hopefully last longer and do less damage to our environment. I’m also trying to buy better quality clothing and less of it. I’d rather buy a really good quality pair of shoes than three or four cheaper pairs that won’t last. Since the beginning of the year it has really clicked in my brain to really think before spending my money. I think this change in my mindset has made a huge impact in many aspects of my life. I’ve always worried about how to dispose of things but this year I research where I can donate things and dispose of things safely. The less I can send to landfill the better. As soon as you change your mindset you can make a big difference to your own life and the world.

[@elizabethkamras897]

I have followed you for a few years now and I always hear something relevant to me and learn something new. I wondered why you love using the library so much and now I know. As a retired librarian I really understand why you value of the impotance of libraries and everything they have to offer. Enjoy you trip and meeting your friend in person!

[@amyrugg2540]

I relate to many of those same things. I guess when i started feeling the freedom from embracing minimilism , I started releasing the need to control money and instead am more childlike trusting my needs will always be met. Finding the joy that comes from relationships and living life and nature helps you to let go of the deeply ingrained need to have and attain more material things. I cannot wait to feel the feeling of being unburdened by all my stuff. The more I get rid of the more I realise how normal it feels to not have as much as I do. The more I realize it's excess. I thought it was normal to have this much in my mind and by getting rid of things id feel like a monk but it doesn't feel like that. It just feels normal. I find that odd because I keep thinking I will feel like a monk but I still just feel more and more like normal sane person. I guess we just get so used to our stuff.

[@hollymoseley1355]

I married a monk and the freedom he brings to our relationship has been a great gift. Plus he supports my decluttering!

[@amyrugg2540]

@@hollymoseley1355 Amazing! 😊

[@laurad1487]

I live like a monk because my house looks too bad to have anyone over

[@porcelina956]

I definitely have adjusted how I buy things or even bringing things home such as flyers and brochures. I buy better quality I am sucker for fancy sunglasses but only on sale or clearance they last longer than the cheap ones from Target or Kohls. Also, spending money to dispose of clutter a few months ago I bought a new laptop battery as mine was bulging (fire hazard) I paid a $15 recycling fee. A little excessive I thought but at least it wont start a fire or leak toxins, heavy metals into the ground. Same with a tv that stopped working I could have left it out on trash day but we have so many "junkers" who visit our alley they would cut off the cord or break it into pieces for the bits of metal. Instead I took to the recycling center and paid a fee saving toxins and heavy metals from leaking into the ground. Also, I would love to hire a cleaning person but I'm not sure I can afford too as I work in a library as support staff. I definitely have gotten to read/view lots of books, movies, music for free. I don't even mind paying the taxes to support the library.

[@helenhartley6904]

I found most of your thoughts in this video quite foreign to me! I give my time in volunteer work instead of buying food that might not be wanted to donate it, or I give cash. I only buy plants for outdoors. Libraries pay authors so I dont need to. Cheap or free furniture has lasted me a lifetime ( when I'm gone my kids can just trash it). I eat keto so no bakery, fruit or sugar. I cook everything, plan and shop myself. I do agree with good quality meat, butter and oils. I use Flylady for clean and tidy system. I'm 64, perhaps there's a generation gap, lol!

[@kurukuruneko]

I totally spend a lot more money on digital content lately - books, music, some subscriptions I've debated a lot. As much as I love physical book, I can't afford storing all of them and regarding my reading speed, that would be a lot of books to the top I already have for work purposes. I also decided to minimize on stuff I'm carrying around because I'm just tired of all this everyday heavy lifting with my backpack

[@nancyphillips7558]

I love your videos. Yes, I do buy the better things but less of them now. I have been decluttering for 11 years now, I am 69.

[@PurpleRose8725]

Electronic Recycling: Most electronics can be sold to websites that pay you or take them free. Also check with your city/county (US) as most have an electronics dumpster available at the city/county yard.

[@naomichalup4164]

Thank you for sharing. I love hearing your perspective

[@a.b.1184]

My Sunday just got WAY BETTER! Glad I get notified :)

[@HowToGYST]

YAY! 😁

[@jessicacox2005]

Wow such a great topic and was so refreshing and uplifting. I feel like this is less talked about within the community but it's one of the reasons we do what we do. When you reach this side of it it's like full circle. By the way I love your hair down like this, you always look beautiful but love this look on you 😘

[@kikitaube-hansen]

When I had my 3 kids and my second hand store, it was the first time I hired a cleaning lady. And without doubt, it was the best thing to do. Years later, when I worked in my whole country as an nurse for elderly people, my cleaning lady prepared my home before I came back home after weeks. Best decision ever. Today I prepare my home by myself. But never forget my reliable, busy woman

[@yvonneschermerhorn866]

Thank you for the reminders of what is important and what is not. We are lucky, as you said, to have these choices!

[@huxbi]

Wow, this is how abundance should look like. I love the way you are sharing and giving back ❤

[@paisleyduck]

I’m obsessed with my houseplants too. I can’t help it. I don’t want Knick nacks or little things anymore, I want plants. 💚

[@ginatheng9506]

I agree with you making memories is important. I had someone coming to help me when I was pre menopauses. I appreciate her very much. Wanted to stop her service. I had her for 18yrs. But due to the pandemic I decided to keep her. Let’s try to help one another. Hope you enjoy ur trip.

[@bronwyntully6058]

Very good and thought provoking Video, Thank you Laura x

[@gweno9901]

Loved this! When it comes to plants. years ago I decided to think in a different way. If I kill a plant (which I don't do so much these days) I think to myself 'well, I enjoyed looking at it while it was healthy, and it lasted much longer than a bunch of flowers.' So no guilt! Now I am more likely to get bored with a plant, or it will get too big for the space. Then I can find it a new home.

[@raisingup7]

We're taking the younger kids ( the non-adults) on a trip to Colorado and I'm constantly amazed that I find so many beautiful items that I'm perfectly happy to leave in the shops. My souvenir will likely be a photo album comprised of everyone's photos once we get home 😊 I don't need, or want to manage, something from everywhere we've stopped! I am more willing to purchase some consumables just to support local and my kids are all doing their best to suppprt the rest, lol!

[@abirobins608]

I have to be honest a lot of these sound as though they're positives that come from financial security. I'm so happy for you! I hope that one day I can reach that

[@HowToGYST]

That's true. These things weren't always in the budget.

[@amyrugg2540]

Sounds like you found a solution that works for you for cleaning. To anyone else who struggles like I do with this...After feeling the freedom from minimilism I found a sense of interest in letting my little bits of things pile up because it was such a nice feeling that my stuff wouldn't accumulate as quickly. I also felt less desire to clean. My space was a lot more tidy and i was enjoying all that freedom. However I did watch "Faith and flour" weekly cleaning routine. Those had never worked in the past but the idea that if you do something so much that it frees up mental energy and becomes automatic was intriguing. Especially because I would agonize about doing certain chores. Her schedule is Monday wash clothes, tues wash other linens towels bedding etc, Wednesday bathroom, thursday dust, Friday mop and vacuum. Now the first Monday I did three loads of laundry... And the tub was a nightmare. But after that I've only been doing about 1 clothes load with me and my husband. The tub I still put off sometimes but I try to just go in and scrub some is better than nothing right? If I'm really having a rough week ill resort to the main priority having food and clothes for the family. I also try to automate daily chores and link them together with things that fit. Every morning I feed my dog while she is running around i empty the dishwasher and sink and do the dishes wipe the counter and table. I only wash dishes once a day but I do load the dishwasher as needed. I find this isn't perfect but it keeps things in order and at least my kitchen looks lovely at least once a day lol.

[@amyrugg2540]

Also not trying to shame anyone. I have a very small about 1000 square foot house with 1 bathroom. I used to be a cleaner myself and i realized I could never own a bigger house its too hard on my back and knees to clean propely. Also I don't work so I have the time.

[@blaireshoe8738]

​@@amyrugg2540 I hear you on the shower/tub cleaning! I always dread it, but I heard someone mention recently that they just wiped it down once or twice a week with a wet rag during their regular showers, sometimes spraying it with a vinegar solution first. That sounds so much less daunting! I'm going to give it a go!

[@amyrugg2540]

@@blaireshoe8738 that is a great idea. I have this spray its a mix of vinegar, dishsoap water and sometimes I add essential oil. It would work great for that. I could keep a small bottle in the bathroom. That would be great as I have hard water and the vinegar really helps. Also that makes sense after the shower that steams it up and its easier to clean. Thanks for the tip 😁🌸

[@doloresarispe9247]

I love what you are describing because l went thru all of the feeling you have stated! l am doing and have done changes in my life! I am much happier and have a lot less stress. I started that journey at around your age! I am much more grateful in my journey and my children always felt l gave them the greatest childhood!

[@HowToGYST]

Aw, that's wonderful. 💖

[@katburns5773]

Have fun on your trip to Michigan! It's 90 out today! I hope it stays nice for your trip!

[@HowToGYST]

Bar a storm on the first night, it was lovely. Thank you. 😊

[@PlantHoardingAdventures]

"just 20 I think" ... that's how it starts sister lol although I've been even decluttering my plants too andfeel quite proud of myself, thank you for the motivation :)

[@HowToGYST]

I struggle to keep them alive so even if I bought more they wouldn’t survive. 😂

[@sandralantau7395]

Thank you, Laura, for this thought provoking video

[@HowToGYST]

Glad you enjoyed it, Sandra. Thanks for watching. 💖

[@zensbleexperience3470]

So glad I found your channel in my suggestions. I subscribed

[@HowToGYST]

Yay! Thanks so much. 😁

[@Justonevideoplease]

Wow I’ve been feeling like I need a cleaner too. Decluttering right now and I am overwhelmed!!! A cleaner will help so much but I feel guilty. This has made me realise what I already knew. Doing it! X

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

I wanted a cleaner, too, but my husband wouldn’t agree. He did the deep cleaning for me. That was nice!

[@josephdaly2015]

I totally agree with a cleaner. We had one but because of COVID she hasn’t been with us in a year or more. I’m trying to keep on top of things but her clean and my clean are two different cleans 😂 I try not to let myself think I’m lazy either because I work part time. It’s me looking after me and getting help does that. Enjoy your trip. Stay safe and healthy. Mary, Joes wife 👏👍💐

[@keric3730]

I can't help but wonder if some of this would have happened anyway just as a side effect of getting older. College kids, for example, just can't afford nicer food or furniture, but once the income has risen and stabilized things look different. l True that decluttering forces us to prioritize and reaffirm what matters to us. And for you that was experiences and traveling. And plants. I feel the same way as you about plants except that I'm not motivated enough to keep them alive.

[@rostaylor7723]

Definitely agree about hiring a cleaner - and it’s a win/win in your case 😁 Love the footage of #AltSummit ! It’s been on my mind the past few days…

[@ellisburton8733]

👍🏼 Definitely treated my self to a few more digital books. I'm buying a bit more craft items, but they're for projects I'm actually finishing😱. I'm much more happily paying for Netflix as I value the time I put aside to watch a bit of TV with a coffee - I'll watch a film as if its a 3 part series, means I can enjoy it and get other things done, that's definitely a win win. Great video, thank you 👍🏼. Paying for cleaning is def a really good idea.

[@Janeva08]

Loved this video, jannike 🦄❤️🇸🇪

[@cs02242]

More minimalism videos PLEASE!!! I hope you get this message :)

[@findingaway5512]

I hope you have a fun time in Michigan!!! My best friend lives there and I have family there. I haven't been there to visit my friend ever but its something I hope to do someday. I have visited family there whenever I was a kid though.

[@niksand1713]

Enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@williamclark1244]

👋Greetings! I just came across your channel. For me it is definitely plants. I was always going to the plant nursery before I would even go and get groceries. lol! But then I found a few online nurseries that I love and have had a lot of success with. In the beginning I had to figure out which plants liked me and not the other way around because I too would take home the prettiest plant that would not end up surviving in the space - lighting direction being a big one. I now have 24 but instead of buying I am propagating so there will be more in a few weeks. Also, I spend a LOT more on better quality foods. In my experience eating better quality foods I stay full longer and end up eating less. I also spend more on higher quality yet sustainable, eco-friendly and fair trade furniture, bedding, towels, clothing, skincare and cleaning supplies. I have fewer items because of the cost but I feel good about all of my purchases and everything is loved and gets used.

[@HowToGYST]

That’s wonderful! Sounds like you’ve got a great balance. 😁

[@ravenstormchild6491]

Ikea is great because if it’s a bit pricey, it’s great quality…if you need something quick and cheap, they have that too!

[@luna7453]

there is a lot of joy in donating :)

[@romeoslover817]

I hired a cleaner 5 weeks ago. Best purchase I have ever made.

[@zazicool6275]

Interesting how the decluttering provided capacity for you to share your blessings with others more than before...

[@rebeccacarter1914]

You should look into Melaluca, great quality cleaning supplies. Less waste and delivered. Agree with you!

[@ellebeedee]

New subscriber here, really love your concepts! 💙

[@HowToGYST]

Thanks so much. 😁

[@juliehilton1701]

That supermarket fruit and veg range is amazing which one is it pls? Ah in the US! Bit too far to do my weekly shop in the UK 😂

[@bonnydunham7622]

100% agree on the experiences!!!

[@HowToGYST]

They can be pricey!

[@chvel86]

OMG this video spoke to my soul. And when it comes to cleaning, I'm with you! We just had our first appointment with our cleaning person just this past Wednesday

[@layleila2971]

Plants are a wonderful investment!

[@annapancake1232]

Loved this and I got some great ideas and inspiration from it! Only thing I didn't like is that you recommend people to get (plastic microfibre) fleece items. It's bad for the environment and I even think it should be banned, it gets into our water and food.

[@HowToGYST]

Wow, I actually didn't know this! I always associated fleece with wool (like a sheep's fleece). Thanks for teaching me something new!

[@annapancake1232]

Thanks Laura, that's great to hear. Love that you're so open-minded for learning new things 😊 Acrylic, polyamid and polyester are all plastics. Even if it feels soft. xx

[@sonagolisova2373]

as for the spending money on plants, I do the same, makes me happy and I have to have a flat full of nice plants

[@Myeverydaywifelife]

I’m trying to buy more natural cleaners too! I like Seventh Generation products, I like Mrs Myers products too. It the are not as natural as they claim mostly the fragrance in them aren’t good 🥴

[@HowToGYST]

Oh yes, I mostly choose fragrance free. I don't want my home to smell of cleaning products. 😂

[@Aleena1970]

I can related to cleaning up after others.

[@cindystuder9090]

Nothing worse than feeling like a servant in your own house. If people enjoy cleaning up after others that's one thing, but it's so easy for it to feel like drudgery when it's a never ending cycle.

[@kwlancaster1804]

I love my fluffy socks. No judgment

[@HowToGYST]

Fluffy socks 4eva!

[@danicegewiss862]

I love the fact that what I'm decluttering someone else can use. Office supply store takes my electronics for free.

[@HowToGYST]

It’s wonderful to think something’s not going to waste.

[@AdrienneSantiago-xf9tw]

I have been buying more digital items and takeout. No clutter, right? But I want to get back to the roots of my values, which includes frugality and eco-conciousness.

[@antiantipoda]

Eco-friendly, clean, natural are all marketing tools. The truth is that you need a solvent to clean - water - and sometimes a surfactant - soap. You can clean all of your home with water, soap, vinegar and baking soda without bothering greenwashing it. Companies are driven by profit - nothing wrong with that - and they figured out people want those marketing words, but is pretty meaningless if it makes you spend on a whole range of products.

[@HowToGYST]

As I said, I mainly use water. Cleaners can be "green" in more ways than one though. A lot of those companies support environmental causes, plant trees for every purchase, offset their carbon footprint, etc. So if I do find myself buying something, I'll choose them over others.

[@antiantipoda]

@@HowToGYST Here's my unfiltered opinion: I think carbon offsets, environmental causes and the whole greenwashing thing are a ponzi scheme. On the other hand, it's your money and your life. If you think it's worth it, who am I to say it's not. Personally I like where frugality intersects with organizing and minimizing: buying second hand, repairing, reusing, doing things myself (all very weird in Brazil). I do love your channel and watch you since you were doing Marie Kondo before it was trendy. I also relate to your history of depression. All the love to you and your family.

[@antiantipoda]

@rowan orre I do use chlorine where absolutely necessary and alcohol. I actually just cleaned an 20 year old painting with water, shampoo, a paintbrush and a rag. Not that I would recommend this for any painting that had any monetary value. I got it as a gift long ago and it was looking really dingy so I thought: what the h#$. It worked.

[@HowToGYST]

@@antiantipoda I do agree that not all things labelled as "green", etc. are actually beneficial or better. I mainly use water to clean, and sometimes baking soda and/or vinegar. In most cases they work just as well. 🙂

[@jackiehamilton2738]

There are now books and websites on the subject of homemade cleaning stuff, using household ingredients which most people would usually have anyway. This would probably be as green as anyone could get.

[@SundaysChild1966]

I'm spending more money on hog feed. Yes, because the price of hog feed is up this year and even though we only have two piggies, as opposed to three that we had last summer, mo' money. More money was spent on the garden this year, but for fruit and veg that should return every spring, unless our brutal winters kill them off (strawberries, asparagus, garlic, horseradish), so that means I need to purchase more straw this fall. sigh .. it never ends ..

[@SundaysChild1966]

.. and we end up giving away so much of what we grow, to our neighbours especially. Who doesn't love home grown onions, potatoes, carrots, cabbages (we have over 50 planted), beans, rhubarb, weed, tomatoes .. yes weed, we legally grow it and then gift it away.

[@breg9476]

do you think you spend more on comfort as a function of minimalism or of age? Not a minimalist (yet, perhaps) but as I get older, I am feeling more and more that comfort is more important. just curious, not a judgment. :) ty for your videos

[@HowToGYST]

It’s probably a bit of both but I’d say it’s more of an age thing.

[@pilatesyogataichifit]

Ikea looks good but may offgas dangerous chemicals... something to consider

[@nysigal]

Investing in your health and happiness is the best way to spend $$$!

[@HowToGYST]

Agreed. After all, you can't take it with you.

[@solidstate9451]

I'm still struggeling. The pair of shoes I want cost 200 Euros...

[@MrFunkandwagnalles]

For plants, I use an app called "Planta" - I can keep my plants alive now!! 🥳😅🥰

[@HowToGYST]

I use it too. 🙂

[@MrFunkandwagnalles]

@@HowToGYST I love it! I build a cute ladder and added macrame plant holders and my first plants all perished. It's been 3 months since I added the new ones and it feels good I can keep my plants alive - even now that it's winter! 💪🪴

[@HowToGYST]

Yay!

[@Rakhilya]

None of my business, but if you feel that you are giving back too much, pat your pancreas for 30 sec before giving it away. That's the Oriental medicine way of improving the work of your pancreas without giving it away with everything else))

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

I think it’s a good idea to bring someone in to do the floors and maybe clean the shower stalls. I’m pretty good about dusting and polishing. I do some swiffer ring, and my husband does the vacuuming once a week. But I wonder why you post this information. I mean someone else’s list will be different. What are you trying to show by posting what you personally buy more of? I listened while I was washing dishes, so I had the time to listen. Otherwise, I don’t think you would be relevant to me. And I really missed out on your housecleaning thing

[@CammyHell]

You have very childlike taste

[@HowToGYST]

I do. 😁

[@damirbrcko5456]

I was not able to watch this video till end. I think you just clean your space of things you do not like any more to fill that space with other things you like now. To be a real minimalist you have to change your mind, not the space I will avoid this channel in the future

[@juliaforsyth8332]

Judgement much. Everyone sorts their lives in their own way.

[@damirbrcko5456]

@@juliaforsyth8332 apsolutely. I agree. You are right for you and I am right for me. But I will avoid this channel