The Top 10 Money Wasters In Our Houses with Minimal Mom 

I'd like to share a mistake I made in hopes of helping others. My kids are 19 and 22 now but as they were growing up, both my husband's parents and mine would spend a set amount of $ on each of my kids for Christmas and birthdays and I would always search and search for new toys to spend the money on and we'd spend it all. In hind sight, we should have started a savings account for each of the kids with most of the money and just bought something small so they'd have a gift from the grandparents. Not only was a lot of money wasted, this practice also contributed to a lot of clutter a even more to to pile of toys they never played with!

One of the best pieces of advice I received upon becoming a new grandma was: give them experiences, not things! Everyone else was drowning them in things. I took that advice. She is now 25 and we’re still doing this. Her college graduation gift from us was to take her to Spain. She remembers just about all the experiences we’ve shared. I guarantee you she remembers few of the things she also got. I just wish I’d have realized this with my son!! They want you, not stuff.

1. Kitchen gadgets (you don’t need one for every little process) 2. “Miracle” cleaners / skin care (just start using what you have-“it’s the motion not the potion”) 3. Kids toys & books (too much of them) 4. Craft supplies (just give kids tape and recycled materials) 5. Holiday decor (you don’t need every room decorated for every season) 6. Clothes that don’t fit right now (get rid of it and the negativity in your closet) 7. Baby toys and gear (borrow first then buy second hand if needed) 8. Storage containers (that you never use and stay in the closet) 9. Food that’s on sale (unless it’s something you always cook with on a regular basis) 10. Workout shoes, clothes, and equipment (develop the habit first, then reward with a pair of new shoes)

My parents did not have debt but they had high priorities of home owning, private school for 4 kids and planning for retirement from the beginning. They were not big on buying us a lot, but when they did they saw the investment. They took us places rather than "stuff" that ended in the landfill. As a child, I have been camping in three different countries. We were never home. I have the memories and family experiences of a lifetime. I also have the travel bug with my photography today. When we got older, they enclosed a patio for a pooltable room. As teens we had a place to hang out rather than the streets of a metro city. It was an investment to keep all four of us and our friends off the streets. My parents created a cool place for us to hang out and they knew where we were.

I love how Rachel is using her platform to collaborate with RU-vidrs on different subjects that relate to finances and lifestyle :-)

One thing that helps to walk away from a good bargain is this advice: "If you buy that and you don't need it, you might be robbing someone else of a blessing." Because someone else might really use that item and miss out on getting it at a great deal because it's sitting on my shelf!

I can never thank Dawn enough for how she made minimalism and declutttering doable! I've been a minimalist for 4 years now and it's so life-changing! It helps with spending also!

Yes! I get shamed for not buying my kids birthday/Christmas presents for the first 3 years of their life’s. 1. They don’t know who it’s from and 2. EVERYONE bought in surplus for my kids and they had too much to play with so me not giving meant nothing. A good solid 3rd point is I paid for the party lol

Also, Dawn talks about how much easier it is to get the house back in order when there's a place for everything! Fly Lady says " You can't clean clutter." That's a huge motivation for me - quicker cleanup and less money out the door!👍🏻👏🏻❤

Top 10 things declutter and be frugal. 1. Kitchen gadgets (time to clean equals + exceeds the time it saves.) 2. Miracle cleaners: house cleaners, hygiene etc (The magic is in the motion not the potion. Just use the stuff you have.) 3. Kids Books and Games "Our kids just want us. They are drowning in the stuff. They are crying out for attention." Crabby, crying, bored- take away the stuff and you will have the most happy, content and creative child. 4. Craft Supplies: Just use recycling items and masking tape to breed creativity. 5. Buying clothes that don't fit right now. It's on sale, name brand etc. Don't buy it if it doesn't fit. 6. Baby clothes and gadgets. Borrow it. Kids are all different. 7. Food on sale. If you don't use it, don't get it. (Probably, you'll Throw it away.) 8. Workout gear or gadgets Rather than buy it first, use the purchase as the reward. You probably have runners. 9. Fear- what if I make a mistake? If it's under 100 dollars get rid of it. What do you regret? "So little, keep what you use everyday. Start with the easy things: clothes, kitchen." You gain confidence as you go. Decluttering is peeling onion skins. 10. What are you doing right now that you are proud of? Buying a farm and creating rentals. Be wise and intentional.

I love my current season of life, turned age 65 last year. What flipped for me is that I am exiting from the 3 decade long accumulation phase and now have a fresh slate to give the stink-eye to prior treasures that have simply turned into STUFF and now exist as clutter rather than prized collections. Now that I am at the point where I don't see any good reason to acquire, I am restoring freedom to my life by creating serene space, and new future vistas that don't have the undertow of stuff shackling me. Turning 65, I have reached the point of having completed all of the baby steps and paid off the mortgage last year. Now that I owe no man, I am freeing myself of inventory and making a clear-sighted future. I could have done this 20 years ago, but I am so happy to be doing it today!

Having less stuff makes keeping the house clean so much easier! It used to take a full evening to clean my home and now only takes about an hour and a half on a weekly basis since it is soo much easier to keep things tidy on a daily basis!

"I left the empty bins" that was so awesome!! love it!

When I saw Dawns video on your set I was like “Yes we are getting two videos from this collab!” Y’all are a great help together!

You kept the shelves full of empty totes so your husband wouldn’t fill the shelves with other things! Being married to a “saver” that may be the most brilliant thing I have ever heard. My wheels are spinning. Thank you! 👍🏼

I found Dawn during COVID and she has totally helped head me into decluttering! Just found Rachel recently, what a great collaboration!!

I spent almost zero money on my third baby’s clothing! I got some from my registry, but the bulk of it is from my mom friend who has a girl 6 months older than mine so I get all of her hand me downs. It’s AMAZING!

I love Dawn. Her content has been instrumental on my minimalism journey. I recommend her to EVERYONE because getting rid of stuff truly is life-changing, freeing.

Insta pots and air fryers take up space. I've cooked for 40 years without them. Don't need 'em now.

This is so exciting to see you 2 awesome women together. Jesus shines through you both! Thank you both for all you do.

One good source of minimalist life are the old Laura Ingalls Wilder books. They had very little in their happy little lives. At 60 years old, I ordered them from an online used book source and began rereading them. Very cute stories- easy reading- AND they put into perspective the amount of extras we can really live without.

I just went to a friend’s baby shower last weekend. And I told her I was bringing baby gear we no longer needed. The back of my minivan was FULL. 😅 She was so happy and grateful for the items, and I was so happy to get that stuff out of my garage! And I totally agree about getting out of debt. My husband & I went on that journey about 10 years ago. And now I am able to stay home with our 3 & 4 year old girls. It was a long, hard process, but completely worth it.

Dawn, you are such an inspiring role model and I especially like how you are yourself in different contexts. I have followed you for some years now and my admiration for you just grows. Thanks.

Yes to all of this!! This is why I sell consignment. My mission statement is "Giving used items a second life at an affordable price." It's all about helping people declutter, find great deals rather than buying new, and putting money back into my client's pockets and our community. Great talk ladies!

I'm a much calmer, happier mom thanks to Dawn. I typed in too many toys into RU-vid and binge watched all of her toy declutter videos then proceeded to declutter our whole house. Life is much simpler ☺️❤️

Dawn is one of my favorite influencers. I doubt that I'll ever be a minimalist, but she has taught me to look at items in my house as if they are inventory that has to be managed. I've also learned a lot about organizing my home from her.

My granddaughter moved in with me last year. There's no excess clutter & no drama at my house and she loves it 😊 She had just graduated High School.

“The magic is in the motion not the potion” SO GOOD!

I love this collab! Love watching both channels

Dawn , congrats is so great to see you in Rachel’s show! I loved both shows!

Terrific content! Conversations that matter. Most of us connect and can relate at some point in our life. Very grateful for connecting with Dave years ago, then Rachel and then Dawn. Thank you.

❤ I have followed both of you for a long time! So great to see you together. Awesome video!

LOVE both you and Dawn, and so happy to see her on your show!!!!!

Great video, awesome insights on what to do, how it feels to start decluttering!!

Love LOVE LOVE You both!!! I want more collabs from you two!! You gals make a great team!!!

Love this!! Love the both of your shows so cool you are both on together

I have loved you both for awhile so this collab is so heartwarming! Thank you ladies!! 💜

Great video. You two are a great team. I could listen to you for hours at a time.

Yes🙌🏻 I’m new to the idea that our items are sending messages - good and bad- with this awareness I am able to focus on making changes / decluttering to gain only positive messages. Giving grace is one of the best gifts to ones self 💕

So proud of you Dawn! Love seeing you at Ramsey, you both have helped our family ❤️

I am so glad I saw this! Love you both! I learn so much from you both!

Love the tips!!! I feel like running 🏃‍♀️ around the house to declutter the house. Thanks 🙏

Great video! Dawn is so awesome. Very articulate and helpful. ❤️

Love Dawn! such a positive outlook on family minimalist and living with intention.

I love how your personalities work together! I would love to see more of the two of you together! Two fun people! 😆

Love you both! I have followed you both for several years, loved thus collaboration together. Wish Dawn was a more regular person with Dave Ramsey, such a great addition that would be. Dawn you have developed so much more confidence in yourself throughout the years. I am so happy for you and your family!

Love seeing you both together. Been following for years. 🥰🥰

I’ve never clicked on a video so fast in my life! Two of my favorites coming together! This was soo great…thank you ladies.

Such an amazing collab!!! Love these two ladies! Please do this again sometime!

Yes dynamic duo!!! Thank you ladies! The struggle is real and when I need to push through, I can always rely on you both 🥰 🙏

What a FABULOUS video!!! I just shared it on FB to inspire my friends and family! Thank you! Love from MN!

💖 What a combo!! Love it-amazing double inspiration. Thankyou to both you ladies for speaking life-changing encouragement into my week ea week!! Cheers Kylie

💗 I've listened to both of you for years now , this is so exciting 🙌 finally my 2 favorite ladies are together

Two of my very FAVORITE RU-vidrs in one place!!! Love it!!

This was a great and useful video! Thank you!

Love seeing you two together. You two have been so pivotal for me.

Love the Minimal Mom... Thank you for bringing Dawn. She is so inspiring♡

Thank you Ladies for sharing your journey!! It’s helped me be content and have peace with Gods strength! ❤️🙏

This is something I've been taught and feels good to see it here. Function over beauty when it comes to food storage containers and small appliances. I researched my electric pressure cooker before buying it to make sure it could do a lot of the things I needed done and waited almost a yr to buy on a black Fri sale to save money. Bought decent Rubbermaid set of containers for food storage, not the absolute cheapest but not expensive and waited for sale to buy. I lost everything in home disaster so had to start from fresh and made sure to purchase with purpose and intent rather than just anything. Clothes same thing very intentional when I had to start fresh. With the decor it's simple decent signs for the door and something that goes through the entire 3mths. Glad to see I'm working pretty close to the same as this.

I love both of you and the advice you give! What a treat to have you in one video!

Great interview. Thank you both!

Mind blown seeing 2 of my favorite Inspiring women together! Great tips Dawn!

Great job Dawn. Awesome interview.

Love that you two collaborated!! Enjoy watching both of you!! God bless you both!!

Seeing the two of you together is like seeing two of my most trusted best friends! Keep this up!

I love this! Yes, "...the two worlds collide." I watch you, both, all the time!

TFS Rachel I found Dawn a couple of years ago when she was teaching about paper clutter - a thorn in my side - and I’ve joined the minimalist society. I’m better now budget wise and in the process of becoming a minimalist. Keep up the good work. Many blessings from California 🌴💕🙏

Love this! Two of my favorites on RU-vid. ❤️

Great collaboration of ideas...I often find it quite easy to declutter, it's hard for me resisting bringing things back in as I enjoy walking around the shops seeing what is new🙈 change of recreational ideas required I think!

Thanks Dawn and Rachel! 2 of my favorite ladies!

So awesome to see both of you together. Love both women and both channels!

Wonnnnderfulll , Ladies ! What a fabulous collab of two wise, accomplished, inspiring and kind - hearted GEMS who are beautiful ... Inside Out! Thank you for doing this. Liz

When you covered the kids toy topic, it brought back my own revelation. I was watching a RU-vidr (I don’t even know who it was now), and they were talking about buying so many toys at clearance price so you could get more for your money. They spun it around said “so it’s OK to spoil your kids as long as it was a good DEAL?!” It just hit me that clearance shopping was creating my problem! So now when we do gifts I am SO intentional now! And like Dawn said our kids are drowning in stuff and starving for our attention! Experiences are wonderful gifts instead♥️

Dawn is great! 🧡 So glad she came to visit and share. Love the Minimal Mom Channel.

Yayyy! Love minimal mom, Dawn. Excellent collaboration!

Yesss! Love you both!! You crushed it, Dawn! And you both look adorable! So excited for how God will use this to bless even more people with the message you share!

Two of my favorite RU-vidrs! Rachel and Dawn! Love this episode!

We love Dawn! Surely she is a Godsend, with a message this generation of stuff needs. Thank you Dawn, and Rachel.

This was great!! I started watching Dawne from @theminimalmom 2 years ago and I have learned so much! We just moved from Chicago to Tampa, FL and her tips made a BIG difference in how I purged before the move! I didn't want to bring all of that "extra" stuff in the house to our new home 👍😄 Saved us money and time. Thanks to both of your tips - we are living our dream life in FL! 🙌🌴🙏❤️

I have loved Dawn for so long now. She's inspired me to have a more comfortable home and peace of mind. She's a great interview. Way to go! I'm a new follower of you now, Rachel Cruze. Love it!

Great guest with helpful info thx Rachel!

This has been fun to see 2 of my favorite RU-vidrs collaborating together!!

Love the Minimal Mom!! Congratulations Dawn!

I LOVE Dawn! I've been watching her for a few years and the first thing that attracted me was her infectious positivity. Her laugh reminds me of a beloved aunt we lost young.

Great collaboration - love Dawn!

Two of my favorite RU-vidrs together!!! 💗

When my husband and I bought our dream house I said we should have life insurance because it would be hard without the two incomes. My husband passed away 5 years later with prostate cancer at the age of 50 and my life would have been so much more stressful, which is really was after loosing the love of my life. Get insurance!

Love the Minimal Mom!! Great collab! :)

Thank you for inspiring me to get rid of all the clothes taking up space in my closet that don’t fit me anymore! I just took them off the hanger and into the donate bags

Dawn is amazing she’s literally changed my life

I am a recent empty nester. I have watched Dawn and the Minimalists and have downsized and decluttered and got rid of a lot. Stuff seems to keep creeping in if you don't stay on top of it. Thanks for these videos as they are great to go back to to get inspired again.

Love this! I needed to hear this!

This is awesome! Great interview!

Two of my favorite ladies in one video! 😲😲 thank you for this!!

Yay! Dawn is awesome! SO glad you had her on your show Rachel!

Hahhaahah it is STILL you in the shoes!! Love it! So much awesome in here. So excited to see you guys together! Praise God!!

Yes! I’m in the process of doing this to my house! I love this

Love you two!!!!! How exciting to see you together!!! ❤️ 😍

Dawn is such a good source of knowledge. Love this lady.

Oh gosh!!!! Two of my favourite RU-vidrs together! This is absolutely amazing!!! You are all an answer to prayer. My journeys are merging too! Thank you!!!