[Lemmo]

I think people are confusing the definition of minimalism and equating it with asceticism or cheapness. It is just another way of saying that you take a red pill approach to possessions. You effectively utilize money - on self-improvement, things you enjoy, interesting experiences. You don't spend it on things simply because society says they have value or you want to purchase an identity. A minimalist will spend money on travel, education, living in a good area, personal trainers, healthy food, comfortable home and even things of purely aesthetic appeal like fine dining, tailored clothes, etc. He won't spend money on things where the pleasure he gets is mainly from the reaction of others - flashy car, low quality but name brand clothing, unnecessarily large home.

[thegmanifesto]

(02-24-2013 03:36 PM)Lemmo Wrote:  

I think people are confusing the definition of minimalism and equating it with asceticism or cheapness. It is just another way of saying that you take a red pill approach to possessions. You effectively utilize money - on self-improvement, things you enjoy, interesting experiences. You don't spend it on things simply because society says they have value or you want to purchase an identity. A minimalist will spend money on travel, education, living in a good area, personal trainers, healthy food, comfortable home and even things of purely aesthetic appeal like fine dining, tailored clothes, etc. He won't spend money on things where the pleasure he gets is mainly from the reaction of others - flashy car, low quality but name brand clothing, unnecessarily large home.

I like that post.

For the record, I consider myself a minimalist.

[BoiBoi]

I dont remember who said it, but it was some German business tycoon. Anyway, he said: "You dont get rich spending money." Meaning that being a minimalist doesnt equal being broke and lazy.

[presidentcarter]

I like to say I became allergic to "stuff" after moving cross country twice using only my car as a transporter of possessions (no moving van, nothing shipped). Yes I had to shell out money to refurnish my place each time, but that ended up costing about the same as hiring a moving company. Even still, I was shocked each time as I crammed stuff in my car up to the roof that I had so much mostly useless shit!

After that, I have a HUGE appreciation for minimalism. As posted on another thread, the billionaire that sold all of his stuff and now travels light and stays in hotels is my ideal lifestyle (ok maybe I'd have a small condo here or there to call "home"). I grew up in a somewhat booming suburban area where lots of people could afford to buy a big 3br brick home, big suv, boat, home theatre, etc. They build these mini-estates in suburbia and fill them full of shit to entertain themselves. After a summer stint in London where I was crammed in a small apartment (location was amazing - South Kensington) I realized that a great location in a great city with a light and ready to go suitcase was far superior to the mini-estates in suburbia. I'd also rather spend my time meeting people or bettering myself through reading or exercise, not tweaking MY home theatre, swimming in MY pool, cruising around on MY boat, etc. Ok rant post but I think you get my point.

[thegmanifesto]

(02-25-2013 01:25 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  

I like to say I became allergic to "stuff" after moving cross country twice using only my car as a transporter of possessions (no moving van, nothing shipped). Yes I had to shell out money to refurnish my place each time, but that ended up costing about the same as hiring a moving company. Even still, I was shocked each time as I crammed stuff in my car up to the room that I had so much mostly useless shit!

After that, I have a HUGE appreciation for minimalism. As posted on another thread, the billionaire that sold all of his stuff and now travels light and stays in hotels is my ideal lifestyle (ok maybe I'd have a small condo here or there to call "home"). I grew up in a somewhat booming suburban area where lots of people could afford to buy a big 3br brick home, big suv, boat, home theatre, etc. They build these mini-estates in suburbia and fill them full of shit to entertain themselves. After a summer stint in London where I was crammed in a small apartment (location was amazing - South Kensington) I realized that a great location in a great city with a light and ready to go suitcase was far superior to the mini-estates in suburbia. I'd also rather spend my time meeting people or bettering myself through reading or exercise, not tweaking MY home theatre, swimming in MY pool, cruising around on MY boat, etc. Ok rant post but I think you get my point.

Me too.

I can't stand possessions outside of clothes, Zippos etc.

Nicolas Berggruen is the guy you were mentioning.

He is who I look up to for lifestyle.

[kingjuice]

Minimalism is about eliminating the unnecessary to make room for the essential.

[soup]

Make enough money so you don't have to think about money. Nothing more, nothing less.

[cardguy]

I detest having useless shit. If I haven't used something in a year - it goes in the bin.

I hate ebooks - which means I have alot of books around. But again - I will happily toss them once I am done reading them. Books are so cheap now through amazon that I treat them like magazines or newspapers.

If I had to move house I wouldn't need much more than my toothbrush, clothes, laptop and a few books. I don't even have a TV.

[Giovonny]

(02-23-2013 10:23 AM)TheCaptainPower Wrote:  

I have ZERO interest in minimalism

God bless you Captain!

I am a minimalist. I have a 1 bedroom apartment, a small car, and very few possessions.

I have a small mortgage and no car payment.

Most of my income goes into my pocket for spending money.

But, I don't think my way is the best way. Your way might be a better way!

I like to study the philosophy of people different from me. You might inspire me to start buying more stuff! Or, not. I really don't want more stuff. What makes me happy is free time to whatever I want, disposable income, day gaming, banging college girls, spending time with friends playing ball, music, good food, and improving myself.

Getting more stuff really wouldn't help me with any of this..

But, if you wanna buy me a Lamborghini, I won't say no -- as long as you pay for the gas, insurance, and storage also.

I would rather have cash and free time vs more stuff.

But, I am probably wrong. More power to you Captain!

(02-23-2013 11:52 AM)WestCoast Wrote:  

I would reverse this thinking to "maximization".

Ex: if you are a deca millionaire you should be running nothing but high end stuff all day and running as much status as possible to create large harems of girls.

If you are making $50K a year, going into debt for a "pussy magnet" car you are a dumbass.

I like to think of money as "how can I efficiently spend it for maximum results". This is why I absolutely love the following things:

1. Weightlifting like a monster = cost of clothing comes down because you walk around in a fitted sweater or v-neck
2. Dancing venues where drinks are strong+cheap. Most guys who are good dancers don't go to the grimey places so you can sit thee and pick off the only cute girls at the venue cost? $20.
3. Studio apartments, central location is key, a studio helps because it is already set up for sex. Hate suburbs and homes, big cities only, people get hammered and logistics better be good.
4. Alcohol and drugs = only when picking up girls or going on dates. Drinking at home with no pussy set up is a waste of health and money.
5. Cooking at home 80% of the time. Again unless you are rich there is no value in "restaurant game". So you should be eating tons of organic only vegetables and fruits. Most restaurants, even the expensive ones, are awful for you health wise

That's about it, not about "minimalism" it's about "maximizing" all of your cash. "Rich" just means happy with your life and do not have to work if you don't need to.

America is one of the best damn places in the world to acquire assets, so remember that. Combined with game + slutty girls, the choice should be to Aquire a lot of capital.

Its not about the cheapest way to get laid, it's about the most efficient way to get laid

Damn. Agreed 100%. That might be my all time favorite post of yours.

Gameconomics is your specialty!

Great post!

[GameTheory]

(02-25-2013 04:07 PM)soup Wrote:  

Make enough money so you don't have to think about money. Nothing more, nothing less.

this

[MikeCF]

(02-24-2013 03:36 PM)Lemmo Wrote:  

I think people are confusing the definition of minimalism and equating it with asceticism or cheapness. It is just another way of saying that you take a red pill approach to possessions. You effectively utilize money - on self-improvement, things you enjoy, interesting experiences. You don't spend it on things simply because society says they have value or you want to purchase an identity. A minimalist will spend money on travel, education, living in a good area, personal trainers, healthy food, comfortable home and even things of purely aesthetic appeal like fine dining, tailored clothes, etc. He won't spend money on things where the pleasure he gets is mainly from the reaction of others - flashy car, low quality but name brand clothing, unnecessarily large home.

Yep, good post.

I have a laughably crappy car. When someone backed into it and it needed a new fender, I didn't get it fixed. I got a "putty job" on it just so the door would open all the way.

But I do have the best juicer and the best blender. I go to an "expensive" gym, new mac, etc. When traveling I don't count nickels and dimes.

I just choose not to stockpile a bunch of stuff that weighs me down.

My approach is sorta like Warren Buffett's, "You can only sleep on one bed. I have the bed I want but not 50 beds."

[Black Knight]

(03-12-2013 11:41 AM)MikeCF Wrote:  

But I do have the best juicer and the best blender. I go to an "expensive" gym, new mac, etc. When traveling I don't count nickels and dimes.

I just choose not to stockpile a bunch of stuff that weighs me down.

This describes my approach as well. Stuff, especially if you have to go into debt to acquire it, severely constrains your freedom. Chase money so that you can buy a few nice things that enhance your goals and a lot of unforgettable experiences.

I wrote about this at ROK a while back: Why You Should Become a Minimalist

OP seems to be suffering from the "grass is greener" mentality and conflates luxury spending with improving his life. I especially don't understand the boat thing -- if it flies, floats or fucks, rent it!

[Purple Urkle]

(02-23-2013 06:14 PM)MikeinMKE Wrote:  

So tired of that "stuff you own ends up owning you" line. Pure tripe.

Dude, fuckin' chill out with your beta-fear-of-others-myth-of-scarcity-self-righteous-anger trip. To each his own. Why the fuck are you so bummed on minimalism? What, was your daddy a minimalist or something? You and the dude who started this thread should talk this shit out with a therapist. "Me thinks thou doth protest too much." -Shakespeare

[iknowexactly]

I am back in the USA after being in EE and my passive income is only barely enough to live here.

I don't have a car, I rent every couple weeks when I need to visit friends.

I realized besides having upkeep costs, a car is something that leads you to make other purchases. Why? It's easier to go to the store and easier to carry shit back!!

I'll call it a leading purchase. All things that you have to sell if you want to relocate also waste a lot of time selling them.

I like the account of being able to pack up in 20 minutes. It fosters a whole different mindset. Selling a car and getting a decent price can take at least two weeks. So you subconsciously realize " I can't go anywhere for two weeks. " unless you have the money to put things into storage without that overhead bothering you .

The ways more shit stresses you:

1) More work to pack and carry.
1.5) Too much stuff places limits on types of transport. e.g. You can't take some
buses with three suitcases.
2) More thought to organize and find stuff.
3) More airline fees to transport.
4) More hassles from airport personnel snooping. I had to go back through Ukrainian passport control because Customs wanted to look at some harmless stuff in my bag.
5) More chance of stuff being lost in transit.
6) More problems leaving suitcases in hotels etc, theft.
7) More luggage costs
8) Time wasted selling shit when you move.
9) Stress of selling things and negotiation.
10) More difficult to move quickly when are in a foreign country, get a bad landlord and they are fucking with you and trying to strong-arm you for your shit. (This has actually happened to me and I lost stuff as a result.) I guess a bad or predatory neighbor could also make you want to move fast.

12) I am finding that the price differential in some items is not what it used to be. For instance, music equipment ( amps etc) used to be about twice as much in Europe. Now I found it's only about 20% more than USA.

When you talk about selling a house, a boat, and RV, and a car to go somewhere, that's not really freedom. That means just to go somewhere is major major project. You will tend to be discouraged from doing it.

Freedom is you can go to Asia in five days and not have to do a ton of stuff first. Owning a lot of stuff is like having a second job.

I don't even have a first job.

[Giovonny]

(03-13-2013 01:54 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

I don't even have a job.

[freshcream]

I'm looking at a living situation now that I think would help with a minimalist lifestyle.

Renting an apartment in walking distance to my job and the supermarket.

Local bus station has fares to big cities close by.

30 minutes by bus to aiport with cheap tickets to all over Europe.

Walking distance to marina, could possibly get a boat to access the beautiful coastline here.

If all this works out I'll be a happy man.

No car, but still getting around.

[Vicious]

Never owning a car has likely been one of the best economic decisions of my life.

[freshcream]

yeah... I guess Sweden is almost as bad as Norway. At least 10k USD a year just to own a car... you can take a lot of bus for that money..

[TheCaptainPower]

I'm working on that first million, "get rich or die trying"....If I don't get it by age 60 then I will go the cheap bastard route.

[kali]

I am a huge supporter of minimalism and have gotten rid of about 90% of the crap I never used. I have down graded from a 4br home in suburbia to renting a nice high rise condo in the city. I still have all my toys (cars, rv, atv, utv, motorcycle, etc) which I currently use but getting rid of all the crap I never used was very refreshing. I do enjoy the better things in life and getting rid of all that excess clutter helps me enjoy it much more.

[pitt]

(03-13-2013 08:18 PM)TheCaptainPower Wrote:  

I'm working on that first million, "get rich or die trying"....If I don't get it by age 60 then I will go the cheap bastard route.

One million by the time you are 60?

If all your focus is making money, you should have one million way before you become 60. Learn a well paid trade or get a good job and you should be making good money every year. You can then invest the money and you should have 1 million dollars after few years if you invest it wisely.

[bacon]

Good article relevant to the thread

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/opinio...html?_r=1&

[bacon]

[emuelle1]

Amen. Fuck minimalism. At least, fuck minimalism as a general concept. I admire a man who can literally live out of a car, but I have no desire to do so. I like books too much to throw my collection away just to be able to live out of a car.

My strategy is to focus on the things I'm really into, and economize on the things I don't care so much about.

[bacon]

how to guide for minimalism
http://charliebroadway.blogspot.mx/2011/...guide.html

also solid article on the subject
http://boldanddetermined.com/2013/10/21/...ch-part-1/