Simplifying is a trend now.
We hear people talk about simplifying their lives, their homes, their wardrobes.
In our world of excess everything, simplifying is all about getting back to our roots and a simpler, quieter lifestyle. In addition, simplifying can help us save a lot of money!
Consider how simplifying in these areas of your life can help you find more time and spend less money:
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Clothing
Take a good look at your closet. How many of the clothes actually fit you right now? How many have you worn in the last year? If you’re like most people, the answer is, “Not many.” Simplifying your wardrobe can mean getting rid of all of the items that don’t fit and that you don’t love, leaving you with just those items you wear regularly.
Another way to simplify is to stick with the color palette that is most pleasing to you. One blogger only wears black, grey, and white items. Those are the colors she loves, so those are the colored items she buys. As a bonus of this type of simplifying, you know your clothes will always match, so you need fewer clothes.
Schedule
If your schedule gets too busy, you are more likely to spend money because you’re short on time. To get things done, you may rely on convenience crutches like fast food, restaurant meals, house cleaners, and a yard service.
Clearing your schedule so that you have more time to get things done around the home and to relax can help you feel not only more at peace, but also more relaxed.
Kids’ Activities
When I was younger, kids weren’t involved in a lot of structured activities and groups. Instead, we just played outside with our friends. However, times change, and now most kids are involved in structured activities.
There are so many good activities to choose from, but as parents, we should also learn to say no. While you and your child may want to take advantage of every opportunity, you can have too much of a good thing. If your child’s activities are running you both ragged and costing you a lot of money out of pocket, now may be the time to simplify and pick one or two activities your child likes the best.
Automate Bills
Ah, the dreaded bills. No one likes to pay them, but putting them in a stack until you have time to go through them is not an answer.
You can simplify bill paying by automating the bills that you can. As long as the money is in your account, the company will deduct your bill and you never need to worry about late fees or stamps again.
Cancel Zombie Accounts
Zombie accounts are those accounts that you signed up for years ago and still pay for but never use. Maybe you joined a weight loss program online, but you haven’t followed the program for four months. The company is still deducting your money, but you’re getting nothing in return. Or, maybe you had a checking account in college that you haven’t used for 10 years now. Get rid of these dead weight accounts to simplify your finances and keep more of your money.
Streamline Retirement Accounts
If you move or change jobs frequently, you probably have a variety of retirement accounts. Five years ago I left my full-time job, but for three years, the money just sat with the company. I finally moved it into an IRA. Then, we moved from Chicago to Tucson, and my husband had a retirement account in Chicago, one in Tucson, and I had my IRA account. We finally rolled the money from my husband’s Chicago account into a private account that will be ours no matter what job he moves to in the future.
If you’re like most people, you probably have at least one or two different retirement accounts in different locations. Take the time to rollover the ones you can into a private IRA not associated with the company that you left.
While simplifying your life takes time, once you do so, you will be very glad. You’ll save not only time but money, and your life will be more relaxing. I promise.
Have you simplified recently? If so, what benefits have you noticed?
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