[ad_1]
Minimalism is a way of life that embraces less life. It runs counter to the consumerist culture that encourages more and more purchases.
However, for Minnesota’s wife and mother of four, Dawn Madsen, being a minimalist family seven years ago was just a blessing.
“[The] Something-once it’s gone, you won’t miss anything,” said Madsen, whose nickname is Youngest mother On YouTube. “The stuff below is great. It’s worth it.”
It even helped her family get rid of debts.
We discussed with Madsen how she cleaned up clutter and embraced minimalism.
The road to minimalism
Madsen’s first interest in minimalism was when her children were 4 years old and under, and she found herself at a loss to keep the house tidy.
“There are things everywhere, and I can’t master it,” she said.
She met Joshua Becker’s podcast-the pioneer and author of the modern minimalist movement “The less the better” ——And was fascinated. Once she realized that other people could live well without a bunch of things, she decided that her family could do the same.
“I really have nothing to lose,” Madsen said.
As a result, she started to clean up the items around the house that her family is not currently using or are unlikely to use them in the next six months. She always tells her children to pick up most toys and clothes-she organizes them secretly.
“Now as they get older, I think they are very grateful,” Madsen said. “They have too many things to manage.”
The great financial effect of minimalism
Although saving money is not the driving force of adopting minimalism, Madsen said it is a great by-product.
I don’t know which one can change our lives better-simplify our house or get rid of debt.
About a year after embarking on a minimalist journey, Madsen and her husband Tom decided to take their debts seriously. Although Madsen has always considered herself very frugal — shopping in dollar stores, thrift stores, and garage sales offices — she estimates that since the implementation of minimalism, her family has been able to save hundreds of dollars every month.
She said that embracing minimalism eliminated the paws of consumerism in her life.
“When you get rid of 80% of your wealth within a year, you will be a little disgusted [things],” Madsen said.
This makes it easy to pay off debts and avoid taking on new debts. After Dave Ramsey’s system, Madsen and her husband were able to repay $130,000 in consumer debt in about two years. Debt snowballing.
“I don’t know which one can change our lives better-simplify our house or get rid of debt,” she said. “When we were in debt, I didn’t realize how much pressure we were under. I didn’t realize how much pressure all these things in our house put on me.”
After paying off all consumer debts, the Madsens family was able to pay off the mortgage earlier this year. Freedom from debt allows their family members to pursue what is truly important to them.
“Our focus is very different now,” Madsen said. “We don’t look at these things to make us happy. We find satisfaction in helping others, having time to spend time with family, and being able to travel. This is not about these things anymore.”
Advice for families interested in minimalism
Whether you are interested in using minimalism to reduce clutter or reduce expenses, Madsen recommends that you become a student of the minimalist movement first.
“Start watching YouTube videos or reading articles or reading books about it and try it out,” she said.
If you have young children, just like her, she recommends that you start organizing their belongings without them.
“I do think that children are essentially minimalists,” Madsen said. “I think we all thrive in a simplified space that doesn’t have a lot to manage, and the kids are no different.”
Another key tip to remember: Minimalism does not necessarily mean getting rid of all non-essentials.
“We still want our house to feel comfortable,” she said. So, we still keep decorations and pillows, throw blankets and the like. “
Transition in stages is also very good. Speaking of holidays and birthdays, Madsen said that she spent several years training her family to rethink gift giving. They now tend to give experience as a gift or insist on practical gifts.
“[My kids] Like to buy new clothes because most of the things they get are second-hand,” she said.
She and her husband also very deliberately told family and friends what their children needed.
This is not always easy. Madsen said that children nowadays get too much and are influenced by a lot of consumerism. However, her children have begun to appreciate a simpler life, and they are good at cutting down their belongings to get rid of things that are no longer used.
Although she hopes that sorting is only a one-time thing, she understands that it is more like a continuous process, because things in their house fluctuate in and out.
This time, she is no longer the exhausted mother who often reminds her children to pack up toys.
“[Our house is] enjoying the moment. It’s easy to keep it clean,” Madsen said. “Even though our house is small—only 1,500 square feet—we just like it. We like to be here. “
Nicole Dow is the senior writer of The Penny Hoarder.
[ad_2]
Source link
