You’re having a baby! This is such an exciting time. I created this frugal, minimalist baby must-haves article to help you figure out what you actually need for a new baby, so you don’t overspend or buy things you just won’t use. Now, if you’re anything like me, you might be experiencing slight dread at … Read more
I remember reading the parable of the Mexican fisherman about midway through my quest for financial freedom and having a real epiphany about what truly matters in life. For a long time, I believed that the key to financial freedom was continually acquiring more — more properties, more assets, more investments. I thought we had … Read more
If you’ve ever looked around your home and felt overwhelmed by stuff, or checked your bank account and wondered where did it all go?, you’re not alone. Many of us are realising that chasing more—more things, more obligations, more spending—isn’t making us happier. In fact, it’s making us stressed, stretched, and stuck. That’s where minimalism … Read more
In a world that often celebrates busyness and accumulation, many women and families are finding peace in paring things back. Minimalism isn’t about living with nothing—it’s about living with intention. By simplifying our homes, routines, wardrobes and finances, we create space for what truly matters: connection, clarity, and calm. Whether you’re new to minimalism or … Read more
Are you considering downsizing your house to save money? Welcome to the club! Hello, my name is Emma, and in 2015, I was exactly where you are now. I won’t rehash our entire downsizing story (you can read it here if you like), but suffice to say we downsized so we would have more time … Read more
The holiday season is always a challenge for those of us intent on simplifying our lives. If you are a minimalist parent, or just don’t like the excess that surrounds this time of year, here is a simple concept that could make your holiday season a whole lot easier. Want Need Wear Read: How does … Read more
Gifts for Minimalists. Sounds kind of like an oxymoron. I mean minimalists don’t want more stuff, right?? Wrong. Minimalists love gifts that are thoughtful, heartfelt, practical, or consumable. It’s not that we completely eschew stuff, it’s that we try to own only the things which we use or love. If an item doesn’t fit into those … Read more
Ten years ago, my husband and I were living in a large home with loads of stuff all around us. We had a toddler, a low income, and a large mortgage payment (relative to the income, anyway). Our house was damaged in the Christchurch earthquake, and we could not renovate it until we had a … Read more
Text to (insert number on invitation): “Does (child) like Paw Patrol/Shopkins/other plastic junk that I really don’t want to buy but must?” (I don’t say that last bit). Grab the item, take it to the cashier, and ask for a gift exchange receipt, just in case. This is the routine I go through 5 or … Read more
I’ve been living in a small house with my family for over three years now. I was quite apprehensive about how living in a smaller home would work for us, but I can say now that downsizing was the right choice. Don’t get me wrong, living in a small house with a family has not … Read more