Keep Simplifying Get rid of the big things you don't need

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You may have big items that are stored out of sight in a basement, yard, attic, or remote location. These items may not enter your day to day routine. For this reason, they are extremely dangerous: you forget about them, and they can take up large amounts of space

TIP: You don't have to be a monk.

TACTIC: If you rent storage space because you can't fit all your stuff in your home, recognize this as God's way of telling you that you have too much stuff.

Eliminate the items in your storage space, unless there is some special reason you have the storage space. Good reasons for storage space are for pre-positioned items at a remote location, such as for a vacation home or a temporary residence that you rent seasonally. Regardless of the reason, perform the clutter triage on everything in your storage space.

TACTIC: Get rid of unused major appliances, furniture, and vehicles as soon as possible.

These can take up an enormous amount of space, inconvenience you, and be unsightly. Don't keep a big item in the hopes of getting more money for it. Sell to the first person who pays a reasonable cost (perhaps free) and hauls it away. Thank him or her profusely.

You may have to pay someone to haul away certain items, but it will be worth the investment in your freedom.

TACTIC: Question the need to have a car.

An automobile may be one of the most expensive things you own. If you own a car, write down all of the costs of your car: insurance, maintenance, fuel, oil, payments, cleaning, parking, taxes, and unexpected repairs. Add to this total the opportunity cost of sinking your money into a car--what could the same amount of money you paid for your car earn if it were invested?

A paid-off, two-ton piece of metal in your driveway could easily be costing you $100 or more per month in lost investment income alone. Also consider the higher risk of injury or death from driving a car (particularly for young people) versus using public transit. A car can be a very costly item that sits unused most of the day and in which you sit caged many hours per day.

You can live without a car or even use car-sharing to avoid owning one. Essentially, if you live close to what matters and you plan your daily routine and errands, you can live--even thrive--without owning a car.

TACTIC: Reconsider the need for a vacation home or property.

Consider the costs of having a home in a far location that you visit infrequently. Is it possible that this same amount of money could buy you a vacation almost anywhere every year?

TACTIC: Ask yourself if you really need sport boats, vehicles, and other large pieces of equipment.

You can rent these when you need them. Owning them often gives you an expensive dust collector.

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2023-06-19 · John December · Terms © johndecember.com