The Trash Can Trick to Stop Impulse Spending

Get your FREE ticket to Get Organized HQ here: thegetorganize...
What if the key to getting out of debt is owning less and spending smarter?
Could cutting the clutter in your life also mean cutting down your debt?
Listen in as Dawn talks with Jen and Jill from The Frugal Friends podcast and be inspired to buy less, live well, and be a good steward!
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 - intro
:44 - The Trashcan Trick
2:50 - History of frugal friends
5:02 - Simplicity goes hand-in-hand with getting out of debt!
6:22 - Tips for impulse spending
8:29 - A no-spend bucket list
11:40 - Influencers affect on our spending
15:06 - First time pay full price?
24:18 - (GEM) What to say to the woman who can’t get out of debt
27:00 - Anchors of debt freedom
30:33 - The freedom of living within your means
32:33 - Get Organized HQ
ABOUT THE JEN AND JILL:
Jen and Jill help you control your spending without all the guilt and shame of strict budgeting. They believe there’s not one right way to do money and help you find your core values and create a financial plan around them. And you always have the freedom to take what works for you and leave what doesn’t. Get ready to feel confident about your finances and afford more of the things money can’t buy.
LINKS:
Pre-order Jen and Jill's NEW BOOK: amzn.to/3YWoGOZ
www.frugalfrie...
frugal friends podcast episode with Dawn: www.frugalfrie...
/ frugalfriendspodcast
Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast channel. If you'd like to hear previous episodes, you can find them on all podcasting apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iTunes.
Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind subscribing? It helps KZbin recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn
ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM:
Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT!
If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my other channel @theminimalmom

[@helenruth5024]

Find the leaks and stop them up. Eat at home or when out and about , prepare , bring a snack or a meal. Fill your water bottle. Plan a menu and a shopping list. Stay out of malls and thrift stores, stay home more . Sew on the button, or stitch together the seam. Make it last. More veggies. Stay away from fruit drinks and chips. Spend more time in nature. Just a few things this ole gal has lived through.❤

[@tribalbabymum]

Everything except the veggies, too many anti-nutients and plant chemicals!

[@carolinepierson6776]

Mum reminded me that when she sees something she really likes but had not planned to buy she asks the question ‘would I want to buy it if it was another colour? ‘ She asks is she being caught by the prettiness rather than it being an item she that would bring value.

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

I have this problem the other way around. I see something I like, but not in the colour I want, but I buy it anyway, and then resent it until I can replace it with what I really wanted. Expensive and dumb, I know.

[@FrugalFriends]

That's a great trick! It's often worth waiting for the thing you truly want in the color you truly want it!

[@Katy_living_simply]

Thats what I do too. I'm a suckered for white ceramics😂

[@marie-ray]

I started to go through stores like museums. I can appreciate the beauty of an item without taking it home.

[@clareu9539]

@@thatswhatisaid8908 But so common! I used to work in a department store and I'd would spend a lot of time trying with people working out what they really wanted when it came to any kind of large ticket item, especially curtains or electrical goods. Even if they had the budget, people would sometimes feel they ought buy the cheapest option even went hey didn't like it. I'd spotted a pattern of people settling for the cheaper thing and then coming back one to three years later to buy the more costly version anyway, so I would explain this and suggest they went away for twenty-four hours to think about it. When they eventually purchased whatever option, you could see the were happier with their decision.

[@jac4YouTube]

for me - I get bored looking at what I have and want to see something new, I have found what helps is if I rotate things in and out of a space, rearrange the furniture if possible gives me a different perspective and a new way of looking at "things"

[@cakedupkevin]

Yes! Shop your home!

[@verodomurat-tostado3079]

Painting the frame of an old mirror works like magic too 😉

[@jejrstans]

YES! Your home is not a display, it's a home. YES! Thank you for that! When I watch makeover shows that have the "final touches" of those exact things you described, the knots and huge wooden chains, etc., I always wonder what they hell you DO with those things that are just taking up space. Nope! Dang! You got me "yessing" in the 1st 3 minutes. This is going to be good!

[@sl9906]

As a gen x er, the garage sale hunting really resonated. We were creative at furnishing and storing all our stuff on a dime or less and then “upgrading” with or without decluttering. That nuance of 80’s “frugality” vs now living as a minimalist is an eye opening shift. Living an intentional, simple, content, debt free life is glorious, and involved hard won wisdom. Thank you! 😊

[@FrugalFriends]

Couldn't agree more!

[@TheGenflute]

Same!

[@SassySue67]

Whenever I want to impulse buy I ask myself how many hours do I have to work to pay for it. Most times that alone stops me from buying.

[@FrugalFriends]

We love that trick!

[@progresswithjes]

This works for meeee!!

[@giddythings]

Yup!

[@marie-ray]

Me too 😂 after taxes of course and counting commute and breaktime as well

[@cakedupkevin]

“Honor your season” is such a gem of wisdom

[@FrugalFriends]

Thanks!

[@sheilahoffman2681]

I grew up with not a lot of money ( felt bad when I needed glasses) but we had Jesus, lots of love, and overall I savored the small amount of possessions I had. I felt contentment (and I still feel contentment). I actually looked at things almost like a museum, enjoying looking at beautiful things without buying. I remember seeing a cute Minnie mouse sweatshirt on a field trip and getting my friend to take a picture of the sweatshirt in front of me. When my daughters were at home, I had them give me ideas for their Birthday and for Christmas throughout the year and I encouraged them to enjoy looking at beautiful things like a museum also.😊I like to say I enjoy simplifying my life. Thanks for all your great ideas.

[@kakylong2]

Great podcast. When my Hubby & I were over $60,000 in credit card debt, not counting our house, we literally started with paying an additional $2 or $3 extra on a bill, then we started paying $5, then $10, etc. It took us yrs to pay it off, but we stuck to it & was finally able to pay the credit cards off & then we took off all the $ we were putting towards our credit card debt & put it towards our house & got that pd off. It is so freeing to be out of debt. Y'all CAN do it. Just stick to it. 😊

[@edennis8578]

Velocity banking can save a lot of people years of pain. The trick is to put all of your income into your credit card and then pay your bills with the card. That does two things: it eliminates a credit card payment and frees up cash flow, and cuts way down on the interest you owe. That said, a big thing is to stop unnecessary spending while you're doing this. The debt goes down so quickly. Many people will have to tweak this method because they can't pay their rent with a credit card, but other bills can. I pay for food, cellphone, insurance, electric and gas with my credit card, but I pay it off now every month. In fact, I pay the balance off several times a month. My credit score went from 729 to 850, which makes my insurance premiums lower, too. How many people know that their credit score can raise their insurance premiums?

[@FrugalFriends]

Amazing!!

[@babytexan3038]

🎉👏🎉👏

[@jeanetteburt379]

Kakylong2, that is SO inspiring!

[@sarahvogel1359]

There is so much wisdom, maturity, and clarity in message within this podcast. It hits all the marks. I am blown away by these women! This video should go viral. How can we make that happen?

[@FrugalFriends]

Thank you so much Sarah! 💛

[@martinabielemeier2961]

I TOTALLY agree! These women are paying off College debt and other debt THEY incurred, not expecting the government to do it for them! I love these responsible women!!!

[@elizabethcochran3395]

Just yesterday I decided not to bring home a free rocking chair set out on the sidewalk. Do I want a rocking chair? Yes, for when my baby comes next year, but there were really good reasons why this one was free. Very dirty, if not moldy. The cloth seat and back needed completely replaced and the finish definitely needed redone. I could just buy a new rocking chair for the effort and materials I would put into fixing up a "free" one. And I could function just fine without it (I have somewhere else to sit), so there's that. I will keep looking until I find something that actually works.

[@liap1293]

I have hundreds of "time will tell" items in my Amazon wish list that I never purchased.

[@kaydublin5164]

Oh God I thought I was the only one who did that 😂

[@lauramac2271]

Same!!!!

[@AMcDub0708]

Same!!!

[@lindag1496]

Me, too!!

[@FrugalFriends]

Same! Time to declutter that wish list!

[@gailtester8749]

Dawn, I never heard of them, will start following them now! Thank you for the introduction

[@FrugalFriends]

Yay!

[@Kathy-tv6vz]

On one of your videos, maybe this one, you said,” Your home is not a storage unit.” Those magic words allowed me to let go of a few snarly items. Thanks! K

[@ruthmanor70]

When I get a message about an abandoned cart I go to it and DELETE IT! That's how I deal with high pressure sales tactics. I put it in the cart so that I can think about it for a while. I have one particular vendor who allows me to leave my items in my cart as long as I like without pressure. Once I make a decision that I want it, I click to purchase those items when I'm ready.

[@katiehorn7138]

Having a new baby right now I don’t regret getting clothes for 25 cents and storing them. Even sale prices for baby and toddler clothes is insane to me. I have, however, stopped buying clothes for the adults in my house that don’t fit lol they always just sit in the closet.

[@robertakeogh8650]

Dawn, I love you in that colour top!. It looks great with your eyes.❤

[@grogers511]

🔳 Two things 1. I’ve learned to appreciate things without bringing them home. I’ve taken pictures of things in a store and saved them in a FB album named “Decor I Like”. I can like things without possessing them. 2. Years ago - we began planning purchases. It started with just the big ticket items or repairs. But, a few years ago (2021) we began planning across all the categories. We assess our wants & needs and plan purchases to replace worn or unloved items and filling gaps in our needs. 🔲Categories: ▫️1. Wardrobe ▫️2. Home Goods ▫️3. Home Repairs & Maintenance ▫️4. Electronics ▫️5. Stationery & Office Supplies (keeps me from buying all the notebooks and pens!) ▫️6. Healthcare & Personal Care Supplies ▫️7. Outdoor Equipment & Supplies ▫️8. Vehicles Repairs & Maintenance 🔲 We also track Impulse Buys and Unexpected Expenses.

[@grogers511]

On Amazon I put things in my cart then move it to “Save for Later”. Interesting to watch the prices go up and down. These tend to be items for projects I think about or things that spark my interest. There’s been a paperweight there for YEARS,

[@tammybozza4703]

@@grogers511I do the same thing! Occasionally, I go in and delete the things that I clearly don’t need since they’ve been sitting there for a while.

[@FrugalFriends]

Love this! Just like nature, we can appreciate it without needing to own it!

[@susanconley4842]

I really liked the acknowledgement that debt is not all bad….it does provide us with education at a time we need it, not necessarily afford it . Same with a mortgage…it provided a house for us before we could totally afford it!

[@FrugalFriends]

Glad it resonated!

[@ELaurence]

SO true! Those displays are tricky. Thank you, Dawn, for always bringing us fresh, interesting content that is relevant.

[@jessicabrown6943]

I love that thought… when we buy something for the first time we should pay full price. The idea that we don’t buy first time purchases on sale. Sales put so much pressure on me because I do value saving money. But so many times when I buy things because it’s on sale I never even use it. So I didn’t really save money I just waste it.

[@FrugalFriends]

Amen! #teamfullprice

[@nicoleryanweldon2369]

What a great, even-handed look at frugality as balancing the use of all our various resources. I will definitely check out their channel!

[@FrugalFriends]

Thanks Nicole! 💛

[@loritompkins6333]

That is genius! The trash can test; love it!! 😂❤

[@FrugalFriends]

Glad it resonated!

[@Ohappyday6426]

“Honor your season,” that’s life changing! 🎉

[@FrugalFriends]

Glad it resonated!

[@judithwagner727]

Your comment about paying full price the first time reminds me of when I would tell my husband, "You shop like a man!" He would go into the store and (only) buy for full price, what he actually needed. As compared to me....going around the store looking for things to buy, finding bargains, and shopping for fun...but spending more money for things I didn't actually need! I know it's probably not really a gender thing. But in our case it really shows the difference in shopping mindsets.

[@FrugalFriends]

sales marketing is specifically targeted and marketed to women. If it was targeted at men they'd do the same thing (and it is, just not at most day-to-day stores! Car dealerships are the first that come to mind!)

[@caitlynaizpiri7806]

I have a 1.5 year old-he thinks the trash can isle is the most beautiful place on earth! 😂

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Love everything said here, thanks! I'll never be a minimalist, but have improved on frittering away money by 90%. A good thing that came from 2020 is it taught many of us to take pride in making the most of what we already have. I'm now cured of frequent trips to Ross, Homegoods, et al. Holiday decorating is a joy for me, so it's a weak spot - I've committed to not buying a single fall decor item this year, and have a whole-house purge list with a goal to be finished by Thanksgiving.

[@FrugalFriends]

Amazing! Way to go!

[@DD-mn9jh]

I really enjoy your podcast as it gives me something to listen to as I work around the house! Thanks, Dawn!

[@KellyBean510]

Jill, you have a very soothing voice & cadence 💛

[@heidirees9647]

Great podcast! I tell myself “there will always be sales.” And I remind myself of my long term goals, like getting out of debt and having enough for a down payment on our “winter” home.

[@HomesteadHealing]

Loved this!! One thing that really bothers me is minimalists, who sell to their viewers. It's one thing to recommend sotrage containers, but to try to sell their home items is so wrong, because most of their subscribers or viewers are looking for help and encouragement to stop spending, and to minimize, so they have a spending, buying problem usually, and the influencer knows that! This was great encouragement to stop spending, and practical ways to prevent the urge. ❤

[@FrugalFriends]

So glad it resonated!

[@1Seriouslyserious]

This is one thing I totally love about Dawn! When I need to clean/organize/minimize a space, I put Dawn on in the background and I just listened to her because her voice is so soothing and she’s so positive and she’s so real.❤

[@JamieAndrick]

You mean like trying to sell viewers the same brand bed? lol I like Dawn, but she does it all the time!

[@HomesteadHealing]

@@JamieAndrick Well, she does ads to make money. It's clearly a paid advertisement. You can skip through it, but it's so she can make money. YT doesn't pay well. She is not constantly telling people to buy things. She's telling us to get rid of stuff! I'm referring to minimalists who are trying to sell us every item in their perfect homes, which is not what Dawn does. Hope that makes sense. 😊

[@Practicalmamam1234]

This is why i stopped watching the home edit, they were just encouraging people to buy 500 little plastic bins to store everything in ... which is def not realistic and so expensive

[@lucystrider728]

I now rarely go into stores to shop except for groceries. Online, I if I think I want something, I put it in the cart, but instead of checkout, I move it to save for later. Then, I can come back to it later and rethink whether I actually need, want, or would use the item and the answer is usually no. I also think about what I already have that I could use instead and whether I even have room for the new item. I have gotten much better at recognizing future clutter!

[@CallistaCarlson]

Influencers to trust: The Minimal Mom! I love my Helix! 😂

[@gerigowers8318]

One thing that does save me a bit is the fact that the screen comes up to get money off if you give them your e-mail, which is fine with me, but now it also wants your mobile number. Since I don't really use my cell phone (yes, I'm archaic though I worked for AT&T for 35 years), I couldn't deal with texts to my mobile number, so I click out. Plus, they put it right at the beginning when you don't even know yet what the product line is. However, Amazon is still my nemesis because I watch YT videos of things like "Homeworthy" and see all the fancy houses and wind up purchasing some of the decor they have (so, even though I can't afford the house, maybe I can at least have a piece of the same decor - makes me feel fancy🤣).

[@heatherframpton9693]

Thanks, ladies! Great tips! 😊❤

[@MJCarter-MnknLady]

I get the concept of being in certain surroundings though I’m not likely to take it by a trash can. Phillips made special light bulbs for Sears stores back in the day. It changed colors slightly…let that sink in a minute. I love the “in this season of life” sentiment and the concept that debt is neutral. Neutral debt takes away the shame that can accompany debt.

[@Susanhyde13]

The idea of viewing shopping as an activity was a real game changer for me! 💡 moment! 👏🏼

[@taracasper]

Seriously GENIUS!!!

[@FrugalFriends]

Thank you!

[@kellybrown9975]

Really enjoyed this podcast! Thanks!

[@FrugalFriends]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@juliebee61]

ive pretty much always operated like this. these days, I'm concerned with how much junk we're putting in landfills. All the cheap, made in china plastic garage that we waste money one-- ugh! glad youre talking about this!

[@SheriVan]

I finally made myself ask, "Will I actually use this, or is it just a decoration?" That has helped me curb a lot of impulse spending. Decluttering makes me think about whether I really need this item. Shopping therapy is a thing, though.

[@christiet7870]

Great podcast... thanks!!

[@FrugalFriends]

Thank you!

[@modfarmgirl5671]

Fabulous podcast! Really enjoyed it! Glad I’m not the only one who fell hard for the Target dollar section, especially when they had office supplies. I thought those pretty thumb tacks and pouches would make me instantly organized… but it didn’t… 8 years have past from some of these purchases, and I still haven’t taken them out of their packaging….

[@SassySue67]

Never really liked Target, the only thing I buy there is women’s socks because I have small feet and their cotton blend socks fit perfectly. Hate when socks are too big and the heel ends up at my ankle.😂

[@juliab628]

​I​@@SassySue67 I have encountered the same problem. So much so, that I have decluttered almost all socks and am going sockless bc of it.

[@juliab628]

​@@johill1174I will check out the target brand/ size. TY! I also have the same issue with my head & ball caps & face with sunglasses ( need smaller ).

[@FrugalFriends]

Glad it resonated!

[@Laurel-h6c]

Thank you for so much information

[@pinkroses135]

😂 I like that trash can theory

[@FrugalFriends]

Thankful for whoever made that up! 😆

[@jonelledavenport8701]

😊 excited to tune in 😊 Thank You❣️ Have a great weekend.

[@kckazcoll1]

mention of the shopping mall made me also think about all the coffee shops/food places available to us, which can be another distraction or way of managing our stress. I like your tips around being more mindful of marketing tricks and product placement

[@DoniaBellydance]

Instead of buying an item at full price, when something is on sale ask yourself if you would buy it at full price! Most of the time the answer is no, at least for me!

[@Kate-lo1in]

Thank you ❤

[@CassieW-97]

Great ideas.. love the trash can idea.

[@LauraForest]

So refreshing and encouraging amen to, "there is freedom in obedience"

[@kathychatterton5623]

STOP budgeting! Budgeting to most people is denying yourself and deprivation and pain. Start making and using “a spending plan”. Stop denying yourself, start living your life by spending intentionally based on your priorities. If I CHOOSE to not spend money on X, but rather if I spend differently I can have Y and have it much sooner than I thought possible. Some will argue that this is only semantics, but words have power, use that power to work for you, not against you. And for almost everyone, budget has negative connotations. Stop thinking, for example, I can’t have Starbucks everyday (the budget won’t allow it) and start thinking that if I TREAT myself to Starbucks once a week and make my coffee on the other days, we can take a modest family vacation next summer, without going into debt. Or we can save X dollars by not dragging out high interest payments. I never thought I’d ever be debt free, but I have been for over 20 years now. I am now retired and still living with a spending plan. It means I am able to live much more intentionally.

[@FrugalFriends]

That's exactly why we refer to budgets as spending plans in our book! Language has power.

[@juliemattison3839]

When I see something I think I want to buy…I think, did it make me gasp?! Like, I can’t live without it?’ I wandered around Michael’s yesterday with some faux florals…by the time I finished my lap around the newly opened store, I just didn’t want to take them home.

[@evatoon984]

How do you convince your spouse, especially if they are the main income, to getting on getting out of debt journey??

[@FrugalFriends]

Discovering what your spouse values and conveying how getting out of debt can help them get more of what they value is a great start. I (Jen) didn't want to get out of debt until my husband asked me what my dream for my life individually and our lives together and showed me how much easier it would be to accomplish those things if we didn't have a debt payment. We don't stick with pursuing things if we don't internally value them.

[@Wordsmatter4u]

when a person shakes their head without ceasing, it appears that they want the speaker to hurry up so they can talk. an occasional nod is much more appealing and respectful. rewatch the video and spot it, then you will understand.

[@mkel858]

My trick is to leave without it and say I'll go back in a month if I really want it, then usually I never go back and if I do and it's gone I don't feel bad. I'm really getting rid of knick knacks there nothing but dust collectors. Well place wall art is better.

[@FrugalFriends]

Great strategy!

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

I live in a small town. Shopping is limited. Before i got a smart phone (6 years ago) l mainly bought books, magazines and clothing. Having also been intentionally decluttering during this time, I have limited the amount of clothing and books i buy, and I don't buy magazines at all. But everything else! All the other things!

[@loritompkins6333]

I am debt free but only because I gave up all but 1 cc and my hubby gives me an allowance- until this past May I was a stay at home, homeschooling mom so no paying job for me. Thankfully my hubby is a great saver and helps me avoid buying crap we don’t need. Of course, I DO still build Starbucks into my allowance budget but I just love the break even if I’m on the way to do something mundane like grocery shopping 😂

[@lizduchaney5309]

Dawn, where were you podcasting from? That’s not your house in the background?

[@dianasimplifies]

Might be her mom's house, she's been over there organizing and decluttering and painting etc. ❤

[@kathleenwhite4842]

I have to pay $3 per checking account so I have to show the federal housing what I pay that will tell you how much I have to pay per year

[@CarrieF2]

I have kind of a invisible list in my head that if I find on sale that's the only time I'm going to buy it. For instance I need some new cooler packs when I go to Costco or whatever cuz I have quite a drive but I will not buy them until I find them on sale because they're pretty pricey.

[@FrugalFriends]

We have a similar list but for Aldi!

[@jeanettehansen4852]

I thought that with "The Trash Can Trick" they were going to say that they take that item to where the trash cans are for sale, and just put it in the trash can because that's where it's going to end up in a few years. 😂

[@volunteerworker]

Gotta say, the trashcan theory wouldn't work for people like me. If it's by a trash can, I'm just going to throw it away anyways, by habit. Even if a minute or two before I really liked or enjoyed it. I grew up being taught window shopping where as a kid I could pick up a toy and play with it through the store, but had to put it back or down by the register by the time we checked out. Trash can theory feels just like that, but for adults.

[@CLJlovesmal]

I've started taking photos of items I like but definitely don't need and especially can't afford. It still gives a bit or dopamine hit but is much better than spending money and having to do returns saying "no longer needed"

[@FrugalFriends]

We underestimate how much we are like children, no matter how old we get!

[@bonniegirl5138]

I've been looking for a pretty waste basket. Haven't been able to find any.

[@KellyEwing-ow5dp]

Clutter is the worst! I've been decluttering all weekend. I'm down to deciding on my High School yearbooks. Keep or toss?

[@erinlikesacornishpasty4703]

I say, keep! My husband has all of his yearbooks from the time he was in gradeschool and it's such an interesting piece of history. At some point, my sister "borrowed" all my yearbooks (after I had moved away to college and was storing a lot of things with my folks) so a friend of hers from another high school could use them as a model for thier year books. At least, that was the story. I never got my yearbooks back and I've genuinely missed them ever since. School wasn't always great for me, but there were some years that were really good for making friends and other stuff like that. It would be so nice to have the physical reminders of those years in my possession to share with my husband. Oh well, he'll just have to trust that I was super cool in middle school 😂.

[@natalieeubank4533]

Toss

[@bonniestevens6932]

My amazon list is BIG.....my goal is to pay my amazon off(I'm very close...October) and then I will give my self a limit, and pay monthly.....Clothes are something that is hard, I have too many and it is difficult to donate and time will tell...been very aware of the amount I have and to be content.This is terrefic information

[@FrugalFriends]

Glad you enjoyed! I think you'll really enjoy our book. We talk about some of that mindset!

[@juliab628]

How about not going into the store to be tempted by mindless decor in the first place? If you do end up in a store, you really need to develop a mindset of not purchasing unneeded items and get satisfaction in seeing them as "store decor." Walking them to a new place seems silly, and also could make you think you already stake claim to the item bc you are holding it. Not to mention, you are messing up store displays moving items about. Just seems so counterintuitive.

[@enigmasky1680]

Dave Ramsey is having a stroke right now.

[@FrugalFriends]

🤣

[@ruthrobertson630]

Love your view on debt Dawn... To get rid of it! But disagree with the guests on the podcast. Debt is not neutral! You don't need debt to go to college, you don't need debt to buy a car. House, sure. Ha ha I was interested in their book but probably not now.

[@daniyell123]

I can’t handle the new intro voice at all lol

[@natalieeubank4533]

It’s not new

[@devinfarrelly3768]

I ask myself what’s my tradeoff ?

[@nicolalouise242]

It is not “girl math“ to think that if you save money on something, then it’s available to spend on something else. This was a concept my first boyfriend thoroughly embraced. He was in thousands of dollars of consumer debt. Such a ridiculous concept had never occurred to me, the girl in the relationship.

[@soldieroflife4449]

Yes 💯 my husband had this. It got easy worse after his brain injury... It's not the way I think at all

[@PresbyKid]

Said with affection-Dawn you do know you are influencer-and many of your videos are hawking things? I may not be the only viewer who sees that as conflict to your minimal message??

[@elizabethbutler3364]

No, you’re not the only one. Easy for me to ignore because I’m in UK .. but if I wasn’t ?

[@becs2272]

I agree. Dawn, seems more and more in your videos, you are influcing us to buy things. Opposite of what your messaging was in the beginnings of your channel.

[@erinlikesacornishpasty4703]

I think the issue with "minimalism" is finding the perfect things to make our lives work best. That's what Ive noticed I was doing when I first discovered minimalism. And that's very difficult. I've become much happier using the "use what I have now until it breaks" boundary to keep me from buying too many organizational tools. I'm not a minimalist at all, but I certainly don't need too much cr*p. But I don't think anything is wrong with how Dawn suggests buying things or even new things. I think what she is trying to help people do is find better solutions for life and sometimes that means buying something or getting something new 🤷‍♀️.

[@natalieeubank4533]

@@becs2272you are able to say I don’t actually need that bc you don’t actually need everything she puts out there as an influencer

[@juliemoore6957]

I had to unsubscribe frome certain influencers too. It's all about getting you to spend money so they can make money. 😢

[@FrugalFriends]

Sad to see it but it's a way to make a living!

[@teresapanekives627]

Are you still pushing the mattresses? I unfollowed because I couldn’t take the hypocrisy any more. I will check back and see if maybe you’ve seen the light. I hope so. I think you added value to my life, but the mattresses over and over was not worth it.

[@cinnee73]

It's a mattress....people still need to buy stuff lol. I still need a bed and may be in the market for a mattress at some point....minimalism is not about never buying stuff. Get a clue. Who cares? Just don't buy the mattress!

[@roxannebrooksadamson3208]

Who was president in 2017 that made it so easy for people

[@kpf546]

Traitor

[@cajbaf]

I very much follow a get out of debt program. But Dawn really upsets me coming on here and telling people these things and complaining about influencers who push things when her and Cass and Dana push their VERY EXPENSIVE program, all the time!! It seems a bit hypocritical to me.

[@cinnee73]

Then don't buy it! It will help people that need that kind of resource. People are ridiculous thinking they cannot ever spend money or run a business? It really is about balance and over spending on "stuff". No one is ever saying your not going to spend money. Pick and choose what is helpful and move on.