Less is More || Minimalism and Saving Money 

Arabs saying: "The rich man isn't the one with the most, but the one who needs the least."

You just described the life I was raised on as I come from a low income lower middle class (that was our category growing up but it my have changed as economically my community is getting worse) family who has had to work hard to every single dollar and stretch it unbelievably thin. I don't want to bash minimalism because I do see the healthy affect but I do want people to know that though this is trending lifestyle choice now. It IS healthier. Please remember that you are fortunate if you have a CHOICE. I never did. My mother never did. Making rent is hard and it's not because we go to the coffee shop everyday. It's really difficult just to have groceries in our apartment with rent and utilities killing us. My minimalism doesn't come from the desire for clearer mind or more positive and productive space. My minimalism comes from constant stress and paranoia. My minimalism doesn't come from the desire to travel and take trips. My minimalism is a means of survival. I just really want people to get perspective on this new lifestyle trend.

Wow I dont even make $1500 a month lol I am really enjoying my journey into minimalism. Its very freeing. I enjoyed this video, very helpful.

Gratitude is like my NUMBER ONE thing i constantly tell people. i think capitalism/consumerism doesn't want us to be grateful for what we have and it's very damaging to the daily mood.

This is excellent - wish I would have gotten on board earlier- figured it out at about 45 - took years to escape the buying, shopping trap. My was able to quit my job once I embraced this lifestyle. I hope it lasts! I paint, knit, read, walk, and do things I enjoy- instead of working at job I hated. I am so fortunate because my husband is ok with this and he still works - but he likes his job. I hope writing this does not jinx it. The best way for me to not spend is simple: I do not leave the house much in my car. Everything around where I live is all geared toward one thing: buying something. I live in a very commercial place - Dallas, TX. I walk to the park and walk. I found neighbors to share coffee with, etc. - I can't imagine all the money I spent on starbucks, clothes, endless changes in furniture and art and books for my home, etc. - we also do not go out to eat and I do not miss it! It was all so conditioned - it was how I grew up and how my entire family lives. They all have more money than we do - and that's fine. I have not been out to a movie in years. Wait - it's all at the library or on Netflix (yes I spend on that) 6 months or so after being at the movie theatre. You are smart to figure out hair and make up are so overpriced and truly do not make you look much better - buy at drugstore on sale and resist the notion that you need more and more makeup. I do get hair colored and highlighted - after 6 years of doing it myself - I just missed how it looked. So, it costs me 130 - and I do it 4 times a year. I used to do it double that amount. I decided the 130 was worth it. ETc. etc. - I love that young people are figuring this out!!! YOu will save so much money and find life is actually really good without stuff. Yes - be mindful. Find alternatives. Trade with people in your neighborhood - we have an online neighborhood thing - borrow tools, trade yarn for paint, do plant clippings, on and on - I avoid Home Depot/Lowes unless I have to go. Do not belong to Sams or Costco. ETc. etc. - I do not miss any of it!

OMG you must feel like you got a pay rise saving all that money. This video was very good thank you! We don't always need a pay rise, just need to fit within your means. Don't always need a bigger house. But to live within the house you have now. Sell items you don't use or donate them ect. I'm going through a cleanse of the house at the moment. I bought a new lounge that fits my house with the money I saved from selling unwanted items and saved from not spending.

I have to be honest, I was really smug thinking I wouldn't have much to learn from this video. But, I really appreciate how vulnerable and open she was about her minimalism. I found this video refreshing and motivating. Thanks for the great content FemmeHead!

The key to everything is said in this video right at the beginning, just be thankful for what you have. When you are happy with what you have, suddenly you just don't care about the extra stuff. When I go shopping I ask myself "do I really need ANOTHER black shirt?" we just want more and more stuff and we don't need it!

I watched a lot of minimalism/money saving videos in the last time and this is one of the best :)

Good tips. I think sometimes people don't realize how much they actually spend. I really like the idea of writing down how much you spend everyday in a planner. I will be doing that from now on.

I'm finding that my shopping habits are getting out of control and I'm looking to seriously cut down and start saving. This really helped. Thanks :)

It's so interesting listening to this because it made me realize how different American culture is from others. Although I was born and raised in America, my parents are both from third world Asian countries and we never grew up going out to eat or buying cool new toys and such. We only went out to eat when it was our only option. My mom even made it a point that she never spends more than 50% of the family's NET PAY (which is the money you get after taxes).. this meant that we were living a life off of 25% of our pre-tax income Things like going out to eat, buying whatever you wanted from the grocery store, or even getting a soda from a vending machine was sort of a luxury for me as a kid! Anyway, this was an interesting video to watch!

This is probably one of the best videos I have seen on this topic. Real evidence, and I hate to say that I have been wondering *where!?* all my money would go, but being a chronic spender I refused to really look at it. Listening to you add up the "if you ate out every meal" scenario, I realized that I spend almost that (maybe more?!) a month on eating meals out. Just altering that one habit could completely change the fact that I usually live paycheck to paycheck AND have debt, and I knew I should eat out less, but hearing that money added up staggered me. Especially comparing it to trips, which I always want to do but never have the money to. Thank you so much for that eyeopener.

My husband and I have cut back as much as we can in order to pay off our mortgage ASAP. As far as grocery shopping goes I've made a list of items I keep a small stock of. This way, I can keep track of what I have and not buy more of something just because it's on sale when I already have 3 of that item in the house. I also do meal planning for each week. Rice and oatmeal are your friends (super cheap)! How you were talking about thinking purchases through, the best way to think of it is "I'd have to work __ hours in order to pay for this item. Is it worth it?" Love your video! :) I love hearing what other people do to save money.

6-7 months ago I did the same: before every purchase i wanted to make, i put "the thing" in a list to make it settle, then when i realize that i need the "thing"i start a short research for the best one...and once you order it (online or buy it) is like everything is on the right place. Otherwise, you buy lots of lots of loooots of things that you dont really need. It happened to me to spend money and then, right after that...feel sorry for the that purchase. As i see, you uploaded the video around the time i faced the same Minimalism idea, so i think it was..and still is a specific period of cleaning and mind refreshing :) anyway..i talk a lot! wishing you luck with Minimalism! its amazing!

Admitting your flaws is what makes me subscribe to certain youtubers! I love to see the realness and how they overcome! When admitted you LOVE makeup tutorials and buying that makeup but it was a waste because you have a minimalistic makeup routine👌

Great video! I recently started longterm travel. I am living only with what fits in a small backpack. It really makes you think about how much you actually "need." Great points in this video!

I love everything about the video. The simplicity, the honesty, the things that you said, I totally agreed. And yours eyebrows ROCK.

I just wanted to say your makeup in this video is GORGEOUS. I have never been able to get makeup right but this look is just beautiful to me.

Thanks for sharing. I was thinking about minimalism today when I was running errands. It's crazy how much stuff people will buy, and most of it ends up in landfills within a year or two. It's so wasteful and so sad. I'm trying to really appreciate what I have and spend less so that I can give more away. :)

My Amazon Wish List is the same as your want list. I put stuff in there and then just wait until I have the cash to buy it. I also shop around a lot to find the best deal on something before pulling the trigger. Another thing is to use cash back sites like Ebates or TopCashBack. If I'm buying an item, may as well get all I can from the purchase. Something else is cash back, or rewards, credit cards, but one has to be very responsible. I've got a credit card that rewards me 5% cash back for gasoline purchases, and that's all I use the card for. As soon as the fill up is posted on the card, I pay it then and there. If you're disciplined enough, the rewards are worth it.

Your video informs & inspires people around the world, to live less, to be happier & free more. I'll try it (live minimally) too. Thanks for your inspiration.

Love this video! ! I just got rid of 1/2 of my wardrobe. I'm cutting down in 2016. Thank you for sharing what you are doing and giving great idea.

very good! good to know that more and more people are beginning to live consciously! Having a life where you use your money on EXPERIENCES and not on STUFF , you'll have a satisfying life ...swear to God!

A tip I do: I boil the kettle for doing dishes, instead of using hot tap water which comes from the hot water tank. I save $15 dollars a month, which is $180 a year.

very honest reflection on thrift stores - and nice, soothing choice of music. Thank you!

I love the idea of the want list. I've been struggling with things that I think I "want" but I don't necessarily need. I'm slowly switching out to a more minimalistic lifestyle and I'm really enjoying every bit of it. Such a great message, thanks for sharing!

This music sounds like you're telling us how to overcome a death in the family.

Just started a minimalist journey, especially since finding out that my son has Asperger's Syndrome. I have found that my life is spent cleaning all the time instead of fully living and enjoying my children each day. Through a youtube search I found this video and I love your tips and ideas. Also, you are beautiful and very calming to listen too. What kind of camera do you use to film?

Love this video. It feels so good to free yourself from all of the clutter and things that way you down. I've actually being a little addicted to getting rid of things. Can't be a bad thing right? Light to you!

Yes, train the brain to be content, it is very peaceful!

Oh I can really relate to your thrift store experience. I mainly shops thrift stores or get items from other reuse/recycle sources (friends unwanted things etc) because I am environmentally conscious. The cheaper prices are a bonus but not my main consideration. I really hate buying new things and feel very guilty because I'm contributing to an increase manufacture of goods and therefore stress on the environment. However, now if I buy at thrift stores etc I don't have that guilt and I'm much more likely to buy things I don't really need or use often and clutter my life. That's something I want to change.

Wow this was very helpful! My boyfriend and I eat out every day at least once some days all meals and it's easy to not realize how much you spend plus the negative side effects to your health. I think we enjoy spending time together talking and steeping out I think I got this from my family were Mexican and family and spending time with loved ones is a really big part of our culture so is food but I will work on cooking more meals at home making them delicious and creating a comfortable ambiance so we feel like we're at a restaurant! Thanks for all your tips ;)

makeup tutorials are my guilty pleasure too!

Can't wait to start my own minimalist journey!😊

there is so much clutter on youtube, but this is such an awesome corner of purity and happiness! i love all these tips. HOORAH for spending less money and wasting less. go femmehead, new subscriber right here :)

The way you multiply buying items for an entire year is the same way I have been able to cut back on purchasing small things. Coffee is one of my pleasures, trying new coffee shops and what not. I now buy the whole beans from the shop and make my own coffee at home. It is still $18 for a solid 12oz bag but it lasts me 2 weeks rather than a cup a day. It's hard to even buy cups of coffee now when I know how much I could make at home.

Can you make a video on how your house looks/the minimalist style?

I love your videos! You give great advice and I feel like my journey to minimalism, less waste, and health consciousness has been greatly impacted by RU-vidrs like you. I would love to know your beauty (hair, makeup, etc.) routine and what products you buy/what products you make yourself. I make several of my own but I feel like I still spend too much money on "natural" or "vegan" beauty products that go to waste!

I really love the content of your video, so informative. You've clearly put a lot of thoughts into it and it really resonates with me and my lifestyle - especially the makeup and meal planning part. I just recently stopped buying makeup product to use up all that I've accumulated over time, darn those makeup tutorial! Lol. While I haven't actually gotten into meal planning yet, I always make a list of what's in the fridge and what I'd do with them. I'm not wasting as much anymore, but still far from the 2% waste that I'm aiming for. Thanks for this video, really inspiring!! 👍🏽

Very helpful tips. Gave me alot to think about. I don't think I can cut out as much as you...but definitely gave me some areas to think about.

I'm sort of weird I guess. I am a semi minimalist & a semi prepper. I have things, but am trying to get rid of more & more, yet I still prepare for things like hurricanes, electrical outages ( which happen a lot here) etc. I think that an Attitude of Gratitude really goes a long way & that minimalism isn't just a one time thing, but a process to get your mind into the right way of thinking so you are content with what you have. Hard to do in today's consumer driven world.

Such a beautiful soul. You can feel such genuine energy come threw the screen. Thank you for inspiring me

Thanks for posting these are very helpful and you're a very humbling sweet person that's very mature for someone so young and refreshing because ppl are just not grateful about anything and I forwarded this to my daughter so she can get that minimalist seed put in your brain and her life So glad I saw this video because you speak all truth and actually taking the time to help ppl you don't even know and that's being gracious 👍🏽😃👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

I loved this video! I think the estimates on spending really helped put things into perspective. As a business owner, I also saw ways to transfer some of the concepts to my company. Great work!

Great video subject and well done for explaining the idea of being a conscious consumer. I'd also love to highlight (I'm sorry if you have said something about this in the video as I didn't quite watch all of it) that other benefits to minimalism include emotional freedom and piece of mind that comes with having less stuff and also the positive effect on the environment of simply consuming less :)

great video! you make great videos in general. thank you for sharing your tips!

Just found this video and it's lovely! You seem like such a genuine person and I'd love to see more minimalism videos!

Thank you for sharing! My routine and money habits are much like yours. I'm encouraged even more now to shop at thrift stores when I do need/ actually actually want an item :).

I love your idea of inviting friends over for meals Instead of going out. What would you usually cook for them? I always get anxious making food for others who may not be vegan.

Another tip for hair is going to a cosmetology school! My local cosmetology school does a cut and color for $38!

Thank you so very much for making this video, I heard someone else briefly talk about her minimalistic way of living and it already sounded really appealing to me. Now that I´ve heard you about it, I know I really want to do this aswell. And I might be able to visit my mom who lives in the States, I live in The Netherlands. Really loved your video, excited to check out your other video´s. And by the way, your hair looks gorgeous.

I just found you here on youtube and i am just in love with your videos. Thank you for doing a sooo good job!

I appreciate this video. Recently I've been thinking about my purchases more and found out about the concept of minimalism (just in time for decluttering my room!). I'm seeing more of the value of each and every item I have. It's good to get rid of things I don't need. I don't think I will be able to live the minimalist life though since I am a sentimental person to begin with, and I love the idea of collecting things, such as manga and action figures. I think that aspect of me will never disappear, but minimalism helped me be smarter and more content about the other aspects of my life. I really appreciate people living this lifestyle. Is there a thing as a semi-minimalist cause I think I'll be like that soon hahaha!

Thank you for sharing your story, Victoria. It is very intimate to talk about lifestyle changes, we appreciate your openness. Your journey is inspiring, it makes me rethink my spending habits too. I cut my own hair and my boyfriend dyes it at home now! :) Meal planning is something I am still struggling with. Maybe you will make a video about it? ♥

encouraging.. we have 4 kids living at home and we do eat out sometimes..i just dont realize how much it is that were spending till its too late

Loved this!! Thanks for the tips, I’m on a minimalist journey and I’m so excited!!

YES yES Yes Thank you for the tips Way to start Minimalism

This video is so helpful! I watch it every now and then. And you are so absolutely stunning :)

Girl, you are stunning!!! Thankyou for this video xxx

DUDE. I think I love you. I think you just changed my life'

geez, this is really good. so thoughtful. thank you for sharing this

Really helpful more minimal videos please?

Yay, I'm not the only one who is keeping track on my money! :)

I started going to a hair school for cut and color. It's around $40 instead of like you said almost $200 it is students who have practiced on models and each other and they are supervised by a teacher so I'm always happy 😍 some of them even have other services like eyebrows manicures pedicures Etc

You don't need to dye your hair at all, save that much more $. I'm downsizing and liquidating a lot of assets, omg it's so easy to just keep getting stuff and holding onto things. I love your video, thanks for the help

You are so right! Good for you.

Since becoming minimalist I have much more money to save or to spend on important things even though my income has not increased. So I am wealthier both in terms of having less things and by having more money.

great video! Im really making my way towards a more zero waste and minimalistic lifestyle so thank you for the tips :)! x

Thanks for the very practical and useful tips!

Suggestion for hair: I go to the Aveda institute for deeply discounted haircuts that still feel high end. If you have a similar place in your city you could save money on cut and color and go more frequently

Cool tips. I guess it's also minimalist to have one earring in your nose instead of two in your ears! haha

I use evernote for my wish lists too!

I do something similar with a wishlist. i find the item I want online then bookmark it on my computer and create a folder. ill let it sit and look back through it later to see if those are items I actually need or want.

Thanks for this helpful video!! Very encouraging stuff

ur so right u gota be happy with what u have period

I'm so glad I started becoming a minimalist !

This video was incredibly helpful. I'm definitely going to start applying some of these things to my life :)

Has anyone mentioned getting your hair done at a beauty college. I can get a fabulous cut and color for far less than a regular shop. It’s been a great money saver and experience!

loved your video! Thanks for sharing your tips

I go to the hair school to color and trim and learned how to do color myself

love the color of your hair as well

You are a natural beauty and love ur brows. I've had obsessions with thrift shops n also say it's cheap who cares lol

Just found your channel and had to subscribe. So charming and clever person! Keep going :)

You are so relaxing and informative.

This was exactly what I needed! thank you so much Xx

Great video!! I love finding other youtubers interested in minimalism and simple living as I am... These were amazing tips and I like how you made true examples and calculations. Thanks for sharing!! Also... May I ask you which makeup products do you still use, if you still use some? You look gorgeous with this natural look and your skin is flawless! :)

Such a great video! Love this! Keep it up!

Quicktip: set your focus at the beginning of the video for wherever you'll be sitting, then turn off autofocus so it doesn't just start roaming around throughout the video.

Check out on you tube "The Story of Stuff" it's true less is more, clear home, clear head, larger space, more money, I love buying thrift & only get things I need x I'm still sorting out things clearing trinket river for sure.

I don't understand how people go grocery shopping without a list at hand... how do you not buy the whole store?!

Can you do a minimalist wardrobe video!? Love your videos :)

Your eyes are mesmerising! :) Thank you for this video!

First world problems :) But still it is nice of you for introducing the solutions. Keep it going!

this was so inspiring, im definitely going to utilize your advice! thank you so much! :)

I really love your videos. This is the best! Thanks =)

Where can I find all these attractive, smart and minimalistic women......home watching movies I guess :D Sweet video!!. The rest of life becomes so much more important when not distracted by superfluous stuff/items.

know the difference between want and need!

I really enjoyed what you were saying, but I found your background music in parts of the video to be overwhelming so it was hard to hear your voice clearly. It actually became annoying. This is the first time I have watched one of your videos, so I hope this is just an aberration.

We share the same saving ideas as you, thank you for this video and making me realize I'm not the only one taking care of each dollar. Like you said, sometimes we impulsively spend money and then wonder, where did it all go... Traveling is one of my priorities as well. Every time I feel like spending on something or eating out, Ill make the math and put the money away to see how much I can save jijijiji