A Practical Solution to (Almost) All Your Money Problems

[@simply.clutterfree]

One of the biggest things that's helped me with my finances is opting out of accepting the "excess" that our consumerist society encourages us to live by. Buying less and owning less has only improved my life. ☺️❤️

[@UTP504]

Well said, and I have no doubt that it has improved your life, I’m truly disgusted by hyper consumerism, I just don’t get it🤦🏾. I just subscribed to your channel❤.

[@simply.clutterfree]

@UTP504 That's so nice to hear. Welcome. ☺️❤️

[@ericbrown8106]

I’m planning to have a No-Spend January. I may watch this every day for inspiration! Thanks, Joshua!

[@paularuotsalainen8954]

I am planning to have no buy year. That means I buy only what I really need. I have started to eat berries and food from my freezer and pantry. I noticed that it is so easy to buy more food from store but forget what I already have. That goes with everything like clothing. I am content with what I have now. 😊

[@skincaremakeup40]

Me too!

[@mangopuppybaby]

Me too! Such a fun challenge

[@myerwerl]

Curious as to how this would work? I need to buy food, fuel, rent etc. or you just mean dont buy anything other that the absolute necessities?

[@paularuotsalainen8954]

@@myerwerl I buy only necessary things. If I need medicine, I buy it. My son has birthday (he is 21 now) in spring. It is important that I have something for him. I can buy him something or I can give another gift. For example I can clean his windows. I think that no spend and no buy means the same thing. You buy only what you need. I have decided that I don't need candy and chocolate. If I want chocolate, I do cacao powder chia pudding. It is healthy and taste like chocolate. I have decided not buy anything online. Before going shopping, I make a list what I really need. I look first what I have and think can I use it. My plan is to eat everything from my pantry and freezer.

[@virgierutledge3004]

Even as a 75 retiree, I find your vids very informative.

[@vikieierdam5516]

Happy birthday, Joshua. I believe it was Dec 11th and I forgot to send well wishes. Thank you for all you contribute to a world that really needs to hear your heart

[@JoshuaBecker]

I see you here. No worries at all about missing the actual day. Thanks for these kind wishes.

[@susannegiesen2114]

Yes, you are right Joshua, there are more financial problems than those you talked about. And there is no solution to them sometimes. I watch a lot of channels with saving hacks here in Germany. But the most of them I know already. The problem really is when you have less income. There are so many things I haven't done for over ten years or more I think, like going to a restaurant, a museum, a cinema, buying clothes in a normal shop (I nearly thrift everything, except shoes). All my furniture is second hand from ebay and still the money is little. There are too much costs for repairing my old car, for gasoline to drive to work and to my little choire, prices for electricity, high rent for the apartment which increases every year, maintaining graves of parents etc. Etc. Etc. But I manage to have a little vacation every year😃 ButI really fear retiremement, because then my income will be only half of what I have now. And I don't know for how long I will be able to work beneath retirement. I wish I was younger and did what I wanted to do back then, study and get a really well paid job, but that was not possible. But I don't worry, it is ok as it is now. And there are so many people who have really more problems and I pray for them!!! I love my live, because there are so beautiful people in it and as long as I will be able to sing, everything will be alright 😃. Merry Christmas and a happy new year from Germany to you and your family and everybody here in this community 🌲🍀🙏🥂

[@LeMErin21]

My goal for January is to buy nothing except gas and maybe a little produce. I need nothing. I have a full fridge/freezer, cabinets, and closets. I’m so ready to simplify.

[@j.m.7056]

You will truly enjoy simpler closets and dressers. Less decisions.i keep an inventory of freezer contents so I use what I have. Periodically, I go through my pantry to create meals as well!

[@lizpetruzzi7700]

Meee too! Same!

[@carolc2574]

Yay! Check the expiration dates so you know what to eat first. And do buy produce: health comes first

[@katrinajohnson9622]

If you don’t watch this KZbin channel yet, I recommend the See Mindy Mom channel because her content is about making meals from the pantry/use it up challenges!

[@ronanmcadam7251]

What is "produce" ???

[@kayligo]

I’m selling off all my unnecessary stuff. Feels great seeing my junk room start to feel like a usable space again.

[@maypalmer]

I'm here for the HAIR!! 😂 Gray is lookin' good on you, Brother Becker!! I pray and praise God for you. God is using you to change my life for the better!! Praise be to God!!

[@GMYellowstone]

"Here for the hair" LOVE IT!!!! God Bless!

[@smokypoo]

Hello from France Joshua. I can never get enough of your story of the day that conversation with your neighbour changed your life and I'm sure, that of many others in the process. Mine included. I read through the whole of the minimalists and your blog when I was feeling overwhelmed a few years ago. Since then I've been on a journey to simplify my life, my words and mind. I hope to be able to achieve a no spend year in 2025 to break off the "thrill of the buy" cycle which is encouraged by society. God bless 😊

[@cindynader]

As a Muslim we have the same beliefs. We both believe in making a difference in the world. In Islam we are suppose to donate 2.5% of our monthly pay check (called Zakat) So for example a paycheck of $2,000 monthly, it would be $50 for donation. It’s AMAZING how donating always ends up coming back to you. God will bless you with so many things! Love your videos

[@maxpower6576]

Cool. So, you're only doing this because your religion makes you + getting 'something' back? Good foryou.

[@cindynader]

With or without religion it’s common sense that what goes around comes around. Go save a tree, and it will give you shade/fruit. Go rescue an animal and it will be loyal to you for the rest of your life. Help out a person, you will feel sooooo good inside ❤️ And MOST importantly it has to come from the heart with good, pure intentions or else it’s considered a business transaction.

[@dorismahoney1440]

The needu that get your money don't care what your motive is. They just need to eat.😊

[@mikew8573]

When I look back on my money, expenditures, finding 'joy' in 'stuff' I will agree this is the course vast majority travelled in their 20's 30's and then WAKE UP and start working themselves out of the deep holes they dug. I can totally relate to your path Joshua and where you are today. It's unfortunate the light didn't go on much earlier in my life. But I live a very comfortable life and only have a mortgage payment which is only 10 yrs. out from -0-. I've always been an advocate that high school should teach basic budgeting, open bank accounts, basic credit principles to Seniors.

[@james01-b8v]

the book that changed my approach to money is The Gilded Nexus of Prosperity, all recommendations... It's completely different from anything I've read so far

[@smith-e4h]

I swear that's the best book I have ever read

[@LinhHueTran]

I will add it to the wish list! :D

[@SusanL-ds6lc]

My favorite money book is an oldie but goodie : The Wealthy Barber. Merry Christmas all 🎄

[@jessicacross446]

Dave Ramsey is the best. Listening to him change everything for our family. Got out of debt and now we will have generational wealth.

[@lindsaysimplified]

One of my favorite videos to date! And that’s hard to say because I enjoy them all!

[@simini1837]

I totally agree with your message and live by it but many struggle to get by without overconsuming, simply because of excessive costs of living.

[@IncomeMachine-d6g]

This video really breaks down how small, consistent changes can snowball into major financial improvements. The concept of tracking your expenses in real-time is something I’d never thought of before but seems so effective!

[@aimeeclark228]

Thank you Joshua for this video! Please let us know, how we can help/ contribute to your hope, project.. I was adopted, and this is very near and dear to my heart!.❤️🙏so happy to hear you will be helping orphan children… love and appreciate your channel..👍.. have a wonderful holiday!🎄

[@blujeans9462]

Thanks for the reminder! The last day or so I've been inspired to look for a orphanage to donate to. Sadly (well, actually, fortunately!) there are few in the States. It seems there are only foster care programs; of course, they are good too - but my heart wanted to help an orphanage. Thanks for mentioning!

[@babytexan3038]

This is one of your best videos! Thank you for this message right before Christmas

[@eduardor0605]

What a beautiful quote of Hugo!

[@susanc0306]

Joshua, your tone and presentation are very soothing. Thank you again for another thought-provoking message. Merry Christmas, and God Bless you and your family!

[@connieburns4495]

You’re the best KZbinr… always to the point and meaningful!! Ty!! 👏

[@LinhHueTran]

WHAT! PERFECT timing!!! :D I really needed this video at this time. 😮

[@odettegibbs2238]

I love your work, Joshua. But honestly, I find this tone deaf. Most people are not in debt or struggling financially because they buy too much. It costs very little to buy “stuff” these days. Rather, people are in debt and financially overstretched due to outlandish housing costs, education costs and healthcare costs. Good for you if you happen to be one of the minority in the world for whom your financial issues stemmed from overconsumption. But that’s not actually the case for most people who struggle, many of whom have already minimised their purchases to the bare bones. Example: here in Sydney, the average house price costs 13-14 times the average wage. When my Dad purchased our childhood home, a house cost 3 times the average wage. In this climate, whether one buys a latte that one could make at home makes almost zero difference, in comparison to the stratospheric rise of basic costs of living.

[@grooviechickie]

I know exactly what you mean, fellow Aussie. Our house and rent prices are astronomical! But I'm here to tell you that people DO spend a lot of money on non-essential stuff. I know this because I work at Woolworths as an online shopper, filling bags with bottles of chips and lollies and cola and anti-ageing cream and expensive toothpaste and whatnot. 😢

[@odettegibbs2238]

I think you’ve missed my point. Even if I were radically excessive, and purchased a large packet of lollies every single day, and an anti-ageing cream every week… that would amount to maybe $40. But housing costs are hundreds or in some cases literally thousands of dollars per week more expensive than they were for our parents. So even if I were obscenely over consuming “stuff”, that wouldn’t really be the thing that was stuffing up my finances in any measure close to the impact of the housing cost piece. To demonstrate mathematically: If I were to purchase the home my father purchased for our family today, the repayments would be approximately $13,500 per month. Yes, you read that correctly. My father earned a slightly (though not greatly) above average salary, as do I. Yet he was perfectly able to buy that house, buy a holiday home, and pay for private schooling for his kids. My Mum was also able to be a stay at home mum for most of my childhood. Yet, even though I earn the same comparative wage level as my Dad, to purchase the exact same home would cost me significantly more per month than my entire earnings. Once again, most people are NOT struggling because we bought an extra packet of lollies. They are struggling because the economic system has imploded.

[@grooviechickie]

I see what you mean. It really IS obscene, isn't it? I have accepted that I will never own a house and will always have to rent. It scares the hell out of me because I don't know what that will look like when I'm old and unable to work.

[@odettegibbs2238]

See, this is what I mean. If someone is working a full time job, in no matter what domain, I find it heart-wrenching that they still have no hope to purchase a home. That’s simply not right, in my opinion. I wonder if things like housing cooperatives may start to become more popular, as people try to find creative solutions to this situation. Also, a lot of Aussies who are able to work digitally have already moved to third world countries where they can actually purchase land and afford a decent lifestyle. The human spirit can be pretty adaptable. I wish you all the best into the future, and fingers crossed you come across some creative solutions.

[@red_dll]

Gladly I don't really have money problems and never had. Still, it brings me a lot of joy to spend wisely and with intent. A month with little spending or only for intentional things is much more fun than throwing out money for partying, etc. I'd rather spend my time with friends and loved ones than money.

[@acrobaticanna]

I'm doing a "Low-Buy" month for December! I am giving cash as the Christmas 🎄 gifts for most people! Then I won't need to do Frugal February in the new year.

[@Mimulus2717]

I can't get over what I spend on homeowners insurance, septic pumping and repair, dental work in California

[@shiver_shay]

I always appreciate your product reviews. They are thorough and always spot on!

[@Jayde-el8sj]

Oh I didn’t know you had your birthday! Happy belated Birthday, Dear Joshua! 😊 Hope you got a bunch of cool stuff (just joking 😉) Thank you for a year of very inspiring videos. You and your family have a Wonderful Merry Christmas!

[@juliem.3936]

I praise God I'm finally to the financial point of giving into every good work, including coming on board with the Hope Effect in 2025. God is SO good!

[@carriemainquist757]

Buy Less Stuff. Thank you Joshua Becker!

[@colossus1674]

Thank you Joshua!!

[@KellyBoettcher-qo9tx]

So so true ❤

[@livingoncoffee]

Great video!!

[@tikoy1955]

Awesome video.

[@Tennyson138]

Simple, love it Thanks.

[@sherilyncortez1906]

I have been buying less not a problem with my family. But it is just so hard to save when you a health condition that keeps you paying a high premium low deductible insurance because you need monitoring and screening for life.

[@tatianavasilevskaia4913]

Terrific video!

[@butterflyrebelde]

I come from a undeveloped country. We have nuchbthan less and dream of having something. Money is needed but society is not balanced. 😢

[@brg2743]

Good.

[@kensiblonde4203]

Joshua aged very well from the earlier photo. 😂😍

[@eunicem1542]

Your best intention: should be recommen real charities that help people. not the goodwill

[@Christy6000]

❤

[@crazychinesewoman]

My problem is being overly generous , I have to buy dinner /lunch for anyone going lunch or dinner with me. I feel a need to buy food for ppl around me. I have no problem spending money on others but not for myself. Please help. I cannot bear to see someone needing help and I'm not helping.

[@carolc2574]

Maybe therapy can help. Meanwhile instead of meeting people for meals all the time you could try and gather for coffee? I do so with my friends very often, and it way less expensive.

[@crazychinesewoman]

@@carolc2574 good idea, but i loveeee buying things for my family doctor and the entire office, the oncologist dept and their nurses, my eye surgeon and my surgeons and their offices and even the radiology dept. If I eat something at the farmers market and it is good, I like to send some to them as well. I even send lobsters to the nurses at the onco dept *slap forehead *

[@sweetlampe]

The Problem I Believe, is Money itself. Too much Value of it and what you can consume with it, and too much power for the Rich.😕

[@KrishanVerma-ex2oi]

I recommend this book to everyone. The author is brilliant at explaining topics that usually seem complicated. I got it on Storify and was blown away.

I have one C. card. Pay it off every month , never w/ interest. Younger generations will have way more money problems than the boomers or gen X had. Far worse with inflation. Most won't be able to afford children, women must work also.

[@mchi6621]

"buy intentionally"

[@briankelm]

Replay!!

[@eunicem1542]

🙄🙄