For me the point is.
11:30:34 Omar: It’s the difference between need and want
11:31:13 R: I don’t need anything per se, but I don’t see why I shouldn’t have nice stuff if I can afford it/want it badly enough
11:33:49 Omar: That’s what I’m trying to get away from to be honest but I can appreciate your point of view.
11:34:46 R: and all the money you are saving from this minimal lifestyle… will you be giving it away to charity?
11:35:23 Omar: Of course not but just because I have it, doesn’t mean I need to spend it.
11:37:37 R: is there really a difference between “having stuff” and “sitting on a lot of cash” ?
11:44:16 Omar: I really do think so, but it’s not really the point for me. I don’t want to buy less because then I’ll have more money. I want to spend less because I think that I don’t really need to a lot of the time. Lately, I feel like I’m more aware of concentrating on things that make me happier and more content – largely taking the time to do things (even if it’s just little things like putting the rubbish out where I would have just left it for that little bit longer or just sitting down and listening to some music). Which I feel that I haven’t been doing in the past. I suppose my priorities have changed and part of that is not feeling the need to buy things.
11:44:30 Omar: Oops, I didn’t mean it to be that long.
11:49:03 Omar: I think it’s a very personal thing, for me at least. I feel like I need to do it because the way things were before just weren’t working for me. And what works for me won’t for you or Jenn and in any case it’s finding a balance that is right for you (or me or anyone else).
April 7, 2010