When I packed up my life and moved to a new home, I didn’t expect the process to reveal just how much money I’d spent on things I didn’t truly need. As I boxed up items I hadn’t touched in years, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of guilt and relief. The move not only forced me to downsize but also gave me a new perspective on my spending habits and priorities. Now that I have been forced to look at all the random items that cost me a fortune I wish I had the ability to turn back time and not make such ridiculous purchases.
I also had my eyes opened to what happens when you buy something like an RV brand new! The amount of money I paid in taxes and fees is nearly double the amount the trailer I bought is worth. I wasn’t worried about that when I bought it because I was so excited about getting a luxurious camping trailer. Now that I was looking at getting rid of it I noticed the premiums I paid for an item I barely use. I also tried to find a way to return it and that is just not possible. They wouldn’t take it back, can only offer a commission sale if you could return it and you still owe the bank thousands. I will definitely be a lot more careful in the future when buying new items.
There are so many things to consider when moving and it’s scary to see what happens if you have brand new, expensive, stuff and you have to get rid of it. You take a huge financial hit. Getting rid of stuff is hard but it’s even worse when you still owe money at the end. Here’s some other things I’ve learned through this journey and how downsizing has positively impacted my life even if it was drizzled with a bit of bad news in between.
The Realization: We Spend Too Much on “Stuff”
Moving forces you to confront the things you’ve accumulated. From knick-knacks to clothing, kitchen gadgets, and random items “just in case,” I was shocked at how much of it wasn’t adding value to my life. It made me question why I bought these things in the first place and how I could better use my resources moving forward. Taking a look at all the random items that don’t add any value was a huge step to realizing I need to stop shopping on Temu and SHEIN as it was all wasteful trinkets I never really needed.
The Benefits of Downsizing
Here’s how simplifying my life has transformed my mental and financial health:
1. Mental Clarity
• Less Clutter, More Peace: With fewer belongings, my home feels more organized and peaceful. There’s less visual noise, and I no longer feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of “stuff.” I now have a simplified assortment of useful things and only kept the most memorable and personal stuff. I did not want to even think about using storage that I have to pay for monthly to store my stuff so I am super glad my new home has much more space and storage options!
• A Fresh Mindset: Letting go of excess has helped me focus on what truly matters—family, relationships, and experiences. I kept all my photos and favourite items but the rest of it had to go so I could have extra spending money for my move and for my families everyday needs. Our mental health and wellbeing as a family should be improving with the new space and location so I am very excited about that.
2. Financial Benefits
• Savings from Selling: I sold items I didn’t need, which put some extra money in my pocket and made me more mindful of future purchases. Now I will look closer at what I’m buying and why.
• Lower Expenses: Downsizing means less space to fill and maintain, which has translated to lower utility bills and less temptation to shop for things to “decorate.” I do have more space in my new home but now my focus is on keeping a tidy house with less trash.
• Budget Awareness: I’ve started tracking my spending more closely, focusing on needs rather than wants. My budget is now based on food and bills and not junk I don’t need. I’m excited to start implementing all of my budgeting and finance methods in our new home and seeing how well all my careful planning works over the years.
3. A New Spending Philosophy
• Experiences Over Things: I’ve shifted my focus toward creating memories rather than buying material possessions. Whether it’s a family outing or a homemade gift, I’m prioritizing what brings joy rather than what clutters my home.
• Quality Over Quantity: Instead of buying multiple cheap items, I now invest in fewer, higher-quality products that last longer. Stay away from discount items and dollar store garbage it is simply made to fill in empty spaces and not going to last.
• Mindful Consumption: Before purchasing anything, I ask myself: Do I truly need this? Will it add value to my life? I need to start giving myself time to think before deciding to buy as I have way too much stuff and barely use it.
Tips for Starting Fresh
If you’re looking to embrace a more intentional lifestyle, here are some strategies that worked for me:
1. Declutter Ruthlessly: Donate, sell, or recycle anything you don’t use or love. Donating stuff is worth it if you can’t sell it, there are so many things you wish you could get money for but people don’t want to buy.
2. Set Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your newfound mindset—saving for a trip, paying off debt, or simply reducing stress. We have to cut our spending to afford a more expensive home so it should be fun to have a goal that has to be met no matter what.
3. Adopt a One-In, One-Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, let go of one you no longer need. Ensure your kids understand why you need less and have them choose what makes them happy rather than just takes up space.
4. Create a Budget: Redirect funds from unnecessary purchases to meaningful investments in your future. I am so happy I had savings to rely on for our move. If I didn’t save as much as I did we would not be in our new home next month. Save for emergencies!
Final Thoughts
Moving opened my eyes to the excess in my life, but it also gave me the chance to start fresh with a clearer purpose. I now have so much insight into how important savings is, how much we waste, and what we actually need to survive. Downsizing wasn’t just about getting rid of stuff—it was about making room for a simpler, more intentional way of living. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by your possessions or spending habits, I encourage you to take a step back and evaluate what truly matters. You might be surprised by how freeing it feels to let go. I am very excited for this new chapter in my life, and now have so many new goals and important improvements to move forward with and teach my family.
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